Hearty Soups, Stews, and Casseroles from Around the World

In my corner of the world, the snow is settling in. Tis the season for scraping ice off cars, shovelling sidewalks, and making hot, nourishing food.

When the winter chill settles in, there’s nothing more comforting than a hearty meal to warm both the body and soul. From rich soups and stews to savory casseroles, winter comfort foods are beloved across the world, each offering its own version of warmth, nourishment, and satisfaction. While many of us are familiar with classic dishes like beef stew or shepherd's pie, winter comfort food spans much farther — there are a wide variety of comforting meals from around the globe, often steeped in tradition and passed down through generations.

What Defines Winter Comfort Food?

Comfort food is more than just a meal — it’s an experience. These dishes are often hearty, rich, and deeply satisfying, designed to nourish both the body and mind. Comfort foods have the power to provide warmth, not just through their temperature, but also in the feelings they evoke. The slow-cooked nature of many comfort dishes, like stews and casseroles, allows the flavours to meld together into something greater than the sum of its parts. This makes comfort food the perfect antidote to long, cold winter days.

Comfort foods are often associated with tradition. They may have been passed down through generations, each family adding its own twist. These dishes are deeply tied to memories of family gatherings, holidays, and cozy evenings spent by the fire. They also tend to be nutrient-dense, incorporating seasonal vegetables, meats, and grains that provide the energy needed to face the winter chill.

Across cultures, comfort food varies greatly, influenced by local ingredients, weather, and cultural practices. While the world over enjoys warming, filling dishes, the ingredients, preparation, and traditions vary widely.

Classic Comfort Foods with a Global Twist

Comfort food isn’t just about hearty, filling meals — it’s about the shared experience of bringing people together over food. Let’s take a look at some of the classic winter comfort foods, each with a unique global twist.

American/Canadian – Hearty Stews

Beef Stew (USA)

Beef stew is an American classic, widely enjoyed across the country during the colder months. The dish typically consists of tender beef chunks slow-cooked with root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips. The combination of beef and vegetables creates a rich and savory broth, which becomes more flavorful as it simmers. Often served with a side of crusty bread or biscuits, beef stew is the epitome of winter comfort food.

Quebecois Hot Chicken Sandwich (Canada)

In Canada, especially in Quebec, one of the most beloved comfort foods is the Hot Chicken Sandwich. This dish consists of warm, roasted chicken covered with rich, flavorful gravy, served over a slice of bread, and often accompanied by mashed potatoes. The sauce soaks into the bread, making for a satisfying and comforting meal that evokes a sense of nostalgia for many Canadians. It's the perfect remedy for a cold winter evening.

European – Baked Casseroles & Soups

British Shepherd’s Pie (UK)

Shepherd’s pie is a traditional British dish that layers a savory mixture of minced lamb (or beef) with peas, carrots, and onions in a rich gravy. This filling is then topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden brown. Shepherd’s pie is a perfect comfort food because of its simplicity and the way it blends savory flavors with a creamy topping. It’s an easy, one-pan meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

French Cassoulet (France)

Cassoulet is a quintessential French winter dish. Originating in the south of France, it’s a slow-cooked casserole made with white beans, sausages, duck, and sometimes lamb or pork. This rich dish is flavored with garlic, thyme, and other aromatic herbs, giving it depth and complexity. It’s often considered a meal for special occasions, but it's also perfect for cozying up with on a cold winter night.

German Sauerkraut and Sausages (Germany)

German comfort food is known for its hearty nature, and one of the most beloved winter meals is sauerkraut with sausages. Sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage, is often paired with sausages such as bratwurst, and served with potatoes or bread. The tangy, sour flavor of the sauerkraut pairs wonderfully with the savory sausages, making for a rich, satisfying dish that’s perfect for wintertime.

Middle Eastern – Rice and Stews

Lebanese Kibbeh (Lebanon)

Kibbeh is a popular Middle Eastern dish that can be served in many forms. The version typically served in Lebanon is a casserole made from bulgur wheat, ground meat (often lamb or beef), onions, and a mix of warm spices like cinnamon and allspice. It’s a comforting dish that can be baked in layers or formed into small croquettes and fried. The flavors of kibbeh are deeply aromatic, offering a comforting, soul-warming meal during the colder months.

Persian Fesenjan (Iran)

Fesenjan is a rich Persian stew made from chicken or duck simmered in a sauce made from pomegranate molasses and ground walnuts. The dish is a beautiful balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors, and it’s often served with fluffy rice. The depth of flavor in fesenjan makes it one of the most comforting dishes in Iranian cuisine, perfect for sharing with loved ones during the winter.

Lesser-Known Comfort Foods from Around the World

While many comfort foods are well-known, there are a number of dishes from less mainstream regions that deserve attention. These hidden gems are rich in flavor and tradition, and they offer a unique twist on classic comfort foods.

Asian Comforts

Burmese Mohinga (Myanmar)

Mohinga is a beloved Burmese dish typically enjoyed for breakfast, though it’s comforting at any time of day. It’s a fish-based soup made with rice noodles, lemongrass, ginger, and turmeric. The rich broth, with its delicate flavor and aromatic spices, offers a soothing and warming experience. The dish is often garnished with fried crispy noodles, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh cilantro, making it both satisfying and delicious.

Korean Kimchi Jjigae (South Korea)

Kimchi jjigae is a spicy, tangy stew made from fermented kimchi, tofu, pork, and vegetables. It’s a favorite winter dish in Korea, known for its strong umami flavor and spicy kick. The long-simmering process helps the flavors meld together, resulting in a hearty, soul-satisfying stew that’s perfect for warming up during cold days. Kimchi jjigae is often served with a side of steamed rice, making it a complete and fulfilling meal.

Japanese Oden (Japan)

Oden is a Japanese hot pot dish made from a variety of ingredients, including fish cakes, tofu, boiled eggs, and vegetables. The ingredients are simmered together in a light broth, creating a comforting meal that’s perfect for cold weather. Oden is often served in a communal pot, where everyone can pick their favorite ingredients. It’s a cozy, communal meal, perfect for winter nights with family and friends.

African Flavors

Ugandan Matoke (Uganda)

Matoke is a comforting Ugandan dish made from green plantains, onions, tomatoes, and spices. The plantains are simmered until tender, absorbing the rich flavors of the tomatoes and onions. This dish is both nourishing and filling, making it perfect for a hearty winter meal.

Moroccan Harira (Morocco)

Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup made with lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, and lamb. The dish is flavored with aromatic spices like cinnamon, ginger, and saffron, creating a deep, rich flavor that’s both warming and satisfying. Harira is often eaten to break the fast during Ramadan, but it’s a comforting dish to enjoy any time of year.

Latin American Comforts

Argentine Puchero (Argentina)

Puchero is a traditional Argentine stew made with beef, chicken, and a variety of vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and squash. The dish is slow-cooked, allowing the flavors to meld together into a savory, hearty meal. Puchero is often served with rice or bread, making it the perfect dish to share with family during winter.

Brazilian Feijoada (Brazil)

Feijoada is a rich, hearty black bean stew made with pork, sausages, and beef. It’s a beloved Brazilian dish that’s often served with rice, collard greens, and orange slices. The dish is a perfect balance of smoky, savory flavors and is known for its ability to warm and fill the body during cold weather. Feijoada is traditionally enjoyed in a communal setting, making it ideal for family gatherings.

Vegetarian and Vegan Comfort Foods

Not all winter comfort foods need to include meat. There are plenty of plant-based options that provide the same level of warmth and satisfaction. Here are a few vegetarian and vegan comfort foods from around the world:

Indian Dal Tadka (India)

Dal Tadka is a comforting Indian dish made from lentils, onions, garlic, and spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. It’s simple, yet full of flavor, with the aromatic spices bringing warmth and comfort to the dish. Dal is often served with rice or flatbreads like naan or roti, making it a wholesome, filling meal.

Caribbean Callaloo (Caribbean Islands)

Callaloo is a vegan dish made with leafy greens like spinach or amaranth, along with okra, onions, garlic, and a variety of seasonings. It’s a rich, flavorful stew that’s often served with rice. Callaloo is both comforting and nutritious, making it a perfect winter dish for those seeking a plant-based alternative.

Ethiopian Shiro (Ethiopia)

Shiro is a vegan stew made from chickpea flour and berbere spice mix. It’s rich, spicy, and flavorful, often served with injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread. The stew’s comforting texture and bold flavors make it a perfect choice for winter.

How to Make Comfort Food Healthier

While comfort food is often indulgent, there are ways to make it lighter and healthier without sacrificing flavor. Here are a few tips for making your favorite winter comfort foods more nutritious:

• Reduce Fat and Calories: Use lighter alternatives for heavy creams and butter, such as Greek yogurt, coconut milk, or olive oil.

• Add More Vegetables: Seasonal vegetables like kale, squash, and Brussels sprouts can add nutrition and color to casseroles, soups, and stews.

• Use Whole Grains: Replace refined grains with nutrient-dense whole grains like quinoa, farro, or brown rice.

Winter Comfort Food for the Whole Family

Winter comfort foods are perfect for feeding the entire family. Many of these dishes can be made in large batches, making them ideal for

family dinners or meal prepping. Dishes like stews, casseroles, and soups are easily adaptable, and their hearty nature means they’ll keep everyone satisfied on cold winter evenings.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're in the mood for a classic American beef stew, a Moroccan bowl of harira, or a Japanese hot pot of oden, winter comfort foods offer an endless variety of hearty, satisfying meals. These dishes not only provide warmth, but also a sense of tradition and connection. So, why not expand your culinary horizons this winter and try a new global comfort food? After all, nothing warms the heart quite like a comforting, homemade meal shared with loved ones.