Winter Recipes: Soups, Slow Cooker Meals and Warm Drinks

When it is cold outside, most families want food that is warm, filling and easy. A short list of winter recipes sorted by type makes it easier to decide what to cook and what to buy.

Sort recipes into groups

Try these groups: soups, slow cooker meals, comfort food, baking and warm drinks. Choose a few favorites from each and rotate them through the season. Repeating a recipe your family likes is a good plan.

Start with soup

Soup is forgiving. Sauté onion, carrot and celery, add stock and a protein or beans, then season at the end. Make a double batch and freeze half in labeled containers. The USDA's food safety guidance says to cool cooked food promptly and refrigerate it within two hours, so divide large pots into shallow containers before storing. You can read more at fsis.usda.gov.

Use the slow cooker on busy days

Chili, pulled chicken, beef stew and pot roast all work well. Prep the ingredients the night before, store them in the cooker insert in the refrigerator and start it in the morning. Keep a short list of slow cooker meals taped inside a cabinet.

Add comfort food

Baked pasta, casseroles, mashed potatoes and grilled cheese with tomato soup are easy winter dinners. Choose two that can be assembled ahead and baked while you handle homework or bedtime.

Bake something

Muffins, cornbread, biscuits and simple cookies warm up the house and give kids a job. Bake on the weekend, freeze extras and pull them out during the week.

Make a warm drinks list

Hot cocoa, spiced apple cider and herbal tea are easy to set out for guests. A cocoa bar with marshmallows, crushed peppermint and cinnamon makes a simple family event.

Write a shopping page

Once you pick the recipes for the next two weeks, list the ingredients by store section: produce, dairy, pantry, freezer and so on. You will shop faster and forget less.

Print the recipes you want to keep

Recipe cards with notes lines let you adjust the salt, swap an ingredient or record what your family thought. Over time they become a small collection of what works for you.

Start with cards already made

If you would like a set ready to use, the Winter Recipe Cards include 24 printable cards, an index and a shopping page.