29 Healthy Fall Stews to Warm Up Cold Nights

Serve your family heaping bowls of savory fall stews that warm tummies and generate smiles. (You don't have to tell them these hearty recipes are good for them, too.)

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

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1/28
2/28

Apple Chicken Stew

Total Time 3 hours 35 min
Servings 8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 284 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 533mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat.
3/28

Vermicelli Beef Stew

Total Time 8 hours 50 min
Servings 8 servings (2 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 294 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.

4/28

Pressure-Cooker Manchester Stew

Total Time 30 min
Servings 6 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: While in college, I studied abroad. A vegetarian at the time, I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious and diverse vegetarian food in Britain could be. After returning to the States, I re-created my favorite meal from my favorite restaurant and named it after the University of Manchester. When the enticing aroma fills the kitchen, I'm back in England! —Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1-2/3 cups: 221 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 354mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 8g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.

5/28

Teriyaki Beef Stew

Total Time 6 hours 50 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 310 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 528mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 starch.

6/28

Lentil Stew

Total Time 50 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: When my children requested more vegetarian dishes, this chunky stew became a favorite. Red wine vinegar perks up the flavor and carrots add color. We like to ladle helpings over cooked rice. —Alice McEachern of Surrey, British Columbia
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 168 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1123mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 10g fiber), 10g protein.

7/28

Hearty Baked Beef Stew

Total Time 2 hours
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 300 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
8/28

Tuscan Pork Stew

Total Time 8 hours 45 min
Servings 8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 235 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 548mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 0.500 fat.
9/28

Homemade Apple Cider Beef Stew

Total Time 2 hours 15 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 330 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.
10/28

Southwest Turkey Stew

Total Time 5 hours 15 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 238 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 837mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
11/28

African Peanut Stew

Total Time 6 hours 20 min
Servings 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 349 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 624mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 11g fiber), 10g protein.

12/28

Chicken Stew

Total Time 40 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: It's been 20 years now since I adapted this from a recipe for beef stew. We like it so much that, in all that time, I have never changed any ingredients or amounts - unless it was to double them! Our home's on a river, and my husband, our three boys and I enjoy camping and boating. — Valerie Jordan, Kingmont, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 275 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 524mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.

13/28

Southwestern Chicken & Lima Bean Stew

Total Time 6 hours 20 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 312 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 8g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable.
14/28

West African Peanut Stew

Total Time 50 min
Servings 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 275 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 636mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 fat.
15/28

Tuscan Portobello Stew

Total Time 40 min
Servings 4 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 309 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 672mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 13g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 fat, 1 lean meat.
16/28

Sweet-and-Sour Beef Stew

Total Time 8 hours 25 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 290 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 465mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.
17/28

Sweet Potato Lentil Stew

Total Time 5 hours 15 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I fell in love with the spicy aromas in this sweet potato lentil stew. Add whatever ingredients you have on hand, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Gray, Little Rock, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 290 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 662mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 15g fiber), 15g protein.
18/28

Mushroom-Bean Bourguignon

Total Time 1 hour 30 min
Servings 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: In our family, boeuf bourguignon has been a staple for generations. I wanted a meatless alternative. All this dish needs is a French baguette. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 234 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 613mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.
19/28
20/28

Satisfying Beef Stew

Total Time 6 hours 30 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 330 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 680mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
21/28

Harvest Butternut & Pork Stew

Total Time 8 hours 50 min
Servings 6 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: Cure your craving for something different with a savory stew that’s tasty with warm bread. —Erin Chilcoat, Smithtown, New York
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 371 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 635mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
22/28

Lamb Stew

Total Time 2 hours 15 min
Servings 8 servings (2.50 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: My grandmother used to make this stew as a special Sunday meal. It's an unforgettable treat from Ireland. —Vickie Desourdy, Washington, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 311 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 829mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 fat.
23/28

Italian Beef Tortellini Stew

Total Time 2 hours 10 min
Servings 6 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 416 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 642mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
24/28

Caribbean Chicken Stew

Total Time 6 hours 25 min
Servings 8 servings
From the Recipe Creator: I lived with a family from the West Indies for a while and enjoyed watching them cook. I lightened up this Caribbean chicken stew 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 309 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 666mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 35g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
25/28

Beefy Cabbage Bean Stew

Total Time 6 hours 20 min
Servings 6 servings
From the Recipe Creator: While 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
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 177 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 591mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
26/28

Spicy Lentil & Chickpea Stew

Total Time 8 hours 25 min
Servings 8 servings (2-3/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: This recipe came to me from a friend who had worked at a health food store. I changed a few things until I found a version that my family loved. My son doesn't like things too spicy, so I make the stew milder for him and add a sprinkle of extra spice in mine. My husband, who farms, works outdoors for long hours at a time and finds this soup hearty enough to keep him satisfied. —Melanie MacFarlane, Bedeque, Prince Edward Island
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 266 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 712mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 10g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1 lean meat.
27/28

Pork Stew

Total Time 5 hours 15 min
Servings 8 servings (2 quart)
From the Recipe Creator: Try this comforting stew that's easy to put together, but it 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 Elliot, Houston, Texas
Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without potatoes): 177 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
28/28

Root Stew

Total Time 2 hours 30 min
Servings 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator: 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
Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 227 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 676mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.