We may find ourselves in the heart of the winter season, but that’s no reason to stay cold. This year, stay inside, snuggle up by the fire and beat the winter blues with some hearty homemade comfort food. Here are five winter recipe ideas to help keep you warm all season long.
#1 Anything Roasted
During the warm summer months, our bodies crave cooling foods like chilled soups, fresh fruit and salads to help us beat the summertime heat and humidity, but during the blustery cold winter months, our bodies tend to fancy cooked foods. This winter, fire up the oven and roast your favorite meats with a sheet pan of roasted root vegetables like beets, Brussel sprouts, parsnips, potatoes and turnips. Need some ideas? Try this Chile Lime Roasted Chicken, Hawaiian Pork Roast, Roasted Duck with Winter Vegetables or this Whole Stuffed Duck.
#2 Bone Broth
Bone broth is a winter staple that is incredibly versatile and nutritious, making bone broth one of our essential winter foods. Enjoy a warm mug all on its own or use it as a base for your favorite homemade recipes like chilis, soups and stews. Whether you have leftover bones from beef, bison, pork or poultry, bone broth recipes can be easily tailored to whatever ingredients are available in your kitchen. Here is an easy recipe to make your own homemade bone broth. If you don’t have the energy or time to make your own bone broth, skip the cooking and stock up on pre-made batches of bone broth instead. It’s just as delicious and is still packed with the same benefits.
#3 Chilis
A hearty bowl of homemade chili with a side of freshly baked cornbread will warm you up on the coldest winter evenings. Similar to bone broth, chili recipes can be created anyway you like. Use beef, chicken or make a vegetarian option teeming with beans, legumes and a variety of winter vegetables like this recipe for Sweet Potato Chili. Prefer something more Paleo? Try this Paleo Chili Slow Cooker recipe or if you’re feeling creative, try this Creamy Cranberry Beef Chili.
#4 Soups and Stews
Another easy and delicious way to warm up during the cold winter months is with a bowl of homemade soup or stew and a slice of crusty handcrafted bread. Make a big batch of soup or stew in an Instant Pot or slow cooker so you can enjoy your original recipe all week long. Whip up an even bigger batch and freeze the leftovers so you have homemade soup or stew throughout the entire winter season. Need some culinary inspiration? Try some of these sensational soup and stew recipes perfect for winter:
#5 Pressure or Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow cookers are good for more than just soups and stews. This winter, get creative and make a hearty winter meal using a pressure cooker or slow cooker. Pressure cookers and slow cookers tenderize meat so it falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. Plus, they make cooking dinner incredibly easy. Just throw all of your ingredients in then set it and forget it until it’s time to eat. Here are two pressure cooker and slower cooker recipes to try this winter: Pressure Cooker Lamb Osso Buco and Slow Cooked Cinnamon Curry Steak.
Here are seven foods to help keep you warm this winter. Plus, enjoy these ten winter wellness tips.
No matter how you stay warm this winter, remember to refer to these five winter recipe ideas, all perfect for the chilliest of winter days and the coldest of winter nights. Your taste buds, and stomach, will thank you!
