19 Rustic European Peasant Soups & Stews For The Coming Cold Weather

Updated on Fall, Soups & Stews

As the cold weather sets in, there’s something deeply comforting about a simmering pot of soup or stew on the stove. These rustic European recipes come from generations of hearty, no-frills cooking, where simple ingredients are transformed into rich, flavorful meals that warm you from the inside out.

Whether it’s the smoky depth of a bean and pork stew or the earthiness of a mushroom soup, these dishes remind me of gathering around the table with family, sharing food that feels like home. They’re not just meals—they’re a way to embrace the season and slow down with something nourishing and satisfying.

1
A bowl of traditional Ukrainian borscht beet soup with fresh dill and sour cream.
Ukrainian Borscht
Authentic Ukrainian Borscht with tender beef, vibrant beets, and vegetables. A hearty, flavorful soup served with sour cream and fresh dill.
Check out this recipe
2
Hearty Lentil Soup
Hearty Lentil Soup
A hearty lentil soup recipe that is full of wholesome vegetables and lentils. Packed with flavor, you’re going to love this delicious soup.
Check out this recipe
3
The finished garlic soup served in a bread bowl.
Garlic Soup
Check out this recipe
4
A bowl full of authentic Hungarian goulash full of thick red sauce, tender chunks of beef, potatoes and more.
Authentic Hungarian Goulash
This traditional recipe for Hungarian goulash is as authentic as it gets. Gulyás is Hungary’s national dish, and it is a rich, savory stew full of tender beef and vegetables in a sauce flavored with paprika.
Check out this recipe
5
A bowl of Istrian jota soup or stew full of ham, beans, sauerkraut, bacon, and other vegetables.
Pork, Bean & Sauerkraut Soup (Istrian Jota)
Pork, beans, and sauerkraut make up the base of this delicious smoky and sour soup.
Check out this recipe
6
A bowl full of chunky, creamy German potato soup with lots of veggies and bacon.
German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe)
This authentic and hearty soup is full of root vegetables, bone broth, and smoky bacon. It is a delicious and comforting soup that the whole family will love.
Check out this recipe
7
A big bowl of rich, red stew broth with a whole rabbit leg inside. The stew is garnished with fresh parsley.
German Rabbit Stew Hasenpfeffer
Authentic German Rabbit Stew Hasenpfeffer. A traditional Bavarian stew of marinated rabbit, and rich seasonings.
Check out this recipe
8
A shallow and ornate white bowl full of segedinsky gulas and tender pork shoulder pieces with sauerkraut.
Segedínský Guláš (Pork & Sauerkraut Stew)
Check out this recipe
9
A bowl of tripe soup.
Tripe Soup
European tripe soup with beef broth, root vegetables, and bold spices. A comforting, budget-friendly dish perfect for adventurous eaters!
Check out this recipe
10
A brown bowl full of thick stew with meatballs, sauerkraut, and vegetables. Sour cream is served on the side in a separate bowl next to a basket of sourdough bread.
German Sauerkraut Soup (Sauerkrautsuppe)
Check out this recipe
11
A clay bowl full of chunky red cabbage and winter root vegetable soup. There is a big dollop of sour cream on top.
Red Cabbage Soup
Check out this recipe
12
A big bowl of creamy Hungarian mushroom soup with mushrooms and fresh dill.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
This Hungarian mushroom soup is full of earthy mushrooms, fresh herbs and paprika. Sour cream gives it a unique tang and rich creaminess.
Check out this recipe
13
A bowl of Ukha fish soup with chunks of salmon, bream, and trout with vegetables like carrots and potatoes in a white bowl on a wood table.
Ukha (Russian Fish Soup)
Ukha is a traditional Russian clear, brothy soup full of fish and vegetables.
Check out this recipe
Authentic Bosnian Grah Recipe {Bean Soup}
This traditional and popular Bosnian peasant soup includes beans, vegetables, and smoked beef.
Check out this recipe!
A large bowl full of Bosnian bean soup grah with a spoon in it. The soup is very thick and full of beans and other vegetables.

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14
A bowl full of German split pea soup with vegetables, potatoes, split peas, and ham.
German Split Pea Soup (Erbsensuppe)
This classic, hearty split pea soup has been a staple in German kitchens for generations, celebrated for its rich flavors and nutritious but budget-friendly ingredients.
Check out this recipe
15
A bowl of thick leftover hambone soup full of beans, ham, potatoes, and root vegetables.
Old-Fashioned Leftover Ham Bone Soup With Beans
 If you love ham and bean soups and stews, you're going to love this one made with a leftover ham bone.
Check out this recipe
16
A bowl of chicken noodle soup.
Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup
Old-fashioned grandma's chicken noodle soup recipe — and homemade egg noodles too!
Check out this recipe
17
A clay bowl full of oxtail soup. There are whole chunks of oxtail in a rich broth with barley and diced vegetables.
European Oxtail Barley Soup
Variations of this oxtail soup are eaten across Europe. This version with barley is popular in the Slavic coutries.
Check out this recipe
18
pot of coq au vin
Authentic Coq Au Vin With An Old Rooster
This is the traditional recipe for coq au vin using an older rooster (hens work too) slowly braised to tenderness in a rich wine sauce. Do not attempt this recipe with the typical broiler chicken found at the grocery store.
Check out this recipe
19
A wooden bowl filled with 5 liver dumplings and beef bone broth. There is a loaf of sourdough bread next to the bowl.
Traditional Liver Dumpling Soup
Traditional liver dumpling soup or Leberknödelsuppe is my favorite nourishing soup recipe — it's both budget-friendly and kid-friendly!
Check out this recipe
20
A bowl full of grah stew with white beans, potatoes, carrots, and smoked pork ribs.
White Bean & Smoked Pork Stew {Croatian Grah i Varivah}
A traditional Croatian peasant stew of beans, potatoes, vegetables, and smoked pork. This is how my mother and grandmother made it.
Check out this recipe
21
A clay bowl full of green bean soup with other vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes visible in the broth. The bowl is sitting on a rustic wooden cutting board on top of a table with a spoon sticking in it.
Rustic Green Bean Soup {Mahuna}
A green bean soup full of flavor and vegetables. This soup is called mahuna in Croatia, where it is a hearty and healthy busy day soup that can be quickly prepared with either garden fresh or frozen and canned ingredients.
Check out this recipe

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A wooden bowl filled with 5 liver dumplings and beef bone broth. There is a loaf of sourdough bread next to the bowl.Traditional Liver Dumpling Soup A large bowl full of Jamaican oxtail stew with butterbeans. Rice is served on the side and green onions are used as a garnish.Authentic Jamaican Oxtail Stew With Butterbeans Roasted green tomato soup served in a sourdough bread bowl on a plate on a wooden table. There is pesto drizzled onto the soup.Roasted Green Tomato Soup With Pesto A bowl full of authentic Hungarian goulash full of thick red sauce, tender chunks of beef, potatoes and more.Authentic Hungarian Goulash

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