10 Best Stew Recipes In America (Slideshow)

Executive chef Michael Uhnak's goat stew at Besaw's in Portland, Ore., takes stew to new heights. This is a warm, comforting dish perfect for fall or winter, and a simple recipe perfect for a last-minute dinner.

Click here to see the Goat Stew Recipe

Creole Fish Stew

Combining classic Creole seasonings and a fragrant roux, this stew delivers the flavors of the famous seafood jambalaya served in New Orleans. 

Click here to see the Creole Fish Stew Recipe

Bison Stew

Bison meat is known to cook faster than beef, and the best way to do it is low and slow, making it a great choice for a traditional stew recipe. Red wine and beef broth, flavored with simple aromatics like onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, is the perfect broth for tender bison brisket. 

Click here to see the Bison Stew Recipe

Moroccan Chicken Stew

Chicken and vegetables are combined with spices, couscous, and crunchy cereal for a healthy and satisfying meal.

Click here to see the Moroccan Chicken Stew Recipe

Guinness Stew

Rumor has it that when Arthur Guinness first signed the lease to an unused brewery in the St. James section of Dublin, he was so confident in his brew that he made a deal to own the space for 9,000 years. Centuries later, it is safe to say that it was a smart investment. Everyone can respect a decent pour of the black gold, but what you'll really go wild for is how you infuse it with traditional peasant fare in this easy, hearty stew.

Click here to see the Guinness Stew Recipe

Shirley MacClaine's Gourmet Lamb Stew

This lamb stew from one of Hollywood's biggest stars is a star in and of itself. Her motto for the stew?

"Take some time out to make something special for family and friends with this delectable recipe."

— Jay Christian, author of Hollywood Celebrity Recipes

Click here to see the Shirley MacClaine's Gourmet Lamb Stew Recipe

Japanese Short Rib Stew

This short rib stew is inspired by a traditional Japanese comfort food dish, nikujaga, a stew made with either pork or beef and potatoes. More vegetables are added here to make it a more well-rounded dish.

Click here to see the Japanese Short Rib Stew Recipe

Pork Stewed in Guajillo Chile Mole

The leathery skin of a guajilo chile, the mildly hot dried Mexican pepper that flavors this stew, needs to soak until it's soft enough to purée. Serve this stew with cornbread.

Click here to see the Pork Stewed in Guajillo Chile Mole Recipe

Buddhist Vegetarian Stew (Luo Hon Jai) Recipe

Originally eaten by Buddhists in Chinese culture, this dish is served in most Chinese households during the first few days of the new year. There are regional differences depending upon which part of China your family originates from, but most of the dried ingredients remain consistent since they symbolize good luck. A number of the ingredients symbolize wealth and good fortune. Eating vegetarian the first day of new year also symbolizes purification of the body and upholds the tradition of having no animal slaughter on the first day of the new year. The stew requires quite a bit of time for reconstituting, boiling, and braising. Most of the prep time is spent rinsing and soaking dried ingredients and then slowly braising the ingredients until the flavor melds.

Click here to see the Buddist Vegetarian Stew Recipe

Smoked Pulled Pork Mushroom Stew

This recipe, from The Salt Lick in Texas, arguably one of the best BBQ joints in the country, has that true hearty American feel to it. 

Click here to see the Smoked Pulled Pork Mushroom Stew Recipe