Warm, hearty and filling! These 22 hearty stews with plenty of protein are comfort in every bite — high-protein bowls that keep you full and happy. Good food equals happy days!
Browse the Recipes
- Classic Chicken Stew
- Hearty Beef Stew
- Shrimp Stew
- Turkey Chili Stew
- Lentil and Sausage Stew
- Lamb Stew
- White Bean Chicken Chili
- Pork Stew with Potatoes
- Black Bean Stew
- Split Pea and Ham Stew
- Chicken and Vegetable Stew
- Moroccan Chickpea Stew
- Beef and Barley Stew
- Salmon Stew
- Chicken Pot Pie Stew
- Brunswick Stew
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- Irish Lamb Stew
- Tuscan Bean Stew
- Turkey and White Bean Stew
- Beef and Mushroom Stew
- Chicken Tortilla Stew
- Hearty Stew Success Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
Classic Meat StewsWarm • Hearty • Protein Packed
Classic Chicken Stew
Timeless + Comforting + Family Favorite
Tender chicken chunks with potatoes, carrots and celery in a rich golden broth.
You need: chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth
Make it: Sauté onion and celery, add chicken and vegetables, pour in broth, and simmer 45 minutes until tender.
Hearty Beef Stew
Rich + Slow-Cooked + Deep Flavor
Tender beef chunks with potatoes, carrots and peas in a thick, savory gravy.
You need: beef chuck, potatoes, carrots, peas, onion, beef broth, tomato paste
Make it: Brown the beef, add vegetables and broth, and simmer low for 1.5-2 hours until meltingly tender.
Shrimp Stew
Zesty + Fast + Seafood Comfort
Plump seasoned shrimp in a tomato broth with bell peppers and onion.
You need: shrimp, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, chicken or vegetable broth, seasonings
Make it: Sauté veggies until tender, stir in tomatoes, broth and seasonings, simmer until flavors blend, then add shrimp and cook 5 minutes.
Turkey Chili Stew
Bold + Lean + Game Day Ready
Ground turkey with kidney beans, tomatoes and peppers in a thick, hearty chili.
You need: ground turkey, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, chili powder
Make it: Brown the turkey with onion, add beans, tomatoes and spices, and simmer 40 minutes.
Lentil and Sausage Stew
Earthy + Filling + Budget Friendly
Green lentils with smoked sausage, carrots and celery in a savory broth.
You need: green lentils, smoked sausage, carrots, celery, onion, broth
Make it: Brown the sausage, add vegetables and lentils, pour in broth, and simmer 35-40 minutes.
Lamb Stew
Rich + Tender + Rosemary Scented
Tender lamb chunks with turnips, carrots and potatoes in an amber broth.
You need: lamb shoulder, turnips, carrots, potatoes, onion, rosemary, broth
Make it: Brown the lamb, add vegetables and broth, and braise gently for 1.5 hours.
White Bean Chicken Chili
Creamy + Mild + Crowd Pleaser
Shredded chicken with white beans, corn and green chilies in a creamy broth.
You need: chicken breasts, white beans, corn, green chilies, onion, chicken broth, cream cheese
Make it: Simmer chicken in broth with beans and chilies 30 minutes, shred, and stir in cream cheese.
Pork Stew with Potatoes
Rustic + Savory + Weeknight Easy
Tender pork chunks with potatoes, onions and carrots in a thyme-scented broth.
You need: pork shoulder, potatoes, carrots, onion, thyme, broth
Make it: Brown the pork, add vegetables and broth, and simmer 1 hour until fork-tender.
Bean and Veggie StewsFiber Rich • Filling • Protein Powered
Black Bean Stew
Smoky + Thick + Meatless Protein
Thick black bean stew with peppers, onions and cumin, topped with sour cream.
You need: black beans, bell peppers, onion, cumin, garlic, broth, sour cream
Make it: Sauté vegetables with cumin, add beans and broth, and simmer 30 minutes, mashing some beans to thicken.
Split Pea and Ham Stew
Thick + Cozy + Old-Fashioned
Thick split pea soup with ham chunks, carrots and celery.
You need: split peas, ham bone or diced ham, carrots, celery, onion
Make it: Simmer peas with ham and vegetables for 1.5 hours, stirring until thick and creamy.
Chicken and Vegetable Stew
Light + Colorful + Nourishing
Chicken chunks with green beans, corn, carrots and potatoes in a light golden broth.
You need: chicken, green beans, corn, carrots, potatoes, chicken broth
Make it: Simmer chicken in broth 20 minutes, add vegetables, and cook 20 minutes more.
Moroccan Chickpea Stew
Spiced + Sweet + Plant Protein
Chickpeas with sweet potato, tomatoes and spinach in a warm spiced tomato broth.
You need: chickpeas, sweet potato, tomatoes, spinach, cumin, cinnamon, broth
Make it: Sauté spices and vegetables, add chickpeas and broth, and simmer 30 minutes.
Beef and Barley Stew
Chewy + Nutty + One Pot
Beef chunks with pearl barley, mushrooms, carrots and onions in a rich brown broth.
You need: beef stew meat, pearl barley, mushrooms, carrots, onion, beef broth
Make it: Brown beef, add vegetables and barley, and simmer 1.25 hours until barley is tender.
Salmon Stew
Creamy + Omega Rich + Elegant
Tender salmon chunks with potatoes, leeks and carrots in a creamy dill broth.
You need: salmon fillets, potatoes, leeks, carrots, dill, cream, fish or vegetable broth
Make it: Simmer vegetables in broth 20 minutes, add salmon and cream, and cook 8 minutes more.
Chicken Pot Pie Stew
Creamy + Buttery + All the Comfort
Chicken with peas, carrots and corn in a creamy herb gravy, topped with a golden biscuit.
You need: chicken, peas, carrots, corn, cream, thyme, canned biscuits
Make it: Simmer chicken and vegetables in creamy gravy 25 minutes, top with biscuits, and bake until golden.
Regional FavoritesBold • Traditional • Full of Character
Brunswick Stew
Smoky + Southern + Double Protein
Shredded chicken and pulled pork with lima beans, corn and tomatoes in a smoky tomato broth.
You need: shredded chicken, pulled pork, lima beans, corn, tomatoes, smoked paprika
Make it: Combine all ingredients in a pot and simmer 45 minutes until thick and smoky.
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Deep + Roux Rich + Louisiana Classic
Chicken with andouille sausage and okra in a dark roux broth, served over rice.
You need: chicken, andouille sausage, okra, flour, oil, onion, bell pepper, celery, rice
Make it: Make a dark roux, add vegetables and meats, simmer 1 hour, and serve over rice.
Irish Lamb Stew
Simple + Clean + Traditional
Lamb with cabbage, potatoes and leeks in a light, clear broth.
You need: lamb, cabbage, potatoes, leeks, onion, parsley, broth
Make it: Layer lamb and vegetables in a pot, cover with broth, and simmer 1.5 hours.
Tuscan Bean Stew
Garlicky + Rustic + Italian Soul
Cannellini beans with kale, tomatoes and Italian sausage in a garlic herb broth.
You need: cannellini beans, kale, tomatoes, Italian sausage, garlic, rosemary, olive oil
Make it: Brown the sausage, add garlic, beans and tomatoes, and simmer 30 minutes with kale.
Turkey and White Bean Stew
Lean + Wholesome + Weeknight Win
Ground turkey with white beans, spinach and carrots in a savory tomato broth.
You need: ground turkey, white beans, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, onion
Make it: Brown the turkey, add vegetables and beans, and simmer 35 minutes.
Beef and Mushroom Stew
Umami Rich + Wine Kissed + Cozy
Beef chunks with mushrooms and onions in a red wine gravy with thyme.
You need: beef chuck, mushrooms, onions, red wine, beef broth, thyme, tomato paste
Make it: Brown beef and mushrooms, add wine to deglaze, then simmer 1.5 hours in broth.
Chicken Tortilla Stew
Smoky + Crunchy + Fiesta Bowl
Shredded chicken with black beans, corn and tomatoes in a smoky chili broth, topped with crispy tortilla strips.
You need: chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, chili powder, tortillas
Make it: Simmer chicken and vegetables 35 minutes, shred the chicken, and top with crispy tortilla strips.
Hearty Stew Success Tips
- Brown the meat first. A good sear builds deep flavor in every spoonful.
- Go low and slow. Gentle simmering turns tough cuts meltingly tender — never boil a stew hard.
- Thicken smartly. Mash some beans or potatoes, or stir in a cornstarch slurry at the end.
- Season in layers. Salt the meat, the vegetables and the broth — taste and adjust at the end.
- Make it ahead. Stews taste even better the next day. Cool, refrigerate, and reheat gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make stew thicker?
Mash some beans or potatoes into the broth, stir in a cornstarch slurry, or simmer uncovered for the last 20 minutes.
Can I freeze these stews?
Yes — most freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool completely, freeze in portions, and thaw overnight in the fridge.
What is the best cut of beef for stew?
Chuck is the classic choice — it has enough fat and connective tissue to turn tender during a long, slow simmer.
Can I make stew in a slow cooker?
Yes — cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours. Add dairy, fresh herbs and delicate seafood near the end.
How much protein is in a bowl of stew?
Most of these stews deliver 25-40 grams of protein per bowl, thanks to meat, beans and lentils.