Delicious examples of slow cooking soups and stews to try next

Cozy everyday examples of slow cooking soups and stews

Let’s start right where you probably care most: real food you can actually cook this week. When people ask for examples of slow cooking soups and stews, these are the dishes that come up again and again in American home kitchens.

Think of:

• A pot of beef stew that perfumes the whole house on a Sunday afternoon.
• Chicken noodle soup that simmers all day while you work from home.
• A big batch of chili that feeds friends on game day.

All of these are classic examples of slow cooking soups and stews that rely on time, not fancy technique. The low, steady heat breaks down tough cuts of meat, softens beans and grains, and lets flavors blend in a way you simply can’t rush.

Classic American examples of slow cooking soups and stews

When someone asks for the best examples of slow cooking soups and stews, these are the comfort-food icons that almost always make the list.

1. Old-fashioned beef stew

This is the textbook example of how slow cooking transforms ingredients. Cubes of beef chuck, onion, carrot, potato, and celery simmer for hours in a broth flavored with tomato paste, garlic, and herbs.

Why it loves slow cooking:

• Beef chuck and similar cuts are tough at high heat but turn fork-tender when cooked low and slow.
• Starches from potatoes and a bit of flour naturally thicken the broth.
• Vegetables soak up the meat juices, so every bite tastes deeply savory.

To make it work in a slow cooker, brown the meat and aromatics in a pan first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker for 6–8 hours on low. This is one of the best examples of a “dump it and forget it” weeknight-friendly stew.

2. Chicken noodle soup

Chicken noodle soup is a gentler example of slow cooking soups and stews, but it still benefits from time. A whole chicken or bone-in pieces simmer with onion, carrot, celery, bay leaf, and peppercorns.

Why slow works here:

• Long, gentle cooking extracts collagen and flavor from the bones, giving the broth body.
• The house smells like absolute heaven for hours.

Many cooks like to slow cook the chicken and vegetables first, strain the broth, then add noodles at the end to avoid mushiness. If you’re under the weather, chicken soup is still one of the most recommended comfort foods; even the National Institutes of Health has referenced research on chicken soup’s potential benefits for cold symptoms and hydration (for example, see discussions referenced by NIH).

3. Chili (with or without meat)

Chili is one of the best examples of slow cooking soups and stews that feeds a crowd. Ground beef or turkey (or just beans), tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and beans simmer for hours.

Slow cooking advantages:

• Spices mellow and blend, losing any harsh edge.
• Beans become creamy instead of chalky.
• The texture thickens naturally as water evaporates.

You can go classic beef-and-bean, white chicken chili, or a vegetarian version loaded with beans, lentils, and vegetables. All of these variations are solid examples of how slow cooking soups and stews can fit different diets.

4. Split pea or ham and bean soup

If you want examples of slow cooking soups that use pantry staples, split pea or ham and bean soup are perfect. Dried split peas or beans, onion, carrot, celery, and leftover ham hock or smoked turkey simmer together.

Why slow cooking wins:

• Dried peas and beans need time to soften fully.
• Smoky ham flavor slowly infuses the entire pot.
• The peas naturally break down into a thick, velvety texture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that beans and peas are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber (USDA), which makes this style of slow-cooked soup both comforting and nutritious.

Global examples of slow cooking soups and stews

Some of the best examples of slow cooking soups and stews come from cuisines that have been cooking low and slow for generations.

5. French beef bourguignon

Beef bourguignon is basically beef stew’s French cousin. Beef, red wine, mushrooms, pearl onions, and bacon simmer together for hours.

Why this is a standout example:

• Red wine adds depth and acidity that balance the richness of the meat.
• Slow cooking allows alcohol to cook off while flavors concentrate.
• The sauce becomes glossy and intensely flavored.

You can adapt traditional recipes to a slow cooker by reducing the wine slightly on the stove first, then transferring everything to cook low and slow.

6. Mexican pozole rojo

Pozole is a hearty hominy and pork stew, and it’s one of the most flavorful examples of slow cooking soups and stews you can make. Pork shoulder simmers with dried chiles, garlic, and onion until tender, then hominy is added.

Why it needs time:

• Pork shoulder is fatty and tough at first but becomes spoon-tender after hours.
• Dried chiles soften and release flavor slowly.

Top with cabbage, radish, lime, and cilantro for freshness. It’s a great example of how slow-cooked stews can still feel bright and vibrant.

7. Vietnamese pho (slow-cooked broth)

Pho is often served as a quick meal, but the broth itself is a master class in slow cooking. Beef bones, onion, ginger, star anise, and other spices simmer for hours.

Why pho broth is a great example of slow cooking:

• Long simmering extracts collagen and minerals from the bones.
• Spices slowly infuse the broth without overpowering it.
• The result is clear, aromatic, and deeply flavored.

You can make the broth in a slow cooker overnight, then assemble bowls with rice noodles, sliced beef or chicken, and fresh herbs.

8. Indian dal (lentil stew)

Dal is a thick lentil stew that can range from very simple to richly spiced. Red lentils, yellow split peas, or mung beans simmer with onion, garlic, ginger, and spices.

Why dal belongs in any list of examples of slow cooking soups and stews:

• Lentils soften and break down, creating natural creaminess.
• Spices bloom slowly and mellow over time.
• It reheats beautifully, often tasting better the next day.

Serve with rice or flatbread for a budget-friendly, high-protein meal. Lentils are widely recognized for their fiber and plant-based protein; organizations like the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health highlight legumes as part of a heart-supportive eating pattern.

9. Moroccan chickpea and vegetable stew

For a plant-forward example of slow cooking soups and stews, try a Moroccan-inspired chickpea stew with tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and warm spices like cumin and cinnamon.

Why slow cooking works:

• Root vegetables soften without falling apart.
• Chickpeas absorb spices and tomato flavor.
• The broth thickens into a rich, spoon-coating sauce.

This is a great dish for meal prep and for anyone trying to eat more plants without feeling deprived.

Health-minded examples of slow cooking soups and stews

Not every slow-cooked dish has to be heavy. There are plenty of lighter examples of slow cooking soups and stews that still feel comforting.

10. Vegetable barley soup

This is a great example of how grains thrive in a slow cooker. Onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, beans, and pearl barley simmer in vegetable or chicken broth.

Benefits of slow cooking here:

• Barley softens and releases starch, thickening the soup.
• Vegetables become tender but not mushy if you time it right.
• Flavors meld into something richer than the sum of its parts.

Whole grains like barley add fiber and can support heart health; the CDC and other public health sources often encourage fiber-rich foods as part of an overall healthy pattern.

11. Chicken and wild rice soup

Chicken and wild rice soup is a lighter example of a slow-cooked stew that still eats like a full meal. Chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, and mushrooms simmer together in broth.

Why it suits slow cooking:

• Wild rice takes longer than white rice to cook; slow heat gives it time.
• Chicken turns tender without drying out if cooked on low.

You can finish it with a splash of cream or keep it broth-based for a lighter bowl.

How to build your own slow cooking soups and stews

Once you’ve seen these examples of slow cooking soups and stews, it’s easier to invent your own. Almost all of them follow a similar pattern.

Pick the right protein

The best examples usually use:

• Tough, marbled cuts of meat: beef chuck, pork shoulder, lamb shoulder.
• Bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks.
• Beans, lentils, or chickpeas for vegetarian options.

These all improve with time. Lean chicken breast, delicate fish, or quick-cooking vegetables can overcook and turn dry or mushy if left in the slow cooker too long.

Layer flavor in stages

If you look at real examples of slow cooking soups and stews from cookbooks or trusted sites, you’ll notice a pattern:

• Aromatics (onion, garlic, celery, carrot) are often sautéed first.
• Tomato paste may be browned to deepen flavor.
• Spices are briefly toasted in fat.

You can do this quickly on the stove, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. This extra step gives you restaurant-level flavor with almost no extra effort.

Balance liquid and thickness

Many home cooks either end up with a watery soup or a stew that’s too thick. Use these examples of slow cooking soups and stews as a guide:

• Beef stew: just enough liquid to barely cover the meat and vegetables.
• Brothy soups (chicken noodle, pho): more liquid, since broth is the star.
• Bean and lentil soups: remember that beans and grains absorb liquid as they cook.

If you’re using a slow cooker, keep in mind that less liquid evaporates than on the stovetop, so you often need less broth than a standard soup recipe calls for.

Timing and food safety

Slow cooking is very forgiving, but there are still some safety basics. The USDA and food safety experts emphasize keeping hot foods above 140°F and cooking meats to safe internal temperatures. You can read more about safe slow cooking practices from the USDA’s food safety resources at FoodSafety.gov.

General guidelines many slow cooker recipes follow:

• Low setting: 6–8 hours for most stews with meat.
• High setting: 3–4 hours, though texture is often better on low.

If you’re using dried beans, especially kidney beans, it’s safer to boil them briefly on the stove first before slow cooking, as undercooked kidney beans can cause foodborne illness. Organizations like the FDA and USDA address this in their guidance on cooking beans.

2024–2025 trends: modern spins on slow cooking soups and stews

Recent years have brought a few new twists to classic examples of slow cooking soups and stews:

• High-protein, high-fiber bowls: More people are leaning into bean-based stews, lentil soups, and chicken-and-bean combinations to stay full longer.
• Meal prep friendly recipes: Big-batch chili, dal, and pozole are popular on social media because they reheat well all week.
• Global flavor mashups: Think Korean-inspired beef stew with gochujang, or taco-style chicken stew with black beans and corn.
• Slow cooker + pressure cooker combos: Many home cooks use an appliance that can slow cook and pressure cook, simmering broth low and slow one day, then pressure cooking beans the next.

These modern dishes are still real examples of slow cooking soups and stews at heart—they just borrow new flavor profiles and fit busy schedules.

FAQ: examples of slow cooking soups and stews

What are some easy examples of slow cooking soups and stews for beginners?
Great starter ideas include beef stew, chicken noodle soup, vegetable barley soup, and basic chili. These are forgiving, use common ingredients, and don’t require advanced skills.

Can you give an example of a vegetarian slow cooking stew that’s filling?
A lentil and vegetable dal, or a Moroccan chickpea and vegetable stew, are both filling examples of slow cooking soups and stews without meat. Beans, lentils, and chickpeas add protein and fiber.

What are the best examples of slow cooking soups and stews for meal prep?
Chili, split pea soup, dal, pozole, and beef stew all keep well for several days and often taste better after resting. They also freeze nicely in individual portions.

Are there healthy examples of slow cooking soups and stews?
Yes. Chicken and vegetable soup, chicken and wild rice soup, and bean-based stews with lots of vegetables are all lighter examples. Focus on lean proteins, plenty of vegetables, and modest amounts of added fat and salt. Sites like Mayo Clinic and Harvard’s Nutrition Source offer general guidance on building balanced meals.

Can I turn my favorite stovetop soup into a slow cooking version?
Often, yes. Use the same ingredients, reduce the liquid slightly, brown aromatics and meat first if possible, then cook on low for 6–8 hours. Delicate ingredients like pasta, spinach, or dairy usually go in near the end.

What’s one example of a budget-friendly slow cooking soup or stew?
Ham and bean soup or a basic lentil vegetable soup are both budget-friendly examples of slow cooking soups and stews. They rely on inexpensive pantry items and a little meat (or none at all) for flavor.