5-Star Stew Recipes You’ll Want To Make on Repeat

These are the 16 stew recipes our readers love the most.

By
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara Bir
Sara is a chef, culinary educator, and author of three cookbooks, The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook, Tasting Ohio and The Fruit Forager's Companion. The latter won a 2019 IACP Cookbook Award.
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Updated November 10, 2024
Sara Bir
A pot of easy beef stew

Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

Few dishes satisfy as much as stews. A pot slowly bubbling away on the back of the stove goes hand in hand with lazy Sundays and relaxed, cozy suppers. They are the epitome of comfort.

Not all of my stews have played out that way IRL. I've had some clunkers, ones that didn't pay off for all of the steps or expenses they took.

These stews are guaranteed to be winners. And you don't have to take it from me—each of the recipes below has won plenty of 5-star reviews from our readers over the years. Read on to hear what they loved about them. Maybe soon you'll have your pot simmering on the stove for a dinner that's bound to win everyone's approval.

  • Irish Beef Stew

    Irish Beef Stew

    "Made this stew for my Irish boyfriend. He said it's the best stew he's ever had. He had two helpings and had to stop himself from going for a third. Also said that he doesn't care that it may have ingredients that are not authentic to an Irish stew - because it was absolutely delicious." -Rose

  • Quick Easy Fish Stew

    Quick and Easy Fish Stew
    Elise Bauer

    "Complex flavours in a simple and quick recipe. I was amazed at how good this stew is. It was simply delicious! Definitely is going to be one of my go-to recipes!" -Wendy

  • Spring Lamb Stew

    A Dutch oven filled with spring lamb stew
    Elise Bauer

    "I did this for supper last night and 3 of us ate the whole recipe. Wonderful change up to stew using fresh springs ingredients. Could not get my hands on green garlic so I substituted leek and some ramps." -Jamie

  • Carbonnade Beef and Beer Stew

    A bowl of carbonnade flammande with dumplings
    Elise Bauer

    "This was delicious. Made it Duchesse de Bourgogne (a Flemish Red sour ale). Instead of serving it with Pommes Frites or a mashed potato and Brussel sprout hash as is traditional, I decided to do something a little different. I served it with Brussel sprout latkes (fried in duck fat instead of schmaltz). It was a BIG hit." -Michael

    Continue to 5 of 16 below

  • Bacalau (Portugest Salt Cod Stew)

    A Dutch oven of Portuguese salt cod stew
    Elise Bauer

    "Really nice and comforting. Subtle flavours except for the olives, but I love it and so does our 2 year old. A new family favourite!" -Anna

  • Roasted Vegetable and Chicken Stew

    Chicken Stew Recipe
    Sally Vargas

    "I truly came here for inspiration, and I was not disappointed! This recipe is excellent and it finally gave me a reason to break open my harissa. I tend to like to pat myself on the back and say that I make a pretty darn tasty chicken soup, but this is knocking it out of the park! NEXT LEVEL!" -Marie

  • Tomatillo Chicken Stew

    Tomatillo Chicken Stew
    Elise Bauer

    "First off, I’m picky and I generally find most recipes to be bland. This one, however, is perfect. Absolutely delicious! So much so, I’m going to grow tomatillos in my garden next summer so I can have this all the time. Thank you!!" -Andersee

  • Asopao De Camarones y Gandules

    Puerto Rican Stew with Pigeon Peas
    Marta Rivera

    "It was so delicious! I always love reading Marta's recipes, easy to follow, entertaining and pure flavour. I also like that you get one full meal in just one pot! Works great as a meal prep. I just vary the sides." -Yara

    Continue to 9 of 16 below

  • Beef, Barley, and Mushroom Stew

    A bowl of beef and barley stew with mushrooms
    Elise Bauer

    "I love barley and this was the best. I also agree that it is better the next day! This will be my new GO TO recipe for beef barley soup. Yum yum." -Traveler2130

  • African Chicken and Peanut Stew

    African Chicken Peanut Stew
    Elise Bauer

    "Very easy to make, tasted delicious! Used to buy an African peanut and chicken soup years ago which I loved. Haven't seen it recently so thought I'd try this instead. I'm delighted I did--it's really tasty and makes a good, thick consistency. The ginger gives heat and the peanuts flavour. Excellent!" -Jude

  • Rabbit Stew With Mushrooms

    A Dutch oven filled with rabbit stew
    Elise Bauer

    "Phenomenal. Served with a grenache wine for Christmas dinner along side roasted root vegetables and set on a purée of celery root. Thank goodness there are leftovers because we made two small rabbits. The stock is so flavorful!" -Pamela

  • Short Rib Stew With Ale

    Short Rib Beef Stew Ale
    Elise Bauer

    "I made this for 10 people. I followed the recipe to a tee and this was by far the hit of the dinner! I served it along with lots of thick crusty bread and Parmesan crisps and they were licking the pot looking for more. No flawed recipe here!" -Lori

    Continue to 13 of 16 below

  • Lentil Stew With Sausage

    Lentil Sausage Stew
    Elise Bauer, Sabrina Modelle, and Sally Vargas

    "This turned out to delicious, a hearty lentil stew! I had ground Italian sausage, so I rolled it into little meatballs and browned them, and it worked quite nicely. Very rich and flavorful, and kid approved!" -Penny

  • Pork and Poblano Stew

    Pork and Poblano Stew
    Elise Bauer

    "I've made this recipe dozens of times and it is always a family favorite. Amazing blend of flavors. The only change I've made is adding some leftover pinto or red beans." -Mike

  • Nilagang Baka

    Ladle raising some nilagang baka from a Dutch oven with more, and in the surroundings, a stack of bowls, a serving of Filipino beef soup in a bowl, a bowl of rice, and a small bowl of fish sauce

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    "I’m eating this as I type. This recipe is spot on! I’m going down memory lane, as my mother would cook this often when I was growing up. How comforting and delicious. Thank you for this recipe!" - Jessica

  • Easy Beef Stew

    Pot of Easy Beef Stew with a Wooden Spatula, a Small Bowl of Parsley, a Sprig of Thyme, and a Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

    "This was a great recipe. This will be my go to for beef stew for now on. My family loved it." -Dohna

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