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29 Hearty Vegan Stews

By Emese Maczko on 07/09/2023 - May contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.

When it comes to hearty and comforting meals, stews have always been a go-to option. These vegan stew recipes will prove to you that they are far from a compromise. Bursting with vibrant flavors, nourishing plant-based proteins, and an array of colorful vegetables, these vegan stews offer a delightful alternative to their meaty counterparts.

Vegan stew in a white bowl with lots of chopped vegetables like potatoes, carrots, mushroom, celery and red kidney beans. Topped with freshly chopped green herbs.

Classic vegan stew ingredients

Whether you follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle or simply enjoy exploring new culinary horizons, meatless stews are a delicious way to add variety and wholesomeness to your meals. With a little creativity and the right combination of ingredients, vegan stews can be just as satisfying and fulfilling as their meat-based counterparts.

Root vegetables – Carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and turnips are commonly used in vegan stews. They provide a hearty texture, earthy flavors and a natural sweetness.
Mushrooms – Adding mushrooms is essential to give the stew a rich umami flavor and a meaty texture. They are often used to create depth and complexity in the dish.
Leafy greens – Ingredients like spinach, kale, or Swiss chard are often added towards the end of cooking to introduce freshness, vibrant color, and even more nutrients.
Legumes – Lentils, peas, corn, chickpeas, kidney beans, and other legumes make meatless stews more filling.
Plant-based proteins – Tofu, seitan, tempeh, or branded meat alternatives can give you the meat texture that you may miss.
Vegetable broth
Tomato sauce – They add acidity and tanginess to vegan stews.
Herbs and spices – To elevate the flavors, aromatic herbs and spices play a crucial role. Fragrant additions like rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, cumin, paprika, and turmeric are often used.

The Best Hearty Vegan Stews

Vegetable stew in a red white enameled Dutch oven with lots of chopped vegetables like potatoes, carrots, mushroom, celery and red kidney beans. Topped with freshly chopped green herbs.

The Best Hearty Vegetable Stew

This hearty vegetable stew combines nutritious vegetables, herbs, red wine, and chocolate in one pot to create a rich, comforting, and filling dinner. It is packed with flavor and has an unforgettable aroma that will make your mouth water as soon as it starts to cook!

A white bowl with thick brown stew, lentils, chopped veggies and a couple of dumplings. The remaining stew is in a red-white Dutch oven.

Vegan Stew with Dumplings

Our thick and hearty vegan stew with dumplings is the perfect dinner that will satisfy the entire family! Packed with colorful veggies, earthy lentils, and aromatic herbs and topped with flavorful dumplings, this 40-minute recipe is a crowd-pleaser that you will want to make again and again!

A white plate with dumplings, chopped veggies, shredded mushroom pieces in place of chicken, green herbs in a thick, white stew. The remaining soup is in a red-white enameled Dutch oven next to it.

Vegan Chicken and Dumplings

This thick and creamy vegan chicken and dumplings are packed with chewy king oyster mushrooms, nutritious veggies, and natural flavors that will make you crave for seconds before you finish the first bowl! It is also easy to make and ready in 40 minutes, perfect for a filling and satisfying weeknight dinner.

Red Dutch oven from above with a stew where you can see chopped potatoes, spinach leaves, carrot slices, tomatoes, and mushroom slices. Slices of bread is next to it. A hand is holding a spoon taking some from the middle

Jackfruit Stew (Vegan Beef Stew)

The best thing that can happen to canned young jackfruit is to turn it into a hearty and filling vegan beef stew. It is the perfect dinner recipe when you need a warm and steamy bowl of delicious vegan comfort food.

White plate with yellow, red, purple veggies and portobello mushroom caps topped with fresh green herbs on twigs

Portobello Pot Roast

If you are looking for a hearty, filling, and comforting one-pot dinner, take a look at his vegan pot roast. Large portobello mushroom caps and a wide variety of veggies are stewed in a rich and flavorful red wine gravy. It is easy to make and much faster than any classic recipe.

A red pot from above with veggie chunks of all colors: red, yellow, green, orange, brown. There is a serving spoon taking a portion from the middle.

Ratatouille (French Veggie Stew)

This is the best French summer vegetable stew that you can stir up in one pot within 30 minutes. I say to stir up because the traditional ratatouille is cooked on a stovetop and not baked. It is a quick and easy dish to make from colorful summer vegetables like fresh tomato, zucchini, eggplant, and bell pepper. It is naturally vegan and vegetarian.

Lecsó (Hungarian Pepper Stew)

If you would like to eat Lecsó EXACTLY how Hungarians eat it, you should try this recipe using tomatoes and Hungarian wax peppers. It is a light veggie stew that is ready in 30 minutes!

A cast iron skillet from above. 3 fried egg lookalikes with white and yolk part on top of a red chunky sauce sprinkled with green spring onion rings and chopped parsley. You can see chickpeas, chopped tomato and chopped yellow bell peppers.

Vegan Chickpea Shakshuka

Sharon Palmer RDN

This Chickpea Shakshuka is a thick, hearty stew of mainly tomatoes, bell pepper and onion. Imagine it as a kind of Middle Eastern Ratatouille with spices like cumin, paprika, fennel, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. It is absolutely delicious, flavorful, and stunning. Not to mention it is super easy to make under 30 minutes.

Cast iron skillet with a chunky chili loaded with chopped vegetables and beans, topped with white cream, chopped avocado, and scallion.

The Best Vegan Chili

If you’re in the mood for a hearty and satisfying vegan chili that is loaded with whole foods and easy to make, then look no further than this incredible recipe! Without any vegan meat substitutes, but bursting with flavor, this dish features a mouthwatering blend of veggies, legumes, and grains that is sure to leave you feeling full and content.

A white bowl with a light brown chili with white beans, shredded mushrooms, corn, topped with green chili slices, shredded cheese and nacho chip pieces.

Vegan White Chili

Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pot vegan white chili is simple to make, easy to customize, and delicious! We use king oyster mushrooms instead of chicken and simmer them with various veggies and herbs to create a flavor-packed and filling dish. Whether you serve it for lunch or dinner, you will not want to stop after the first serving!

Hungarian Vegetarian Goulash

If you would like to eat a vegetarian goulash soup EXACTLY how Hungarians eat it, you should try this recipe. Our family has been making bean goulash this way for generations. It is a 30-min simple, one-pot soup using only veggies and beans.

Grayish brown stew with mushroom slices, carrots and potatoes served in a brown bowl. 2 slice of crusty bread is placed next to it.

Vegan Mushroom Stew

This vegan Mushroom Stew is a comforting and robust dish. With hearty chunks of mushrooms, carrots, and potatoes, infused with aromatic herbs, this stew creates a rich and satisfying base.

Vibrant yellow creamy sweet potato and kale stew in a white bowl topped with freshly chopped green herbs.

Sweet Potato Stew

This Sweet Potato Stew is a hearty and nourishing dish. With a medley of ingredients including sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, and aromatic spices, this stew is brought to life in a rich vegetable broth, finished off with creamy coconut milk and a hint of lime juice. Perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Small white bowl of yellow stew with split peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes

Split Pea Sweet Potato Stew

This split pea and sweet potato stew is loaded with chunks of sweet potato, carrots, and sweet corn simmered with green split peas, vegetable broth, and a blend of seasonings. It is a comforting companion to a loaf of crusty homemade bread.

Large black and white pot with vegetable chunks and seitan pieces in a brown stew sauce topped with freshly chopped herbs.

Vegan Irish Stew

This is a delightful vegan rendition of the beloved Irish stew. Large chunks of tender vegetables and textured seitan are immersed in a savory Guinness-infused broth. It faithfully captures the essence of the traditional recipe, all while being effortlessly prepared in a mere thirty minutes.

Brown meaty jackfruit pieces, carrot, potatoes and cabbage in a brow stew served in a blue bowl.

Vegan Corned Beef and Cabbage

While “corning” traditionally involves a lengthy brining process, this easy vegan stew recipe brings together all the spices in one pot. Let them simmer, and infuse the jackfruit, potatoes, and cabbage with irresistible aromas. Seitan, tofu, or tempeh can be used as well for those seeking alternatives.

2 small white bowls with vibrant red stew and lots of veggies

Vegan Cauliflower Stew

Delight in the flavors of a vegan stew, brimming with cauliflower, broccoli, chickpeas, and kale. The secret lies in the vibrant spices: turmeric, coriander, cumin, sweet paprika, cayenne, and ginger. Tarragon adds a distinctive pungent taste and numerous health benefits.

White plate with a red stew and white beans topped with freshly chopped herbs.

Loubia (Moroccon Bean Stew)

This Moroccan Slow Cooker Bean Stew, known as Loubia, features cannellini beans, tomatoes, and an array of aromatic spices. This vegan stew recipe promises to be a heartwarming delight on chilly autumn or winter evenings.

Tofu Kimchi Stew

This quick-to-make kimchi and tofu stew is packed with the bold flavors of spicy and sour kimchi and chewy tofu. This rich and saucy stew is ready in under 30 minutes. Enjoy this comforting meal by serving it with rice or noodles.

Vegan Sancocho Root Stew

Vegan Sancocho has an abundance of vegetables like taro, cassava, yam, and plantains, dried mushrooms, and robust flavors. Incorporating yellow split peas creates a thick, yellowish stew while providing protein.

Blue bowl full of peanut colored stew with butternut squash, spinach leaves, and peanuts

West African Peanut Stew

Rich and creamy West African stew combines the sweetness of butternut squash, the warmth of spices, and the creaminess of peanut butter to create a satisfying dish for cold winter evenings. Spiced with cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, and ginger, this hearty stew is reminiscent of Indian curry but with the added indulgence of peanut butter.

Vibrant red stew with peas and carrots in a white red enameled Dutch oven. A spoon is inside taking some peas.

Lebanese Pea Stew

Discover the flavors of Lebanese cuisine with this vegan Lebanese Pea Stew, known as bazella w riz. Traditionally served with rice, this Middle Eastern dish offers a quick and easy way to enjoy a hearty meal. With just one pot, it is easy to create a delicious and nourishing stew that captures the essence of Lebanese flavors.

Roasted Eggplant Stew with Orzo

This vegan stew is packed with a variety of vegetables, protein-rich lentils, and comforting orzo pasta. Serve it with a crusty bread and some crumbled vegan feta cheese.

Black bowl of orange stew with olives, plantain slices, bell pepper and kidney beans

Sweet and Smoky Plantain Stew

This vegan stew effortlessly combines sweetness and savory notes. It is loaded with sweet plantains, smoky bell peppers, kidney beans, and juicy green olives in a coconut-tomato base.

Large brown bowl of cabbage, wood ear mushroom, tofu skin in a brown stew

Taiwanese Cabbage Stew

In this Taiwanese cabbage stew, napa cabbage is combined with earthy shiitake mushrooms, chewy tofu Skin, and crunchy wood ear mushrooms. Vibrant carrots add a pop of contrasting color to the dish. Whether paired with steamed rice or noodles, this stew creates unforgettable dining experiences.

Indonesian Vegetable Stew with Rice Cakes

In Indonesia, it is called Lontong Sayur Lodeh. This traditional dish combines a rich, coconut milk-infused broth, fragrant spices, and a medley of fresh vegetables. The addition of lontong aka compressed jasmine rice cake, brings a delightful chewiness to every spoonful.

Vegan Shepherd's Pie - This Vegan Shepherd's Pie is a true comfort food for the fall with carrots, zucchini and eggplant topped with creamy vegan mashed potatoes.

Shepherd’s Pie with Vegan Stew

Meatless Shepherd’s Pie is true comfort food with rainbow carrots, zucchini and eggplant topped with creamy vegan mashed potatoes. No legumes, grains or nuts.

Cast iron skillet with veggie stew topped with puff pastry in a lattice pattern.

Vegan Pot Pie with Light Veggie Stew

Ready in an hour, this flavor-packed and aromatic vegan pot pie is a convenient one-pot meal the whole family will love. Loaded with six different vegetables and tender king oyster mushrooms instead of chicken, it is an easy-to-make comfort food that will fill you up without weighing you down!

Baking dish with a veggie stew. A spoon is taking some from the corner.

French Vegan Cassoulet

Cassoulet is a traditional French dish hailing from the region of Languedoc. It is a slow-cooked casserole-style dish that typically consists of white beans, various meats, and flavorful ingredients like garlic, herbs, and tomatoes. This vegan version skips meat, but adds lots of delicate squash and other veggies.

FAQs

What is a good substitute for meat in a stew?

The meaty texture can be substituted in various ways. Jackfruit or soy curls for beef chunks, king oyster mushroom for chicken, TVP or tofu crumbles for ground beef.

What are hard vegetables for stew?

Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and turnips.

How to thicken stew?

I can list at least 20 ways to thicken a stew, from classic flour and starch to pureed vegetables like mashed potatoes.

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