Nothing screams ‘comfort-food’ like a big pot of homemade beef stew. Ok make that VEGAN beef stew.
Slow simmered veggies, potatoes, and mushrooms, in a rich, thick, gravy. Dinty Moore – eat your heart out.
I remember mom buying the huge cans of Dinty Moore for me and my dad. I swear I think dad could eat a whole can by himself, or maybe he did! This was a typical Indiana winter meal for me growing up, oh and don’t forget the basket of piping hot biscuits.
So now that I’m older and wiser (and vegan) – I had to improvise a little to capture that taste of home. I think I came pretty close. This recipe makes a good-sized pot, enough servings to take for my lunches all week, and some left over for dinners as well.
Nothing fancy about this stew, this is just a down-home, stick-to-your-ribs kinda meal.
Enjoy!
Ingredients for Vegan Beef Stew
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup veggie broth
- 1 package Gardein Beefless Tips
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 8oz can tomato sauce
- 2 cups of low-sodium veggie broth
- 2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbs vegan worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbs kitchen bouquet
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp thyme leaves
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 -3 carrots, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 stalk of celery, sliced
- 3 large yukon gold potatoes, cut into good sized chunks
- 1 cup sliced raw mushrooms
- black pepper to taste
Directions
- In a large stew pot, sauté the garlic and onions in the 1/4 cup of veggie broth
- Cook on med-low heat until the onions are soft and translucent
- Add 1 package of Gardein Beefless Tips and the wine
- Stir until the frozen ‘beef’ tips are softened
- Sprinkle the 2 tbls of flour over the mixture and stir to combine
- Slowly start adding the rest of the ingredients – remember to keep stirring
- Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce
- Add veggie broth and seasonings
- Finally add the chopped veggies and bring the stew to a boil
- Turn down the heat and simmer on low for at least an hour until thickened
Notes for Vegan Beef Stew
I like to use Gardein Befless Tips in my stew. I really like the chunks of ‘meat’ and their chewy texture. They’re completely vegan, and made from vital wheat gluten and soy. I buy mine at my local grocery store and I’m sure Whole Foods would have them. But obviously if you’re avoiding soy, or are gluten intolerant – leave them out. Although I haven’t tried this yet, I don’t see why you couldn’t substitute Portabella Mushrooms in their place.
- Worcestershire Sauce is NOT vegan as it is made from anchovies. Annie’s makes a vegan worcestershire sauce if you can find it. Leaving it out completely will only alter the taste a little. Or, in a pinch you could try A1 Sauce as a substitute, or even a tbls of balsamic vinegar.
- Kitchen Bouquet should be in about any grocery store. Look for it next to the A1 & Worcestershire Sauces.