It’s that time again—when we dig deep into the freezer and pantry, pulling together nourishing meals from what’s on hand. Whether it’s a couple of sad-looking carrots, half a bag of lentils, or a random packet of frozen meat, these comforting stews are all about stretching what you’ve got and warming everyone up in the process.

No fancy ingredients, no fuss. Just real food, slowly cooked, and full of flavour.

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1. Leftover Roast & Barley Stew

Perfect for using up leftover roast beef or lamb lurking in the freezer.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked beef/lamb, shredded or chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery sticks or 1 parsnip, chopped
• ½ cup pearl barley (or brown rice)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups stock (or water + stock cube)
• Herbs: bay leaf, thyme, rosemary
• Salt & pepper

Method:

1. Sauté onion, carrot, and celery until soft.
2. Stir in tomato paste, barley, herbs, and stock.
3. Simmer for 30–40 mins until barley is tender.
4. Add cooked meat and heat through.

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2. Sausage, Lentil & Silverbeet Stew

Freezer sausages + pantry lentils = one of the easiest weeknight stews around.

Ingredients:

• 4–6 beef or pork sausages (sliced or whole)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tin brown or green lentils (or ¾ cup dried, cooked)
• 1 tin tomatoes
• 2 handfuls silverbeet or kale
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups stock or water

Method:

1. Brown sausages in a large pot, set aside.
2. Sauté onion and garlic. Add paprika.
3. Add tomatoes, stock, lentils, and sausages.
4. Simmer for 20–30 mins. Stir in greens to finish.

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3. Chickpea, Sweet Potato & Coconut Stew

Vegan, budget-friendly, and uses tinned pantry goods + root veg.

Ingredients:

• 1 tin chickpeas
• 1 small sweet potato, cubed
• 1 tin coconut milk
• 1 tin diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp curry powder or garam masala
• 1 tsp cumin
• Optional: spinach, frozen peas, lime juice

Method:

1. Sauté onion, then add spices and sweet potato.
2. Stir in chickpeas, tomatoes, and coconut milk.
3. Simmer until potato is tender (20–25 mins).
4. Stir through greens or frozen veg at the end.

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4. Freezer Mystery Meat Stew

Great for that unlabelled packet of stew meat or diced lamb lurking in the freezer.

Ingredients:

• 500g diced beef/lamb/venison
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots or turnips, chopped
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 1 tbsp tomato paste or Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cups stock or water
• Dried herbs (oregano, thyme, bay leaf)
• Optional: potatoes, barley, or frozen peas

Method:

1. Toss meat in flour, then brown in a pan.
2. Add onion and cook until softened.
3. Stir in tomato paste, stock, and herbs.
4. Simmer for 1–2 hours until meat is tender. Add veg halfway.

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5. Pantry Bean & Tomato Stew

No meat? No problem. This one’s filling and deeply satisfying with crusty bread or rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 tins of beans (cannellini, butter, kidney)
• 1 tin tomatoes
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper, dried herbs
• Optional: frozen spinach, olives, capers, chilli flakes

Method:

1. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.
2. Add paprika, tomatoes, and beans.
3. Simmer for 20 mins. Add extras to taste.
4. Serve with toast, mash, or couscous.