26 hearty chili and stew ideas perfect for lazy Sundays
When the weather turns cold and you’re out of dinner ideas, chili and stew always come through. These 26 hearty recipes simmer away while you do anything else. One pot, minimal cleanup, and maximum satisfaction, it’s a win all around.
Chuck Roast Beef Stew
This stovetop chuck roast beef stew is packed with tender beef, hearty veggies, and rich, cozy flavors that fill your kitchen with warmth. Perfect for chilly nights, it’s the kind of comforting meal you’ll want to dig into with crusty bread. Get the recipe: Chuck Roast Beef Stew
Instant Pot Chicken Stew
Instant Pot chicken stew is warm, hearty, and filled with tender chicken and plenty of veggies. It’s a complete meal that’s cozy enough for any night of the week. Get the recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Stew
Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Stew
Throw this Southern classic in your Crockpot and thank yourself later. The tender beef and veggies soak up all that rich gravy with just the right kick from the pepperoncini peppers. Slow cooker Mississippi beef stew = ultimate comfort food. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Beef Stew
Meatball Chili
This meatball chili takes everything you love about classic chili and gives it a fun, hearty upgrade. It’s bold, cozy, and the kind of recipe you’ll probably make on repeat. Get the recipe: Meatball Chili
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Slow cooker buffalo chicken chili brings the spicy kick of buffalo wings into a hearty, protein-rich chili. It’s a cozy, flavorful meal that works for game day, cold nights, or whenever the craving hits. Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Chicken Étouffée
Chicken étouffée is a rich, savory Louisiana-style stew with tender chicken thighs in a creamy, flavorful sauce. It is the perfect comfort meal when you are craving something cozy, and it works beautifully served over white rice. Get the recipe: Chicken Étouffée
Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes
This chicken stew is pure cozy-in-a-bowl energy and somehow still healthy. It’s rich and comforting without any dairy or gluten, so everyone can dig in without thinking twice. Get the recipe: Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes
Three-Bean Chili
Spice up your weeknight dinner routine with this quick and flavourful three-bean chili! Packed with a medley of kidney, black, and pinto beans, this hearty dish is not only a protein powerhouse but also a time-saving hero, ready to grace your table in just 25 minutes. Get the recipe: Three-Bean Chili
Chili Mac
This ground beef chili mac and cheese is a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will enjoy. It’s a one-pan dish with dairy-free options, making it super customizable. Get the recipe: Chili Mac
Vegetarian Chili with Butternut Squash
This lentil chili with roasted butternut squash is a hearty and comforting recipe packed with flavor. With kidney beans and warming spices, it makes a filling meal that’s worth the extra effort. Get the recipe: Vegetarian Lentil Chili with Butternut Squash
Dutch Oven Beef Stew with Potatoes
This might just be the easiest Dutch oven beef stew recipe ever. It’s a cozy, homemade dish with tender chunks of beef chuck roast, earthy carrots, and creamy potatoes all simmered in a savory broth. Get the recipe: Dutch Oven Beef Stew
Beef Paprikash
This Hungarian-inspired beef Paprikash is the perfect hearty, flavorful dish to cozy up with during fall and winter. Made with sweet Hungarian paprika, it’s best served over egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes, then topped with sour cream and fresh dill. Get the recipe: Beef Paprikash
Sweet Potato Chili (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)
Fall is here, and this vegetarian sweet potato chili is the perfect way to celebrate the season. Hearty, wholesome, and packed with flavor, it’s even better piled high with cheese, cilantro, avocado, or sour cream. Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Chili
Stove Top Chili
This stove-top chili is a hearty, flavor-packed classic with tender ground beef, beans, and a rich, spiced tomato base. Simmered to perfection, it’s perfect for family nights or game day, topped with fresh spring onions. Get the recipe: Stove Top Chili
Beef and Barley Stew
This delicious beef and barley stew consists of stew meat and veggies slowly simmered in beef broth and Guinness until fall-apart tender, accompanied by nutty barley. It is a perfect hearty and healthy meal for a cold day. Get the recipe: Beef & Barley Stew
Filipino Beef Mechado
Filipino beef Mechado is a tender beef stew with all the classic veggies cooked in a flavorful, aromatic soy-based sauce. It’s absolutely delicious when served with a side of rice. Get the recipe: Filipino Beef Mechado
30-Minute Ranch Chicken Chili
This ranch chicken chili comes together in under 30 minutes and hits all the hearty notes. Made with shredded chicken, white beans, green chilies, and a hint of ranch, it’s a stew you’ll make on repeat. Get the recipe: 30-Minute Ranch Chicken Chili
Spicy Texas Chili
This Texas chili, aka Texas Red, is pure comfort in a bowl. Slow-cooked beef simmers in a smoky chili pepper sauce for something different than the average bowl of chili. Get the recipe: Spicy Texas Chili
Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon
This instant pot beef Bourguignon gives a modern twist to the classic Julia Child recipe. It’s quick, fuss-free, and delivers all the same amazing flavors. Get the recipe: Instant Pot Beef Bourguignon
Birria (Mexican Beef Stew)
Get ready for a delicious, crowd-pleasing Mexican stew packed with earthy, and spicy seasonings. The fall-apart meat is cooked low and slow for hours, making every bite melt in your mouth. Get the recipe: Birria (Mexican Beef Stew)
Slow Cooker Whole30 Chili
This slow cooker Whole30 chili is hearty, comforting, and filled with the sweetness of sweet potatoes and warm spices. It’s bean-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo, making it a cozy option that works for many diets. Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Whole30 Chili
5-Ingredient White Chicken Chili
This 5-ingredient white chicken chili is cozy, simple, and surprisingly satisfying. Tender chicken and creamy white beans come together in a quick stove-top chili that tastes like comfort food. Get the recipe: 5-Ingredient White Chicken Chili
Hearty Beef Chili
This hearty beef chili works for everything from game day to a cozy night in. Use ground beef, stew meat, or a mix of both. Whatever you’ve got. It’s warm, rich, and exactly what you want for a potluck. Get the recipe: Hearty Beef Chili
Healthy Pumpkin Chili
This healthy pumpkin chili is a cozy, autumn-approved favorite stew. Packed with wholesome ingredients and big flavors, it’s the kind of comfort your family will gobble up. Get the recipe: Healthy Pumpkin Chili
German Goulash
German goulash is a hearty beef stew packed with onion, paprika, and caraway seed flavors. This simple yet rich one-pot meal can be served over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or spaetzle to make a comforting dish. Get the recipe: German Goulash
White Bean Chicken Chili
Easy, comforting, with a bit of heat, this chicken chili is packed with protein from chicken and white beans. It’s the ultimate cozy weeknight win that’s ready before you know it. Get the recipe: White Bean Chicken Chili