A cozy vegan Cajun sausage stew made with plant-based sausage, Creole seasoning, and tender vegetables. Easy, flavorful, and perfect over rice or pasta.
This stew started years ago when I wanted jambalaya without the mushy rice. I cooked the sauce separately, and it quickly became one of my favorite cozy meals. I’ve made many variations since then, and this vegan Cajun sausage version is the plant-based one I come back to most often. If you prefer the original version with shrimp and sausage, you can find it here. It’s warm, flavorful, and perfect over rice or pasta.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy weeknight Cajun flavors without fuss
- Hearty, cozy, and completely plant-based
- The thicker, sauce-like base makes it perfect for spooning over rice, pasta, or polenta
- Utilizes many pantry ingredients
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Vegan sausage: Choose your favorite plant-based sausage. Beyond Brat or Italian works especially well for this recipe.
- Olive oil: Helps brown the sausage and sauté the vegetables.
- Celery, onion, and bell pepper: The classic Cajun trinity that builds a flavorful base.
- Garlic: Adds savory depth and aroma.
- Diced tomatoes: Helps thicken the stew and balances the spices.
- Sugar: Softens the acidity of the tomatoes without making the stew sweet.
- Creole seasoning: Brings warm Cajun flavor. Use a mild blend if you prefer less heat.
- Dried oregano and black pepper: Simple pantry spices that round out the flavor.
- Salt: Season to taste, especially if using a lower-sodium Creole blend.
- Your serving base of choice: Rice, short-grain pasta, mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta.
How to Make Vegan Cajun Sausage Stew
- Cook the vegan sausage.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the vegan sausage according to its package. Some brands (like Beyond) release their own oil, so you may not need extra. - Slice and brown the sausage.
Once cooked, slice the sausage into bite-size pieces and return them to the skillet. Brown for a couple of minutes to develop deeper flavor. - Sauté the vegetables.
Remove the sausage and set aside. Add olive oil to the skillet along with the celery, onion, and bell pepper. Cook until the onion turns translucent and the vegetables begin to soften. - Add the garlic and seasoning.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes, sugar, Creole seasoning, oregano, and black pepper. Mix well. - Simmer the stew.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Add the browned sausage back into the skillet, cover, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes so the flavors come together. - Taste and serve.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta.
Tips for Best Results
- Choose a vegan sausage that matches your flavor preference. Beyond Brat has the most classic “porky” flavor, Beyond Italian is more herbal, and Beyond Hot Italian adds extra spice.
- Brown the vegan sausage well to deepen the flavor.
- Some vegan sausages release oil as they cook, so add extra oil only if needed.
- Reduce the stew longer for a thicker sauce or add a splash of broth to loosen it.
Variations and Serving Ideas
- Serve the stew over cooked rice, short-grain pasta, mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or grits.
- Add vegetables for extra texture and flavor:
- Okra: about 1 cup added when you add the diced tomatoes.
- Corn: about 1 cup added at the end of cooking.
- Zucchini: about 1 cup added at the end of cooking.
- Mushrooms: brown them with the sausage before adding the vegetables.
Make Ahead and Storage
- You can refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
- This stew reheats well since vegan sausage keeps its texture.
- Freeze the stew for up to 2 months.
- Reheat gently over low heat and add a little broth if the stew thickens in the fridge.
If you enjoy this vegan Cajun stew, here are a few more cozy plant-based recipes you might like:
- Vegan Butternut Squash Bisque
- Vegan Winter Squash Chili
- Vegan Udon Noodle Soup
- Vegan Pho
- Easy Vegan Katsu Curry
I hope this stew brings a little comfort to your kitchen the way it has to mine.
Vegan Cajun Sausage Stew
A cozy vegan Cajun sausage stew made with plant-based sausage, Creole seasoning, and vegetables. Easy, flavorful, and perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
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1 package plant-based sausage (14 oz, such as Beyond Brat)
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1 tablespoon olive oil (only if your sausage needs extra oil)
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½ cup chopped celery
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1 cup diced onion
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1 cup diced bell pepper
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1 tablespoon minced garlic
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1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
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2 teaspoons sugar
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2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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Black pepper to taste
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Cooked rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or polenta for serving
Instructions
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Cook the vegan sausage according to its package. If using Beyond Brat, you don’t need to add oil because it releases its own.
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Slice the cooked sausage into bite-sized pieces and return them to the skillet. Brown for a couple of minutes, then transfer back out and set aside.
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In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil if needed. Add the celery and onion. Cook until the onion becomes translucent.
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Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 to 45 seconds with frequent stirring.
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Add the bell pepper and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
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Pour in the diced tomatoes. Add sugar, Creole seasoning, oregano, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
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Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and return the browned sausage to the skillet. Cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
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Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or polenta.
Notes
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If your sausage does not release oil, add a small amount to prevent sticking.
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This stew simmers into a thick sauce. If you want a thinner consistency, stir in a splash of vegetable broth.
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If you reduce the amount of Creole seasoning for a milder flavor, you may need to add extra salt to balance the seasoning.
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