10 Cozy Crockpot Soup & Stew Recipes That will Keep You Warm All Winter

10 Cozy Crockpot Soups & Stews That Are Basically a Warm Hug in a Bowl

Let’s be real. When winter hits, it feels like all you want to do is hibernate. The wind is howling, your toes are permanently cold, and the idea of making a complicated dinner is just… nope. But what if you could have a steaming, hearty, and ridiculously delicious meal waiting for you with almost zero effort?

Enter your crockpot, the undisputed MVP of the chilly season. These crockpot soup and stew recipes are your secret weapon against the winter blues. They simmer away all day, filling your home with the kind of mouthwatering aroma that makes everyone ask, “What’s for dinner?” hours in advance.

Forget bland, boring soups. We’re talking about deep, flavorful stews, creamy chowders, and brothy miracles that will warm you from the inside out. So, grab your favorite blanket and get ready to bookmark these lifesavers.

1. Classic Beef Stew That Tastes Like Grandma’s

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → This is the ultimate comfort food. Tender beef, soft vegetables, and a rich, savory gravy that’s pure nostalgia in a bowl.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
• 3 carrots, sliced into thick coins
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Toss the beef cubes with the flour, salt, and pepper until coated.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, getting a good sear on all sides. (This step is 100% worth it for maximum flavor!)
3. Transfer the browned beef to your slow cooker. Add the potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour it over the meat and veggies. Toss in the bay leaf.
5. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5, until the beef is fall-apart tender.
6. Remove the bay leaf before serving. For a thicker stew, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of cold water and stir it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s the definition of a hearty meal. I once made this for a ski weekend, and it was the only thing anyone wanted to talk about. Serve it with a thick slice of crusty bread for dipping—you won’t regret it.

2. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → This is the soup version of your favorite cozy sweater. It’s creamy, savory, and has the perfect mix of textures.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend, rinsed
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chicken, rinsed wild rice, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, and broth into the slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
3. Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Return it to the pot.
4. In a small bowl, whisk the flour into the heavy cream until smooth. Stir this mixture into the soup.
5. Cover and cook on high for another 20-30 minutes, until the soup has thickened slightly.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a Panera Bread copycat that’s even better because you made it yourself. Using a wild rice blend instead of just white rice gives it a fantastic nutty flavor and chewy texture.

3. Spicy Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → This soup is robust, a little spicy, and packed with good-for-you stuff. It’s the perfect pick-me-up on a dreary day.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot, casings removed)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a skillet, brown the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Transfer the sausage to your crockpot. Add the onion, garlic, white beans, diced tomatoes, and broth.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the chopped kale. It will wilt perfectly into the hot soup.
5. Ladle into bowls and top with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Why You’ll Love It

The kale doesn’t get mushy, and the white beans make it feel incredibly substantial. IMO, the hot Italian sausage is the way to go for a nice, warming kick. 🙂

4. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → It’s all the best parts of a loaded baked potato—bacon, cheese, chives—in a luxuriously creamy soup. Decadent doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Ingredients

• 5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• For topping: cooked and crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, extra cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine the potatoes, onion, garlic, broth, salt, and pepper in your slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4, until the potatoes are very tender.
3. Use a potato masher to mash about half of the potatoes right in the pot. This will naturally thicken the soup.
4. Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted and the soup is creamy.
5. Serve immediately, loaded up with all your favorite toppings.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s the ultimate indulgence. This soup is so rich and satisfying, it’s a meal all on its own. Pro tip: don’t skip the potato mashing step—it creates the perfect texture.

5. Cozy Lentil Soup with Lemon

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Don’t underestimate the humble lentil! This soup is cheap, healthy, and the squeeze of fresh lemon at the end makes the flavors pop.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 ½ cups brown or green lentils, rinsed
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 8 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add all ingredients except the lemon juice to your slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the lentils are tender.
3. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the fresh lemon juice just before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s incredibly forgiving and packed with plant-based protein and fiber. The lemon juice is the secret weapon—it brightens the entire soup and makes it taste fresh and vibrant.

6. Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → You know the one. That creamy, spicy, potato-y soup with the kale and sausage. Now you can make a giant, better-tasting pot of it at home.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage (hot or mild)
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4-5 russet potatoes, cubed (peeling is optional)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 bunch kale, stems removed, leaves chopped
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a skillet, brown the sausage and bacon together. Drain off most of the fat.
2. Transfer the meat to your crockpot. Add the onion, garlic, potatoes, and broth.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
4. About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the kale and heavy cream. Let it heat through until the kale is wilted.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a crowd-pleaser in the truest sense. It’s creamy, a little spicy, and has so much flavor. FYI, this one reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.

7. Hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → This soup is a fiesta in a bowl! It’s bright, zesty, and you get to load it up with all your favorite crunchy toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Juice of 1 lime
• For topping: tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chicken, onion, jalapeño, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, broth, chili powder, and cumin in the slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot. Stir in the fresh lime juice.
4. Serve the soup and let everyone go wild with the toppings bar you’ve set up.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s impossible to be sad when you’re eating this soup. The lime juice at the end is non-negotiable—it ties the whole thing together.

8. Simple and Savory French Onion Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → Yes, you can make this bistro classic in a crockpot! The slow, gentle heat caramelizes the onions into sweet, savory perfection.

Ingredients

• 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For serving: baguette slices, Gruyère or Swiss cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the sliced onions and butter in your slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour to start softening them.
2. Remove the lid, stir, and continue cooking on high for 5-7 hours with the lid slightly ajar (use a chopstick to prop it open). This allows the liquid to evaporate and the onions to caramelize. Stir occasionally if you can.
3. Once the onions are a deep golden brown, add the garlic, broth, Worcestershire, and thyme.
4. Cover and cook on high for another 1-2 hours.
5. To serve, ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls, top with a baguette slice and a handful of cheese, and broil until bubbly and golden.

Why You’ll Love It

The patience for the onions to caramelize is so worth it. The deep, complex flavor you get is just incredible. It feels fancy without the fancy price tag.

9. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → The ultimate grilled cheese partner. This version is velvety smooth and tastes like summer, even in the dead of winter.

Ingredients

• 2 (28 oz) cans whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Dump the tomatoes (with their juice), onion, garlic, and broth into the slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until completely smooth. (You can also carefully transfer it to a blender in batches).
4. Stir in the fresh basil, heavy cream, and butter until the butter melts and the basil wilts. Season to taste.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a million times better than the canned stuff. The fresh basil makes all the difference. You simply cannot eat this without a perfectly grilled, cheesy sandwich for dipping.

10. Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Stew

Short Hook / Why It’s Awesome → This stew is a flavor adventure! Warm spices like cinnamon and cumin make it incredibly aromatic and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine the lentils, chickpeas, onion, carrots, tomatoes, broth, and all spices in the slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Just before serving, stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with a dollop of yogurt if you like.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s a healthy, globally-inspired meal that breaks the monotony of classic stews. Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible.

🔥Recommended Slow Cooker Essentials

 Here are a few of my favorite slow cooker essentials that make crockpot cooking easier, faster, and way more fun.

1. Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
   Perfect for big families or meal prepping — set it, forget it, and come home to tender, juicy meals every time.
   Check it out on Amazon
2. Hamilton Beach 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
   Reliable, easy-to-use, and keeps food warm automatically — ideal for busy weeknights.
   See today’s price on Amazon
3. Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker PRO (8-in-1 Multi-Cooker)
   Slow cook, sauté, roast, and more — one appliance that does it all for your crockpot dinners.
   View it on Amazon
4. Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Insert
   Cook two different meals at once — perfect for picky eaters or meal prep variety.
   Grab it on Amazon
5. Fix-It and Forget-It Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes Cookbook
   Packed with easy, flavorful slow cooker chicken ideas your family will love.
   Get the cookbook on Amazon

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This means if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase,
I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I only recommend products I personally use and love.

Your Winter of Cozy Awaits

There you have it. Ten incredible crockpot soup and stew recipes that are basically an antidote to cold weather. They’re the ultimate way to nourish your body and soul without spending your whole day in the kitchen.

So, pick a recipe, do a quick 15-minute chop-and-dump in the morning, and let your slow cooker work its magic. Come home to a warm house and a ready-made feast. After all, shouldn’t winter be about getting cozy, not slaving over a stove?

Now, which one are you making first? I’m leaning toward that Zuppa Toscana myself.