35 Healthy Vegetarian Stew Recipes
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.Nothing beats tasty, hearty vegetarian stew recipes when you’re looking for some comfort food. Whether it’s the dead of winter or the middle of the summer, these colorful, nutrition-packed bowls really hit the spot.
I’m always on the hunt for new takes on healthy stews packed with delicious produce. If you’re craving something filling and wholesome, here’s a collection of the 35 BEST vegetarian stews you’ll ever taste from across the world!
A bowl of chunky, colorful veggies simmered in a savory, rich broth hits the spot every time! I’m telling you, I’m absolutely obsessed with vegetarian stews. There’s something about the mix of textures and deep, complex taste that really gets my mouth watering. Once you decide to ditch the meat, you’ll find the natural flavors of the vegetables really start to shine through.
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This collection of the 35 best healthy vegetarian stews is guaranteed to fill you up and leave you satisfied. Thick, rich, and packed with nutrients, these recipes range from quick weekday meals to leisurely weekend cookouts. Even just one spoonful will have you begging for more.
The Best Vegetarian Stew Recipes Your Family Will Love!
These chunky stews and soups are just what you need to warm you up on cold nights. They are full of a variety of vegetables, beans, grains, herbs, and spices.
When winter arrives, I could make a hearty stew every single night! There’s just something so comforting about the savory taste and chunky texture of a good stew. It just warms you from the inside out!
Stews don’t have to just be about meat and potatoes! You’ll also find recipes inspired by world cuisines with stews infused with Asian flavors or warm Moroccan spices, along with Indian-inspired stews and Mexican bean soups!
There’s a ton of variety here and these are all, by far, my favorite vegan stews!
From fast and easy lunches you can throw together to family-friendly dinners the whole crew will love, there’s something here for every occasion.
Whip up a big batch on Sunday to last you through the whole week. However you enjoy them, these satisfying meatless stews are as hearty and soul-warming as it gets.
Featured Vegetarian Stew Recipe
Vegetarian Chili
This vegetarian chili recipe will give you that classic chili flavor but without using any meat! It’s incredibly rich and hearty, super smoky, and slightly spicy.
Made with three types of beans, and packed with veggies, it’s hands-down the best stew ever! Plus, it’s family-friendly and ready in 30 minutes.
You can make in an instant pot which makes the whole process of making it a breeze, but it’s flexible enough to make on the stovetop too! And leftovers taste great the next day!
35 Best Vegetarian Stew Recipes
1. Moroccan Stew with Chickpeas and Quinoa Couscous
There is nothing more comforting than warming up to a bowl of this homemade healthy vegetarian stew recipe.
This hearty dish has sweet dried apricots, quinoa, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas in a spiced broth. Play around with the flavor profile, adding a splash of balsamic vinegar and black pepper!
It’s perfect for cool weather days when you want something healthy and satisfying.
2. Leek Stew with Olives
This Romanian leek stew with olives will impress you with just one bite. I couldn’t believe how tasty it was!
It is a healthy vegan option and packed with flavor! I nearly ate the whole dish by myself the first time I tried it!
You have got to give this classic stew recipe a shot. The combination of leeks and olives creates something really special.
3. Tuscan Bean Stew with Whole Wheat Pasta
This spicy Tuscan bean stew is hearty, healthy, and satisfying.
Full of veggies, beans, and whole wheat pasta, it’s a high protein, high fiber, delicious meal!
The best part is that it can be ready in 30 minutes! Add a little red pepper flakes on top to make it spicier!
4. Persian Aubergine Stew with Black Lime
This comforting stew with eggplant and lentils has a Persian flair. It features tender, roasted eggplant chunks and hearty lentils flavored with black limes that give it a nice citrusy taste.
You can serve the stew with puffy flatbreads for a heartwarming family meal.
It can also be enjoyed at room temperature with crispy pita triangles and a tangy chopped salad for a nice lunch on a sunny afternoon.
5. Vegan Pozole
This easy vegan pozole is a delicious Mexican stew packed with a whole lot of flavor.
It’s ready in just 30 minutes, with rich spices, crunchy veggies, and chewy hominy!
This healthy soup stew is perfect for a quick one-pot meal, saving you lots of time in the kitchen!
6. Ratatouille
Ratatouille might sound all fancy, but really, it’s just a simple, hearty, and rustic stew from the south of France.
It features melt-in-your-mouth chunks of beautifully cooked eggplant, zucchini, and yellow squash in a tomato sauce punched up with fresh herbs and a good splash of olive oil.
That’s ratatouille in a nutshell! You will feel like a master chef as you whip up a big pot of this easy yet famous French veggie stew that everyone loves, whether they’re vegetarian or not!
7. Instant Pot Dal
Instant pot dal is an easy, healthy, and delicious weeknight dinner!
Made with diced tomatoes, moong dal, a few hidden veggies, and Indian spices, it’s a nutritious dish with only 25 minutes of hands-on time.
This is by far one of my most favorite one-pot family friendly meals!
8. Gochujang Chickpea and Rice Stew
This Korean-inspired Gochujang Chickpea and Rice Stew with kale is absolutely delicious!
It’s spicy and so flavorful! The flavor comes from Korean gochujang paste, along with warming herbs like thyme and rosemary. You can also add some umami flavors with a bit of soy sauce. The chickpeas add a good protein punch, and the rice provides nice healthy carbs.
This vegetarian stew is just so satisfying, and it’s great for meal prep since you can make a big batch that lasts for days.
9. Chickpea and Potato Curry
This vegetarian potato stew with chickpeas has the delicious flavors of chana masala with some added veggies for a thicker-stew-like consistency.
Made with onion, new potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, and cilantro, this is a well-rounded, healthy one-pot meal.
10. Vegan Irish Stew
This hearty traditional Irish stew is so flavorful and can be cooked on the stove, in an Instant Pot, or slow cooker.
The vegan-friendly Guinness gives such a rich, deep flavour to the gravy that’s chock full of chunky, sweet, tender veggies.
You can make it with just the vegetables or add some optional vegan meat or button mushrooms to make it even more satisfying and tasty! You’ll end up with a mushroom stew version of this old-fashioned vegan stew.
11. Sweet Potato Dahl
Ready in just one hour, sweet potato dahl is a fast and easy one-pot meal perfect for lunch or dinner!
This dahl is made with warm Indian spices, kale, sweet potatoes, and yellow split peas.
This hearty vegan stew is gluten-free and full of delicious flavors!
12. Vegetarian Goulash
If you’ve always wanted to try a Hungarian goulash, this recipe is perfect for you! It features authentic flavors but without using any meat at all!
The best part is that it’s a simple, 30 minute one-pot vegetarian stew that’s packed with beans and veggies you’ll love!
13. Lebanese Lentil Soup
Rich, flavorful, easy Lebanese lentil soup (shorbet adas) is warming and hearty, perfect for a family-friendly weeknight meal.
Made with red lentils, vegetables, spices, and lemon juice, this easy dish is healthy, vegan, and naturally gluten free too!
The rich vegetable broth is absolutely delicious! Enjoy it with a nice crusty loaf and vegan butter.
14. West Africa Peanut Stew
This West African peanut stew recipe comes together in just 30 minutes in a single pot.
The creamy, peanut-flavored broth coats chickpeas, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and hearty greens. Add a little tomato paste to give it even more color.
It’s rich and cozy but with a subtle spiciness. You can serve it as is or with rice and bread on the side.
15. Poblano Soup with Sweet Potatoes
This spicy Poblano soup with sweet potatoes combines the flavors of a traditional curry with some unconventional spices and seasoning!
You’ll end up with a deliciously rich and healthy soup with a real depth of flavor. You can simmer it with bay leaves to take it to the next level, too.
16. White Bean Soup
This hearty and delicious white bean and kale soup with parmesan cheese is perfect for an easy dinner.
This stew is great as a side but filling enough to be a healthy main dish as well.
What’s best is that it’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and can easily be made vegan! It pairs perfect with a glass of red wine!
17. Vegan Chuck Wagon Stew
This Vegan chuck wagon stew features the best meatless take on the classic version.
This healthy veggie stew has tasty plant-based ground meat simmered with black-eyed peas, carrots, celery, onions, and green peas in a delicious from-scratch gravy.
You can’t beat a nice home-cooked, budget-friendly, hearty vegetable stew recipe. It’s comfort food in a bowl!
18. Spicy, Creamy Mexican Corn Soup
This Mexican corn soup is packed full of fresh ingredients and a blend of delicious spices.
Dairy-free, low in calories, and ready in 30 minutes, it’s a satisfying soup the whole family will love!
19. Vegan Egusi Soup
This vegan egusi soup is so incredibly nutty and spicy – it’s just as finger-lickin’ good as the classic version, if not more!
This unique stew is from West Africa. The key ingredient that makes it egusi is melon seeds, which give the soup its name.
The melon seeds thicken the broth into a stew-like consistency. And you can add whatever veggies or proteins you want – I love doing a mix of greens, tomatoes, and chickpeas.
20. Kale And Black Bean Soup
This easy kale and black bean soup is ready in just 45 minutes for a tasty lunch or dinner!
Nutritious vegetables like kale and hearty black beans offer a perfect combination of fiber-rich content and plant-based protein.
You can even stir some baby spinach into it if you like. I tried that last night and absolutely loved the combination!
It’s one of the best vegan soups that’s also gluten-free and super satisfying. The whole family will love this delicious recipe!
21. Spicy Indian Lentil Soup with Swiss Chard
This spicy Indian lentil soup is so tasty and so easy to whip up! With chickpeas, swiss chard, curry, and Greek yogurt, it’s got the perfect balance of acidity and coolness.
The flavors work incredibly well together in this lentil stew, plus it’s a one-pot meal!
22. Vegetarian Taco Soup Recipe
This creamy vegetarian taco soup is packed full of Mexican flavors and is less than 250 calories per serving.
This easy tomato based soup is the perfect guilt-free, healthy, comfort food!
23. Ciambotta (Italian Vegetable Stew)
This Italian veggie stew called ciambotta (or giambotta) is a great way to use up all the delicious summer veggies in a hearty meatless dish!
The best part is you can customize it with whatever you have in your fridge! I love adding my favorite vegetables to it.
Serve it as is, or add beans or crusty bread – it’s absolutely delicious every single way! I love topping it with a little bit of fresh parsley!
24. Vegan Minestrone Soup
Vegan minestrone soup is hearty, healthy, and full of flavor.
It’s the kind of dish that you’ll continue to make again and again whenever you crave something cozy and nourishing. It’s also easy to customize, and because of the added pasta and smaller cut veggies, this happens to be a kid friendly stew recipe too!
The best part? This recipe needs only 15 minutes of prep time and can easily be transformed into a gluten free version to accommodate any dietary needs!
25. Three Sisters Stew
This Native American Three Sisters Stew is a delicious combination of winter squash, beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and more! It’s proof that comfort food can, in fact, be healthy!
It’s a classic, traditional stew that will give you authentic Native American flavors at home.
26. Chunky and Hearty Pinto Bean Soup
This chunky and hearty pinto bean soup is made with loads of veggies and pasta shells making it a nutritious and filling, one-pot, healthy vegetable stew.
It’s the perfect way to sneak some protein-rich beans into your diet. It’s rich, flavorful, thick and chunky, with oozing cheese and al dente pasta on top.
It requires little effort to make, using just one pot or dutch oven for easy cleanup! My whole family couldn’t get enough of it!
27. Spanish Chickpea Stew with Spinach
This hearty, gluten free vegetable soup recipe is chock full of chickpeas and spinach in a rich, smoky tomato broth.
It’s a rustic, stick-to-your-ribs kind of dish that’s perfect for chilly nights when you’re craving something warm and filling.
28. Mexican Bean Soup
This delicious, spicy Mexican bean soup topped with avocado and tortilla chips is full of authentic Mexican flavors.
Easy, healthy, and versatile, this soup can be made vegan and is naturally gluten free!
29. Moroccan Chickpea Vegetable Stew
This heartwarming, rustic stew has the classic combination of chickpeas and hearty vegetables to give you a complete meal.
It’s an incredibly simple recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights. And the flavors are to die for! I’m sure your entire family will love it.
30. Sweet Potato Cauliflower Curry
This sweet potato cauliflower curry is perfectly seasoned with Indian spices. It makes for a wonderful main dish served over rice, or as a side dish paired with a refreshing salad.
Plus, it’s super healthy, vegan, and gluten-free too – making it perfect for everyone in the family!
It’s an easy vegetable stew to make when you want a tasty and hearty meal!
31. Butterbean Stew
This easy bean stew is the type of meal you can quickly make with some pantry staples when the fridge isn’t stocked up. It’s simple, healthy, and filling.
The creaminess of the beans goes so nicely with the smoky paprika and juicy plum tomatoes. It’s a great nourishing vegan dinner for anyone trying to save money.
Plus, it works great with some crusty bread and veggies on the side.
32. Vegan White Bean Chili
This hearty vegan stew recipe is jam-packed with plant-based protein, creamy potatoes, warm spices, and a little bit of heat!
It’s easy to make, easy to freeze, and kid-friendly. Plus, it’s naturally dairy-free and gluten-free!
33. Pisto (Spanish Vegetable Stew)
Pisto is a really popular Spanish tapa you’ll see at pretty much any Spanish restaurant.
It’s essentially a simple vegetable stew made with summer veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes, all cooked down in a tasty tomato sauce with a good helping of olive oil.
Think of it as the Spanish ratatouille! You can also add any of your favorite root vegetables to it.
34. Vegetarian Stew Recipe with Beans and Rice
This vegetarian stew recipe with beans and rice is healthy and packed with flavor in every single bite!
It’s a budget-friendly, plant-based meal that the whole family will enjoy! This hearty veggie stew is a great option for any day of the week.
35. Vegan Black Bean Chili
Vegan black bean chili is healthy, spicy, and full of flavor. It is loaded with protein rich beans, wholesome vegetables, and aromatic spices for a hearty lunch or dinner.
This easy vegan chili recipe is sure to satisfy both meat-eaters and vegans alike!
Why Is Stew A Healthy Dinner Option?
- High in Vitamins and Minerals: Vegetarian stews are chock full of hearty vegetables. It’s a great way to enjoy a filling meal while packing in lots of veggies. Potatoes are high in vitamin C and B6. Carrots are high in vitamin A and biotin. And numerous other vegetables carry other vitamins and nutrients.
- Low in Fat and Calories: Vegetarian soups don’t have added meat which greatly cuts back on the fat and calories that are found in traditional beef stews. Simply adding more vegetables, beans, and a high fiber grain brings the overall fat and calories down, while still keeping you full and satisfied.
- High in Fiber: Vegetarian stews are a great source of fiber with the added vegetables and whole grains. Fiber helps you stay fuller longer, and helps with digestion.
- High in Plant Protein: Depending on the stew you are making, you can make it a protein power house! Great high protein additions for your stews include kidney beans, black beans, white beans, lentils, quinoa, tempeh, tofu, soy curls, and seitan.
What Are The Best Vegetables To Add To A Stew?
So many stews start with something called a mirepoix. This is a combination of chopped carrots, onions, and celery. These vegetables are a delicious basis for a good stew, but don’t feel limited by these ingredients.
Be sure to add chunky yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, or whatever you have in your fridge!
How Long Does Vegetarian Stew Last?
Leftover vegetable stew can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
You can also choose to freeze your stew until the time you need an easy meal. Be sure to allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer safe container. Let all of the air out of the container so that you don’t get any freezer burn.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to serve, transfer the leftover stew to a large pot, cover, and heat on low until the stew defrosts, warms, and is ready to eat!
Best Ways To Serve Stew
- Whole Wheat Baguette: Perhaps my favorite way to serve stew is with a whole wheat baguette! I love scooping and dipping crusty bread, into the warm thick broth, and picking up bits of chunky veggies!
- Healthy Mashed Potatoes: A delicious way to enjoy your stew is over creamy mashed potatoes! If your stew already has added potatoes, you may not want to opt for this serving suggestion! But if you have a veggie filled stew, this is a nice compliment!
- Rice: A gluten free option is to serve your stew over brown rice. It adds some fiber and soaks up the flavors nicely.
- Quinoa: Another gluten-free option with added protein! Any stew complements the nuttiness of quinoa nicely.
- Noodles: A fun and traditional way to serve your favorite stew is over egg noodles! These thick noodles compliment the gravy of the stew in a rustic way.
- Vegetable Polenta: Think outside the box, and give creamy polenta a try with your stew.
How Do You Thicken Stew?
There are several methods you can use to thicken your stew.
- Roux: Perhaps the most common way to thicken a stew is to add all-purpose flour. You use equal parts butter and flour. Melt the butter in a pot on the stove. When the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk together until golden brown. Then, add the vegetable stock or liquid for your stew, and whisk together until combined into a thick liquid texture.
- Add Flour: If you want to skip making a roux, you can simply add flour to the stock. You will need 1-2 tablespoons of flour for every one cup of liquid in your stew.
- Other Options: If you’re going for a gluten-free stew, and don’t want to add flour, you can opt for a cornstarch slurry. You’ll use one tablespoon of cornstarch for every two tablespoons of water. You can also use arrowroot flour to thicken your stew. Additionally, letting your stew simmer over low heat, uncovered, for a few hours will naturally thicken it as the broth evaporates. Just be sure to stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
More Vegetarian Stew Recipes We Can’t Live Without!
Thai Peanut Curry: This Thai peanut curry makes for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy. Hearty chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and fragrant Thai spices combine together in the most amazing coconut milk curry sauce. You will love this convenient, healthy recipe that also happens to be vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free too!
Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry: This delicious butternut squash and chickpea curry is packed with a fusion of Thai and Indian flavors and super wholesome ingredients! This vegan stew recipe has the perfect texture, is super satisfying, and also happens to be a one-pot meal.
Love these vegetarian recipes? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page!
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These vegetarian stew recipes are all delicious. I don’t know where to start since they look all good! But I am definitely going to be trying many of them soon!
Thanks Saif! Enjoy!
What an incredible list of hearty and comforting stews. I need to try them all.
Yes!! You will love these recipes!
This collection has a fantastic variety of flavorful and nutrient-packed stews that are perfect for any vegetarian or veggie lover. Highly recommended for those looking for delicious and healthy meal options!
Aw thanks Gianne!
I tried your veggie chili and it was such a perfect comforting meal! Everyone at my house loved it!
Thanks Toni! So happy to hear that!
These will last us through a long cold(ish) winter here in the UK. We already love your bean stew, so I cannot wait to try the rest of them 🙂
Thanks Ieva!
I can’t believe how many great recipes there are in one post. I will never look for a vegetarian stew recipe ever again! 🙂
Yay!! Thanks so much Mirlene!
A good reminder that you can make a flavorful stew without meat! I love beans as the basis of a hearty and healthy meal.
Absolutely! All of these soups are super filling and hearty!
So many great recipes to choose from. The spicy potato and corn chowder will be first on my list.
Yay!! That one is delicious! 🙂
What a great selection of recipes! We have a veggie stew about once a week so I will definitely be checking these out 🙂
Yay!! Thanks Helen! I’m sure you will love these recipes!
There are so many great stews here but I can’t wait to make the Tuscan bean soup. Looks perfect for the cold weather.
Thanks so much Amanda! That Tuscan bean soup is perfect for winter – I hope you enjoy it!