Cold evenings call for big pots on the stove, gentle simmering, and bowls that warm from the inside out. These 25 winter soups and stews focus on simple pantry ingredients, smart leftovers, and low-effort cooking that still feels cosy. You’ll find chunky beef stews, lighter vegetable soups, creamy bowls, and slow cooker ideas you can set before work. Pick a few to batch-cook, freeze, and rotate all season so every spoonful stays comforting and affordable.
1. Classic Beef & Root Vegetable Stew
A classic beef stew turns low-cost ingredients into a full winter dinner.
Use stewing beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions. Brown the meat first so the flavour deepens. Then add stock, tomato paste, and herbs, and let it simmer until the meat softens and the sauce thickens.
Save money by buying a larger pack of stewing beef and freezing extra portions. Root vegetables usually stay affordable, so load them in.
If you want a thicker sauce, mash a few potato cubes into the liquid instead of buying extra thickeners.
Serve with bread, rice, or just on its own in big bowls. Leftovers taste even richer the next day, so this stew works well for lunches and quick reheat dinners.
2. Slow Cooker Chicken & Barley Soup
This slow cooker chicken and barley soup fits busy winter days.
Add chicken thighs, barley, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and stock to the cooker in the morning. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs. Let it cook on low while you handle the rest of your day.
Chicken thighs cost less than breasts and stay tender for hours. Barley adds gentle chew and keeps the soup filling.
If you watch your budget, buy a whole chicken, cook it once, and freeze shredded meat in small bags. Drop a bag into the slow cooker with barley whenever you want this soup.
Serve with simple toast or crackers. The soup thickens as it sits, so add a splash of water when reheating.
3. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Creamy tomato soup feels cosy and pairs perfectly with grilled cheese.
Use canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, and stock. Simmer until the tomatoes break down, then puree with a hand mixer. Stir in a little cream or milk for softness.
Canned tomatoes are usually cheaper than jars of sauce and store well in the cupboard. Use dried basil if you don’t have access to the leafy kind; stir it in while the soup simmers so the flavour spreads through the pot.
Serve with grilled cheese cut into strips for dipping. This combo often wins even with picky eaters.
Make a double batch and freeze in containers. It reheats quickly on the stove for rushed lunches.
4. Rustic Lentil & Carrot Stew
This lentil and carrot stew turns a bag of dried lentils into several meals.
Start by softening onion and garlic in oil. Add lentils, chopped carrots, stock, and tomato paste. Season with paprika, cumin, or Italian herbs. Let it simmer until the lentils soften and the stew thickens.
Dried lentils are affordable, store well, and don’t need pre-soaking. Carrots often stay low in price too, so this pot goes far without straining your wallet.
For extra body, stir in a spoon of plain yoghurt right before serving.
Serve with bread for dipping or spoon it over rice. This stew freezes nicely, so fill a few containers for nights when you want a warm dinner with almost no effort.
5. Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Loaded baked potato soup feels like a cosy side dish turned into a full meal.
Dice potatoes and simmer with onion, garlic, and stock until soft. Mash some of the potatoes right in the pot to thicken. Stir in milk or cream and grated cheese.
Use store-brand potatoes in large bags for the best price. Save bacon grease from breakfasts to sauté the onions and add extra flavour without buying more fats.
Top each bowl with crumbled bacon, extra cheese, and sliced green onions. Kids often enjoy choosing their own toppings.
The soup stays thick and satisfying after chilling, so keep a pot in the fridge for next-day lunches.
6. Chicken Noodle Comfort Soup
This chicken noodle soup feels familiar on cold evenings.
Start by simmering chicken pieces with onion, carrot, celery, and herbs in a big pot of water or stock. Shred the chicken once it cooks through, then return it to the pot. Add noodles near the end so they stay tender but not mushy.
Buy a whole chicken when prices drop and use it for this soup plus sandwiches. You can also use carcasses to make stock.
If you want to cut time, use rotisserie chicken and boxed broth. The soup will still taste homemade.
Serve with bread, crackers, or a light salad. This soup freezes well, especially if you cook the noodles separately and add them when serving.
7. Sausage, Kale & White Bean Soup
Sausage and white bean soup packs a lot of flavour with just a few ingredients.
Brown slices of sausage with onion and garlic. Add canned white beans, chopped kale, tomatoes, and stock. Simmer until the kale softens and the flavours settle.
You can stretch this by using one sausage link plus extra beans instead of several links. Canned beans save soaking time and still stay budget-friendly, especially in store brands.
Kale can be swapped for spinach or cabbage depending on prices at your shop.
Serve with bread, cornbread, or even spooned over rice. This soup tastes stronger the next day, making it a good meal prep option.
8. Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup
This mushroom and wild rice soup is earthy, creamy, and perfect for long winter nights.
Sauté mushrooms, onion, and garlic in butter until browned. Add wild rice (or a wild rice mix), stock, and herbs. Simmer until the rice softens and the broth thickens slightly. Finish with a splash of cream or milk.
Wild rice blends can be pricey, so mix a small amount into regular rice to keep cost under control. Use regular button mushrooms instead of fancy varieties; browning them well gives plenty of flavour.
Serve with a green salad or toast. This soup stores well and thickens in the fridge, so add a bit of water when reheating.
9. Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
Butternut squash and apple soup offers natural sweetness and warmth in one pot.
Roast cubed squash and apple with onion and a little oil until caramelised at the edges. Add to a pot with stock, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Puree until smooth, then add a bit of cream or coconut milk if you like.
Buy whole squash and prep it yourself to save money, or use pre-cut when time is tight. Slightly bruised apples work well here and cost less.
Serve with seeds on top for crunch or a swirl of yoghurt. This soup freezes nicely for future quick lunches.
10. Turkey & Veggie Chili
This turkey chili is lighter than beef but still hearty.
Brown ground turkey with onion and garlic. Add beans, peppers, corn, canned tomatoes, and chili spices. Simmer until it thickens.
Ground turkey often costs less than lean beef and still works nicely in chili. Canned beans and tomatoes keep prep fast and pantry-friendly.
Adjust spice levels so kids can enjoy it too; offer hot sauce on the side for those who like more heat.
Serve with rice, cornbread, or tortilla chips. Chili freezes extremely well, so make a double batch when you have time.
11. Coconut Curry Chickpea Stew
This coconut curry chickpea stew is rich, cosy, and meat-free.
Sauté onion, garlic, and a mild curry powder in oil. Add canned chickpeas, tomatoes, and coconut milk. Simmer until thick and creamy. Stir in spinach or kale near the end.
Canned chickpeas and tomatoes are budget-friendly and store for months, so you can keep the ingredients on hand. Use store-brand coconut milk to keep cost down.
Serve over rice or with flatbread for dipping. Leftovers hold up well and taste even better after a night in the fridge.
12. Italian Minestrone with Pasta
Minestrone turns mixed vegetables, beans, and pasta into a colourful winter soup.
Start with onion, carrot, and celery. Add garlic, canned tomatoes, beans, chopped vegetables, stock, and a handful of small pasta. Season with Italian herbs.
This soup is perfect for clearing out the fridge. Throw in zucchini, green beans, or cabbage—whatever you have. Use store-brand pasta and beans to keep the budget happy.
Add the pasta near the end so it stays firm.
Serve with grated cheese on top and bread on the side. Minestrone works well for lunch meal prep since it holds texture for a few days.
13. Smoky Black Bean Soup
This black bean soup delivers depth with minimal effort.
Sauté onion, garlic, and a little smoked paprika. Add canned black beans, tomatoes, and stock. Simmer, then mash some of the beans with a spoon to thicken the soup.
Canned beans keep this quick and still very affordable. If you prefer dried beans, cook a large batch once, freeze portions, and drop them into soup whenever you want.
Top with yoghurt, cheese, or avocado if your budget allows. Serve with tortillas or rice.
This soup freezes well, and the smoky flavour only grows stronger over time.
14. Moroccan-Spiced Chickpea Stew
This chickpea stew uses warm spices for a deep, cosy flavour.
Cook onion and garlic with cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. Add chickpeas, carrots, tomatoes, and stock. Simmer until the carrots soften and the sauce thickens.
Chickpeas, carrots, and canned tomatoes all tend to be wallet-friendly, especially if you choose store brands.
Serve over couscous, rice, or with flatbread. Sprinkle chopped herbs or a squeeze of lemon on top if you have them.
This stew tastes great at room temperature too, so it works in lunchboxes.
15. Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup turns humble vegetables into a rich bowl.
Cook chopped broccoli, onion, and garlic with stock until soft. Puree part of the pot, then stir in grated cheese and milk.
Buy cheese in blocks and grate it yourself; this often costs less and melts better. Frozen broccoli works just as well as crowns and cuts prep time.
Serve with bread or scattered bacon pieces if you like.
Make extra and store in jars. The soup will thicken in the fridge, so add a splash of water or milk when reheating.
16. Creamy Seafood Chowder
This seafood chowder feels like a treat without needing expensive ingredients.
Use a mix of white fish pieces, potatoes, onion, and corn. Cook onion and potatoes in butter, add stock, and simmer until the potatoes soften. Gently stir in fish and a bit of cream, cooking just until the fish flakes.
Frozen fish works well and often costs much less than fillets at the counter. You can also use mixed seafood packs if they’re on sale.
Serve with crusty bread. Leftovers should be reheated gently so the fish stays tender.
17. Pho-Style Beef Noodle Soup at Home
This pho-style beef soup keeps the spirit of the classic while staying home-kitchen friendly.
Simmer beef stock with onion, ginger, star anise, and cloves for a fragrant base. Cook rice noodles separately, then place them in bowls with thin slices of beef. Pour hot broth over everything so the beef cooks in the bowl.
Use inexpensive beef cuts for the broth and only a small amount of thinly sliced steak per serving. Rice noodles are usually budget-friendly and store well.
Top with beansprouts, herbs, and lime wedges if you can get them. This makes a comforting, slurpable winter dinner.
18. Roasted Garlic & Cauliflower Soup
Roasted garlic and cauliflower soup tastes rich while staying simple.
Toss cauliflower florets and whole garlic cloves in oil and roast until browned. Add to a pot with stock and a pinch of salt. Simmer briefly, then puree until smooth. Finish with a bit of cream or olive oil.
Cauliflower often appears on sale in winter. Garlic heads are inexpensive, and roasting them softens their sharpness.
Serve with grated cheese or seeds on top. This soup feels fancy enough for guests but uses basic, low-cost ingredients.
19. Ham & Split Pea Soup
This split pea soup is thick, smoky, and ideal for leftover ham.
Cook onion, carrot, and celery in a pot. Add split peas, ham bone or diced ham, and stock. Simmer until the peas break down and the soup turns creamy.
Split peas are very affordable and keep on the shelf for months. If you have a ham bone after a roast, freeze it and drop it into this soup when you’re ready.
Serve with bread or biscuits. The soup thickens as it cools, so add a bit of water when reheating.
20. Zesty Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup gives winter evenings a little colour.
Cook onion, garlic, and chili powder in oil. Add shredded chicken, canned tomatoes, stock, corn, and beans. Simmer until flavours come together.
Use leftover roast chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time. Store-brand tomatoes and beans stretch the pot without stretching your budget.
Top each bowl with tortilla strips, cheese, and yoghurt.
This soup works well for gatherings, since everyone can add their own toppings at the table.
21. Green Lentil & Spinach Soup
This green lentil and spinach soup feels light but still filling.
Sauté onion, carrot, and garlic. Add lentils, stock, and herbs. Simmer until the lentils soften. Stir in spinach near the end so it just wilts.
Green lentils hold their shape better than red and stay very affordable. Frozen spinach drops into the pot straight from the bag and costs less than many salads during winter.
Serve with lemon wedges for brightness and bread for dipping. Leftovers work nicely for work lunches.
22. Sweet Potato & Peanut Stew
This sweet potato and peanut stew is creamy, slightly sweet, and very cosy.
Cook onion and garlic with a mild chili or paprika. Add cubed sweet potato, tomatoes, stock, and a spoonful of peanut butter. Simmer until the sweet potato softens and the broth turns silky.
Peanut butter adds protein and richness without buying special ingredients. Store-brand jars work perfectly.
Serve over rice or with warm flatbread. This stew is filling enough to be a full dinner on its own and keeps well for leftovers.
23. Cabbage Roll Soup
Cabbage roll soup captures all the flavours of stuffed cabbage with far less effort.
Brown mince with onion and garlic. Add chopped cabbage, tomatoes, stock, and rice. Simmer until the cabbage softens and the rice cooks.
Cabbage is typically inexpensive and goes a long way. Use whatever mince fits your budget—beef, pork, or turkey.
Serve with a dollop of yoghurt or sour cream if you like. The soup freezes well, so portion some out for future busy nights.
24. Stuffed Pepper Soup
This stuffed pepper soup turns a fiddly dish into an easy pot.
Cook mince with onion and garlic. Add chopped bell peppers, tomatoes, stock, and rice. Season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the peppers soften and the rice is tender.
Buy multi-pack peppers when they’re discounted and freeze sliced pieces for future soups. Rice stretches the meat so a smaller pack of mince feeds more people.
Serve with cheese on top and bread on the side. It tastes familiar for kids and still satisfying for adults.
25. Ginger Chicken & Rice Soup
This ginger chicken and rice soup is gentle, warm, and perfect on grey days.
Simmer chicken with slices of ginger, garlic, and spring onion in stock. Add rice and cook until the grains soften and slightly thicken the broth.
Use leftover chicken or economical chicken thighs. Rice keeps the soup budget-friendly and filling.
Season with a little soy sauce and a squeeze of lime if you like.
Serve hot with extra spring onion on top. The soup thickens as it cools, so add water when reheating to reach your favourite texture.
Conclusion
A good winter soup or stew turns basic ingredients into something that feels calm and satisfying at the end of the day. These 25 recipes give you a mix of meat, plant-based, creamy, and brothy options you can batch-cook, freeze, and rotate through the cold months. Start with one pot this week, save a few containers for later, and build your own go-to list of bowls that truly warm every bite.
Hannah Collins is a passionate home cook and food storyteller who believes every recipe tells a little love story. At TastyWriter, she shares simple, delicious recipes made for real kitchens and busy days — from cozy comfort dishes to creative new favorites. When she’s not cooking, you’ll find her photographing food, testing family recipes, or sipping tea while dreaming up her next tasty idea.
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