40 Healthy Stew Recipes You’ll Feel Good About

Tuscan Portobello Stew

Here’s a healthy one-skillet meal that’s quick and easy to prepare yet elegant enough for company. I often take this stew to my school’s potlucks, where it is devoured by teachers and students alike. —Jane Siemon, Viroqua, Wisconsin

Wondering if stews are healthy? Of course they can be! These stew recipes pack a major flavor punch with lighter ingredients like beans, fresh veggies and lean meats for a better-for-you meal.  Check out even more healthy stew recipes right here.

Braised Pork Stew

Pork tenderloin becomes amazingly tender in this braised stew. It's a fantastic meal for a cold winter night. —Nella Parker, Hersey, Michigan

Pork and Green Chile Stew

As an easily adaptable stew, this dish is ready in 4 hours if cooked on high in a slow cooker or in 8 hours if cooked low and slow. —Paul Sedillo, Plainfield, Illinois

Moroccan Vegetarian Stew

This fragrant, spicy chickpea stew can be served over couscous or with warm pita bread. Try topping this Moroccan dish with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream to cool it down. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

Wintertime Braised Beef Stew

This easy beef stew is incredibly rich. Since it's even better a day or two later, you may want to make a double batch. —Michaela Rosenthal, Woodland Hills, California

Add even more flavor to your beef stew (or any stew!) by trying out these tasty tips.

Beefy Cabbage Bean Stew

While we were on one of our small-group quilting retreats, one of my friends made this wonderful recipe for dinner. We all loved it and have since passed it around for others to enjoy—now I'm passing it on to you. —Melissa Glancy, La Grange, Kentucky

Chicken Mushroom Stew

The flavors blend beautifully in this pot of chicken, vegetables and herbs as it simmers slowly. —Kenny Van Rheenen, Mendota, Illinois

One-Pot Beef & Pepper Stew

I love most things made with green peppers, tomatoes or green chiles. I wanted to prepare a quick and satisfying dish one evening and came up with this recipe with things I had on hand. —Sandra Clark, Sierra Vista, BC

Manchester Stew

While in college, I studied abroad. At the time, I was a vegetarian and was pleasantly surprised at how delicious and diverse vegetarian food in Britain could be. After returning to the States, I re-created my favorite restaurant dish and named it after the University of Manchester. When the enticing aroma fills my kitchen, I feel as if I'm back in England! —Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas

Teriyaki Beef Stew

As they say, necessity is the mother of invention" I created this recipe because I had a package of stew meat I needed to use. I spotted the ginger beer in the fridge and rest was history. This stew has a delicious sweet-tangy flavor. It's nice to have a different way to serve an inexpensive meal. —Leslie Simms, Sherman Oaks, California

West African Chicken Stew

I really love African flavors, but you don't really encounter them much in the U.S. Here the combination of native African ingredients, all of which can be found in the States, transports you to a new culinary place. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

Slow-Cooked Lentil Stew

This vegetarian stew is perfect when you want to take a break from meat. Adding the cream at the end gives it a smoother texture.—Michelle Collins, Suffolk Virginia

Root Stew

While inventing a new form of comfort food, I made a stew of carrots, turnips, parsnips and rutabaga. When I'm in the mood to change things up, I add potatoes or chicken. —Maria Davis, Flower Mound, Texas

Curried Beef Stew

My mother, who was Japanese, made a dish very similar to this. After a lot of experimenting, I came up with a version that is very close to the one she used to make. This beef curry stew recipe is special to me because it brings back memories of her. —Gloria Gowins, Massillon, Ohio

Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

When there's a chill in the air, nothing beats this Crock-Pot beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty slow-cooker beef stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and meat. —Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas

Sweet Potato Lentil Stew

I fell in love with the spicy aromas in this slow-cooked lentil stew. Add whatever ingredients you have on hand, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Gray, Little Rock, Arkansas

Spicy Chicken Stew

When you're craving cozy Mexican flavors, try this spicy chicken and chickpea stew. It couldn't be easier to make—just round out the meal with a fresh tossed salad. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Spicy Beef Vegetable Stew

This zesty ground beef and vegetable soup is flavorful and fast to fix. It makes a complete meal when served with warm cornbread, sourdough bread or French bread if you enjoy a supper with a side. —Lynnette Davis, Tullahoma, Tennessee

Sweet Potato Stew

Beef broth and herbs complement the potatoes' subtle sweetness in this hearty stew that's perfect for fall. — Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania

Apple Chicken Stew

My husband and I enjoy visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska City. We always make sure to buy extra cider to use in this sensational slow-cooked stew. —Carol Mathias, Lincoln, Nebraska

Homemade Apple Cider Beef Stew

It's especially nice to use this recipe in fall, when the weather gets crisp and the local apple orchards start selling fresh apple cider. This entree's subtle sweetness is a welcome change from other savory stews. We enjoy it with biscuits and slices of apple and cheddar cheese. —Joyce Glaesemann, Lincoln, Nebraska

Sweet-and-Sour Beef Stew

This chunky meal in a bowl makes terrific use of nutrient-packed vegetables. It has a deliciously sweet and tangy taste. —Frances Conklin, Cottonwood, Idaho

Southwest Turkey Stew

I prefer main dishes that let me stay on my diet but still eat what the rest of the family eats. My husband and our young children think this diet-friendly stew is a hit. —Stephanie Wilson of Helix, Oregon

Satisfying Beef Stew

This beef stew is so hearty and tastes even better the next day—if there are leftovers! It goes great with cornbread or any crusty loaf. —Abbey Mueller, Enid, Oklahoma

Tuscan Pork Stew

Tender chunks of pork slowly cook in a nicely seasoned, wine-infused sauce. Add some crushed red pepper flakes to this pork stew for a little extra kick.—Penny Hawkins, Mebane, North Carolina

Vermicelli Beef Stew

I love to try new recipes for my husband and me, and also when we entertain friends and relatives. This stew is a little different from most because of the vermicelli.—Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lamb Stew

My grandmother used to make this stew as a special Sunday meal. It's an unforgettable treat from Ireland. —Vickie Desourdy, Washington, North Carolina

Chicken Stew

Rely on this slow cooker stew on busy weekends when you'd rather not be in the kitchen. Chicken, vegetables and seasonings give this stew great flavor.

Garlic Lover's Beef Stew

Wine gives a mellow flavor to this beef and carrot stew. We like to serve it over mashed potatoes, but you could also use noodles. —Alissa Brown, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Spring-Thyme Chicken Stew

During a long winter (and spring), my husband and I were in need of something warm, comforting and bright. This chicken was the perfect thing. It fills the house with the smell of home when Mom would make chicken soup, with a little something extra. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia

Hearty Baked Beef Stew

This is such an easy way to make a wonderful beef stew. You don't need to brown the meat first—just combine it with hearty chunks of carrots, potatoes and celery, and let it all cook together in a flavorful gravy. My daughter Karen came up with the recipe for her busy family. —Doris Sleeth, Naples, Florida

Caribbean Chicken Stew

I lived with a family from the West Indies for a while and enjoyed watching them cook. I lightened up this recipe by leaving out the oil and sugar, removing the skin from the chicken and using chicken sausage. It's just as good. —Joanne Iovino, Kings Park, New York

Hearty Beef & Sweet Potato Stew

I have fond memories of growing up in an Irish-Italian family and learning to cook from my grandparents. Beefy stew reminds me of their precious contributions. —Renee Murphy, Smithtown, New York

Lentil Pepperoni Stew

Turkey pepperoni nicely spices this thick lentil stew with rich tomato broth. This is a stick-to-your-ribs mainstay at our house. Diane Hixon of Niceville, Florida.

Slow-Cooked Pork Stew

Try this comforting pork stew recipe that's easy to put together, but tastes like you've been working hard in the kitchen all day. It's even better served over polenta, egg noodles or mashed potatoes. —Nancy Elliott, Houston, Texas

African Peanut Sweet Potato Stew

Back when I was in college, my mom made an addicting sweet potato and peanut stew. I shared it with friends, and now all of us serve it to our own kids. They all love it, of course. —Alexis Scatchell, Niles, Illinois

Southwestern Chicken & Lima Bean Stew

I love to have my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren over for this supper. They make me so happy with their compliments or just by going to fill up their bowls again. It's a good-for-you hit. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

Italian Beef Tortellini Stew

This is my first completely original recipe—and it turned out to be awesome! It’s a hefty, rich stew, full of veggies, tender beef, a splash of red wine and simply wonderful flavors. —Tammy Munyon, Wichita, Kansas

Autumn Slow-Cooked Beef Stew

If any dish could taste like a holiday, it’s this one with beef, pears, walnuts and sweet dried apricots. We recommend a leafy salad and rolls to complete the masterpiece. —Amy Dodson, Durango, Colorado

Pumpkin Harvest Beef Stew

By the time the stew is done simmering and a batch of bread finishes baking, the house smells absolutely wonderful. —Marcia O'Neil, Cedar Crest, New Mexico