Ultimate Vegan Beef Bourguignon Recipe: Comfort Food Redefined (2024)

Try our vegan beef Bourguignon: a simple, yet flavorful take on the French classic, made entirely with plant-based ingredients. This recipe combines seitan, mushrooms, and a rich wine sauce to create a comforting stew perfect for any day of the week.

This vegan beef Bourguignon is the ultimate comfort food. This easy-to-make, flavor-packed recipe offers a plant-based twist on the classic French dish, perfect for cozy evenings. Although traditional beef Bourguignon is a staple, our vegan version captures all the richness and depth of flavor without any meat. Enjoy the process of creating this dish in your kitchen, where every stir and chop adds to the anticipation of a delicious meal. Pair it with a glass of red wine for an even more authentic experience.

What Is Vegan Beef Bourguignon?

Vegan beef Bourguignon is a plant-based take on the classic French stew traditionally made with beef. This version substitutes beef with seitan, a wheat-based protein, ensuring a hearty texture that absorbs the rich, wine-infused sauce it simmers in. The dish combines a medley of mushrooms, carrots, and pearl onions, slow-cooked in a savory blend of red wine and herbs, to replicate the deep, complex flavors of the original recipe.

By using ingredients that mimic the umami and texture of meat, this vegan adaptation offers a satisfying and sophisticated option for both vegans and those looking to reduce their meat consumption, without compromising on the traditional taste and comfort of the beloved French classic.

More recipes that can make you feel cozy and comforted during grey days (or even sunny ones) are my easy focaccia, shroom stroganoff, cauliflower and mushroom curry, vegan French onion ramen noodle soup, and New England vegan chowder. Check out our fall and winter recipes for lots of vegan comfort food recipes!

Why You’ll Adore This Vegan Beef Bourguignon

This easy vegan beef Bourguignon recipe stands out for its ability to deliver the comforting warmth and richness of the traditional dish with a completely plant-based twist. It’s a great recipe for those seeking to indulge in classic French cuisine without the use of animal products, offering a guilt-free, nutritious alternative that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

The recipe’s blend of tender seitan, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic vegetables, all stewed in a luscious red wine sauce, ensures a dining experience that’s both satisfying and sophisticated. Its straightforward preparation and adaptability make it a go-to for any home cook looking to impress with minimal fuss. This dish proves that plant-based French cuisine can be just as decadent and enjoyable as its non-vegan counterparts.

As this vegan beef Bourguignon cooks, your kitchen will be filled with the rich scents of red wine, herbs, and simmering vegetables. The smell of mushrooms and seitan cooking together creates an amazing aroma that makes waiting for the dish to finish almost as enjoyable as eating it. It’s the kind of scent that lets you know that a hearty, satisfying meal is on the way!

Key Ingredients

In this vegan beef Bourguignon, every ingredient contributes to a flavorful, plant-based version of the classic French stew. Let’s go over them, from the meaty texture of seitan to the subtle flavors of herbs and wine.

Vegan Butter: Adds richness and depth to the dish, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients. It is the base fat for sautéing, providing a buttery taste without animal products.

Olive Oil: Used alongside vegan butter to sauté ingredients, olive oil adds a subtle fruity flavor and helps in browning the seitan and vegetables, contributing to the depth of the dish’s flavor profile.

Seitan: A wheat-based protein that serves as the meat substitute in this vegan version of the classic dish. Seitan is chosen for its meaty texture and ability to absorb the surrounding flavors, making it an ideal base for the rich, wine-infused sauce.

Brown Mushrooms: Adds an earthy flavor and a meaty texture to the stew. Mushrooms are excellent at absorbing and enhancing the flavors of the wine and herbs, contributing to the complex taste of the dish.

Shallots: Offers a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor that adds depth without overpowering the other ingredients. They become tender and blend seamlessly into the sauce, enriching its overall flavor.

Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic depth that is essential in building the stew’s flavor foundation. Garlic’s robust taste complements the earthiness of the mushrooms and the richness of the wine.

All-Purpose Flour: Used to thicken the stew, giving it a heartier texture. Flour ensures that the sauce clings to the seitan and vegetables, enriching every bite with flavor.

Cabernet Sauvignon: A full-bodied red wine that imparts a rich, complex flavor to the stew. Its acidity balances the richness of the ingredients, while its deep fruity notes contribute to the stew’s overall depth.

Bay Leaves: Add a subtle layer of herbal complexity. Their aromatic qualities infuse the stew with a hint of mint and spice, enhancing the savory flavors of the dish.

Thyme: Contributes a slightly floral and earthy note, complementing the mushrooms and wine. Thyme’s aromatic properties are key to achieving the traditional French flavor profile of the dish.

Refined Coconut Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, providing a neutral base that allows the flavors of the ingredients to stand out. Be sure to choose refined to avoid any coconut flavor being imparted into the dish.

Vegan Bacon: This adds a smoky, savory element to the dish. Use tempeh bacon or some of our chopped shiitake bacon.

Liquid Smoke: Imparts a smoky depth to the stew, mimicking the complex flavors that traditional meat dishes offer. It’s essential for achieving that hint of smokiness without actual meat.

Carrots: Add sweetness and color to the dish, offering a tender bite that contrasts the textures of the seitan and mushrooms. They also contribute to the stew’s nutritional value.

Pearl Onions: Provide a mild, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste complexity of the stew. Using frozen pearl onions simplifies preparation without sacrificing quality.

Vegetable Stock: Serves as the liquid base for the stew, adding depth and richness. It helps to meld the flavors of the various ingredients together, creating a harmonious and flavorful sauce.

How To Make Vegan Beef Bourguignon With Seitan: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating this Vegan beef bourguignon is a fairly straightforward process with minimal fuss. Most of the time is spent waiting for the stew to cook! Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:

• Start with Searing: Begin by melting vegan butter and olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the seitan slices, season them with salt and pepper, and brown each side to develop a rich flavor foundation.
• Add the Vegetables: Introduce mushrooms to the pot, allowing them to release moisture and absorb the seasonings. Following this, shallots and garlic are added, softened slightly, then coated with flour to help thicken the stew.
• Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in a generous amount of red wine, add bay leaves and thyme for aromatic depth, and stir well. This mixture is then slow-cooked in the oven at 350°F for 1 1/2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
• Prepare the Additional Vegetables: Approximately 45 minutes before the stew is done, add the refined coconut oil, vegan bacon, carrots, pearl onions, and a splash of vegetable stock in a separate pot. This is simmered until everything is tender.
• Combine and Serve: Once the stew and vegetables are cooked, combine them, removing any bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Serve this hearty stew with your choice of mashed potatoes or crusty bread, garnished with fresh parsley for a fresh touch.

Helpful Tips

Here are practical tips and suggestions for making, storing, and customizing your vegan beef Bourguignon. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh, savoring the leftovers, or adding your personal touch, these insights will help ensure a delicious outcome every time.

Storing and Enjoying Leftovers

One of the best things about this Vegan Beef Bourguignon is that it tastes just as delicious, if not better, the day after it’s made. The flavors have more time to meld and deepen, making leftovers something to look forward to. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm it gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of vegetable broth if needed to keep it moist.

Freezing for Later: This dish freezes beautifully, making it a great make-ahead meal option. Cool the bourguignon completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat slowly on the stove, adjusting the seasoning as necessary.

How To Customize

While this vegan beef Bourguignon is a classic for a reason, there’s always room for a bit of creativity if you’re inclined. Here are a few ideas, though remember, the essence of the dish is its rich, wine-infused sauce and tender, hearty ingredients:

• Protein Variations: Experiment with different vegan proteins. Tempeh or chunky portobello mushrooms can offer interesting textures and flavors.
• Wine Alternatives: While red wine is traditional, you could experiment with different types of vegan red wine to see how they influence the dish’s flavor profile. Just ensure it’s a wine you enjoy drinking, as its flavor will be prominent in the dish.

How Do I Serve This Recipe?

For a comforting and hearty meal, serving your Vegan beef bourguignon with mashed potatoes or crusty bread is a classic choice, perfectly complementing the rich flavors of the stew. For variety, consider pairing it with:

• Potato Gratin: Oven-baked layers of creamy potatoes that beautifully complement the stew.
• Buttered Noodles: Fluffy and buttered, these noodles provide a delightful texture contrast and soak up the savory sauce.
• Rice Pilaf: A lightly seasoned and fluffy rice pilaf can serve as a delicate base that absorbs the Bourguignon’s rich flavors.
• Fresh Focaccia And Garlic Confit: Make my easy focaccia and serve it with homemade garlic confit!
• Roasted Garlic Bread: Elevate traditional crusty bread with a hint of roasted garlic for a more flavorful side.
• Couscous: Quick to prepare, couscous offers a unique texture that pairs well with the stew, making for a lighter yet satisfying side.

Bon Appétit!

Now that we’ve gone through all of the elements of this vegan beef Bourguignon with seitan, I hope you’ll be inspired to make it yourself! You’ll love the aromas that fill your kitchen, and it will turn any cold, grey day into a cozy one.

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This post was last updated on March 3, 2024.