Perfect Winter Recipes

As the temperature drops and daylight fades early, our kitchens become command centers for battling the cold with comfort meals, and a natural gravitation toward heartier ingredients and longer cooking methods. While the weather outside may feel drab and unwelcoming, these recipes for winter will warm you and your family and friends from the inside out.

SOURDOUGH BREAD

Sourdough bread is the king of winter baking projects, rewarding patience with a loaf that's impossible to replicate from the store. Don’t be intimidated—this recipe walks you through the steps to create your own starter from scratch. Yes, this one takes some time, but there’s no substitute for the deep satisfaction of pulling a golden, crackling loaf from your oven.

OVERNIGHT OATS

Who doesn’t want to wake up to a nourishing breakfast that’s ready to go? Overnight oats deliver maximum convenience with minimal effort. Greek yogurt provides protein and probiotics and chia seeds pack an additional nutritional punch, while honey offers a natural sweetness.  

BAKED OATS

Didn’t get your oats sown the night before? No problem, as this baked version comes together in 40 minutes, only 10 minutes of which is active time so you can get yourself ready while it bakes. The result is a cross between a breakfast casserole and a wholesome dessert. Set out a variety of toppings like yogurt and berries so everyone can customize to their taste.

EGG BITES

More than ever we’re trying to start our days with adequate protein, and while you might immediately think of eggs, cottage cheese is emerging as a new protein star. This recipe brilliantly combines both for maximum nutritional impact. 

CABBAGE SOUP

This winter soup recipe transforms humble, inexpensive ingredients into a deeply satisfying bowl that embodies everything wonderful about cold-weather cooking. Smoky sausage, ribbons of softened cabbage and healthy veggies are seasoned with McCormick® Garlic Powder, McCormick Pure Ground Black Pepper, McCormick Onion Powder and McCormick Crushed Red Pepper. The fruits of your sourdough bread experiments will be the ideal accompaniment.

LASAGNA SOUP

Traditional lasagna demands hours of preparation as you layer noodles, ricotta, meat sauce and cheese in precise order before a lengthy bake in the oven. This genius soup version captures all those beloved flavors in a fraction of the time. Top each bowl with dollops of creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella for that authentic lasagna experience without any of the fussy assembly or cleanup.

CHICKEN POT PIE

The ultimate winter comfort food, pot pie is a crowd pleaser, evoking childhood memories with its captivating smell. You can bring this homey dish to life without time-consuming prep, thanks to the combination of rotisserie chicken and frozen mixed vegetables for the bubbling filling, crowned with a flaky golden topping made easy with refrigerated pie crust.

EASY SHEPHERD’S PIE

This iconic winter staple has a rich gravy that tastes like you’ve spent all day stirring…when in reality it just takes a package of McCormick Brown Gravy Mix. This is a fantastic way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, just revive them with a quick interlude under the broiler.

HAMBURGER STEAK WITH GRAVY

Steak should make your mouth water, but these days its sky-high cost might be making your eyes water. Hamburger steak comes to the rescue, with more affordable ground beef shaped to look like real steak. Serve this over mashed potatoes or egg noodles to soak up every drop of the flavorful gravy.

INSTANT POT POT ROAST

Pot roast that’s simmered all day is a winter staple, but sometimes you just don’t have the time. Cue your Instant Pot and McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix, which allows you to serve this winter classic in record time. 

AIR FRYER PORK CHOPS

Air fryer pork chops prove that you don't need a grill or cast iron skillet to achieve perfectly seasoned, juicy chops with a beautiful caramelized crust. The magic happens in the spice rub - brown sugar combined with warming spices create a flavorful coating that produces succulent chops. 

SLOW COOKER SPICED CIDER

This aromatic spiced apple cider fills your home with the inviting scents of cinnamon, cloves and allspice, while the blend of apple cider and orange juice yields a bright, balanced flavor. A slow cooker keeps the cider at the ideal temperature while you enjoy time with family and friends.

MULLED WINE

Elevate your evening with this sophisticated mulled wine that brings European charm to any adult gathering. Combine red wine with premium orange liqueur and winter spices for a sip that works beautifully for intimate dinner parties or chilly nights by the fire.

ESPRESSO MARTINI

You may have noticed that '90s fashion is back, and this iconic winter cocktail has also had a major resurgence over the past few years. The espresso martini captures the sophisticated energy of cocktail culture, combining the ritual of coffee with the elegance of a classic martini. Check out this recipe to concoct the trendy throwback at home.

SOFT AND CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Chocolate chip cookies represent the gold standard of comfort baking, with the incomparable aroma of butter, vanilla and melting chocolate that signals warmth and hospitality. Whether you prefer them straight from the oven while the chocolate is still gooey or cooled to room temperature with a cold glass of milk, these cookies deliver a welcome hit of nostalgia.

BREAD PUDDING

Bread pudding upgrades even past-its-prime bread into a decadent dessert: a custardy, golden masterpiece studded with tender cubes that soak up rich vanilla and spice. The real showstopper is the vanilla cinnamon sauce - a velvety mixture of sugar, cream and butter, spiced with  McCormick Ground Cinnamon and McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract that’s drizzled over each serving while still warm.

CINNAMON CRUNCH BANANA BREAD

Turn your kitchen into a cozy café with this cinnamon crunch banana bread that elevates quick bread into something that could have easily come from a bakery shelf. A spectacular streusel topping creates that coveted crumbly texture.