The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe Round-up
It’s a tough time of the year. The weather is dampening our mood, and even the warmest of blankies, layers of clothing and hot-water bottles won’t bring us the warmth that summer has to offer. You can, however, find solace in hearty comfort food, curl up on the couch and give the gloomy weather the middle finger. Enjoy these comfort food recipes this winter.
Hearty Soups, Stews & Dishes
A warm, comforting and saucy dish is the perfect antidote to a cold winter’s day.
Country Rustic Dijon Chicken
Comforting and flavoursome, this Country Rustic Dijon Chicken embodies the charm of French cooking. Dip into the sauce with chunks of fresh baguette and be transported to comfort food heaven.
Recipe for Country Rustic Dijon Chicken
Pork Chops Au Poivre
Succulent pork chops with a peppery and creamy sauce, served with buttery mash – what more could you possibly want?
Recipe for Pork Chops Au Poivre
Lentil Dhal
Filled with flavour and heaps of protein, this is one of our go-to comfort food recipes.
Irish Pork Stew with Colcannon
A treasured dish for many reasons. It doesn’t get better than this!
Recipe for Irish Pork Stew with Colcannon
Creamy Coconut, Sweet Potato & Bean Soup
A curried, creamy and comforting soup filled with chunky sweet potato and cannellini beans.
Recipe for Creamy Coconut, Sweet Potato & Bean Soup
Cumin Roasted Cauliflower Soup
A warming bowl of soup made delicious with cumin-spiced, roasted cauliflower.
Recipe for Cumin Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Rogan Josh Tomato Soup with Yogurt Flatbreads
One of your fave curries made into a soup. Dip some flatbread into it and revel in the flavour.
Recipe for Rogan Josh Tomato Soup with Yoghurt Flatbreads
Broccoli & Crème Fraîche Soup
Nutrient and delicious, this Broccoli Crème Fraîche soup will have you licking the bowl.
Recipe for Broccoli & Crème Fraîche Soup
Split Pea Soup with Smoked Pork
There are few things more satisfying than a bowl of split pea soup on a cold winter’s day – smoked pork makes it even better.
Roasted Mushroom, Chorizo and Old Brown Sherry Soup
A delicious recipe blending the flavours of roasted mushrooms and chorizo with the warmth of Old Brown Sherry. A real chest and winter warmer.
Recipe for Roasted Mushroom Soup
Chorizo, Bean & Tomato Soup with Crunchy Chickpeas
A hearty soup packed with bold flavours that only good chorizo can impart!
Kate’s Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup
The delicious roasted flavour of the red pepper makes for an incredibly yummy soup.
Recipe for Kate’s Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup
Cauliflower, Sweet Potato and Chorizo Soup
A tasty soup filled with blended cauliflower and sweet potato; sprinkle crispy chorizo bits for extra flavour and a bit of texture.
Recipe for Instant Pot Cauliflower, Sweet Potato and Chorizo Soup
Thai Chicken & Carrot Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup with a spicy spin… the slurp-able noods and spicy Thai red curry flavours in this soup is everything.
Recipe for Thai Chicken & Carrot Noodle Soup
Creamy Red Pepper Soup
You say cheese, we say yes please. Almost any dish in the world can be made better with a good helping of melted cheese. This creamy red pepper soup is decadently rich with the addition of melted Brie.
Recipe for Creamy Red Pepper Soup
Hungarian Goulash soup with homemade dumplings
If you’ve ever had the fortune of spending time in Europe during winter, you’ll know that Goulash is a staple winter meal. This slow-cooked, gorgeous goulash is beaming with meaty flaves, and you don’t have to travel across the globe to savour it.
Recipe for Hungarian Goulash Soup
Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup
You can’t really have the phrase ‘comfort food recipes’ without chicken noodle soup. It’s basically the common tongue for comfort food, used all around the globe for its magical healing properties or just because it makes you feel so damn happy.
Recipe for Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup
Thick Pumpkin Soup with Blue Cheese Crumbs
One of the quintessential winter soups in SA is a good ol’ butternut. We vamp-up this traditional soup by switching our ‘nutterbuts’ with pumpkin, and add in some blue cheese crumbs and sage to complement our sweet ‘n smooth pumpkin.
Recipe for Pumpkin Soup with Blue Cheese Crumbs
Comforting Curries
Spicy curry is the ultimate winter fix.
Thai Green Vegetable Curry with Lentils
A fragrant Thai Green Veg Curry loaded with spicy, gingery and zesty lemongrass notes and packed with protein. Serve with basmati rice for the perfect midweek meal.
Recipe for Thai Green Vegetable Curry with Lentils
Pork Neck Vindaloo Curry
If you appreciate a good curry, look no further – this Vindaloo curry is steeped with flavour and the tender pork neck makes it more delish.
Recipe for Pork Neck Vindaloo Curry
Instant Pot Coconut Chicken Curry
This spiced coconut curry sauce is so good, you’ll want to slather it on absolutely everything.
Recipe for Instant Pot Coconut Chicken Curry
Lamb Rogan Josh
These unbelievably tender Rogan Josh spiced lamb shanks will be the best shanks you’ve ever had. The juicy fall-apart lamb and fragrant spices will have you smiling from ear to ear.
Chicken Korma Bunny Chows
Whoever invented the bunny chow is our hero. It doesn’t get more satisfying than filling your tum with a warming curry housed inside a quarter loaf of soft bread, does it?
Recipe for Chicken Korma Bunny Chows
Aloo Gobi
This potato and cauliflower curry is so satisfying. One of our favourite vegetarian curries!
Green Veggie Curry with Mini Parathas
An Indian-spiced green curry made from potatoes, cabbage, coriander and spinach, topped with crispy nugget bits.
Recipe for Green Veggie Curry with Mini Parathas
Thai Green Chicken Curry
This is the kind of curry you can make over and over again and it just never gets old. A classic, light, coconut-based curry with homemade Thai green curry paste.
Recipe for Thai Green Chicken Curry
Cariema Isaacs’ Goan Beef Vindaloo
Rich, hearty and filled with flavour, this Goan Beef Vindaloo pairs perfectly with a Leopard’s Leap Chardonnay.
Recipe for Cariema Isaacs’ Goan Beef Vindaloo
Pork & Pink Lady Apple Meatballs in Thai Red Curry
Pork and apples are a match made in heaven, especially in these juicy meatballs served with a spicy Thai red curry sauce.
Recipe for Pork & Pink Lady Apple Meatballs in Thai Red Curry
Perfect Pies
Whether it’s in the form of a deliciously flaky crust or silky mash, nothing says ‘comfort’ better than pie!
Creamy Malay Chicken Curry Pie
Golden brown and flaky puff pastry with a Cape Malay-spiced chicken curry filling – the ultimate winter dish and comfort food recipe.
Recipe for Creamy Malay Chicken Curry Pie
Moroccan-spiced Lamb Mince Phyllo Pie with Dried Fruit Compote
This Moroccan-inspired pie will soon become a fave. The combination of aromatic spices, crunchy phyllo and the dried fruit compote is a revelation.
Recipe for Moroccan-spiced Lamb Mince Phyllo Pie with Dried Fruit Compote
Lamb Shank Potjie Pies
Impress guests with these potjie-inspired lamb shank beauties, which are topped with flaky, golden puff pastry.
Recipe for Lamb Shank Potjie Pies
Bobotie Pork Pot Pies
Everything you love about Sunday lunch bobotie and yellow rice transformed into one delish pie.
Recipe for Bobotie Pork Pot Pies
Country Pulled Pork & Pink Lady Apple Pie
Nothing says homestyle comfort like a hearty pie, and this Country Pulled Pork & Apple Pie is just that! Topped with thinly sliced apples and potato, and fragrant sage, it’s delicious!
Recipe for Country Pulled Pork & Pink Lady Apple Pie
Pork Shank & Vegetable Pot Pie
Easy to make and incredibly comforting, this meat and veg delight will make the whole family happy.
Recipe for Pork Shank & Vegetable Pot Pie
Pork Ragù Country Cottage Pie
Creamy mash and deliciously cooked pork ragù – this is what comfort food is all about.
Recipe for Pork Ragù Country Cottage Pie
Beef Short Rib Pie with Mielie Bread Topping
This beef short rib pie is perfect for feeding the family. The rich and succulent short rib and the fluffy mielie bread topping is to-die-for!
Recipe for Beef Short Rib Pie with Mielie Bread Topping
Smoked Fish Pie
Melt-in-mouth snoek with a creamy sauce, topped with flaky pastry – this is perfection.
Oxtail Shepards Pie with Parmesan Mash Topping
From the fall-off-the bone oxtail to the rich Parmesan mash, this dish is steeped with flavour.
Recipe for Oxtail Shepards Pie with Parmesan Mash Topping
Beef Short Rib Pie
This pretty pastry is filled with tender shredded meat and topped with thinly sliced ’tatoes for that ‘something a lil’ different.’
Cottage Pie
Growing up, cottage pie was a weekly household menu item during the cold winter months. This recipe mixes up the classic mince-and-peas filler and replaces it with a steak, kidney, silky onions and yummy mushroom filling, all under a blanket of buttery potato crust.
Oxtail Pie with Chive and Red Pepper Savoury Scone Topping
What’s better than a delicious, creamy oxtail stew on a cold winter’s night? A delicious, creamy oxtail stew with scones on top. Seriously, if you haven’t tried this, you have not lived!
Chicken Pie
It doesn’t get more nostalgic than this. A classic chicken pie is all the comfort you need.
Slow Cooks
Low and slow is the way to go.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Tender, fall-apart pulled pork that’s perfect for wrapping up in toasted soft tacos.
Recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Sticky Ribs
These gingery sweet-and-sour glazed ribs are tender, intensely flavoured and pretty much impossible to stop eating once you start.
Recipe for Instant Pot Sticky Ribs
Pork Ragù with Pappardelle
This is basically love in a bowl and the ultimate comfort food recipe. A meat ragù is one of those dishes that takes time to prepare, but the result is so worth it.
Recipe for Pork Ragù with Pappardelle
The Ultimate Whole Braised Beef Shin
This whole-braised beef shin with gravy and crunchy potatoes will probably change your life. You can thank us after you’ve reaped the rewards for your time and effort.
Recipe for The Ultimate Whole Braised Beef Shin
Tex-Mex Chilli with Nacho Chips
Try this vibrant con carne full of warmth from smoky chipotle chillies. Serve with guacamole and your favourite nacho chips.
Recipe for Tex-Mex Chilli with Nacho Chips
Sticky Asian Pork with Egg Noodles
Slow-cooked sticky pork and a bowlful of noodles – we can’t get enough of this dish.
Recipe for Sticky Asian Pork with Egg Noodles
Slow Braised Oxtail in Orange Fennel & Thyme
We love anything cooked with vino, so it’s no surprise that we’re drooling over this oxtail slow-cooked in red wine, with subtle citrus notes and thyme. Another homely classic!
Recipe for Slow Braised Oxtail
Chipotle Beef Brisket on Cheddar Biscuits
This slow-cooked beef brisket is the jaw-dropping kinda stuff, and the Southern-style mature cheddar buttermilk biscuit that sandwiches it is to-die-for.
Recipe for Chipotle Beef Brisket on Cheddar Biscuits
Real Good Roasts
A good ol’ classic roast is the ultimate comfort food.
Beef Wellington
This timeless dinner dish is the perfect comfort food recipe. Serve alongside freshly baked Yorkshire puds and warm gravy.
Pork Belly Porchetta with Roasted, Pears & Onions
This porchetta is everything that’s good about food, all rolled into one crispy, herby, succulent flavour bomb.
Recipe for Pork Belly Porchetta with Roasted, Pears & Onions
Simple Roast Chicken
A roast chicky is one of the easiest and most comforting meals that you can make. This is our humble yet delicious Simple Roast Chicken recipe – comfort food at its best.
Recipe for Simple Roast Chicken
Roast Lamb Greek Style
This Greek-style leg of lamb is juicy, tender and full of herby flavour. One of our favourite roasts to make.
Recipe for Greek Style Roast Lamb
Roast Pork Belly
Pork belly roast flavoured with sage is a match made in porky heaven. The tender meat paired with crispy crackling is the stuff dreams are made of.
Roast Bone Marrow
This probably wouldn’t be the first dish to come to mind when you think ‘roast,’ but man-oh-man is this a comforting snack!
Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake
Level up your midweek chicken game with this super easy one-tray dinner, it’s packed with Mediterranean flavour.
Recipe for Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake
Crispy Pork Crackling
There’s nothing better than crispy pork crackling. The satisfying crunch and that silky layer of fat underneath – simply delicious!
Recipe for Crispy Pork Crackling
Classic Comfort Food Recipes
Indulge in these comfort food staples.
Boerewors Bobotie
A different take on the Cape Malay classic, Bobotie. We’ve used boerewors (casing removed) instead of regular mince to bolster the flavour. Serve with yellow rice and a glass of red.
Slow Cooked Lamb Ragù with Gnocchi & Salsa Verde
One of our favourite comfort food recipes. The lamb ragù is cooked to perfection and the salsa verde adds freshness – you’ll want to savour every bite, trust us.
Recipe for Slow Cooked Lamb Ragù with Gnocchi & Salsa Verde
Beef Meatball Tomato Bredie
‘Tamatie’ bredie will always be a fave in our hearts and tummies. The herby pap is peak comfort food.
Recipe for Beef Meatball Tomato Bredie
Easy Chicken Biryani
The most comforting dishes often take time to make; this Easy Chicken Biryani recipe takes the effort out of cooking while being super delicious.
Recipe for Easy Chicken Biryani
Mac ’n Cheese
You can’t mention comfort food recipes without mac ’n cheese. This pastime fave is really just a hug in a bowl, filled with all the good stuff and a Parmesan gratin to top it off.
Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles
Soul food is synonymous with comfort food, and this spicy and crispy chicken with syrupy waffles is life-changing!
Recipe for Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles
Mustard Cream Vertical Potato Bake
A traditional potato bake that’s the ideal comfort food recipe. This recipe places the potato slices vertically to maximise that crisp factor – yum!
Traditional Spaghetti Bolognese
A good ol’ spag bowl has the power to make all your winter blues go away, and that’s a fact.
Recipe for Spaghetti Bolognese
Decadent Desserts
We all know calories don’t count in winter…
JAZZ™ Apple Crumble
Warm apple crumble paired with vanilla bean ice cream – we can’t think of a more comforting and delicious dessert.
Recipe for JAZZ™ Apple Crumble
Amagwinya with Chocolate Crème Pâtisièrre & Cherries
A local fave with a Parisian twist. Be sure to give it an extra drizzle of cherry sauce for the ultimate bite, and swap out the cup of tea for a glass of Nederburg red.
Recipe for Amagwinya with Chocolate Crème Pâtisièrre & Cherries
ClemenGold Fudgy Dark Chocolate Skillet Brownie
Sunday dessert just got more satisfying with this zesty and chocolaty brownie. Serve straight out of the skillet and watch everyone ask for seconds.
Recipe for ClemenGold Fudgy Dark Chocolate Skillet Brownie
Sticky Toffee Pudding
When it comes to winter puddings, this one takes the cake! A decadent pud’ filled with dates, served with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with a buttery caramel sauce. Divine!
Recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding
Country Pumpkin Pie
Although this is more of an American classic, it’s still an absolutely bang-on comfort food favourite. Sweet pumpkin pie encased in a coconut crust, topped with crispy salty bacon and crunchy pecan nut brittle, and drizzled with maple syrup. Mmmm… staaahp.
Recipe for Country Pumpkin Pie
Mississippi Mud Pie
Would you like more chocolate with that? Our American friends know a thing or two about making some sweet-ass pies, and inspired us to make our own version. This bad boy is drenched in all the variations of chocolate you can dream of.
Recipe for Mississippi Mud Pie
Peanut Butter Brownie & Pretzel S’mores Skillet
All your fave treats smooshed into one decadent dessert. Enjoy as a campfire dessert, or pop it in the oven and dig into all that peanut-buttery and chocolaty goodness at home.
Recipe for Peanut Butter Brownie & Pretzel S’mores Skillet
Mini Malva Puddings
A favourite South African dessert in mini form. Use a giant muffin tin or individual moulds to take your malva to dinner-party-ready status.
Recipe for Mini Malva Puddings
Guava & Quince Crumble with Salted Caramel and Ice Cream
A wintry crumble with lightly spiced guava and quince, served with homemade salted caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream.
Recipe for Guava and Quince Crumble with Salted Caramel and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Irish Coffee Brownies with Whisky Cream
We’ve had a few brownies in our day, but these might just the best we’ve ever tasted… rich and decadent, with the perfect cake-to-fudge ratio.
Recipe for Irish Coffee Brownies with Whisky Cream
Want more? Check these comfort food picks from the Crush team.
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