Cozy and Nutritious Winter Stew Recipe: Warm Up Your Winter with a Hearty, Healthy Stew

When the chill of winter settles in, there's nothing like a warm bowl of stew to nourish the body and soul. Packed with nutrient-rich vegetables, fiber-filled beans, and savoury spices, a winter stew can be both comforting and incredibly healthy. Today, I’m sharing my go-to recipe for a hearty winter stew that’s perfect for staying cozy and feeling great all season long.

This recipe is plant-based, but feel free to adapt it to include lean meats if you’d like. It’s a simple, one-pot dish that’s easy to make, filling, and loaded with winter’s best flavours.

Healthy Winter Vegetable Stew

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Vegetables

• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 ½ cups diced butternut squash (or substitute with pumpkin)

Protein and Fiber

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas)
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans or white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup green lentils, rinsed

Broth and Seasoning

• 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegetarian)
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (optional but adds great flavor and color)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• Fresh herbs for garnish: parsley or thyme (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Base
   In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, carrots, and celery, stirring for another 3-4 minutes until fragrant and the vegetables begin to soften.

2. Add the Vegetables
   Add the sweet potato, zucchini, and butternut squash to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the oil and aromatics, cooking for 2-3 more minutes.

3. Season the Stew
   Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, letting the spices lightly toast for about 1 minute. This helps bring out their full flavor.

4. Add Broth and Tomatoes
   Pour in the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the bay leaf for extra depth of flavor.

5. Incorporate Protein and Fiber
   Add the rinsed chickpeas, kidney beans (or white beans), and lentils to the pot. Stir well to combine.

6. Simmer
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, covering the pot with a lid. Let the stew simmer for about 30-35 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the flavors have melded together. Stir occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.

7. Adjust Seasoning
   Taste the stew and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. If you’d like a little extra warmth, sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes.

8. Serve
   Remove the bay leaf and serve your stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme for an extra layer of flavor. This stew pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side of brown rice for a complete meal.

Storing and Reheating

This stew makes fantastic leftovers! Store any remaining stew in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a bit more broth if it thickens too much.