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Hearty Vegan Vegetable Stew with Potatoes, Beans, and Greens Recipe

4.5 from 113 reviews

This Best Vegan Stew Recipe is a hearty, comforting dish packed with nutritious vegetables, beans, and flavorful herbs. Made entirely plant-based, it combines potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, and leafy spinach simmered to perfection in a savory vegetable broth enhanced with a blend of thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, and a touch of smoked paprika. Ideal for a wholesome family meal, this stew is warming, filling, and easy to prepare using simple stovetop cooking techniques.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 large yellow potato, peeled and chopped into ½” cubes
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped into ½” cubes
  • 23 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 2 medium ribs celery, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium sweet yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cups baby spinach, chopped (optional)

Beans and Frozen Vegetables

  • 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup frozen corn kernels
  • ½ cup frozen sweet green peas

Liquids and Oils

  • 12 tablespoons olive oil
  • 34 cups vegetable broth

Herbs and Spices

  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon sage
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 12 cloves garlic, crushed

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables: Wash, scrub, and peel the potatoes and carrots. Slice celery into thin pieces and place all these vegetables into a large mixing bowl to have them ready for cooking.
  2. Drain Beans: Open the can of kidney beans, drain the liquid, and rinse the beans thoroughly under cold water. Set aside for later use.
  3. Chop Aromatics: Dice the sweet yellow onion finely and crush the garlic cloves to release their flavor.
  4. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat a dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil and diced onions. Cook the onions for about 3 minutes until translucent, then add the crushed garlic and continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Cook Root Vegetables: Add the chopped potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and sliced celery to the pot. Stir frequently and cook for about 10 minutes. If vegetables start sticking, add a small splash of water to keep them moist.
  6. Add Spices and Broth: Season the vegetables with thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage, paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir well before pouring in the vegetable broth. Mix everything thoroughly.
  7. Simmer Stew: Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium or medium-low to let it simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
  8. Add Beans and Frozen Veggies: Stir in the drained kidney beans, frozen corn kernels, and frozen peas. Cook the stew for an additional 5 minutes or until heated through.
  9. Check Consistency: The stew is ready when it becomes thick and creamy. Taste the stew and adjust salt and spices as desired for flavor balance.
  10. Add Spinach: Optional step—stir in the chopped baby spinach and cook briefly until wilted and integrated into the stew.
  11. Serve: Ladle the vegan stew into bowls and serve hot. It pairs beautifully with homemade bread or warm rolls and a fresh green salad for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute kidney beans with any other preferred beans such as cannellini or black beans.
  • Adjust the level of cayenne pepper to make the stew mild or spicy according to taste.
  • Adding a splash of water while cooking root vegetables helps prevent sticking and burning.
  • For a creamier texture, you can mash some of the potatoes in the stew before serving.
  • This stew stores well and tastes even better reheated the next day.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini if desired.

Keywords: vegan stew, plant-based recipe, vegetable stew, healthy stew, kidney beans stew, comfort food, easy vegan dinner, vegan winter recipe