8 Old-Fashioned Stews You Need to Know How to Make

By Ghuman

Introduction

Nothing beats a hearty stew on a cold winter night. Stews are a classic comfort food that have been around for centuries. They are easy to make and can be made with a variety of ingredients. From beef to chicken to vegetables, there are so many different types of stews to choose from. In this article, we will explore 8 old-fashioned stews that you need to know how to make. From classic beef stew to a hearty vegetable stew, these recipes will be sure to warm you up and fill you up. So grab your ingredients and let’s get cooking!

8 Old-Fashioned Stews You Need to Know How to Make

Stew is a classic comfort food that has been around for centuries. From hearty beef stews to lighter vegetable stews, there are so many delicious recipes to choose from. Here are 8 old-fashioned stews you need to know how to make.

1. Beef Stew

Beef stew is a classic dish that is hearty and filling. It is made with beef, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, all cooked in a flavorful broth. Serve it with crusty bread for a complete meal.

2. Chicken Stew

Chicken stew is a lighter version of beef stew. It is made with chicken, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, all cooked in a flavorful broth. Serve it with a side of rice or noodles for a complete meal.

3. Lamb Stew

Lamb stew is a rich and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. It is made with lamb, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, all cooked in a flavorful broth. Serve it with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.

4. Vegetable Stew

Vegetable stew is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. It is made with a variety of vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions, all cooked in a flavorful broth. Serve it with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.

5. Fish Stew

Fish stew is a light and flavorful dish that is perfect for a summer night. It is made with fish, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, all cooked in a flavorful broth. Serve it with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.

6. Bean Stew

Bean stew is a hearty and filling dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. It is made with beans, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, all cooked in a flavorful broth. Serve it with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.

7. Mushroom Stew

Mushroom stew is a savory and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. It is made with mushrooms, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, all cooked in a flavorful broth. Serve it with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.

8. Potato Stew

Potato stew is a hearty and filling dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. It is made with potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables, all cooked in a flavorful broth. Serve it with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.

There truly is nothing like cozying up with a warm, comforting meal on a chilly night. Sure, that usual slow cooker soup you love is always an easy go-to for moments like this. But let’s take it up a notch, shall we? Instead of mixing together your usual soup, learn how to make one of these classic old-fashioned stews for a cozy night in.

While a soup is usually a mixture of items in a broth or a cheesy, creamy sauce, a stew cooks a bit differently—offering up just enough liquid for the items to “stew” and tenderize for a truly incredible flavor. And unlike a roast, which slow cooks a large cut of meat for a longer period of time, a stew cooks chunks of meat and vegetables that make it easier to scoop and serve when it’s finally time for dinner.

So, break out your dutch oven and whip up one of these delectable old-fashioned stews! And for more warm, delicious recipe ideas that will make you want to curl up by a fire, be sure to check out 25 Cozy Soup Recipes That Are Perfect For Weight Loss This Fall.

Beef stew recipe in black lined glass bowl
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

If there’s any stew that you have to earn how to make, it’s this classic beef stew. This old-fashioned stew has all of the traditional ingredients—beef, potatoes, carrots, onions—all simmered together in a delectable red wine reduction. It’s the perfect cozy meal to enjoy for a blistery winter night.

Get our recipe for Best-Ever Beef Stew in Red Wine.

spanish pepper beef stew with olives in a white bowl
Waterbury Publications

For a different take on a classic old-fashioned stew, this smoky Spanish beef stew has a flavorful, tangy twist thanks to pimiento peppers and olives. This is the perfect low-carb rendition of a classic beef stew if you’re looking for something a little lighter.

Get our recipe for Smoky Spanish Beef Stew With Olives.

Healthy minestrone with pesto
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

While some would categorize a minestrone as a soup, truthfully, because this vegetable dish has a hearty amount of vegetables and beans, it’s more closely resemblant to a stew. This delectable dish was a go-to in Italy, even during ancient Roman times. If you’re looking for a stew that will use up all of those vegetables and beans in your fridge and pantry, a minestrone is the perfect option.

Get our recipe for Veggie-Packed Minestrone With Pesto.

Two bowls of copycat Olive Garden pasta fagioli with parsley and parmesan cheese
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Another hearty Italian old-fashioned stew to learn how to make? Pasta e fagioli! Popularly known as a “bean stew” in Italy, this pasta and bean dish was also made popular during the time of ancient Romans. While our version is made with a pound of satiating ground beef, you could also make this lighter with a ground turkey, or even plant-based with a meat alternative—or just skip the meat altogether!

Get our recipe for Pasta e Fagioli.

ham and cabbage and potato soup
Shutterstock

While beef stew tends to be what typically comes to mind when thinking of old-fashioned stews, cabbage stews and soups actually date all the way back to the Byzantine Empire, when the Romans first introduced cabbage to Russia. Though there have been many iterations of cabbage-based stews since then, this version of cabbage stew with ham and potatoes is a classic Irish culinary tradition originating around the 7th century. Be sure to use a quality stock for this recipe to boost the flavor of the potatoes, cabbage, and ham as the stew cooks.

Get the recipe from Healthy Epicurean.

Chicken Stew
Courtesy of The Seasoned Mom

For a leaner take on classic old-fashioned beef stew, this chicken stew is a simple, hearty option that uses chicken thighs instead of sirloin roast or beef chuck. Throw in some bacon to give your stew some additional flavor you’ll love in every spoonful.

Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom.

Easy Vegetable Stew
Shutterstock

Looking for a vegetarian alternative to your usual old-fashioned stew? This recipe swaps out the beef for red lentils to still give you some satiating protein with every bite.

Get the recipe from Midwest Foodie.

Stewtanesca
Courtesy of Anna Vocino

Tired of making the same old stew? If you’re looking for a fun twist on the usual, same-old bowl of stew, this recipe combines an old-fashioned beef stew with puttanesca sauce for an extra pop of flavor.

Get the recipe from Eat Happy Kitchen Newsletter.