With mushrooms, lentils, and dark stout beer, this Vegetarian Irish Stew will leave you feeling comforted and satisfied—like a hug in a bowl. This plant-based stew is perfect for St. Patrick's Day, of course, but also a delicious meal for any relaxing Sunday at home. The ingredients are simple and you can easily make this recipe gluten-free or without beer if preferred. For weeknights or days when you have less time, this can easily be made ahead!
This veggie stew is cozy, hearty, comfort food perfection. And with 20 grams plant-based protein per serving, this meal is sure to fill you up and leave you feeling satisfied, too.
I love this stew simply served with a side of fresh, toasted bread. If you want to make a full St. Patrick's day feast, try this with my Tempeh Shepherd's Pie and Roasted Cabbage Caesar Salad. Or if you're looking for something green, make this Quick Pasta with Spinach Sauce.
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Ingredients
A mix of high-protein lentils and veggies (carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms) give this stew a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs feel. Stirring in flour makes a roux that, along with the stout beer, helps thicken the liquid. Thyme, garlic, and tomato paste balance out the flavors and make this stew truly unforgettable.
Here's what you'll need.
Grocery List:
- Carrots
- Onion
- Mushrooms
- Gold potatoes
- Garlic
- Tomato paste
- Olive oil (or whatever oil you use for cooking)
- Lentils
- Vegetable broth
- Dried thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- Irish stout beer (such as Guinness; see recipe notes for alcohol-free variation)
Optional for serving:
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh bread
See the recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities.
Instructions
This is a basic summary of how to make vegetarian Irish stew.
Cook the vegetables in oil, stir in flour and seasoning, and then pour in the stout and deglaze the pot.
Add lentils, potatoes, and broth.
Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils and vegetables are tender and the liquid is reduced.
Hint: Adding liquid, such as beer, to the hot pot releases all of the cooked bits that are stuck to the bottom. These bits add delicious, complex flavor to the stew. This process is called deglazing, and you can do it with any liquid, so use water or broth if you want to skip the beer. Learn more about deglazing in this article from Bon Appétit.
Substitutions
A few suggestions for ingredient swaps:
- Gluten free: Use gluten-free stout (or water or broth) and gluten-free flour.
- Without beer: Substitute water or vegetable broth for the stout. You can also use N/A (non-alcoholic) beer if preferred.
Variations
Make it your own:
- Root vegetable: Include a combination of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips for added variety.
- Beef-less Stew: Use plant-based steak "meat" instead of mushrooms. Look for it in the frozen section.
See this vegetarian pot pie for another plant-based comfort food idea!
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board: for chopping vegetables.
- Large pot: to cook the stew. A large Dutch oven works, too.
- Wooden spoon: for stirring and deglazing the pot. A wooden spoon or spatula works best, but you can also use a silicone or plastic spoon/spatula if needed. Avoid metal utensils, as they can scratch the pot.
Storage
This recipe is make ahead-friendly. Store the prepared stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to five days.
To freeze, transfer the stew to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Microwave the stew in 30 second increments until warm, stirring in between.
You can also warm up the stew in a pot over medium heat on the stovetop until warm.
This stew tends to thicken while in storage. Stir in additional water or vegetable broth to thin it out to the consistency you like.
Top tip
To cook this stew, you'll need to maintain a simmer. Simmering is when you cook food in liquid slowly and gently. This creates a soft, tender texture. There should be some gentle bubbles in the pot, but not as many as when you're boiling. Learn more about the simmering technique in this article from Jessica Gavin.
FAQ
To make Irish stew without beer, substitute vegetable broth or water for the stout. You can also use N/A (non-alcoholic) or gluten-free beer if desired.
Related
Looking for more vegetarian soup ideas? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite vegetarian dishes to serve with Irish stew:
📖 Recipe
Vegetarian Irish Stew with Lentils and Mushrooms
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
- Large pot
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large carrots halved lengthwise and then cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 8 ounces white mushrooms quartered
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper or to taste
- 1 (11.7-14.9-ounce) bottle or can Irish stout beer (such as Guinness, see note 1)
- 4 medium gold potatoes chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
- 1 cup dry lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
Optional for serving:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Fresh bread toasted if desired
Instructions
- Pour oil into a large pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, stir in carrot and onion and cook 6 mins, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, or until onion is translucent. Stir in mushrooms, garlic, and tomato paste, and cook 4 minutes, or until mushrooms darken. Stir in flour until vegetables are evenly coated. Stir in thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly mixed.
- Pour in the stout and scrape any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot with your wooden spoon.
- Add potatoes, lentils, and broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lentils and vegetables are tender and the liquid is reduced and thickened. Scrape the bottom of the pot with your wooden spoon as needed for sticking. If there is not enough stew liquid, gradually stir in more water or vegetable broth until desired consistency is reached. If you add too much liquid, continue cooking uncovered until reduced. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with bread if desired.
Notes
- Beer: I tested this recipe with both a (11.7-ounce) bottle and (14.9-ounce) can of Guinness. Use either size or another type of stout beer if desired. To make this recipe without beer, substitute 1 ½ cups water or vegetable broth for the stout. You can also substitute N/A beer if desired.
- Gluten free: Use gluten-free stout (or water or broth) and gluten-free flour.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to five days.
- Freezing: Store in a freezer bag in the freezer up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheating: Microwave in 30 second increments until warm, stirring in between. You can also warm up the stew in a pot over medium heat on the stovetop, adding more water or broth as needed, until warm. Stir in additional water or vegetable broth if the stew is too thick.
- Nutrition facts are estimates only and do not include optional ingredients for serving.
Louise Béchard says
This was perfect with a little Worcestershire sauce, celery pods and some rosemary.So good. But I shall say that the dry green split peas were not cooked enough, even after 8 hours. So next time, I'll cook them in water before hand. Thanks.
Stephanie McKercher, RDN says
Hi Louise, thanks for your feedback on the peas. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
This sounds so delicious for St. Patrick's Day! My sister's birthday is that day, so I'm going to have to make this recipe for her. I've never made Irish Stout Stew, I'm excited to try it out!
Stephanie McKercher, RDN says
It's so comforting and delicious—hope you and your sister enjoy. Happy birthday to her!
Alisa Fleming says
Now this is a St Patrick's Day meal! I have the cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, but looks like I need to head to the store for the rest ...
Stephanie McKercher, RDN says
You're most of the way there! Also, you could totally add extra potatoes and carrots if you want to make it without the parsnip and turnip. 🙂 Thanks, Alisa!
emily says
slow cooker, can't wait to try it, thank you
Stephanie McKercher, RDN says
Awesome, thanks Emily! let me know how it goes!
Katherine Edgecumbe says
Yum! My beau and I are going away this weekend and wanted to do a St. Patty's inspired meal - this may be perfect!
Stephanie McKercher, RDN says
Perfect if you have a full day planned out, but still want to come home to something warm. Have a fun weekend!
Martha Quinn says
Looks so good and the roasted cabbage sounds relish! Can't wait to see you! Save me some stew!
Stephanie McKercher says
It's already gone!! We'll have to make more! 🙂
Karly says
So rich and hearty! Perfect for a cold day!
Stephanie McKercher, RDN says
Nothing better than winter comfort food!