Vegan Cacciatore is a hearty and flavorful dinner. With just a few ingredients, this plant-based version of the classic Italian dish comes together easily.
When you want a hearty, protein-packed dish to serve for dinner, cacciatore is a great option.
This dish is super pantry friendly. The sauce starts with a few fresh veggies but primarily leverages dry spices and canned tomatoes. You don't need tons of fresh produce to make a flavorful meal.
Serve this tasty cacciatore over pasta for a complete meal, with protein, healthy carbohydrates, veggies, and fiber!
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What is cacciatore?
Cacciatore is an Italian stew, made with onions, herbs, peppers, and tomatoes. It usually features chicken.
This vegan version of cacciatore is a plant-based version of the classic recipe, featuring all the same vegetables and herbs, with seitan chicken (or your protein of choice!)
Why I love this Vegan Cacciatore
- Dietary needs - this cacciatore is vegan, whole food plant-based, dairy-free, oil-free, and sugar-free, with plenty of gluten-free options
- Nutrient dense - with protein from seitan (and chickpea pasta if you use it!) and nutrients in the tomatoes and veggies, this cacciatore is super healthy
- Seriously easy fall meal - there's just a couple steps to this recipe. But basically, you just throw everything in a pot. Done!
- Umami flavor - no meat, no problem! A clever combo of ingredients creates a rich, deep flavor that you'll love. You won't miss the chicken!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Vegan Chicken: I used my Vegan Seitan Chicken recipe because it is packed with protein and has a great chicken-like texture. However, seitan is not gluten-free, so if you are gluten-free, you'll need another protein option. See below for suggestions.
- Yellow Onions: white onion would also work here
- Cremini Mushrooms: I like cremini mushrooms because they have a deeper, more umami flavor than white button mushrooms. White mushrooms will still work as a substitute!
- Green Bell Pepper: I prefer green bell peppers over any other color, but feel free to pick your favorite color
- Garlic
- Canned Whole Peeled Tomatoes: using whole tomatoes (plus their juices) allows us to get a nice sauce, while still keeping some chunks of tomato as the stew cooks and breaks down the tomatoes
- Red Wine Vinegar: often Cacciatore uses wine, but for this recipe I opted for red wine vinegar to keep some of the flavor of wine
- Bay Leaves: bay leaves are great to help develop a deep flavor. I highly recommend using them
- Fresh Thyme: you can also use dried thyme - use about ½ teaspoon
- Dried Parsley
- Dried Rosemary
- Salt
- Capers: Cacciatore typically includes olives, but I added capers instead for a bit of that briney flavor. If you love olives, feel free to add them instead
- Pasta: to serve
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the seitan chicken or other vegan chicken substitute.
Step 2. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onions, garlic, mushrooms, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 7-9 minutes.
Step 3. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, bay leaves, thyme, parsley, rosemary, and salt. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 15 minutes.
Step 4. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook another 2-3 minutes, to warm the chicken.
Step 5. Turn off the heat. Remove the bay leaves and stir in the capers.
Step 6. Serve over pasta. Enjoy!
FAQ & Expert Tips
I used my vegan seitan chicken recipe because it is packed with protein and has a great chicken-like texture. However, seitan is not gluten-free, so if you are gluten-free, you'll need another protein option.
You can:
1) add beans or crumbled tempeh - add a can or two of white beans, or grab a block of tempeh and crumble it into the stew when you would add the chicken
2) use a gluten-free vegan chicken. I recommend Abbot's chick'n - prepare the chick'n as instructed on the box, then add it to the recipe during step 3 when the seitan chicken would be added
Refrigerator: This cacciatore can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Freezer: This stew is freezer friendly and freezes well for up to 2 - 3 months. To freeze, let cool completely and store in zip top bags or other freezer safe containers, leaving some extra room for expansion
Reheat: You can reheat this stew on the stove over medium-low heat or in the microwave on the defrost setting. For both options, stir every 30-60 seconds until the stew is fully warm
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this cacciatore. Thank you for Italian cuisine and vegan versions of our favorite recipes. Amen.
More classic dishes turned vegan
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Cacciatore
Ingredients
- 1 Recipe Vegan Seitan Chicken
- 2 Medium Yellow Onions thinly sliced
- 8 Ounces Cremini Mushrooms thinly sliced
- 1 Medium Green Bell Pepper small diced
- 6 Medium Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 28 Ounce Can Whole Peeled Tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 4 Sprigs Fresh Thyme plus more for garnish
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 3 Tablespoons Capers drained
- Pasta to serve
Instructions
- Prepare the seitan chicken or other vegan chicken substitute.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onions, garlic, mushrooms, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft, 7-9 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, vinegar, bay leaves, thyme, parsley, rosemary, and salt. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 15 minutes.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook another 2-3 minutes, to warm the chicken.
- Turn off the heat. Remove the bay leaves and stir in the capers.
- Serve over pasta. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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