15 Comforting Main Dishes That’ll Surprise You in the Best Way

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Winter might technically be on its way out, but tell that to the snow piling up outside. When it’s still cold enough to need two pairs of socks, dinner should be warm, rich, and the kind of comfort food you didn’t even know you were craving until you saw it. That’s where this lineup comes in—because let’s be honest, you probably weren’t thinking about Pan-Seared Monkfish or Greek Lamb Tacos with Minted Yogurt Sauce until right now, and suddenly, nothing else will do. Whether it’s a cozy bowl of Beef Bourguignon, fall-apart Beef Chuck Short Ribs, or zippy Honey Lime Shrimp, these unexpected mains are exactly what you need to get through the last stretch of winter.

Honey Lime Shrimp

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Shrimp with honey lime sauce in a black skillet.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Easy Honey Lime Shrimp proves that big flavor doesn’t need a long ingredient list. A quick toss in butter, garlic, lime, and honey gives these pan-seared shrimp the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory—comfort food that tastes like a vacation, even if there’s still snow on the ground.
Get the Recipe: Honey Lime Shrimp

Sirloin Steak Recipe

sirloin steak.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

Sirloin Steak in 10 Minutes? Yes, it’s possible, and yes, it’s as juicy and tender as you’re hoping. Just a few simple seasonings and a hot pan are all you need to make steak night a reality—without braving the cold for the grill.
Get the Recipe: Sirloin Steak Recipe

Kung Pao Noodles

 Kung Pao Noodles that can be made with chicken or roasted cauliflower served over noodles. | www.feastingathome.com
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

Kung Pao Noodles bring the heat, the flavor, and the kind of satisfaction that makes you forget it’s still freezing outside. Whether you toss in chicken, shrimp, tofu, or cauliflower, that bold and spicy kung pao sauce steals the show.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Noodles

Lemon Pepper Chicken

Lemon pepper chicken in a pan.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Lemon Pepper Chicken is the weeknight hero you need when winter drags on and takeout feels like a betrayal. With a crispy golden crust and a garlic butter sauce that refuses to be ignored, this one’s a keeper.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Chicken

Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken Recipe

Overhead shot of jamaican brown stew chicken with red beans and rice on a white plate
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken brings bold flavor and serious comfort with every bite. Marinated in aromatic spices and slow braised in a rich, savory sauce, this dish is exactly what you need when winter just won’t quit.
Get the Recipe: Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken Recipe

Pan-Seared Monkfish

monkfish served on a white plate.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

Pan-Seared Monkfish delivers crispy, golden perfection on the outside and buttery tenderness on the inside—all in just 10 minutes. Finished with a rich garlic butter sauce, it’s proof that winter comfort food can be both elegant and effortless.
Get the Recipe: Pan-Seared Monkfish

Turkey Stuffing Recipe

top view of stuffing recipe with bread, eggs, garlic, herbs
Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

Stuffing (or Dressing, If You Insist) isn’t just a Thanksgiving side—it’s the dish everyone secretly loves most. Whether you’re pairing it with turkey or just chasing away the lingering winter chill, this recipe is bound to become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Stuffing Recipe

Easy Poached Salmon

Poached salmon in a pan
Photo credit: Downshiftology

Poached Salmon delivers delicate, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with the bright flavors of fresh herbs and lemon—just what you need when winter refuses to pack up. Best of all, it’s on the table in under 20 minutes, making it a fast and flavorful win.
Get the Recipe: Easy Poached Salmon

Beef Chuck Short Ribs

braised beef short ribs.
Photo credit: The Big Man’s World

Braised Beef Chuck Short Ribs are the answer when winter just won’t quit and you need something rich, hearty, and downright indulgent. With fall-off-the-bone tenderness and deep, savory flavor, this dish feels fancy but couldn’t be easier to pull off.
Get the Recipe: Beef Chuck Short Ribs

Greek Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken and Potatoes proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be heavy, especially when winter is still overstaying its welcome. With juicy, fall-apart chicken, tender potatoes, and a hit of bright citrus, it’s the kind of effortless meal that makes busy weekdays a little cozier.
Get the Recipe: Greek Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

Instant Pot Coq au Vin

coq au vin in a bowl over mashed potatoes with a fork
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

Braised Chicken may be a French classic, but the Instant Pot makes it faster without sacrificing that rich, slow-cooked flavor. When it’s still freezing outside, this dish delivers deep, cozy comfort with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Coq au Vin

Salmon with Braised French Lentils

Roasted Salmon with Lemon and Thyme served over Braised French Green Lentils- a simple healthy weeknight dinner recipe! #lentils #salmon #bakedsalmon #frenchlemons
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

Roasted Salmon with garlic, lemon, and thyme brings bright, fresh flavor to the table, even if winter refuses to leave. Served over tender braised French green lentils, it’s a hearty yet healthy meal that feels just right for chilly nights.
Get the Recipe: Salmon with Braised French Lentils

Arroz con Pollo

up close of arroz con pollo in a pot with peas and olives
Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

Arroz con Pollo is the one-pot wonder you need when winter won’t take the hint. With juicy chicken, perfectly seasoned rice, and plenty of ways to make it your own, this dish brings big, cozy flavor without the extra dishes.
Get the Recipe: Arroz con Pollo

Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon | foodiecrush.com #recipes #easy #beef #bourguignon #stew #french
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

Beef Bourguignon is the kind of rich, slow-simmered comfort food that makes you forget winter is still hanging around. Tender beef, smoky bacon, and red wine-braised vegetables come together in a luxurious stew that’s worth every minute of cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bourguignon

Greek Lamb Tacos with Minted Yogurt Sauce

Tacos filled with grilled meat, sliced cucumbers, radishes, fresh parsley, and a dollop of sauce on a tortilla. Garnished with a green herb mixture, served on a round plate.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

Greek Lamb Tacos by Feasting at Home might sound like warm-weather fare, but when it’s still snowy outside, hearty spiced lamb and a tangy minted yogurt sauce hit the spot. Toss in crisp cucumber, radish, and a briny herb-caper drizzle, and you’ve got a comforting meal that tastes like spring but keeps you cozy like winter.
Get the Recipe: Greek Lamb Tacos with Minted Yogurt Sauce

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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