The best winter warmer recipes to get you through the cold weather

Best winter warmer meat recipes

Braised beef and Guinness pie  

Sometimes, all we want on a cold winter’s night is a hearty, flavoursome homemade pie, and this braised beef and Guinness pie will be a family favourite in no time.  

If you’re feeling up to it, you can make your own shortcrust and puff pastry, however, supermarket pastry will be just fine for this dish.  

For the pie filling the best meat to use is either beef shoulder or chuck, or even beef cheeks.

Slow-cooked beef ragu with potato gnocchi 

If you’re looking for some winter comfort food, you’ve found it. This slow-cooked beef ragu with potato gnocchi is as comforting as it gets: rich tomato-based ragu with pillowy soft gnocchi will please everyone in your household.  

Not only is this super quick to make, it’s also cost effective if you use inexpensive cuts of meat, such as chuck, blade, oyster, flank or skirt steak.

Better yet, if you have a slow cooker, just set and forget for up to eight hours and you’ll have a flavoursome and tender dish with minimal effort. 

Perfect roast beef

When we think of a versatile meal, it has to be roast beef - perfect for families, a Sunday lunch with friends, and leftovers for sandwiches the next day. 

In this recipe, the beef is infused with the flavours of rosemary, thyme and garlic, as well as a bit of pizazz with orange zest.

To get the best results, use a meat thermometer and rest the roast for half of the cooking time. For example, if you cooked the roast for two hours, rest it for up to an hour covered in foil.

Slow-braised lamb shanks with potato mash 

Slow-braised lamb shanks are substantial, making them ideal for comforting winter meals or special occasions. Slow-cooking enhances their tenderness, making the meat fall off the bone. Let the shanks braise for long enough in the oven so they’re juicy and tender. 

Orange zest and star anise add aromatics and extra flavour to this classic dish, but you can also use cinnamon to add a bit of zing.

Best winter warmer vegetarian recipes

Vegetable Thai green curry

This Vegetable Thai green curry recipe is easy to make, making it convenient for weeknight dinners and casual gatherings. With pre-made curry paste available in stores, the preparation time can be minimised without compromising on flavour. 

Depending on how spicy you like your curry, the amount of Thai green curry paste can be adjusted to suit individual preferences 

Spaghetti with roasted Mediterranean vegetables

Here’s an easy mid-week recipe, using one of the most popular forms of pasta. Tinned tomatoes are a great pantry staple and form the base of this Spaghetti with roasted Mediterranean vegetables recipe. Roasting is a simple cooking technique, and in less than an hour, you can serve your family or friends a nutritious pasta dish that’s bursting with colour and flavour.

Sweet potato and red kidney bean hot pot

This sweet potato and red kidney bean hot pot will satisfy the biggest appetites. Serve this dish with brown rice, polenta, or mashed potato, and you have a wholesome and hearty meal that will taste just as good the next day.

If you have a large family or want leftovers for lunch the next day, double the recipe measurements. It’s so tasty, you’re going to want more.

Restaurant-style mashed potato

When it comes to potatoes, a smooth and buttery mash is about as good as it gets. So, whether you’re whipping up a sumptuous side for your Sunday roast, or you want to put an irresistibly creamy lid on your shepherd’s pie, RACV's chefs reveal the secrets to making restaurant-style mashed potatoes at home.

Best winter footy season recipes

Easy sausage rolls

Sausage rolls make the perfect lunchtime treat, after school snack, or winter warmer on a cold and rainy day, and this Aussie favourite will be your next go-to for a weekend of baking. 

RACV's Le Petit Gateau Executive Pastry Chef Amit Sinha has elevated the humble sausage roll and turned it into something a little fancier than you might remember, however, it's as easy to make as ever - so get your hands dirty and enjoy!

Best gourmet burger recipe

One of the biggest attractions of homemade burgers is the ability to customise them to your personal preferences. Using wagyu beef mince for the patty, the gourmet burger recipe hits the spot on a cold night. A recipe for pickled cucumbers is included, and then it's up to you as to which toppings, cheeses and sauces you want to add. 

Best crispy fries

Whether you’re making gourmet burgers or sitting down to watch the footy with braised beef and Guinness pies, knowing how to make your own delicious homemade crunchy chips adds another level of enjoyment to your meal. Find out the secret to the best homemade chips.

Best winter dessert recipes

Apple crumble 

Take a step back to your childhood with this delicious (and easy) apple crumble recipe. Is there anything better on a cold winter’s night than a hot bowl of gooey, crunchy, and perfectly caramelised apple crumble? 

It’s a great way to use up old apples sitting in the fruit bowl, and you don’t even need to peel them. This Apple Crumble recipe can also be made gluten free by swapping out the plain flour for brown rice flour. 

Bread and butter pudding

Historically, bread and butter pudding was a frugal way to use up stale bread, transforming it into a delicious dessert. But these days you can make it as fancy as you like, with the addition of raisins, dried fruit or nuts. 

This bread and butter pudding recipe is easy to prepare with basic pantry ingredients, such as butter, eggs and sugar. Serve it with custard, whipped cream or ice cream.

Best winter drink and cocktail recipes 

Simple mulled wine  

It’s hard not to think of sitting by an open fire in your winter woollies when the words ‘mulled wine’ get mentioned – and this simple mulled wine recipe is perfect for doing just that.  

With fresh apples, oranges, black pepper, and cinnamon, the balancing of spices is key to this recipe. Be careful with the spices as they are quite strong flavours, so no more than two or three of each. 

Old fashioned cocktail 

The classic old fashioned cocktail has been around since the 1800s, and for good reason thanks to its elegant nature, as well as having the ability to be adapted depending on the drinker’s preference.  

Enjoy as an end-of-week treat, savouring it by the warmth of a fire or heater, or serve it at your next weekend dinner party to impress even the most seasoned cocktail connoisseur.