Hearty Vegan Stew Recipe (2024)

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Hearty Vegan Stew Italian style featuring gnocchi dumplings, meaty jackfruit, peas and carrots and a thick red wine gravy. No beef, one pot comforting stew that checks all the boxes. Rich, savory and whole foods plant based recipe.

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Vegan Stew

You’ll find a number of plant based stews on this blog, it’s really hard for me to actually choose a favorite. From the now famous jackfruit stew to my soy curl veggie stew, spiced chickpea stew, and this comforting mushroom bourguignon, they are all equally delicious stews but also unique in the way they deliver their deliciousness.

And if you make a loaf of this crusty bread to dunk into it you are without a doubt the king / queen of your castle!

Recipe Tips + FAQ

  • Which jackfruit should you use in this stew ? Glad you asked as this is very important! The jackfruit has to be young unripe, so before it gets sweet. My favorite for making stews are these organic jackfruit pieces i buy in bulk from amazon. You could also use canned jackfruit packed in water / brine not syrup. Make sure to rinse it well before cooking.
  • How do you thicken the stew ? Before adding the veggie stock to the pot I whisked in some whole wheat pastry flour. This way the stew naturally thickens as it cooks and no lumps are formed. If you prefer a thinner stew or want to make it gluten-free you can omit the flour. The gnocchi will add lots of body and texture too.
  • Can I use potatoes instead of gnocchi ? Sure you can use about 1 pound of diced golden potatoes if you prefer or any homemade dumplings.
  • Storage: The leftovers keep well in the fridge up to 4 days. They can also be frozen in lidded freezer proof containers or mason jars up to 4 months. Take care not to overfill the jars or containers and remember to thaw out in the fridge the night before reheating.
  • How to serve it: Since this is already such a hearty meal, there’s no need for rice or pasta. A thick slice of homemade bread charred under the broiler and rubbed with garlic aka bruschetta is as perfect as it’s gonna get. However you can top it with these olive oil mashed potatoes and turn it into an awesome Italian style Shepherd’s pie.

more hearty stews

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

Vegan Zuppa Toscana

Mushroom Bourguignon

Red Lentil Stew.

Hearty Vegan Stew Recipe (8)

4.67 from 9 votes

Hearty Vegan Stew

Hearty vegan stew Italian style featuring gnocchi dumplings, meaty jackfruit, peas and carrots and a thick red wine gravy. No beef, one pot comforting stew that checks all the boxes. Rich, savory and whole foods plant based recipe.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:1 hour hr

Total Time:1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots sliced into rounds
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 lb jackfruit pieces rinsed well
  • 1 lb gnocchi Italian potato dumplings
  • 1 cup fresh tomatoes diced
  • 3/4 cup frozen green peas (thawed out and rinsed)
  • 8 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika you can sub sweet paprika
  • 1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley roughly chopped
  • 6 cups vegetable stock low sodium
  • 1/3 cup red wine
  • sea salt + black pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat a heavy bottom dutch oven over medium low heat and sautee the onion and carrot in a drop of oil or a splash of water until the onion is translucent. (omit oil to be WFPB & Plantricious compliant).

  • Stir in the garlic and cook a few seconds until fragrant.

  • Add the jackfruit pieces, thyme, bay and the red wine. Simmer until the wine is almost evaporated. (It's very important that you allow the wine to evaporate or the stew won't taste right).

  • Meanwhile whisk the flour with the vegetable stock until combined and add it to the pot with the jackfruit. Bring to a simmer and stir in the paprika and cloves.

  • Cook everything together for 45 minutes until the jackfruit is fork tender.

  • Stir in the gnocchi, tomatoes and green peas and cook a few extra minutes until the gnocchi float to the top and the green peas are cooked through to your liking.

  • Discard the thyme sprigs and whole cloves and season the stew to your taste with sea salt and black pepper.

  • Stir in the fresh parsley and serve!

Slow Cooker Method:

  • Saute the onion and carrot with a pinch of salt until translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds longer.

  • Add the cooked onion, carrot and garlic to a slow cooker with the jackfruit, red wine and all the spices.

  • Whisk in the flour and veggie stock and add them to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on slow for 5-6 hours or on hight 2 - 3 hours. Add the gnocchi and green peas and return back to high heat for 20 minutes or so until the gnocchi are cooked through. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Notes

  • You can use about 1 pound of diced golden potatoes instead of gnocchi or any homemade dumplings.
  • The leftovers keep well in the fridge up to 4 days. They can also be frozen in lidded freezer proof containers or mason jars up to 4 months. Take care not to overfill the jars or containers and remember to thaw out in the fridge the night before reheating.
  • WFPB and Plantricious - for the recipe to be fully compliant you must omit all oil and make sure to use a whole grain gnocchi made with whole wheat, brown rice or corn flour.
  • If using canned jackfruit but would like to give it a brown color, simply rinse it and marinate in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for 15 minutes before adding it to the stew.

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 116g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 458mg | Potassium: 661mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6992IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 187mg | Iron: 7mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: jackfruit, meatless stew, vegan stew

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 508kcal

Author: Florentina

:

Hearty Vegan Stew Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is vegetable stew made of? ›

Onion, carrots, celery, bell peppers, zucchini, and yellow squash add flavor, freshness, and nutrients. Feel free to customize this stew recipe and add in different veggies. Garlic cloves add a delicious garlicky flavor. Diced tomatoes add moisture.

What vegetables are good in stew? ›

Although I added carrots, little red potatoes, rutabaga and cremini mushrooms, you have plenty of options. Parsnip, turnip, pearl onions, squash and fennel will also work. Stir them in gently and immediately return the pot to the oven for the final hour of cooking.

Is vegetable stew good for you? ›

Conclusion. Call it vegetable soup or stew, these flavourful broths loaded with a wealth of healthful nutrients, are extremely beneficial for overall health and wellness. Not only does it aid in weight loss and eases digestion but also prevents gastric anomalies, strengthens bones and promotes heart functioning.

Do you cook vegetables before putting in stew? ›

Whether it's the classic French mirepoix of onions, celery, and carrots cooked in butter, the New Orleans holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers sweated in oil, or perhaps just some leeks and garlic cooked down in olive oil, most stews and soups start the same way: sautéeing veggies.

What adds richness to a stew? ›

If were talking while it's being made; garlic, onion, various herbs, “horse chester sauce” tomato paste, stone ground mustard, or even a small splash of A1 sauce will all “rich up” the broth. So will sauteing the veggies in butter before adding to the stew.

Why add milk to stew? ›

People add milk to soups for several reasons: To add creaminess: Milk can add a creamy texture to soups, making them feel more luxurious and comforting. To balance flavors: Milk can help to tone down the acidity in soups, making them more palatable.

How do you fix a tasteless stew? ›

Personally I would add as many aromatics and flavor enhancing substances that I like. If the stew is already finished, then you can sauté onions, garlic peppers, celery and carrots then add them to the stew. I would also add some herbs and finally salt and pepper to taste.

What are the best potatoes for stew? ›

There is no real wrong answer for your beef stew potatoes — russets or red potatoes will work fine — but Yukon Gold potatoes have the best balance of texture and flavor to complement a meaty stew.

Should you saute vegetables for stew? ›

Sautéing Veggies Is A Crucial Step

The high heat unlocks certain flavor compounds in chopped vegetables, releasing different aromas and profiles. One of the best examples is cooking garlic and onions. Raw, these alliums are potent, pungent, and can be overwhelming.

What are the healthiest vegetables for stew? ›

Carrots and other root vegetables, onions, chard, spinach, and lettuce are ideal for stewing while potatoes, leeks, cabbage, and porcini mushrooms are optimal for braising. Browse the photo gallery above for stewing and braising tips for seven different vegetables.

What is the healthiest meat for stew? ›

Start with lean cuts of meat - Try London broil, brisket, top round and chuck roast. Add lots of vegetables - More carrots, peas, potatoes, celery, broccoli or even turnips helps bulk up portions while using less meat.

Can you eat vegetable stew everyday? ›

Eating soup and salad every day can be part of a healthy eating plan, but it's important to ensure that your diet is well-rounded and provides all the necessary nutrients. Soups and salads can be nutritious options, as they often contain vegetables, lean proteins, and other healthy ingredients.

What is the traditional stew made of? ›

A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy. Ingredients can include any combination of vegetables and may include meat, especially tougher meats suitable for slow-cooking, such as beef, pork, venison, rabbit, lamb, poultry, sausages, and seafood.

What's the difference between vegetable soup and vegetable stew? ›

Stews are generally thicker than soups, being made up primarily of larger, solid chunks of ingredients. In other words, stews are thicker and chunkier—and always have solid ingredients. Generally speaking, if there is so much liquid that the ingredients are fully submerged, it's a soup.

What are the main components of a stew? ›

Ingredients in a stew can include any combination of vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, beans, onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc., and frequently with meat, especially tougher meats suitable for moist, slow cooking, such as beef chuck or round. Poultry, pork, lamb or mutton, sausages, and seafood are also used.

What's the difference between stew and vegetable soup? ›

Soup Uses More Liquid

In soup, the liquid is the primary ingredient. Soup can be completely liquified or it can consist of other elements (like meat and vegetables) that are fully submerged in water, stock, or broth. Stew, meanwhile, is typically "chunkier." It contains just enough liquid to cover the main ingredients.

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