This vegetable stew offers a rich blend of fresh leeks, hearty potatoes, and vibrant carrots simmered to perfection. It’s a comforting veggie dish that warms you up on cooler days and shines as an easy veggie crockpot recipe for healthy soups and stews. The natural flavors of seasonal vegetables come alive in every spoonful.
Comforting Vegetable Stew
Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes1
hour10
minutesA cozy and hearty vegetable stew made with organic ingredients, perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 bunches leeks, chopped
1 clove elephant garlic, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
1 ½ quarts vegetable broth
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
½ head Chinese cabbage, cored and shredded
4 large potatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon celery salt
1 dash ground cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves
Grated Parmesan cheese to taste
Directions
- Start by heating the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, leeks, and garlic, cooking until they’re tender and fragrant.
- Mix in the chopped celery and carrots, letting them soften a bit.
- Stir in the vegetable broth, tomato sauce, black beans, shredded cabbage, and chopped potatoes.
- Season everything with oregano, basil, black pepper, celery salt, cayenne pepper, and toss in those bay leaves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover it, and let it simmer for about 25 minutes.
- Stir occasionally until all the veggies are nice and tender.
- When it’s ready to serve, top it off with some grated Parmesan cheese for that delicious cheesy flavor.
What You’ll Need
Gather these ingredients to create a warm and hearty vegetable stew:
- 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 bunches leeks, chopped
- 1 clove elephant garlic, chopped
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 large carrots, chopped
- 1 ½ quarts vegetable broth
- 1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ head Chinese cabbage, cored and shredded
- 4 large potatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- 1 dash ground cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 2 bay leaves
- Grated Parmesan cheese to taste (optional)
Detailed Cooking Instructions
- Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, leeks, and garlic. Cook until tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped celery and carrots. Cook for another 5 minutes until they soften slightly.
- Pour in the vegetable broth, tomato sauce, and add the black beans, shredded cabbage, and chopped potatoes.
- Season the mixture with oregano, basil, black pepper, celery salt, and cayenne pepper. Toss in the bay leaves.
- Bring the stew to a boil over high heat. Then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all the vegetables are tender.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving. Top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- For a heartier stew, add cooked lentils or chickpeas in place of or alongside the black beans.
- Make this stew ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to three days. The flavors deepen as it sits.
- If you want to thicken the stew, mash a few potato pieces with a fork before serving.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container and freeze them for quick meals later; it’s perfect for easy veggie crockpot recipes.
- Experiment with seasonal vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to give it a fresh twist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Start by sautéing onions and garlic, then add chopped vegetables and broth. Simmer until the veggies are tender and season to taste.
Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes, along with celery, tomatoes, and peas, work well in a stew. They hold up during cooking and add great flavor and texture.
Adding a splash of vinegar or a small amount of soy sauce can brighten the flavor. Herbs like thyme or bay leaves also deepen the stew’s taste.
Use garlic, onions, and fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. A mix of spices such as paprika or black pepper also boosts the stew’s flavor.
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