Vegan Irish Stew is a hearty, comforting meal packed with chunky vegetables and meaty beans simmered in a rich, savory gravy infused with stout beer and aromatic herbs.
This flavorful vegan stew combines tender carrots, potatoes, and onions with a savory vegetable broth for a satisfying meal full of delicious textures. What makes this Irish-inspired stew especially special is the addition of sourdough discard herb dumplings. These light and fluffy dumplings are seasoned with fragrant herbs and cook right in the stew, soaking up the rich flavors of the gravy as they become tender.
Whether you’re vegan or simply looking for a cozy plant-based meal, this Vegan Irish Stew with sourdough discard herb dumplings is a delicious twist on classic comfort food. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a cozy meal on a chilly day.
Looking for more ways to use sourdough discard dumplings? Use them instead of noodles in Chicken Noodle Soup or swap them for rice in Turkey Rice Soup for another comforting meal.
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Key Takeaways:
- Hearty plant-based meal: This vegan Irish stew combines potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, kidney beans, and savory broth for a satisfying meat-free meal.
- Sourdough discard dumplings: Fluffy herb dumplings made with sourdough discard give this stew its signature texture and provide a delicious way to use leftover starter.
- Rich savory flavor: Vegan stout, tomato paste, roasted garlic, and herbs create a deep, comforting flavor without using meat or dairy.
- Protein and fiber from beans: Kidney beans add plant-based protein and fiber while helping make the stew more filling.
- One-pot comfort food: The stew and dumplings can be prepared in the same Dutch oven, making this a practical option for a cozy weeknight dinner.
- Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: This plant-based Irish-inspired stew makes a festive alternative for anyone looking for a vegan main dish for St. Patrick’s Day.
Overview
This vegan Irish stew is a hearty plant-based take on classic Irish comfort food. It combines potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, kidney beans, tomato paste, vegetable broth, and vegan stout for a rich and savory stew. The standout feature is the homemade sourdough discard herb dumplings, which cook directly in the stew and add a fluffy, satisfying texture. The combination of vegetables and legumes makes this a filling one-pot meal, while the herbs and stout add depth to the broth. It is an especially comforting choice for St. Patrick’s Day, but it is easy enough to enjoy throughout the year. Traditional Irish stew is generally associated with lamb or mutton, potatoes, and onions, so this recipe is best described as a plant-based interpretation inspired by those classic flavors.
SIS Tip - Simple is Smart Tip for Vegan Irish Stew
If you don’t have Herbs de Provence on hand, you can easily make your own homemade herb blend. I use 1 tablespoon each of the following dried herbs:
- rosemary
- thyme
- summer savory
- basil
- marjoram
- parsley
Then add 1/2 tablespoon each of these herbs:
- sage
- oregano
- ground bay
Mix all the herbs together and store your homemade Herbs de Provence in an airtight container.
For an extra layer of flavor, you can also add optional ingredients such as lavender and fennel. I grow many of these herbs in my garden, dry them at the end of the year, and use them to make my own Herbs de Provence and Italian herb blends.
I also enjoy creating several other homemade herb combinations to use when seasoning my favorite recipes. Making your own herb blends is an easy way to customize flavors while putting your homegrown dried herbs to good use.
Neuro Nutrition Nugget - Prebiotics
This recipe contains several prebiotic-rich ingredients that can support a healthy gut microbiome. There is an important connection between our gut and brain, and supporting gut health can play a role in helping our brain function at its best. The gut produces many neurotransmitters, including serotonin, which is closely associated with mood and feelings of well-being. When our gut is unhealthy, it can affect how we feel and function.
To support a healthy gut, we need to nourish our microbiome, the community of beneficial bacteria living in our digestive system. Prebiotics are the food that these beneficial bacteria need to thrive. By including prebiotic-rich foods in our diet, we can help support a balanced microbiome and overall health.
A healthy gut = A healthier human.
The prebiotic-rich ingredients in this recipe include tomatoes, onions, garlic, and legumes, along with a side serving of sourdough bread.
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Vegan Irish Stew with Dumplings
Ingredients
Sourdough Discard Dumplings
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tbsp Herb-de-Provence Herbs
- 2 tbsp cold vegan butter cut into pieces
- 1 cup sourdough discard (see notes if you don't have sourdough discard)
- 1 flax egg
Irish Stew
- 1 medium onion
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 ribs celery
- 2 tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 2 tbsp tomato Paste
- 12 baby creamer potatoes
- 1 tbsp Herb-de-Provence Herbs
- 4 ounces Vegan Stout Beer
- 1 quart vegetable broth
- 1½ cups cooked kidney beans
- 4-5 cloves roasted or fresh garlic
Instructions
Sourdough Discard Herb Dumplings
- Make the flax egg by adding 3 tbsp of water to 1 tbsp of flax seed set aside and let the mixture sit for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- Add the herbs, salt and baking powder to the all-purpose flour - Mix
- Cut the cold vegan butter into pieces and cut the pieces into the flour mixture.
- Add the flax seed egg and sourdough discard to the flour-butter mixture.
- Combine with a fork until all the flour is moistened. Don't overmix. Add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of water if the mixture is dry.
- Form the dough into 12 balls using a 1 ½ tbsp dough scoop.
- Cover the dumplings with plastic wrap and put in the fridge.
Make the Irish Stew.
- Coarsely chop the onions, carrots, and celery
- To the bottom of a heavy pan or dutch oven add about 1 Tbsp olive oil.
- Add the diced onions, carrots and celery. Saute on medium 5 minutes.
- Add the roasted garlic, herbs, flour, and tomato paste.
- Cook while stirring for 1 minute on medium heat.
- Add the stout beer, vegetable broth, potatoes, and cook on medium heat until the potatoes are fork tender about 15 minutes. Note the traditional way to cook this stew is to simmer it for several hours on low until it is thick, rich, and the veggies and meat are super tender.
- Because this is a vegan stew, it won't have the meat chunks that need to be simmered for several hours to make them tender. To create a thick rich broth, I add a Tbsp of corn starch to a quarter of a cup of broth and use it to thicken the stew before I serve it. Slowly add the broth/cornstarch mixture to the pot of simmering stew. Stir while adding the mixture. You may not need all of the mixture to thicken the stew.
- Add the dumplings and beans and cook for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve in bowls.
- Leftovers see notes
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions for Irish Stew
What is vegan Irish stew made of?
Is Irish stew traditionally vegan?
Can you make Irish stew without meat?
Does vegan Irish stew contain Guinness?
How do you thicken vegan Irish stew?
Can I make vegan Irish stew without sourdough discard?
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Irish Stew with Sourdough Discard Herb Dumplings is the perfect example of how simple, wholesome ingredients can create an incredibly satisfying comfort food. The combination of hearty vegetables, kidney beans, savory stout-infused broth, and fluffy herb dumplings makes every bowl rich, flavorful, and filling.
What makes this recipe especially unique is the sourdough discard herb dumplings. They add a tender, flavorful texture while giving you a delicious way to use leftover sourdough discard. Whether you’re looking for a cozy plant-based dinner, a creative Irish-inspired recipe, or a nourishing meal to share with family, this vegan Irish stew is a comforting choice.
Serve it on a chilly evening, make it ahead for an easy meal, or enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day. With its hearty ingredients and homemade dumplings, this Vegan Irish Stew is a delicious reminder that plant-based comfort food can be both satisfying and full of flavor.
