10 Must-Make Spicy Stews to Thaw Your Winter Appetite

A hearty bowl of soup is warming, but a spicy stew cures even the deepest winter chill. A little spice goes a long way in knocking off the chill of the winter weather and calling your family to gather around the table. For your weeknight dinner lineup or your winter entertaining, take a dip into these stews with spice. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef (leanest is best so you don't have to drain)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ jar queso
• 2-3 sliced jalapeños

Directions

1. In a large pot on medium-high heat, brown your meat and sauté the onions and garlic until tender. 
2. Add in the remaining ingredients (except for the queso and jalapenos).
3. Simmer for 45 minutes.
4. Top with queso and jalapeños and serve with tortilla chips.

Related: What Goes With Chili Besides Cornbread: 18 Satisfying Sides

Ingredients

• 1 pound of ground protein (beef, turkey, chicken, etc.)
• 1 tablespoon salted butter (substitute oil if you like)
• 1 large onion, diced 
• 2 green peppers, roughly chopped
• 2 red peppers, roughly chopped
• 2 jalapeños, diced 
• 2 cups of vegetable stock
• 1 (14-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
• 2 (14-ounce) cans of fire-roasted tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon chilli powder 

Instructions

1. In a large pot on medium-high, brown the beef or turkey then remove.
2. Add butter and vegetables to the same pot and sauté until slightly tender.
3. Add the meat back to your pot. 
4. Mix in the stock, syrup, and spices.
5. Bring to a low boil then lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes before serving. 

Ingredients

• 3 large chicken breasts
• 1 stick butter
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 cups basmati rice, uncooked
• ½ cup salted peanuts
• 3 tablespoons sriracha 
• Fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Add butter, chicken, seasonings, broth, and soup to your crock pot.
2. Cook on high for three hours.
3. Remove chicken and shred. Add back to the crock pot.
4. Add rice and cook for an additional hour on high.
5. Before serving, garnish with peanuts, hot sauce, and cilantro. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound spicy Italian ground sausage (can also use links, sliced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2-3 red pepperoncino peppers, finely chopped 
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can tomato puree 
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannelloni beans 
• 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage in a large pot or Dutch oven and set aside. 
2. In the same pot, cook chopped vegetables and garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
3. Add sausage back in with the remaining ingredients
4. Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
5. Serve with a dollop of ricotta cheese. 

• Mashed potatoes or cauliflower
• Rice
• Garlic bread
• French fries or tater tots
• Grits
• Baguettes
• Tortilla chips
• Roasted root vegetables
• Rolls or biscuits