BEST HEARTY VEGETABLE STEW RECIPE

Is there anything better than a bowl of steaming, flavorful Hearty Vegetable Stew on a chilly evening? Imagine tender vegetables swimming in a rich, savory broth, warming you from the inside out. This recipe isn’t just about throwing veggies in a pot; it’s about creating a symphony of flavors that will nourish your body and soul, and I promise it’ll be your new go-to comfort food!

Ingredients

For the Stew:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup chopped kale or spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Optional Add-ins:

• 1/2 cup red wine (for deglazing the pot)
• 1 bay leaf (remove before serving)
• A squeeze of lemon juice (for brightness)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Getting Started:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. This is the aromatic base, so don’t rush it!

Building the Flavor:

3. Add the garlic, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
4. If using red wine, pour it into the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. This is called deglazing and adds a ton of flavor. Let the wine reduce slightly before moving on.

Simmering to Perfection:

5. Pour in the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes. Add the bay leaf if using. Bring to a simmer.
6. Add the potatoes and sweet potato. Cook until they are almost tender, about 10-15 minutes.
7. Stir in the green beans, corn, and chickpeas. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the green beans are tender-crisp.

Finishing Touches:

8. Add the kale or spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, you can always add more seasoning, but you can’t take it away!
10. Remove the bay leaf if using.
11. If desired, stir in a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

Serving:

12. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
13. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips for the BEST Hearty Vegetable Stew

Choosing Your Vegetables:

The beauty of vegetable stew is that it’s incredibly versatile. Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables based on what you have on hand or what’s in season. Some other great options include:

• Mushrooms
• Zucchini
• Bell peppers
• Turnips
• Parsnips

Boosting the Flavor:

Want to take your stew to the next level? Here are a few ideas:

• Roast your vegetables: Roasting the vegetables before adding them to the stew will bring out their natural sweetness and add a deeper, more complex flavor.
• Use a good quality vegetable broth: The broth is the foundation of the stew, so choose a good quality one. Homemade broth is always best, but store-bought broth works too.
• Add some herbs and spices: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices. Smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder can all add a unique flavor to your stew.

Making it Ahead:

Vegetable stew is a great make-ahead dish. In fact, it often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Making it Vegan:

This recipe is naturally vegetarian, and it’s easy to make it vegan by simply ensuring that your vegetable broth is vegan-friendly.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect Pairings:

This Hearty Vegetable Stew is delicious on its own, but it’s even better when paired with some crusty bread for dipping. Here are a few other serving suggestions:

• Serve with a side of Mashed Sweet Potatoes for a comforting and complete meal.
• Top with a dollop of vegan sour cream or yogurt for extra creaminess.
• Add a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

Transforming Leftovers:

Don’t let those leftovers go to waste! Here are a few creative ways to use leftover vegetable stew:

• Make a stew pot pie: Top the stew with a sheet of puff pastry and bake until golden brown.
• Turn it into a soup: Add more vegetable broth to thin it out and blend until smooth for a creamy vegetable soup. If you want to make something similar from scratch, you might try this Butternut Squash Soup.
• Use it as a filling for tacos or burritos: Drain the stew and use the vegetables as a filling for tacos or burritos.

Variations on Hearty Vegetable Stew

Italian-Inspired Stew:

For an Italian twist, try adding:

• Italian seasoning
• Diced zucchini
• Cannellini beans
• A splash of balsamic vinegar

You could even draw inspiration from Eggplant Parmesan and add some grilled eggplant to the stew!

Spicy Southwestern Stew:

If you like a little heat, try adding:

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Diced bell peppers
• Black beans
• A squeeze of lime juice

Creamy Coconut Stew:

For a richer, more exotic flavor, try adding:

• Coconut milk
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• A squeeze of lime juice
• Serve over rice

Stew with Gnocchi:

For a heartier stew, add some gnocchi. You can use store-bought or homemade gnocchi. This also works really well if you want to add some Crispy Gnocchi With Spinach to your stew.

Why This Recipe Works

This Hearty Vegetable Stew recipe is designed to be both delicious and approachable. The key to its success lies in a few simple techniques:

• Building flavor in layers: Sautéing the aromatics (onion, carrots, celery, and garlic) before adding the other ingredients creates a deep, savory base for the stew.
• Using a variety of vegetables: A mix of different vegetables provides a range of textures and flavors, making each bite interesting.
• Simmering the stew: Simmering the stew allows the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to become tender.
• Adjusting the seasoning: Seasoning is crucial! Don’t be afraid to taste the stew and adjust the salt, pepper, and other spices to your liking.

It’s also flexible! Similar to the Minestrone Soup, this recipe allows for ingredient substitutions based on personal taste or what you have readily available.

Enjoy Your Hearty Vegetable Stew!

I hope you enjoy this Hearty Vegetable Stew recipe as much as I do! It’s a simple, satisfying, and healthy meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own personal touches to make it your own. Happy cooking!

Best Hearty Vegetable Stew

This hearty vegetable stew is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for chilly evenings. Packed with tender vegetables in a rich, savory broth, it’s a nourishing and versatile recipe that can be customized to your liking.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
• 1 cup chopped kale or spinach
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
• 1/2 cup red wine optional
• 1 bay leaf optional
• Lemon juice optional

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Ladle

Method

 

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the garlic, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. If using red wine, pour it into the pot and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine reduce slightly before moving on.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes. Add the bay leaf if using. Bring to a simmer.
6. Add the potatoes and sweet potato. Cook until they are almost tender, about 10-15 minutes.
7. Stir in the green beans, corn, and chickpeas. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the green beans are tender-crisp.
8. Add the kale or spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Remove the bay leaf if using.
11. If desired, stir in a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
12. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
13. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables based on what you have on hand or what’s in season. Roasting the vegetables before adding them to the stew will bring out their natural sweetness and add a deeper, more complex flavor. The stew can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Ensure your vegetable broth is vegan-friendly to make the recipe vegan. Serve with crusty bread for dipping or mashed sweet potatoes. Add a dollop of vegan sour cream or yogurt for extra creaminess.