Vegan Mushroom Stew Recipe
This Vegan Mushroom Stew is a hearty, comforting dish packed with baby Bella mushrooms, tender potatoes, and protein-rich red lentils. Simmered with aromatic herbs and a blend of balsamic vinegar and soy sauce for a deep umami flavor, this stew is perfect for cozy dinners any time of year.
- Author: Dylan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, American
- Diet: Vegan
Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup sliced carrot
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 16 oz. baby Bella mushrooms, halved
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 16 oz. baby yellow potatoes, halved
Herbs and Spices
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 2 bay leaves
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Others
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 cup uncooked split red lentils
- 1 (14.5 oz.) can tomato sauce
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- Heat oil: Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté base vegetables: Add diced onion, sliced carrot, and celery to the pot with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook while stirring occasionally for about 8 minutes until softened.
- Add mushrooms and aromatics: Stir in halved mushrooms, thinly sliced garlic, dried thyme, oregano, sage, and season with additional salt and pepper. Cook while stirring frequently for 3-4 minutes until mushrooms start to release their juices.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to coat all ingredients evenly. Cook for 1 minute while stirring frequently to remove raw flour taste.
- Deglaze the pot: Pour in balsamic vinegar and soy sauce, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits for added flavor.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add halved baby yellow potatoes, uncooked red lentils, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, bay leaves, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the stew to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the lentils from sticking to the bottom.
- Cook gently: Reduce heat to low and let the stew simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the lentils are cooked through.
- Season and serve: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove bay leaves, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve. This stew pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or crusty bread for a full meal.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour to make this stew gluten-free if needed.
- The stew can be thickened more by simmering longer or adding more flour or a slurry.
- For extra depth, add a splash of red wine instead of balsamic vinegar.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- This stew freezes well; thaw and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme for added freshness and color.
Keywords: vegan mushroom stew, mushroom lentil stew, vegan comfort food, plant-based stew, easy vegan dinner