23 Cozy High-Protein Stew Recipes
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Stews have a hearty texture and mouth watering aroma that brings a cozy ambiance to any table. Plus, these flavor-packed recipes boast at least 15 grams of protein per serving, which can help you stay feeling full for longer, support muscle growth and promote healthy digestion. Recipes like our Chicken Stew with Turnips and Mushrooms and our Italian Bean Stew are delicious and nourishing options that will feel like a hug in a bowl.
Chicken Stew with Turnips & Mushrooms
In this healthy chicken stew recipe, we save prep time by using pre-sliced mushrooms and pre-chopped kale (found near packaged fresh greens). If you don't like turnips, potatoes are an easy substitution.
Morgh-e Torsh (Chicken Stew with Green Herbs & Citrus)
This delicious chicken stew is traditionally made with sour oranges, which are prolific in Iran--if you find them, use the juice of two in place of the citrus called for here. Serve with rice to pair with the flavorful spinach sauce. Read more about this recipe.
Sausage, Tomato & White Bean Stew
This white bean stew combines cannellini beans and sweet turkey sausage for a filling, flavorful meal. Serve this hearty bean stew for lunch or dinner.
Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew
The slow cooker makes this veggie-packed beef stew super-easy and extra-savory.
Coconut-Curry Cod Stew with Sweet Potato & Rice
This hearty coconut curry is warm and comforting, thanks to tender sweet potatoes and a hint of spice. This easy curry recipe can be on the table in less than an hour.
Kale, Wild Rice & Chicken Stew
Chicken thighs get perfectly tender in just a few hours in the slow cooker. Plus, cooking everything together low and slow infuses all the flavors together for complexity in every bite.
Chorizo & Black Bean Stew with Collards
This quick stew was inspired by feijoada, Brazil's national dish made with black beans and a variety of meats (usually several cuts of pork and beef). In place of the Portuguese chouriço sausage, we use similarly spiced chorizo and sprinkle just a bit on top to keep the sodium at bay. Serve over rice.
Basque Chicken Stew
Straddling the coastal border between Northern Spain and Southern France, the people of the Basque region have a deep affection for fork-tender chicken stewed in a vibrant tomato-pepper sauce. Briny green olives stuffed with Spain's pimiento peppers root the dish even further.
Clean-Out-the-Fridge Vegetable Stew
Full of flavor and plenty of veggies, this easy vegetable soup is a great way to clear out some space in your produce drawer. The recipe is flexible enough that you can make ingredient changes based on what you have on hand. You could also very easily make this a vegan stew by swapping out the butter for oil. Be sure to defrost the frozen items and drain off any liquid that accumulates during defrosting so you don't water down the stew. Because this recipe makes a large amount of stew, consider freezing half for later.
Coconut Salmon & Chickpea Stew
A nod to the variety of coconut seafood stews prepared throughout the Caribbean, this hearty dish leans on butternut squash for bright color and subtle sweetness. We serve this fragrant stew over brown rice for a complete meal.
Slow-Cooker Lamb & Butternut Squash Stew
We call for lamb shoulder because it's tougher than other cuts and holds up well throughout the long cook time. If you can't find shoulder, use boneless leg of lamb in this slow-cooker butternut squash stew.
Fish Stew with Olives, Capers & Potatoes
The olive, caper and tomato-based sauce in this healthy fish stew recipe gives this very traditional Italian dish tons of flavor. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Chicken & Hominy Stew with Greens
Have a healthy weeknight meal with this easy chicken stew recipe. We like the bitter bite of mustard greens in this slightly spicy stew, but any dark leafy green will be delicious. The cabbage on top adds crunch.
Shrimp & Fish Stew
This hearty shrimp and fish stew is inspired by cioppino, an Italian-American dish that originated in San Francisco. Serve with crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the savory broth.
Curried Chicken Stew
Short on time? Consider this slow-cooked chicken stew recipe. Spend just 20 minutes prepping in the morning and you'll come home to a hearty dish. Serve it over basmati rice or with a slice of crusty bread.
Brunswick Stew
This classic Southern stew has as many variations as people making it, but historically it features fresh game and smoked meat along with some vegetables. This veggie-loaded version gets great smoky flavor from a smoked turkey drumstick.
Sweet-&-Sour Sicilian Rabbit Stew
For this healthy rabbit stew recipe, lean rabbit or chicken thighs are cooked with tons of vegetables and flavorful olives and capers. For the sweet-and-sour flavor, a red-wine vinegar and honey reduction is added at the end. Serve with crusty bread to sop up the delicious sauce.
Slow-Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew
The chicken, sweet potato and chickpeas all contribute to the nice textured bite of this slow-cooker stew. And the tomato broth takes it to the next level. When eating, you'll want to have a toasted baguette at the ready to soak it all up.
Slow-Cooker Sausage, Bean & Cabbage Stew
The abundance of springy sausage, soft beans and tender cabbage packed into this slow-cooker recipe means that each bite is loaded with varied texture. To make this recipe gluten free, use gluten-free sausage. Serve with bread and Guinness, if desired.
Smoky Chicken Stew with Kale & Pinto Beans
Chipotle chile powder is made from smoked jalapeño peppers that are dried and ground, giving this stew a hint of smoky flavor.
Pork & Green Chile Stew
Let your slow cooker work--while you're at work!--and come home to a delicious bowl of hearty stew for dinner. Full of potatoes, hominy, green chiles, and chunks of pork sirloin, this filling stew recipe takes just 25 minutes to prepare in the morning.
Kale & Lentil Stew with Mashed Potatoes
Fire-roasted tomatoes add slightly smoky flavor to red lentils. The addition of mashed potatoes gives this an upside-down shepherd's pie feel.
Hunter's Chicken Stew
Hunter's chicken is found across Northern Italy, often known as cacciatore, with many variations. This version uses meaty bone-in chicken thighs and is full of onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. It's also delicious served over egg noodles.
Read the original article on Eating Well.
