The crisp autumn air and changing fall foliage stir our appetites for heartwarming comfort food. Nothing satisfies the craving for coziness better than a savory stew simmering on the stove, filling the kitchen with enticing aromas and warming us from the inside out.
Beef stew is a classic choice for fall. Cubed chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, and onions are seasoned with rosemary and thyme and gently simmered in a rich broth until tender. The meat becomes meltingly soft, and the vegetables soak up the flavor of the broth. Serve the stew with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
For a lighter option, turkey chili made with ground turkey, beans, corn, and zesty chili spices is perfect for a cool fall evening. The spices provide warmth while the turkey and beans make it hearty enough for a meal. Garnish bowls of the chili with avocado, scallions, cheese, and lime wedges.
Vegetable lentil stew is ideal for meatless Mondays in autumn. Mushrooms, carrots, celery, and potatoes are simmered in a brothy base of lentils, tomatoes, and herbs until the vegetables are tender and the lentils soft but still intact. The earthy, savory stew is healthy, warming, and satisfying. Serve it with a simple salad for a complete meal.
No fall stew roundup would be complete without a mushroom stew. Cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms are sautéed until tender then simmered in a rich porcini-infused broth with pearl onions and fresh thyme. The broth becomes intensely flavored from the mushrooms and porcini. Pour the stew over mashed potatoes, polenta, or egg noodles.
As the days grow colder, a bowl of savory stew is a comfort you can look forward to at the end of the day. Simmering on the stove, it fills your home with cozy scents and your body with warmth. Whether meaty, vegetal or somewhere in between, a fall stew is the perfect antidote for chilly autumn nights.