Hearty Vegan Sweet Potato Stew (Printable)

Nourishing blend of sweet potatoes, beans, and vegetables in a rich tomato broth, ideal for warming comfort.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 17.6 oz)
02 - 2 medium Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 10.6 oz)
03 - 2 carrots, sliced
04 - 1 large onion, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 zucchini, diced
09 - 1 cup baby spinach (optional)

→ Beans & Legumes

10 - 1 can (14 oz) cannellini or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Tomato Broth

12 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
13 - 4 cups vegetable broth
14 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Spices & Seasoning

15 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
16 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
18 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
19 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
20 - 1 bay leaf
21 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garnish

22 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
23 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced celery, and sliced carrots; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, and diced zucchini. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add diced sweet potatoes, diced Yukon gold or russet potatoes, smoked paprika, dried thyme, ground cumin, black pepper, and salt. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, then add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Bring mixture to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are just tender.
06 - Add drained cannellini or kidney beans and chickpeas. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until flavors meld and stew thickens.
07 - Stir in baby spinach, if using, and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove bay leaf. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a one-pot miracle that tastes intentional even when it's really just what you had on hand.
  • Naturally vegan and gluten-free without any of the usual substitution guilt.
  • The smell alone is worth the 55 minutes, and leftovers make your lunchbox the envy of the break room.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of letting the spices toast in the oil—that brief 2 minutes is the difference between a stew that tastes good and one that tastes like someone really cared about making it.
  • The stew thickens as it sits because the potatoes continue to release their starch; if you make it ahead and reheat it, you might need to add a splash of broth to restore the consistency.
03 -
  • If you want more heat, add ½ teaspoon of chili flakes when you toast the spices—it will infuse the entire pot with warmth rather than burning your mouth.
  • Swapping the beans for the same amount of cooked lentils (or using half of each) changes the texture completely and is worth experimenting with depending on what you have and what your mood is.
Go Back