25 Best Vegan Stews (+ Easy Recipes)

Nothing quite soothes the soul like thick and hearty vegan stews at the end of a rainy day. 

From Korean stew to spicy Moroccan takes on the one-pot classic, these vegan bowls are anything but boring. 

I love these vegan stews because they don’t shy away from the flavor.

They also provide super simple, flavorful meals that come together in a snap. 

1. Old-Fashioned Vegan Stew 

You can’t go wrong with the classics!

If you want to capture the essence of a winter stew but want to keep it meatless, this is a great option. 

It infuses hearty vegetables to keep you full, like carrots, plenty of potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and mushrooms. 

Feel free to add all your favorite veggies. They all work wonderfully in this classic dish. 

 2. Vegan Mushroom Stew Over Mashed Potatoes 

Whoever said that vegan dishes couldn’t be filling has never tried this recipe.

A thick and hearty mushroom stew pairs so perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s like shepard’s pie without all the fuss. 

The stew infuses rich and robust flavors with a meat-like texture from hearty mushrooms.

Opting for different types of mushrooms, like baby bell and crimini, adds more depth of flavor to this irresistible stew. 

3. Hearty Vegetable Stew 

To make a meatless stew filling, you need plenty of root vegetables.

With potatoes, carrots, and different mushrooms, no one will notice that it’s 100 percent vegan!

It earns a thick and hearty consistency from a simple roux (made from minced veggies and broth) and doesn’t shy away from heavy seasoning. 

The key to the rich flavors lies in a dash of Kitchen Boquet that adds rich color and a touch of sweetness. 

4. Instant Pot Vegetable Stew 

All hail the magnificent Instant Pot! While most stews need to develop depth of flavor all day, you can cut the cooking time in half with a handy Instant Pot. 

It infuses hearty root veggies like carrots and potatoes in a rich and savory tomato base with plenty of fresh seasoning. 

What’s great about this stew is that it doesn’t need fancy ingredients to deliver massive flavors. 

5. Vegan Moroccan Stew 

What’s excellent about Moroccan food is that it expertly layers spice, sweetness, and hearty ingredients in a bone-warming sauce!

Even the stew-reluctant may have difficulty eating just one bowl of this stew.

It infuses hearty root vegetables with meaty ingredients such as chickpeas and lentils. 

It’s super filling and doesn’t shy away from bright Moroccan spices. 

6. Spiced Chickpea Stew 

Chickpeas are a great way to make a more filling and protein-rich stew without beef.

The best part of this spiced chickpea stew is its concise list of ingredients. It’s a perfect option for those nights when the fridge seems bare. 

It pairs sweet and hearty carrots with plenty of chickpeas that marry in a spicy tomato base. 

While it’s great alone, you can make it even more filling with a side of perfectly steamed white rice. 

7. Red Lentil Dal (Masoor Dal) 

Masoor dal infuses red lentils and sweet potatoes for a sweet and spicy stew out of this world. 

It incorporates a can of full-fat coconut milk that pairs perfectly with starchy potatoes and lentils for a creamy consistency. 

While the sweet potatoes add sweetness, hearty Indian spices help tame the sweetness for a spicy, sweet, and addictive dinner dish. 

8. Vegan Irish Stew 

What makes a traditional stew Irish? A can of dark Guinness, of course!

This recipe delivers rich and meaty flavors to warm your bones, but it’s completely meat-free. 

Adding Guinness beer into the broth doesn’t taste like beer once the alcohol cooks out.

Instead, it lends bitter and slightly sweet notes into the broth that tastes like a rich meat sauce. 

9. Moroccan-Spiced Eggplant and Tomato Stew 

Stews are often unapologetically brown, and that’s ok. However, this electric red Moroccan stew is hard to resist. 

It earns its bright red hue from an infusion of harissa paste. 

If you’ve never tried harissa paste, it tastes spicy and fiery with tons of smoky flavors.

It’s a great way to inject tons of flavor (and color) without the need for meat. 

10. Vegan Peanut Stew 

Peanut-based stews hail from West Africa, and they are insanely delicious. 

Adding peanut butter to your stew base may sound odd. But it lends subtle sweetness and creaminess without the need for meat or dairy.

In addition to peanut butter, this stew also incorporates fresh herbs, sweet potatoes, and onion. 

It’s super simple and infuses pantry staples in new and inventive ways. 

11. Sundubu Jigae or Korean Soft Tofu Stew 

Sundubu jigae translates to soft tofu stew in Korean.

While it’s not quite as thick as your traditional stew (it lives somewhere between soup and stew), it’s just as hearty!

It delivers massive flavor from kombu (dried sea kelp) that is slightly fishy and pairs perfectly with flavorful mushrooms. 

Add tofu and fresh veggies, and garnish with kimchi, green onion, or rice. 

12. Vegan “Beef” Stew 

My life changed for the better the moment I tried soy curls.

They’re perfect little flavor vehicles that soak up spices like a dream and offer a meat-like texture. 

This stew incorporates soya chunks or soy curls into the rich and flavorful broth to soak up all those beautiful flavors. 

With plenty of root veggies in a thick sauce, no one noticed that it’s 100 percent vegan. 

13. Thai Red Curry with Vegetables 

Are you tired of brown stews?

This Thai red curry is a great option if you need to inject a little color into those dreary winter days but still want to indulge in comfort food. 

Its bright color comes from creamy coconut sauce, red and yellow peppers, and plenty of hearty winter greens. 

An injection of red Thai curry paste adds just a little bit of spice without being too overpowering. 

14. Masala Cauliflower and Chickpea Stew 

I love anything with cauliflower. It offers such a subtle hint of flavor and a meaty texture, and it’s incredibly filling (and healthy!). 

The masala broth delivers a massive spice with sweet paprika, cumin, and coriander.

It also includes jalapeno peppers to lift those robust flavors for an added spice kick. 

With plenty of cauliflower and chickpeas, it’s a delicious dinner dish that is incredibly filling. 

15. Thai Green Curry with Spring Vegetables 

Thai green curry is the perfect dinner dish for those colder spring days when winter just won’t let go!

It offers light and bright flavors from asparagus and sweet carrots that marry in a light green curry sauce. 

While it’s fantastic alone, you can also serve it over a bed of steamed white rice. 

16. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stew 

What I love most about this delicious stew is that it’s packed with flavor and bright colors and is so easy to make. 

The sweet potatoes add a sweetness that pairs perfectly with spicy notes from chili flakes and cayennes pepper. 

Black beans add color and dial up the protein to keep you from midnight snacking!

17. Golden Cauliflower Stew with Chickpeas 

What makes this stew look golden? Plenty of heart-healthy turmeric! 

While it looks like something from a 5-star restaurant, this golden stew is easy to make at home. 

The cauliflower and chickpeas marry in a golden broth made from coconut milk, turmeric, garlic, and ginger.

It’s light, bright, and sure to warm your bones. 

18. Smoky Potato Chickpea Stew 

If you miss the smoky flavors of beef stew, this is a great vegan alternative.

Added smoked paprika and curry powder offer a subtle smoky flavor that mirrors the flavors of beef broth. 

With plenty of starchy potatoes and chickpeas, it’s just as filling and bone-warming as grandma’s beef stew. 

19. Tomato Stewed Zucchini with White Beans 

Who says that you can only eat stew in winter?

Sometimes, you need a little comfort food in the peak of summer, and this light stew is a great option. 

If you have an overabundance of zucchini from your garden, this simple recipe is a fantastic way to use up extra. 

It incorporates fresh zucchini with white beans in a light and flavorful sauce. 

20. Chickpea Vegetable Chowder 

This simple vegetable chowder is thick and creamy by using pureed chickpeas as a base. 

The pureed chickpeas offer a cream-like consistency that pairs well with tender root vegetables and white beans. 

It’s like a cross between a chowder and a stew, the perfect dinner for a cold and rainy evening. 

21. Tuscan Bean Stew 

Look no further if you are on the hunt for a protein-rich and filling meal! 

This super simple yet satisfying stew combines borlotti and cannellini beans in a fragrant Tuscan tomato sauce. 

It’s lighter than your average meaty stew, so feel free to go back for a second bowl. 

22. Brussels Sprouts Stew 

Are you tired of brown stew? Brussels sprout stew packs massive earthy flavors, and it is delightfully green. 

What I love about this stew is that it is unapologetically creamy, without the need for dairy. 

Instead of cream, it infuses cashews with coconut milk that glides off your spoon.

Throw in some tender Brussels sprouts and sit back while the pot disappears. 

23. Hearty Vegan Jackfruit Beef Stew 

The trick to this beefy beefless stew is jackfruit! 

When cooked, jackfruit has a flaky and meaty consistency similar to slow-roasted beef. 

Meaty root veggies sing harmoniously in a rich tomato base infused with dark chocolate. 

24. Vegan Instant Pot White Bean Stew 

The great thing about vegan Instant Pot white bean stew is that it’s made without the need for oil, making it a wonderfully healthy dinner!

Toss all of your healthy veggies and white beans into your Instant Pot, and let it do all of the heavy lifting for you. 

This rich and flavorful vegan stew comes together in under an hour. It’s the perfect meal when you want to keep calories low. 

25. Vegan Stewed Okras and Tomatoes 

Okra is notoriously slimy, and its off-putting texture often turns many people away from this nutritional powerhouse. 

When cooked until delightfully tender in this rich and flavorful stew, the earthy flavors shine through (without all the slime!). 

With a light sauce and a healthy heaping of okra, this is the perfect comfort food for a hot summer evening!