Healthy Stew Recipes That Clock Under 500 Calories And Pack Protein

Sit down to a hearty bowl of stew with these easy recipes.

Image Credit: olgakr/iStock/GettyImages Stew’s heartiness provides a warming comfort — something we could all use these days. And it’s often more filling than soup, which means it makes for a delicious and satisfying lunch or dinner.

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 That said, there are healthier ways to make stew so that it'll still provide that comforting "hug" you're in need of, while also fueling your body with the nutrition it needs. Here are a few simple tips on how to pick the best stew ingredients:

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Broth: When it comes to the liquid you’re adding to make a broth, aim for low-sodium, reduced-sodium or no-added-salt chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Skip the creamy broths that are typically higher in calories and saturated fat. Vegetables: One of the reasons stew can be so good for you is because it often features a variety of vegetables. To add more fiber and nutrients, and to help you meet your daily vegetable quota, load up your stew with a range of veggies like carrots, parsnips, onions, butternut squash, celery, tomatoes and heartier greens like kale. Grains: If the stew you’re making calls for grains like rice or noodles, go whole grain. Brown rice and whole-wheat pasta are easy swaps. If you’re looking to boost the protein content, look for a legume-based pasta or rice. Protein: Go lean when it comes to protein. Skip the fattier cuts of beef and dark poultry meat. Instead, choose leaner sources like chicken breast or a leaner cut of beef. Or, go plant-based with options like tofu, seitan, lentils or beans.

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 Here are eight delicious stew recipes packed with good-for-you ingredients that'll keep you healthy and warm.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew
This savory stew takes no time at all to create. Image Credit: My Nguyen/ Livestrong.com

Calories: 343 Protein: 34 grams

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 Beef stew is probably one of the more classic stews and knowing how to make a healthier version that satisfies will come in handy. Huge chunks of carrots, potatoes and lean beef stewed in beef broth will surely be a crowd-pleaser.

The best part is it takes just 15 minutes to make. Seriously. Minimal prep work is required (some dicing and chopping) and then you can set it and forget it, allowing the slow cooker to do the rest.

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  Get the Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipes and nutrition info here.

Spanish-Inspired Chicken Stew
Smoky and savory, this stew features a few special ingredients. Image Credit: WellPlated

Calories: 479 Protein: 41 grams

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 This smoky and savory stew is packed with peppers, sweet potato and crushed tomatoes, making this a nutrient-rich dish. The Spanish influence comes by way of olives and raisins. This may seem like an odd pairing to some but they cook into the stew, adding sweetness and a saltiness to each bite. Brown rice would make for a wonderful base to help soak up the broth.

Get the Spanish-Inspired Chicken Stew recipe at Well Plated. 3. Chicken, Chickpeas and Chorizo Stew

This dish is lighter than most stews but still provides a warming comfort.

Image Credit: Livestrong.com

Calories: 375 Protein: 28 grams

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 This dish is lighter and brighter compared to typical heartier stews. The base is chicken broth and canned tomato, while the vegetables include kale, onions and tomatoes. The chickpeas and chorizo give the stew some heft along with a healthy dose of protein — almost 30 grams per serving.

Get the Chicken, Chickpeas and Chorizo Stew recipe and nutrition info here. 4. Vegetarian Bean Stew With Beans and Rice

A plant-based stew that is high in protein and loaded with fiber.

Image Credit: The Picky Eater

Calories: 342 Protein: 17 grams

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 This stew is completely vegan and it gets its 17 grams of plant protein from an assortment of beans and brown rice. This, combined with spinach, corn, tomatoes, onion and pepper, is what gives this dish the 18 grams of fiber it provides. It's also loaded with vitamin A, lycopene, vitamin K and potassium.

Get the Vegetarian Bean Stew With Beans and Rice recipe at Picky Eater. 5. Vegan Guinness Stew

Consider this a plant-based take on traditional Irish Stew.

Image Credit: Sharon Palmer/ The Plant-Powered Dietitian

Calories: 395 Protein: 15 grams

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 Traditional stew is made with chunks of beef but here, seitan is used instead. The Guinness beer broth and mashed potato topping keep it authentic. Despite these heavier ingredients, each serving is still under 400 calories, provides 15 grams of protein and is completely plant-based.

Get the Vegan Guinness Stew recipe at The Plant-Powered Dietitian. 6. Slow-Cooker Chicken Chile Verde Stew

Loaded with protein and takes only 15 minutes of prep work.

Image Credit: The Real Food Dietitians

Calories: 250 Protein: 26 grams

Another slow-cooker favorite that requires just 15 minutes of prep work, this is a stew you’ll want to cook all winter. The chile verde adds a nice twist to typical chili, bringing freshness with the green broth and the avocado and cilantro toppings. It’s still cozy — perfect for any cold day — and it’ll keep you feeling satisfied with the whopping 26 grams of protein.

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  Get the Slow-Cooker Chicken Chile Verde Stew recipe at Real Food Dietitians.

Tuscan Bean Stew With Whole-Wheat Pasta
Similar to minestrone, this stew is just a little thicker and is made with whole-wheat pasta. Image Credit: The Picky Eater

Calories: 288 Protein: 15 grams

Think of this as minestrone’s thicker, heartier cousin. It has the pasta (whole-wheat), beans and cups of vegetables, but in a thicker sauce. All 15 grams of protein per serving are plant-powered, too. Pair this with a chunky of crusty bread and top with parmesan for a complete meal. Get the Tuscan Bean Stew With Whole-Wheat Pasta recipe at Picky Eater. 8. Chipotle Black Bean and Quinoa Stew

This smoky yet sweet stew is packed with fiber and protein.

Image Credit: ehaurylik/ Adobe Stock

Calories: 312 Protein: 17 grams

Another vegan stew option that brings the protein, the 17 grams per serving are primarily from the black beans and quinoa. The chipotle gives this savory dish a smoky flavor, which is tempered by the sweet potato. The stew also provides 100 percent of women’s daily fiber needs. Get the Chipotle Black Bean and Quinoa Stew recipe and nutrition info here.

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Sit down to a hearty bowl of stew with these easy recipes.

Image Credit: olgakr/iStock/GettyImages

This savory stew takes no time at all to create.

Image Credit: My Nguyen/ Livestrong.com

Get the Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipes and nutrition info here.

Smoky and savory, this stew features a few special ingredients.

Image Credit: WellPlated

Get the Spanish-Inspired Chicken Stew recipe at Well Plated.

This dish is lighter than most stews but still provides a warming comfort.

Image Credit: Livestrong.com

Get the Chicken, Chickpeas and Chorizo Stew recipe and nutrition info here.

A plant-based stew that is high in protein and loaded with fiber.

Image Credit: The Picky Eater

Get the Vegetarian Bean Stew With Beans and Rice recipe at Picky Eater.

Consider this a plant-based take on traditional Irish Stew.

Image Credit: Sharon Palmer/ The Plant-Powered Dietitian

Get the Vegan Guinness Stew recipe at The Plant-Powered Dietitian.

Loaded with protein and takes only 15 minutes of prep work.

Image Credit: The Real Food Dietitians

Get the Slow-Cooker Chicken Chile Verde Stew recipe at Real Food Dietitians.

Similar to minestrone, this stew is just a little thicker and is made with whole-wheat pasta.

Image Credit: The Picky Eater

Get the Tuscan Bean Stew With Whole-Wheat Pasta recipe at Picky Eater.

This smoky yet sweet stew is packed with fiber and protein.

Image Credit: ehaurylik/ Adobe Stock

Get the Chipotle Black Bean and Quinoa Stew recipe and nutrition info here.