Need some winter dinner ideas? Here’s what readers recommend.
Here's what readers are eating as the temperatures drop.
After starting the week with an unexpected snowstorm, Boston is now making its way through a typical February cold front, with temperatures peaking in the low 20s.
In addition to bundling up in our most comfortable winter wear, we’re also warming ourselves up with our favorite cold-weather meals. The weather should warm up before the end of the week, but until it does, we wanted to know what dishes readers gravitate toward when it’s chilly outside.
When the weather gets frosty, Teddy K. in Dorchester said he sticks to his classic “Dunks iced coffee” like any Bostonian. Mark in Quincy wrote, “French toast! I’ve got all these eggs, bread, and milk. I might as well put them to good use.” But most readers said they like a delicious bowl of something warm and inviting.
Among readers’ favorite cold-weather dishes were American classics like chili and chicken noodle soup as well as rice dishes like jambalaya and congee. Mike Stephenson from Scarborough, Maine shared his favorite winter recipe, a dijon chicken stew with potatoes and kale.
If given the choice between a home-cooked meal and ordering in on a cold winter day, the majority of the 205 readers polled said they’d rather take the time to whip up a warm meal in their own homes.
Ann W. from Peterborough, N.H. said cold winter nights were all about “stews, soups, bread fresh out of the oven, and carbs in any form.”
On a day like today, Boston.com readers say they’re relying heavily on their favorite soups and stews. Paired with fresh bread, readers said the warming meal could get them through many winter nights.
“Homemade beef stew,” said Carol from Cambridge. “The benefit is it takes hours to cook and it fills the house with those delicious warming smells.”
Before you decide what you’ll be having for dinner tonight, get some recipe inspiration from Boston.com reader recommendations of the best cold-weather foods.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
“Homemade, always homemade”
“Homemade pot roast slow cooked with potatoes, carrots, onions, and natural gravy!! 😋” — Lisa S., Swansea
“Absolutely anything braised. What’s better than a perfectly seasoned sauce that’s been in the stove for hours? Short ribs, osso buco, lamb shanks, paprikash. Mmmm.” — Jennifer, Gloucester
“Homemade, always homemade. And although not well known in the Boston area, homemade posole made with dried hominy (NEVER canned, you just don’t get the same flavor) and pork ribs is the best rib-sticking, stomach warming delicious concoction I’ve ever tasted. Warm tortillas or a quesadilla on the side take it right over the top.
For something a little more New England traditional I fall back to a recipe my grandmother always made — stewed kidney beans with salt pork and onions (salt and pepper to taste) simmered slowly; once cooked stir in cream or half and half to taste (about 1/2 cup generally does it). Serve with knockwurst and spicy mustard on crusty sub rolls on the side and it is pure joy!” — Deb B., Canton
“Ina Garden’s winter minestrone.” — Melanie, Worcester
“My family is a fan of a hearty beef stew on cold weather days or for a snowstorm. In particular, we are fans of The Joy of Cooking’s classic beef stew recipe. This is also a go-to recipe for snowstorms because it can be done in a Dutch oven on the stove-top, and we have a gas stove-top. So even if the power goes out, we can continue to cook our beef stew.” — Brittany, Roslindale
“Italian sausage soup. I found the recipe years ago and I make it all the time. Topped with parmesan cheese and served with garlic bread. It’s perfect.” — Stacy B., Easton
“Jambalaya or massaman curry with shrimp.” — Randy C., Lansdale
“Pasta with roasted vegetables topped with mozzarella or parmesan cheese.” — Kathy, Revere
“Soup/stew. It’s not even that close. Hard to go wrong as long as it makes the place smell really good for hours. A slow-cooked Guinness and red wine beef stew with some crusty bread straight from the oven? Perfection. Honorable mention: Slow-braised meats like pot roast/short rib/brisket browned then finished in a dutch oven, or carnitas style pork butt.” — Bob G., Quincy
“Homemade meatballs and marinara sauce. Just delivered to three neighbors during the blizzard and all were very appreciative.” — Greg, Dorchester
“Beef stew with potatoes, carrots, onions, and peas. I have a very good recipe!” — Susan A., Scituate
“Homemade congee/jook. Asian rice porridge or a stew.” — K, Watertown
“It’s a toss-up between chicken noodle soup and chili, both homemade of course. I usually have homemade chili and chicken stock in the freezer. Chili I can just defrost and reheat, but the chicken noodle soup has to be made with stock and fresh ingredients. There will be no mushy noodles for me.” — Diane, Natick
“A rich stew like beef bourguignon, with homemade crusty bread. Perfect way to pass a cold, snowy day.” — Graham, Shirley Center
Order in
“I love something spicy when it’s cold. The chicken ranchero burrito at Anna’s Taqueria always warms me up!” — Mary, Beacon Hill
“A big bowl of chashu ramen from Hokkaido Ramen Santouka never fails to make me feel warm and comforted. A drizzle of vinegar on top of the slices of pork belly cuts the richness perfectly.” — Allison, Dorchester
“Beef stew from Sammy Carlo’s in East Boston. “Homemade” as it gets!” — Katie B., Medford
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