Vegetable Stew

Craving comfort food? Then, you're going to love this Vegetable Stew recipe ... it's super easy to make, loaded with veggies, and so delicious!

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The weather is warming up here in Texas (a lot!), and normally that means I start cooking lighter meals and dinners with as many veggies packed in as possible. 

With everything going on the past few months though, I'm still craving comfort food just as much as I was in winter. Which is why I'm loving recipes like this easy Veggie Stew! This yummy recipe is loaded with vegetables, light in calories, and it's super comforting and cozy. Win win.

This easy recipe features all the flavors of the traditional stew my mom used to make, but without the meat ... it's a classic with a twist! You're going to love the rich, savory sauce and the big chunks of veggies. This is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that's actually healthy for you.

I kept the ingredients simple and used a combination of fresh and frozen vegetables that you should be able to find almost anywhere. The thick, delicious sauce has a savory tomato base that's flavored with fragrant herbs and spices.

Best of all, this Vegetable Stew is so easy to make! Plus, it's vegetarian and vegan, so almost anyone can enjoy it.

Are you craving the same kinds of foods? Then, keep reading for all the delicious details and make a bowl tonight!

Ingredients

This rich Meatless Stew uses basic, easy to find ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Fresh Veggies: Onions, Carrots, Celery, Mushrooms, Potatoes
• Frozen Veggies: Green Beans, Peas
• Garlic Cloves
• Herbs and Spices: Paprika, Bay Leaves, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage
• Fresh Parsley
• Tomato Paste
• Flour
• Vegetable Broth (I make my own from bouillon.)
• Red Wine (Optional)

I used a variety of easy to find fresh and frozen veggies to keep this recipe simple and healthy. Feel free to experiment by substituting your favorite seasonal stew vegetables ... pretty much any root veggie would work great, as would frozen veg (like corn). Just make sure to use a similar volume of veggies, and keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be adjusted up or down.

The sauce is seasoned with fresh garlic, tomato paste, paprika, and dried herbs (bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and sage). All of which give the stew a rich, savory flavor. You'll also stir in some fresh parsley at the very end, which really brightens up the finished dish.

If you'd like, you can substitute a cup of dry red wine for some of the vegetable broth in this recipe. I've tested it both with and without wine, and while the wine imparts extra depth of flavor, I actually liked it more without wine. Try it both ways for yourself though to see which you prefer!

You'll Also Need

To make this recipe, you'll also need a large pot with a lid, such as a dutch oven. I've made it with both my Le Creuset and my trusty non-stick dutch oven, and each works perfectly.

How to Make Vegetable Stew

Ready to get started on this amazing Veg Stew? You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:

1. Prep the veggies. This is a hearty, rustic dish, and while you want vegetables for stew to fit in your mouth, you can be generous when chopping. Think chunky, yet still bite size.  
2. Sauté the veggies. You'll start by sautéing a combo of of onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil for about five minutes, or until the onions are starting to turn translucent around the edges. Next, you'll add the mushrooms and continue cooking just until the liquid released by the mushrooms has mostly evaporated (or for extra flavor, until they've browned). Then, stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add the flour and paprika. Stir in the flour and paprika and keep stirring until the vegetables are well-coated. Then continue cooking the veggies for two minutes or so, stirring constantly. The flour is going thicken and add body to your stew. Cooking it for a couple minutes helps get rid of any raw flour flavor, and it enhances the flavor of the paprika, too. 
4. Mix in the tomato paste. The tomato paste should coat all the veggies, but don't worry if things look like a bit of a mess. It will all come together, I promise!
5. Add the tomatoes, green beans, broth, and spices. This recipe uses a combination of bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and sage, and they work perfectly together to create that classic stew flavor.
6. Simmer stew. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover the pot, leaving a crack open and stirring occasionally. You'll know it's done when the carrots and potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened. Depending on how large you chopped your veggies, it should take about 20 to 30 minutes.
7. Add the peas and parsley. To finish up the dish, stir in the peas and parsley. Then, season your homemade Vegetable Stew generously to taste with salt and pepper.

Time to eat! Wasn't that easy? I can't get enough of hearty recipes like this right now, and I'm sure you're going to love this delicious dish, too!

Recipe Tips

• Cooking the stew with the lid on helps to insure that the veggies become tender right about the same time as the stew reaches the perfect consistency. If your pot doesn't have a lid, use a piece of aluminum foil (or a heatproof plate) instead.
• If you prefer to eat gluten free, make a cornstarch slurry to thicken your stew instead of flour. Whisk it in after everything is finished cooking, adding just enough to create your desired consistency.
• Want to use wine? Instead of adding five cups broth (as called for in the recipe below), use one cup of dry red wine (such as pinot noir, merlot, or zinfandel) and four cups broth. 

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to four days. Rewarm gently in your microwave or on your stovetop.

Can You Freeze Stew?

While you can freeze this recipe after it finishes cooking, it's best freshly made. The veggies get a little soggy after thawing, and potatoes especially tend to get mealy in the freezer. This recipe doesn't make that many servings, so I'd recommend storing it in your refrigerator instead.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious Veg Stew is a complete meal in a bowl, so feel free to serve it on its own. You'll also love this recipe paired with a quick Chopped Salad or an easy Garden Salad. And crusty bread for dipping is never out of the question! This Garlic Bread would be especially tasty, as would my fave Beer Bread.

If you're really craving comfort food, serve the stew over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. That's how my mom used to serve stew, and it was always so good. Choose from my Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes ... they would all be delish!

Related Recipes

Loved this easy Vegetarian Stew recipe? Then, I know you're going to enjoy these hearty recipes, too!

• Vegetable Stew with Dumplings 
• Vegan Irish Stew
• Creamy Kale and Potato Soup
• Vegetable Barley Soup
• 15 Bean Soup
• Easy Lentil Soup
• Kitchen Sink Soup
• Creamy Wild Rice Soup
• Mushroom Barley Soup