Vegan Irish Stew with Guinness is a hearty, plant-based one-pot dinner made with tender potatoes and carrots simmered in a rich, savory broth. Perfect for a chilly day or your St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Serve with Soda Bread Farls or Irish Brown Bread.
Is Traditional Irish Stew Vegan?
Traditional Irish stew is typically made with lamb or mutton, so it is not vegan. This version captures all the hearty, comforting flavors of the original using plant-based ingredients, with Guinness stout adding the rich, malty depth that makes Irish stew so distinctive.
Ingredients for Vegan Irish Stew
Here’s what you will need. Exact amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
- Vegetable Oil – For sautéing the onions and building the base of the stew.
- Yellow Onion – Adds a sweet, savory foundation. Dice it small, so it melts into the broth.
- Fresh Garlic – Added after the onion for a deeper, more rounded flavor.
- All-purpose flour – Lightly coats the vegetables and helps thicken the broth.
- Baby Yellow Potatoes – Red potatoes are a great substitute and add a nice pop of color. Russet potatoes work too, but will make the broth cloudier.
- Baby Carrots – Adds natural sweetness and color. Full-size carrots cut into 1-inch pieces work just as well.
- Vegan Beef-Style Broth – The savory backbone of the stew. Better Than Bouillon’s No-Beef Base is a great option.
- Guinness Stout – Adds a rich, malty depth that sets this stew apart. Any Irish stout works well. Guinness Extra Stout is a favorite here.
- Tomato Paste – A small amount adds subtle richness and deepens the color of the broth.
- Vegan Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a savory, tangy depth. The Wizard’s brand is a good one.
- Salt, Dried Thyme Leaves, and Ground Black Pepper – Simple seasonings that let the broth shine.
- Fresh Parsley – Stirred in at the end for a bright finish.
Optional Add-Ins Parsnips, leeks, cabbage, and peas are not traditional in Irish stew, but are all wonderful ways to add extra bulk and nutrition. A splash of full-bodied red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, adds another layer of depth to the broth.
How to Make Vegan Irish Stew
STEP ONE: Sauté the Onion. Warm the vegetable oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes until softened.
STEP TWO: Add Garlic and Flour. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Sprinkle with flour and stir to coat.
STEP THREE: Build the Stew. Add the potatoes and carrots. Pour in the beef-style broth, Guinness, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, thyme, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Simmer. Bring just to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the vegetables are fork-tender.
STEP FOUR: Thicken the Broth. Remove the lid and cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broth has thickened slightly. Adjust seasoning to taste.
STEP FIVE: Serve. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Vegan Irish Stew
- Keep the potatoes chunky. Cutting them to about 2 inches ensures they hold their shape and stay tender rather than falling apart in the broth.
- Use a good stout. The Guinness is not just for show — it adds a rich, malty depth that gives this stew its distinctive flavor. Guinness Extra Stout works beautifully here.
- Don’t rush the simmer. That uncovered 15 minutes at the end is what thickens the broth and concentrates the flavor. It’s worth the wait!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this stew without beer?
Yes. Replace the Guinness with an equal amount of additional vegan beef-style broth. The stew will still be rich and flavorful, though it will have a lighter flavor profile without the malty depth the stout provides.
Is Guinness vegan?
Yes! As of 2018, Guinness updated its brewing process and is now certified vegan-friendly.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes. Complete steps 1 and 2 on the stovetop, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to allow the broth to thicken.
Can I add protein to this stew?
Absolutely. Vegan steak bites or seitan are great additions. Brown them in a little butter before adding to the pot in step 3.
Storage and Reheating
- Leftover stew keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed.
More Irish-Inspired Recipes
- Vegan Irish Potato Pie
- Mashed Potato Casserole
- Vegan Sausage and Cabbage
- Vegan Bangers and Mash
- Vegan Cottage Pie
Tried this recipe? Leave a Star Rating and share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for being part of our home cooking community!
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Vegan Irish Stew with Guinness Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup yellow onion chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 pounds baby yellow potatoes cut in halves about 2-inches
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 3 cups vegan beef-style broth
- 1/2 cup Guinness or other Irish stout beer
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
Instructions
- Warm the vegetable oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Sprinkle with flour and stir to coat.
- Add the potatoes and carrots. Pour in the beef-style broth, Guinness, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, thyme, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Simmer. Bring just to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the vegetables are fork-tender.
- Remove the lid and cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broth has thickened slightly. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Nutrition
This post was updated February 23, 2026.
Theo
Dear Holly,
Worcertershire sace is not vegan
thiswifecooks
Hi! There are vegan Worcestershire sauces on the market. My personal favorite is The Wizard’s brand. Hope this is helpful!
tianna
love that this is completely plant based
Gina Abernathy
Such an easy and tasty dinner recipe. Total comfort food in a bowl. This makes me want to grab a blanket and dig in.
Nancy
Perfect t for this weekend. We loved this comfort stew that’s filling and hearty
Katie
This Irish stew is incredible! I love the flavors and how veggie-packed it is. SO freaking good!