Fall just descended on our doorsteps today. Actually, it’s been building up to it for a bit, with the whole leaf-changing-colors thing, but today, stepping out the door this morning to walk the dogs, it was downright chilly outside. That felt like fall. When fall rolls around I start dishing out the soups, like this Vegan Minestrone. But today didn’t feel like a minestrone kind of day. I needed something more hearty. That’s why I’m sharing with you this recipe for Vegan Beefless Stew.
We love a recipe that results in leftovers.
It’s seriously high on our list of qualities for a dish. Well, that, and taste too. I mean, what good are the leftovers if you don’t really like it that much?
So when you fix a recipe like this Vegan Beefless Stew that’s both tasty and creates some leftovers for the week – you know you’ve got a winner.
Why Vegans Like Stew
There have been some people over the years who’ve questioned me for recreating vegan versions of dishes from my childhood. As if we make the leap to becoming vegan and we have to give up everything we loved from our past? Whatever!
I make no apologies for loving beef stew.
I can remember my mom making beef stew; the aroma would make its way throughout the house so we all knew it was coming. Even though I was kind of a picky eater (not as picky as Shawn was in his childhood!), I still liked it when mom made beef stew. There’s nothing like the flavor of potatoes and carrots roasted in a savory sauce!
I make no apologies for creating and loving a vegan version of beef stew today.
I still like that savory stew flavor today and this Vegan Beefless Stew recipe brings it all home in such a healthy, satisfying way!
Shawn and I have been perfecting a vegan version of vegan beefless stew over the years and I think it tastes pretty darn good. We liked it so much we made a video about it too.
So, why do vegans like stew? I don’t know. Maybe for the same reason anyone likes stew. Because it’s savory, comfort food perfect for fall (and winter) nights.
Oh, and there’s leftovers too!
We hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you give it a try, we’d love it if you shared a photo using #namelymarly on Instagram or Twitter. We love seeing your photos!
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 medium onion peeled and chopped
- 2 cups baby carrots chopped
- 3 -4 medium red potatoes scrubbed and chopped into ½" cubes
- 34 oz vegetable broth
- 15 oz can corn drained
- 15 oz can stewed tomatoes with juice
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 package Gardein Beefless Tips
- Optional: 1 tablespoon red wine
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Pour 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a dutch oven and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and cubed potatoes and cook about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are just starting to become tender.
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Add the vegetable broth, drained corn, the whole can (with juicof stewed tomatoes, and a bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
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Pour the second tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the Gardein Beefless Tips and stir until each piece is coated with oil. Cook over medium heat until each side is browned, about 5 minutes.
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Add the browned beefless tips to the pot and continue simmering for another 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
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Optional: Add a tablespoon of red wine to the stew as it's cooking. This adds a nice flavor to the finished stew.
We buy Gardein Beefless tips at Target, the health food section of our local grocery store, and health food stores.
Enjoy!
Allysia
Beef stew is amazing – we’ve made it before with seitan if I remember correctly. How do the Gardein beef chunks hold up to stewing?
Marly
Hi Allysia! The Gardein beef chunks hold up great after being cooked in the stew, and even after being refrigerated and reheated as leftovers. We’re pretty happy with it!
Nichole Kraft
I have many happy childhood memories of beef stew, too! And roast. All those filling, warm, wintry dishes. Yours looks delish. And I looove the video! 🙂
Marly
Thanks, Nichole! I will confess that we had help with that video! Lenny and Denise from ChoppedCon actually came and stayed with us a night and worked with us – giving tips and direction – on shooting and editing. It was a fun day!
Also, so glad you like the sound of this stew. I agree – when you grow up eating certain dishes, it’s nice to find a way to replicate them in your vegan life too!
Amy
A friend of mine made this for dinner, my whole family loved it, even the meat eaters.
Marly
Thanks for your feedback, Amy! I’m so glad to hear that. We’ve had the same experience here (sharing this stew with meat eaters who also loved it), but it’s so good to know you experienced that too.
Amanda
Do I thaw the beefless tips before browning them or use them frozen?
Marly
Hi Amanda. This is a great question and something I will add as a note to the recipe itself. You don’t have to thaw the beefless tips before browning them, but it will take a little longer. Usually we just let them sit out on the counter as we’re preparing everything else and they thaw out a little before we put them in the skillet. Hope this helps!
Lizzy
We made this last night. The second dish from your site we’ve tried. And just like the first one….. Delicious. Thanks so much for your posts.
Hamid
I made this i add some mushrooms and celery and peas was so good
Marly
Hi Hamid! We are visiting Shawn’s parents right now and we were just talking about this recipe. We made it for them the last time they were in town and they loved it! So, it’s perfect to see your comment on it today. I’m so glad you like it too! Oh, and the addition of mushrooms is perfect! I’m hoping to get Shawn more interested in eating them. Right now he’s a no go, but I sense his defenses are coming down a little!
Lauren Adasiak Cocilova
If I substituted a stew vegetable mix (like this: https://www.wegmans.com/products/frozen-foods/vegetables/vegetables-frozen/stew-vegetables.html) instead of all of the separates, how many packages do you think I would use to add up to the amount of vegetables in this recipe? Thanks!
Marly
Hi Lauren, You could probably be fine using two of those vegetable mixes, but I like to push the envelope and I would probably try three. But we like a lot of veggies in our stew. Hopefully that helps answers your question. It’s a great idea to use a frozen vegetable mix like that! Let me know how it goes!