12 Vegan Stew Recipes to Try at Home

Stew is a comfort food staple consisting of vegetables, proteins, and aromatics cooked in a flavorful broth. Cooks make stew by slow-cooking a large batch of ingredients in a small amount of cooking liquid (such as vegetable, chicken, or beef broth) in a covered dish for several hours. The result is a thick, warm, gravy-like stew that is perfect to enjoy on a cold day.

Stews can be meat-based (like beef bourguignon, goulash, lamb stew, chicken stew, and beef stew) or plant-based (either vegan or vegetarian.) Serve stew on its own or pour it over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. While you can consume the dish immediately after cooking it, the leftover stew is often more flavorful when it sits overnight.

With the right ingredients, you can make many tasty vegan stews. Some popular vegan stew ingredients to keep on hand include vegetable broth, tomato paste, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, vegetables and herbs (like garlic, yellow onion, tomatoes, and bay leaves), and proteins (like tofu, seitan, and vegan beef alternatives). Some of the most popular vegan stew recipes include:

1. 1. Bean stew: Get your vegan protein fix with this thick and hearty vegan stew made from various types of beans (like kidney and black beans), broth, and other vegetables. Warm bean stew is also full of complex carbohydrates and can come in either smooth or chunky varieties. Cook bean stew in a Dutch oven or large pot on the stovetop over low or medium heat, or in a slow cooker.
2. 2. Chana masala: This Indian vegetable stew features creamy chickpeas cooked in a fragrant and spicy tomato sauce, seasoned with a garam masala spice blend. Serve vegan and gluten-free chickpea stew on its own or alongside basmati rice, naan, or fluffy fry-breads like puri or bhatoora.
3. 3. Ful medames: Ful medames is a hearty vegetarian fava bean stew hailing from Egypt. Making ful medames involves soaking and cooking fava beans in a flavorful broth. It’s typical to enjoy this dish with eggs for breakfast, but diners can also have it as part of a mezze, or appetizer platter.
4. 4. Ghormeh sabzi: Ghormeh sabzi is a Persian stew, or khoresh, traditionally made with fresh herbs, beans, and lamb or beef. Substituting tofu for meat is a great way to make a vegetarian ghormeh sabzi.
5. 5. Gumbo Z’Herbes: Popularized by celebrated Creole chef Leah Chase, home cooks make Gumbo Z’Herbes with a variety of greens and charred (rather than stewed) okra, lending a smoky flavor and chunky texture to the soup. Swap the butter for olive oil or vegan butter and the chicken stock for vegetable stock to make a vegan version of this vegetarian gumbo.
6. 6. Kimchi jjigae: Kimchi jjigae (also spelled kimchi jigae) is a flavorful Korean fermented cabbage-based stew. Firm blocks of tofu add protein and silken texture to this spicy, warming dish. Like many Korean dishes, kimchi jjigae usually comes with steamed rice and assorted side dishes known as banchan. Make a vegan version of kimchi jjigae by omitting pork belly and replacing the dried anchovies and fish sauce with umami-rich miso or soy sauce.
7. 7. Lentil stew: This thick gluten-free stew uses these pod-shaped, nutritious legumes as a base. Often a vegan or vegetarian recipe, lentil stew is low-fat and packed with complex carbohydrates and protein. Use brown or red lentils to make this stew.
8. 8. Mushroom stew: Inspired by beef stew, this one-pot dish consists of mushrooms and aromatics cooked into a thick, creamy vegan gravy. Some recipes for mushroom stew incorporate veggies, like diced sweet potato or green beans, or legumes, like lentils, chickpeas, or white beans, to create a more filling main course.
9. 9. Pumpkin stew: Making fall-friendly pumpkin stew involves cooking a base of pumpkin and vegetables in broth. Meat-eaters can make pumpkin stew with beef, pork, or chorizo, but the vegan version (which calls for chickpeas, quinoa, and butternut squash) is just as hearty and flavorful. Pumpkin is high in vitamin A and vitamin C, making this stew a nutritious comfort food.
10. 10. Ratatouille: Ratatouille is a hearty veggie stew using a silky tomato sauce made from fresh tomatoes as a foundation for stewed onions, zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, bell peppers, and garlic. Aromatic herbs like marjoram, fresh basil, bay leaf, and fresh thyme add depth to the dish. Ratatouille is an ideal vegetarian or vegan main dish, especially when served over a bed of quinoa or rice or with a side of crusty bread.
11. 11. Vegan chili: Vegan chili is a meatless variation of traditional chili that gets its meaty texture from lentils and quinoa, making it the perfect comfort food. Home cooks typically serve vegan chili with toppings like pickled red onions, avocado, cilantro, shredded vegan cheese, and vegan sour cream.
12. 12. Vegan gumbo: Though traditionally meat-based, you can make a thick Louisiana-style gumbo without animal products like dairy or meat. Outside of the core elements—a dark roux, okra, and the Cajun holy trinity (white onion, green bell pepper, and celery)—chefs can customize vegan gumbo to suit various vegetables, proteins, and seasonings.

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