16 Beat-the-Clock Stews

Sunset Magazine

Get slow-cooked flavors in 45 minutes or less with these hearty and healthy winter recipes.


White Wine Coq Au Vin
Think of this as a fresher, green herb-laced version of the French classic. Serve with a crusty baguette for dunking.
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Escarole and Cannellini Bean Stew
This hearty, less-is-more stew riffs on rustic Italian flavors. Serve with crusty bread and a green salad.
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Chinese-Style Beef, Sweet Potato, and Bok Choy Stew
Chinese five-spice powder infuses this colorful stew with a warm, anise-y note.
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Speedy Chicken Posole with Avocado and Lime
This dish, using canned hominy, takes a fraction of the time needed for regular posole. Serve with warm corn tortillas.
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Thai Red Curry Fish Stew
Light coconut milk in this stew works as a healthy alternative to the full-fat kind, and prepared Thai red curry paste, found in most supermarkets, makes it a snap to put together.
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Chicken Stew with Olives and Lemon
Boned, skinned chicken thighs are just as convenient as breasts, and they have an added advantage: Their succulent texture and robust flavor stand up well to braising. Add the flavors of Italian salsa verde--bright parsley, tart lemon, piquant capers, and green olives--for a fresh, fast twist on cold-weather cooking.
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Black Bean Chili
The addition of chipotle purée imparts a rich, 'tastes like it's been simmering for hours' flavor in this dish, which actually comes together in just about 30 minutes.
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Wild Rice, Butternut Squash, and Cannellini Stew
Wild rice gives this stew earthiness and is appealingly chewy (save time by buying it precooked). Serve with cornbread or polenta.
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Halibut, Clams, and Pancetta with Escarole
How does celebrity chef Tyler Florence juggle a booming empire and family life? With fast, flavorful recipes like this tasty seafood stew.
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SEE ALL 16 STEW RECIPES