Get ready to try the most Hearty Potato Stew ever!
Packed full of flavour, veggies and goodness this is going to become one of your go to winter dinner recipes.
Even if you’re not vegan or plant-based but are looking for meat-free Monday or Veganuary recipes then this is definitely one to try!
This recipe is incredibly simple to make, using just one-pot and feeds 5 for just £5! So share this recipe with those that say eating healthy is expensive…..
You can watch how easy this vegan and gluten free stew is to make:
If you’re looking for a quick stew recipe then check out my 15 Minute Chickpea Stew recipe.
You’re going to LOVE this Hearty Potato Stew as it’s:
- Super Easy
- Comforting
- Healthy
- One-pot
- Only £1 pp
- Gluten free & Vegan
Using these simple ingredients you can buy from most supermarkets.
Since cutting out meat I personally miss those deep coloured and flavoured beef stews but this one really hits the spot.
The chunky veg gives it such a comforting feel.
The lentils and mushrooms gives it a meaty texture.
And the cacao powder and tamari gives it such a depth in colour and flavour.
One of the best parts about this recipe is there is minimal prep and you simply chuck all the ingredients into one-pot to cook down.
One-pot cooking is some of my favourite dinners to make!
Just look at the depth of colour in this meat-free stew!
It’s such a family friendly comforting dinner recipe to serve up on these cold evenings.
You could totally batch cook this for even cheaper and freeze it down for a healthy “ready meal” to have on those busier days.
So if you try this Hearty Potato Stew let me know!
Leave a comment, rate it and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @healthylivingjames using #healthylivingjames . I absolutely love seeing and sharing your recreations!
On Pinterest? Why not save this photo below or any of your favourite photos to your boards so you can come back and try it at another time!
Finally DON’T FORGET to subscribe to my youtube for more quick and simple step by step recipe videos.
Recipe
Hearty Potato Stew
Ingredients
- 3 large garlic cloves crushed
- 1 red onion diced
- 350 g mushrooms chopped
- 1/4 cup tamari
- 4 carrots chopped
- 3 celery stalks chopped
- 500 g baby potatoes sliced into halves
- 1 can green lentils drained and rinsed
- 1 stem of rosemary finely chopped
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 400g tins tomatoes
- 300 ml veg stock
- 2 tablespoon cacao powder
Instructions
- Heat a large pot with olive oil. Add in the garlic, onion, mushrooms and Tamari. Stir and cook down for 5 minutes
- Now add the carrots, celery, potatoes, lentils, rosemary, bay leaves, tomatoes, veg stock and stir
- Add in the cacao powder, stir again until well mixed
- Place the lid on the pot and simmer for 30 minutes
- Serve with brown rice or quinoa and top with fresh parsley (optional)
Notes
Nutrition
Please note that Nutrition information is a rough estimate
If u make this in slow cooker do u need to fry veg first??
No I would just whack it all in at the same time (no need to fry the veg first) on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3.5 to 4 hours. Enjoy
Delicious. Added some red wine and a bit of honey.
Glad you enjoyed it Caro 🙂
Really good -and money-saving too. Wasnt sure about using cocoa powder, but, yes, it gave it “body”. Thank you
I admit I wasn’t totally convinced about the cacao/tamari sauce when I decided to give this a go, but it really works. It shouldn’t – but it does! This makes a rich-tasting and unusual vegan stew. It’s a little salty, which normally isn’t a problem for my taste, but I’m trying to cut down on salt, so I might try low-sodium soy sauce next time. The only downside I found, was it took 90 minutes before the potatoes were cooked enough to eat. I assumed this was because of the acid content of the 2 tins of tomatoes, but nobody else has mentioned this in the comments, so I’m not sure what went wrong for me. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears – I’d be very happy to have this again.
If in a hurry why not use Tinned potatoes….
Love this stew Thank you!!
I made this tonight, and it’s maybe the best stew I’ve ever had! My omnivore fiance also loved it. I made a few changes but nothing major: no celery because I didn’t have any, although I will add it next time, cocoa powder instead of cacao (couldn’t find cacao near me), 1c dried green lentils because I had some leftover, fresh squeeze of lemon and crackers to serve.
I just made this wonderful stew exactly as per your recipe, James, and it is amazing! I have to say I was a bit sceptical about the 2 Tbsp of cocoa powder but it turned out perfectly. The stew looks, smells and tastes as if it was braised with beef for hours. Wonderful!
Always looking for new vegetarian recipes and this fit the bill.
Really enjoyed this,hence the comment
Thanks James.
Thanks Graham 🙂 glad you enjoyed it!
In case it is not clear, what you end up with here is something like a vegan beef stew. I used 1 tablespoon of cocoa and I found it more than enough. Keep the faith while it is cooking — the cocoa bubbling up can make the stew look a bit dark and unappetizing. Once the cook is done and it is stirred up and cooled a bit, it looks and tastes great. Next time, I will stir in a bit of fresh extra virgin olive oil right in the bowl since it lacks meat and wants a touch more fat.
I used dried brown lentils and pre-cooked them about 15 minutes (5 to 10 minutes short of fully cooked). They finished cooking perfectly in the stew and broke up just enough to thicken the broth but leave some whole lentils.
The stew might be a bit strong for some people. If you are used to light, simpler foods you might ease up on the tamari and cocoa, and consider partially or fully draining your canned tomatoes and adding replacement water, so you have better control over the salt level.
Glad you enjoyed it Mike! Thanks for the great review 🙂
This was delicious. Thank you for giving me the ability to cook again while on crutches, convalescing from a broken leg. Quick, simple, nourishing and delicious.
Made this today, I substituted the Tamari with light salt soy, cut the cocoa powder by half and added some red wine = delicious!! Definitely a winner, even my meat eating hubby loved it.
LOVE that 🙂 so pleased to hear Maggie!
Oh. My. Goodness! What a superb recipe. Absolutely gorgeous. I made it in the slow cooker and my husband (meat eater) and I munched through more than 2/3rds of it in one sitting. I must admit, I tried a little on a spoon before it cooked and the cocoa powder was very overbearing and I was a little unsure but, once it has cooked down, it is rich, hearty, ‘meaty’ and wholesome. Absolutely super! For those who don’t eat meat but love the richness of a meat casserole, this is the recipe for you! Thank you so much for this. I am thrilled with it x
Yay 🙂 so happy to hear that Jacqui!!
For how long did you cook it in the slow cooker for, Jacqui?
How long did you cook it in slow cooker please?
I haven’t made it myself in the slow cooker but I know others have. I would say 8 hours on slow would work 🙂
I made this a few hours ago and it was gorgeous! Im gluten and dairy intolerant (don’t eat meat either) and your recipes are a blessing! Especially for someone like me who isn’t the greatest in the kitchen! They are super easy to follow!
I substituted cacao for cocoa powder, (ordered some cacao online just now!) added a chopped red pepper, substituted the garlic for a pinch of garlic granules (Bec I’m not a garlic fan!) it’s now in small containers in the freezer! Thank you so much for yr amazing recipes! Looking forward to receiving your recipe book, Well Done!!
This recipe is fabulous! The whole family enjoyed it – even our vegan dog. I used dried lentils and cooked it in the pressure cooker for 10 minutes, adding extra vegetable broth. Came out perfect.
I love your recipes, they have been a great help to me as I’m current breastfeeding and my son has a dairy an soya intolerance.
I would love to try this recipes but wondering if it will still be tasty without the Tamari as its made from soybeans?
Hey Louisa, so happy the recipes are helping you out! Absolutely, just leave the tamari out it will still be tasty 🙂
I cooked this and it’s Delicious , goes well with the South African weather today. Now I just want to try all the other recipes.
Thank you James!!!
Decided to cook this in a slow cooker. It was absolutely delicious! This will definitely be a favourite recipe. Thank you.
Guilty of never commenting/reviewing recipes but this was absolutely amazing! Probably the most tasteful thing I’ve ever made! Thank you.
Thanks Bee 🙂 glad you enjoyed it!!
I’ve made this three times since Aussie lockdown, and it’s delicious! It’s bubbling away now and the house smells divine! Thanks James!
This was amazing! I replaced the the tamari/cacao powder with 1/4 cup of worcestershire sauce (thats what I had in the cupboard). Wholesome and yummy for the winter season!
Thanks James 🙂 so pleased you enjoyed it!
Really yummy! Thanks
This potato stew is phenomenal! Make it as soon as you can!
Thank you Connie 🙂 so pleased you enjoyed it!!
Hi is it ok to use a pack of dried green lentils instead of tinned?
Hey Scott, I think that should work. However, they will absorb liquid and take a longer to cook so bare that in mind. I would potentially prepare the lentils separately then add them in as instructed in the recipe. Let me know how you get on 🙂
I’m made this tonight, it was delicious. Could you tell me how many calories it is per portion please.
Glad you enjoyed it Jacky 🙂 sorry I don’t count the calories in my recipes. But you could easily work it out if you needed it.
Hi, is it OK to cook this in a slow cooker over the day whilst I’m at work?
Hey Lin, yes others have done this and said it works out well 🙂 potatoes may go more soft but all adds to the flavour! Enjoy and report back how it goes 🙂
Hi James
I’m going to try this recipe but I have no cacoa powder what can I use instead.
I’m lactose intolerant and I love your recipes.
Thank you.
Pam.
Hey Pam, thank you! Just leave out the cacao powder if you don’t have any. Enjoy 🙂
I have a pot of this vegetable stew bubbling on the stove as we speak. I doubled the garlic and the rosemary and added two shakes of tobasco for extra flavor. Next time I will add half my lentils later so they retain some of their shape. Smells delicious!
Made this yesterday and it was delicious. The best stew I’ve ever had and so easy to make. I added a few chilli flakes for bit if spice.
Thank you Elaine, really appreciate that 🙂
I have made this twice now and it is just delicious. The first time I didn’t have any potatoes, so I used butternut squash. This time I had the baby potatoes. My husband mentioned that it seemed more earthy this time. I’m thinking about trying sweet potatoes to bring out both flavors, but both versions so far have been outstanding. The use of tamari or soy sauce is brilliant. Thank you for a great recipe.
Hey Karen, so pleased you enjoyed it! The earthiness definitely comes more from the baby potatoes. Give it a try with sweet potato, I am sure it will be just as good 🙂
Wowsies! super quick to prep and delicious. Left it simmer a lil bit longer, came out just right. My girlfriend was happy and I’ve added a new recipe to my arsenal.
Thank You James!!!
Yay 🙂 glad you both enjoyed it!
This was absolutely amazing. Best stew ever! Thank you so much 🙂
Aww thank you Leanne, so pleased you enjoyed it!
This was great! Made adjustments according to supplies on hand..
Added butternut squash to make up for not having enough tiny red tomatoes and chunks of portobello mushrooms. Water and not beef bouillon to make up for the stock and a little red wine.
Making this for dinner tomorrow can’t wait:-) would you have any idea about the calorie content? Currently logging my food with myfitnesspal.
Thank you!
Hey Katy, I don’t unfortunately as I don’t track any calories for my recipes. Let me know what you think once you tried it 🙂
I saw your hearty potato stew on a facebook site today and decided to make it for dinner. I substituted chickpeas as I had no lentils and left out the celery as I am not keen. I was dubious about the cacao but OMG this is absolutely yummy
Thank you Marian, really happy you enjoyed it! I would recommend trying my “Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew” next which is a very popular recipe 🙂
My favourite stew! Highly recommend it since it is so easy to make and delicious. It is even better on the next day, the rosemary tastes stronger then. I like to switch the potatoes for a sweet potato or mix both sorts.
Thank you for leaving that great review Lizzie 🙂
Definitely going to try this – but I would love to roast the potatoes then add them at the end…
Great idea Tiffany 🙂 let me know what it’s like!
Hi,
I can’t get cans of green lentils. I am going to try red lentils (dried). Any advice for this?
Thanks
Hi Tim,
I would advise adding the red lentils about 15 minutes before the end of cooking time and don’t add too many otherwise it will go very stodgy. I would try 1 cup or so and see how you get on.
James
Another great recipe James, easy to make and enjoyed by all the family with leftovers for later. Definite keeper ❤️
Thank you for the lovely review Cathy! So pleased everyone enjoyed it 🙂
This is going in my list for meals next week. Looks yummy. I’ll buy the ingredients from my local farm shop this afternoon.
Enjoy Kevin, let me know what you think 🙂
Loved this. Added some spinach leaves towards the end of cooking & had to use cocoa instead of cacao (put slightly less in than the recipe suggested just in case it didn’t work). Really tasty and meat-stew loving husband was also impressed. First recipe of yours … will be back!
So glad you commented about substituting the cacao for cocoa powder!! As I need to do this! Just about to add the cocoa powder now! Thanks for adding ur comment!
Beautiful, easy recipe. Perfect winter warmer. Best stew recipe I’ve had in nearly 2 years of veganism!
just made this, and added a couple of handfuls of spinach just before serving. it. was. DELICIOUS! i’ve been searching for a veggie stew like this ever since I became vegetarian 3 years ago. thank you so much!
Immediately added this to next weeks meal plan as soon as I got the email! Looks so incredible
Thank you Chloe 🙂 enjoy and let me know how you get on!