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    Home » Trending

    24 recipes that feel right for this time of year

    Published: Jan 8, 2026 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    The craving for comfort is real right now. These 24 recipes feel right for this time of year and the hype is deserved. Too good to skip when warm, satisfying meals are everything!

    Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Cold days call for easy comfort in a bowl. Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup fits the season when heavier meals start to make sense. It works well for weeknights when something filling feels right.
    Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Kabocha Squash Chili

    A bowl of kabocha squash chili in a bowl on a blue plate.
    Kabocha Squash Chili. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Seasonal cravings tend to shift toward deeper flavors. Kabocha Squash Chili feels timely when hearty bowls become the go-to choice. It’s a smart pick for colder days when lighter meals fall short.
    Get the Recipe: Kabocha Squash Chili

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    Italian Beef Stew

    Italian Beef Stew. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Longer nights often mean slower, more filling dinners. Italian Beef Stew lines up with that shift toward cozy meals. It’s the kind of dish that fits naturally into this stretch of the year.
    Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Stew

    Chickpea Peanut Butter Curry with Coconut Milk

    A bowl of rice topped with chickpea peanut butter curry.
    Chickpea Peanut Butter Curry with Coconut Milk. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Plant-based meals still hit differently when the weather cools. Chickpea Peanut Butter Curry with Coconut Milk feels grounding and filling without being heavy. It’s a solid option when comfort matters more than speed.
    Get the Recipe: Chickpea Peanut Butter Curry with Coconut Milk

    Vegan Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup

    Vegan Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Cooler weather tends to bring back smoother, spoonable meals. Vegan Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup fits nicely when lighter soups still need substance. It works well during seasonal transitions.
    Get the Recipe: Vegan Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup

    Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

    Slow Cooker Turkey Chili. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

    Busy weeks feel easier with meals that wait patiently. Slow Cooker Turkey Chili makes sense when colder days call for something filling at dinner time. It’s a practical choice for repeat meals.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

    Cioppino – Fisherman’s Seafood Stew

    Cioppino – Fisherman’s Seafood Stew. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Not every cold-weather meal has to feel heavy. Cioppino – Fisherman’s Seafood Stew fits when something bold yet balanced sounds right. It’s a nice change during the colder stretch of the year.
    Get the Recipe: Cioppino – Fisherman’s Seafood Stew

    Coconut Red Lentil Curry

    Coconut red lentil curry served in a bowl over white rice.
    Coconut Red Lentil Curry. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Cooler temperatures tend to highlight bold, steady meals. Coconut Red Lentil Curry fits that mood without feeling overwhelming. It’s a strong option when comfort starts leading meal choices.
    Get the Recipe: Coconut Red Lentil Curry

    Three Sisters Soup

    Three Sisters Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Seasonal eating often leans into time-tested combinations. Three Sisters Soup matches that rhythm during colder months. It feels right when simple, filling meals take priority.
    Get the Recipe: Three Sisters Soup

    Slow Cooker Pork Chili

    Image shows close-up of a spoonful of chili with beans, cheese, and corn, held above a pot filled with the same dish, placed on a wooden surface.
    Slow Cooker Pork Chili. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

    Cold weather meals often stick around longer at the table. Slow Cooker Pork Chili fits perfectly when big batches start making sense. It works well for nights when one pot needs to do the job.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

    Slow Cooker Chicken Stew. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Weeknight dinners shift when temperatures drop. Slow Cooker Chicken Stew feels timely when filling meals become a must. It’s easy to keep in rotation this time of year.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

    Easy Cabbage Curry

    An overhead image of cooked cabbage curry in a round plate.
    Easy Cabbage Curry. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Simple dishes tend to shine more in cooler seasons. Easy Cabbage Curry fits when lighter meals still need depth. It works well for days that call for comfort without heaviness.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Cabbage Curry

    Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup)

    Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup). Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Colder weather brings back classic soup nights. Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup) fits naturally into that routine. It’s a steady option when bowls replace plates.
    Get the Recipe: Lentejas (Mexican Lentil Soup)

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

    Cooler evenings often call for bolder dinners. Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili fits when something hearty feels necessary. It’s a good match for nights spent indoors.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Chili

    Lamb Stew (Irish Stew)

    Lamb Stew (Irish Stew). Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Seasonal shifts often point toward traditional comfort meals. Lamb Stew (Irish Stew) lines up well with colder days ahead. It feels appropriate when hearty dishes take center stage.
    Get the Recipe: Lamb Stew (Irish Stew)

    Dill Carrot Zucchini Curry

    Big pot of carrot zucchini curry.
    Dill Carrot Zucchini Curry. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    Not every seasonal meal needs to feel heavy. Dill Carrot Zucchini Curry works when comfort still needs balance. It fits nicely during the cooler stretch without weighing things down.
    Get the Recipe: Dill Carrot Zucchini Curry

    Jamaican-Style Pumpkin Soup

    Jamaican-Style Pumpkin Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Squash-based meals tend to show up at just the right time. Jamaican-Style Pumpkin Soup fits when seasonal flavors start taking over menus. It’s a good pick for cooler days.
    Get the Recipe: Jamaican-Style Pumpkin Soup

    Hearty Pumpkin Chili

    A bowl of chili topped with avocado and peppers.
    Hearty Pumpkin Chili. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

    Fall-to-winter meals often lean into thicker bowls. Hearty Pumpkin Chili fits when comfort starts driving food choices. It works well as the weather keeps cooling down.
    Get the Recipe: Hearty Pumpkin Chili

    Butter Bean Stew

    Butter Bean Stew. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Cooler seasons often highlight simple, filling meals. Butter Bean Stew fits when plant-based comfort becomes more appealing. It’s an easy match for colder evenings.
    Get the Recipe: Butter Bean Stew

    German Roasted Cauliflower With Curry Cashew Crust

    A bowl of cauliflower gratin topped with nuts and herbs.
    German Roasted Cauliflower With Curry Cashew Crust. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    Not all comfort food needs to come in a bowl. German Roasted Cauliflower With Curry Cashew Crust works when roasted dishes feel seasonally right. It fits nicely into cooler-weather menus.
    Get the Recipe: German Roasted Cauliflower With Curry Cashew Crust

    Comforting Mung Bean Soup

    Comforting Mung Bean Soup. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Soup season tends to linger longer than expected. Comforting Mung Bean Soup fits when lighter bowls still feel appropriate. It works well during steady cold stretches.
    Get the Recipe: Comforting Mung Bean Soup

    Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

    Cincinnatti chili on top of spaghetti and covered with cheese, beans and onions.
    Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

    Cold days often make regional classics more appealing. Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili fits when familiar flavors feel comforting again. It’s a good pick for slow, relaxed dinners.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

    Brown Stew Chicken

    Brown Stew Chicken. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Cooler weather often brings back saucy, filling meals. Brown Stew Chicken lines up well with that seasonal shift. It works best when dinners feel meant to linger.
    Get the Recipe: Brown Stew Chicken

    Indian-Style Okra Curry Recipe (Bhindi Masala Gravy)

    A black bowl filled with vegetables on a table.
    Indian-Style Okra Curry Recipe (Bhindi Masala Gravy). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    Seasonal eating often leans into bold, steady dishes. Indian-Style Okra Curry Recipe (Bhindi Masala Gravy) fits when comfort meals need variety. It works well as colder days settle in.
    Get the Recipe: Indian-Style Okra Curry Recipe (Bhindi Masala Gravy)

    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, world traveler and cookbook author. Her work has been featured in various publications both online and in print, including Elle, Forbes, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, Food Drink Life, Arizona Highways Magazine, New York Daily News, and more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

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