45 Hearty Chili, Soup, & Stew Recipes to Make This Winter

By Zoe Denenberg
November 29, 2011
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox
A bowl of steamy chili, soup, or stew is simple, hearty, and feeds the soul. Although making soup from scratch may sound like a time-intensive project, it couldn’t be simpler. Some of these recipes come together in under an hour—and some in just 20 minutes. For those who have time to spare, we have slow-cooker recipes that you can set and forget, allowing the stew to fill your home with a lovely, savory aroma. No matter the time you spend on these soups and stews, they’re guaranteed to earn five-star reviews from your family and friends. Make a simple Beef Stew for a hearty weeknight dinner or stun at the dinner party with an elegant Pecan Soup. From beef to chicken to oysters, these soups utilize a variety of proteins, so there’s sure to be an option for every taste—including for those who don’t eat meat at all (have you tried our Vegan Chili yet?). These stick-to-your-bones soups will fill your family right up and are best enjoyed in the company of loved ones. Warm up your home this winter with these hearty chilis, soups, and stews.
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Sweet Potato Soup

Greg DuPree

Recipes: Sweet Potato Soup

Topped with a dollop of crème fraiche and toasted pecans, this soup bursts with fall spirit.

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Soulful Chicken Soup

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Soulful Chicken Soup

Just like Mama used to make. Complete with lots of noodles, this Soulful Chicken Soup is the ultimate fall comfort food.

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Split Pea Soup with Sausage

Victor Protasio

Recipe: Split Pea Soup with Sausage

Conecuh sausage infuses lots of smoky flavor into this classic soup.

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Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

Do you make your Brunswick Stew with chicken or brisket? Forget about the debate and throw both into this extra-hearty stew.

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Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Beef Stew with Cheddar Biscuits​​​​​​​

If you thought beef stew couldn’t get any more fulfilling, try topping it with fresh cheddar biscuits. You’ll never want plain beef stew again.

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Hoppin' John Soup

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Hoppin’ John Soup

Loaded with lots of peas and collards, this soup will help you keep your New Year’s resolutions.

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Smoky Turkey-and-Sweet Potato Chili

Photo: Hector M. Sanchez

Recipe: Smoky Turkey-and-Sweet Potato Chili

This homemade chili is extra-chunky and full of fall vegetables and beans. It’s a beautiful, hearty meal to serve to house guests.

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Oyster Soup

Photography: Victor Protasio, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck, Food Styling: Erin Merhar

Recipe: Oyster Soup

This new way to use fresh oysters will have your whole family asking for seconds.

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Instant Pot Beef-and-Barley Soup with Mushrooms

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Instant Pot Beef-and-Barley Soup with Mushrooms

With the help of an Instant Pot, this stick-to-your-bones soup comes together in just 60 minutes.

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Creamy Cheddar-Potato Soup with Bacon

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Creamy Cheddar-Potato Soup with Bacon

Enjoy your baked potatoes in soup form this winter with this indulgent, creamy recipe.

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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Quinoa

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili with Quinoa

This healthy chili couldn’t be easier to make—just set it and forget it in the slow cooker.

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Turkey-and-Collard Green Stew

Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Turkey-and-Collard Green Stew

This homemade chili is extra-chunky and full of fall vegetables and beans. It’s a beautiful, hearty meal to serve to house guests.

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Pumpkin Beer-Cheese Soup

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Pumpkin Beer-Cheese Soup

Pureed pumpkin meets pumpkin ale in this balanced, stunningly seasonal soup.

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Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

Southern Living

Recipe: Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup

One of our all-time favorite fall recipes, this Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup is slightly spicy and fuss-free.

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Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

Victor Protasio

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

A warm bowl of this soup will take you right back to childhood winters. Serve with a melty grilled cheese and you’ve got a perfectly balanced meal.

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Creamy Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Collard Greens

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Creamy Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Collard Greens

Chicken brings protein and rice adds a starchy element to this basic soup.

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Peanut Chicken Stew

Southern Living

Recipe: Peanut Chicken Stew

Change up the dinner rotation with this exciting, flavorful Peanut Chicken Stew.

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Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortellini Soup

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Prosciutto Tortellini Soup

Ready in just 20 minutes and studded with pasta gems? This soup is a dreamy weeknight meal.

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Southern Wedding Soup

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Southern Wedding Soup

Pork meatballs help transform this soup from a basic appetizer to a hearty main.

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Creamy Turnip Soup

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Turnip Soup

Swap out those potatoes for turnips in this creamy soup recipe. Blended nice and smooth, this dish will become an instant fan favorite.

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Quick Beef Chili

Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Quick Beef Chili

This chili develops its flavors quickly, helping you get dinner on the table in less than an hour.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Getting tired of taco night? This inventive twist on the Mexican staple will earn rave reviews from your family.

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Pecan Soup

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pecan Soup

In the South, we’re incorporating pecans into our fall meals whenever we can. This Pecan Soup is an excellent example of Southern ingenuity.

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Lemon Chicken Soup

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Lemon Chicken Soup

Orzo is one of our favorite ingredients in this soup for its ability to transform a light soup into a hearty meal.

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Cheesy Grits-and-Ale Soup

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cheesy Grits-and-Ale Soup

Southern-favorite grits add a bit of body to this rich, cheesy beer soup.

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Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

Southern Living

Recipe: Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup

Can’t decide between vegetable soup or beef stew? Combine the two in this family-friendly Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup.

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Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Hearty Beef and Freezer Veggie Soup

Clean out that freezer and make use of all those bagged veggies in this catch-all soup. Best of all? It’ll be ready in just 40 minutes.

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Chicken, Apple, and Butternut Stew

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Chicken, Apple, and Butternut Stew

Apple brings a bit of sweetness to this stew, complementing the dually sweet and savory qualities of the butternut squash.

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Turkey Tortellini Soup with Greens

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Turkey Tortellini Soup with Greens

Not sure what do with that leftover Thanksgiving turkey? Shred it up and throw it in a big pot of Turkey Tortellini Soup.

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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Slow-Cooker White Chili with Turkey

Break out the slow cooker for this all-time favorite soup recipe. This white chili is a great alternative to your traditional beef chili, while still gaining substance and protein from the turkey.

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Beef Stew

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Beef Stew

This hearty stew has been a staple in Grandma’s recipe rotation for years, and now you can bring it to your family dinner table.

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