A delicious vegan Mushroom Pot Pie with a tasty gravy of carrots, onions, celery, peas and mushrooms topped by a flaky, golden, crispy puff pastry crust. A soy-free recipe.
Here's a dish that would look pretty on any Thanksgiving dinner table and leave your guests licking their forks and spoons: Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie. And here's a little secret: that golden, puffy, flaky pastry crust you see atop that bubbling mushroom-pea-carrot filling is 100 percent whole wheat, which will make those guests think you are a freaking genius.
Nothing says holidays like a pot pie, and I have many favorite pot pie recipes on the blog, including this delicious vegan pot pie, these individual vegan "chicken tikka masala" pot pies and a bean and potato pot pie.
These little mushroom pot pies are especially cute. I like making individual servings, especially when we have few guests, but you can also bake this up in a single baking dish. It would look just as good and taste just as delicious. The whole wheat pastry crust is easy to make, but if you'd rather not spend the time, go buy a store-bought crust. Most puff pastry crusts on the shelves are vegan, but read the label to be double-sure.
The filling for this vegan pot pie is made with two types of mushrooms: fresh crimini and dried shiitake mushrooms. I used a combination because I wanted the chewiness of the dry mushrooms to add a satisfying bite and texture to this pie, but you can go all fresh, or all dry. The peas and carrots add more texture and flavor, but what gives this pot pie filling its incredible taste is a mix of savory herbs. I added a little of everything I still have in my Fall garden: rosemary, sage, thyme, and lavender. I also added some parsley for more freshness. But if you don't want to do a mix, use one or two-- I'd pick rosemary and thyme.
This mushroom filling can be made a day earlier and refrigerated until you are to assemble your pot pies. The filling works great as a stew. In fact, if you want to skip the puff pastry part altogether and just serve the filling with some crusty bread, you'd still come out a winner. You might want to thin it out a little with water or stock. I was slurping the filling by the spoonful from the pot, so much so that Desi thought I wouldn't have any left for the pot pies. Ha! As you can see, I proved him wrong. 🙂
This pot pie is also a great dish to serve if you will have guests who are not vegan or vegetarian, because the hearty filling and the mushrooms stand in beautifully for meat. No one will miss the turkey.
Ingredients for Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie:
- Puff pastry
- Mushrooms (use a mix of crimini and shiitake, oyster mushroomss are fine too)
- Carrots
- Onions
- Celery
- Frozen green peas
- Garlic
- Unbleached all purpose flour
- Savory herbs like rosemary, thyme or sage (you don't need all -- one kind or a mix is fine)
- Cashews
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Parsley
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
Step by step instructions
- Place both kinds of mushrooms in a bowl and add ground black pepper, salt to taste, and the all purpose flour. Toss well to mix.
- Heat the 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan. Add the mushrooms to the pan and saute for a couple of minutes, or until the mushrooms start to soften and brown slightly. Remove to a bowl.
- In the same pot, add the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- Add the garlic, onions, carrots and celery. Add a pinch of salt and stir-fry, scraping the bottom of the pan for any bits of mushrooms or flour left behind. They will add wonderful flavor.
- When the onions and carrots start to soften but not brown, add the mushrooms back into the pot along with the peas, 1 tablespoon of herbs and all of the mushroom stock.
- Stir well, bring to a boil, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
- Add the remaining herbs and cashew paste. Stir well to mix. The stew should have thickened because of the flour you dredged the mushrooms in, and if it is getting too thick, add some water or stock to thin it out.
- Add salt and ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the parsley.
- Turn off the heat.
ASSEMBLE THE POT PIES
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
- Roll out the puff pastry and, using a glass or a cookie cutter, cut circles or squares large enough to fit over the ramekins or pie plate you will use. I cut circles just large enough to fit over the ramekins I used, but because the pastry shrinks when it cooks, the stew bubbled up through the sides of the ramekins. I don't mind it because it looks rather rustic, but if you want a more polished effect, make sure the puff pastry covers the top of the ramekin completely.
- Spoon the mushroom filling into the ramekins and cover the tops with the puff pastry circles or squares.
- At this point, for a prettier crust, I like to brush on a mixture of 1 teaspoon olive oil + 1 teaspoon nondairy milk on top of the crusts-- this makes them really golden, but it's completely optional.
- Cut a small slit in the top of the puff pastry in each ramekin.
- Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake 15 minutes, then turn down the heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until the tops are all golden and puffy.
- Remove from the oven, let stand 15 minutes before serving.
More savory vegan pie recipes
- Vegan Wellington with Mushrooms and Lentils
- One-Pot Vegan Tater Tot Casserole
- Chickpea Mushroom Turnovers
- Vegan Irish Shepherd's Pie
- Vegan Tomato Pie
Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie recipe
Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (about 9 oz, either store-bought or made at home using this recipe. For the whole wheat puff pastry crust just substitute all of the all purpose flour with whole wheat flour and proceed as directed)
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms (quartered)
- 1 oz dry shiitake mushrooms (slice the mushrooms and before slicing, reconstitute the mushrooms by placing them in a bowl and covering with 1 cup of very hot water. I place a glass or other weight on top because the mushrooms have a tendency to float. Leave alone for 30 minutes, then drain the mushrooms and reserve the soaking liquid.)
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 2 medium carrots (cut into a ½-inch dice)
- 1 large red onion (cut into a ½-inch dice)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 celery ribs (cut into a ½ inch dice)
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 2 tablespoon raw cashews (soaked in ½ cup of water for 30 minutes, then blended to a smooth paste)
- 2 tablespoon fresh, savory herbs, like rosemary, thyme, and/or sage (chopped. If using dried herbs, use a total of 2 tsp)
- 1 tbsp + 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- Ground black pepper and salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Place both kinds of mushrooms in a bowl and add ground black pepper, salt to taste, and the all purpose flour. Toss well to mix.
- Heat the 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan. Add the mushrooms to the pan and saute for a couple of minutes, or until the mushrooms start to soften and brown slightly. Remove to a bowl.
- In the same pot, add the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- Add the garlic, onions, carrots and celery. Add a pinch of salt and stir-fry, scraping the bottom of the pan for any bits of mushrooms or flour left behind. They will add wonderful flavor.
- When the onions and carrots start to soften but not brown, add the mushrooms back into the pot along with the peas, 1 tablespoon of herbs and all of the mushroom stock.
- Stir well, bring to a boil, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
- Add the remaining herbs and cashew paste. Stir well to mix. The stew should have thickened because of the flour you dredged the mushrooms in, and if it is getting too thick, add some water or stock to thin it out.
- Add salt and ground black pepper to taste. Stir in the parsley.
- Turn off the heat.
Assemble the pot pies
- Preheat the oven to 425° Fahrenheit
- Roll out the puff pastry and, using a glass or a cookie cutter, cut circles or squares large enough to fit over the ramekins or pie plate you will use. I cut circles just large enough to fit over the ramekins I used, but because the pastry shrinks when it cooks, the stew bubbled up through the sides of the ramekins. I don't mind it because it looks rather rustic, but if you want a more polished effect, make sure the puff pastry covers the top of the ramekin completely.
- Spoon the mushroom filling into the ramekins and cover the tops with the puff pastry circles or squares.
- At this point, for a prettier crust, I like to brush on a mixture of 1 teaspoon olive oil + 1 teaspoon nondairy milk on top of the crusts-- this makes them really golden, but it's completely optional.
- Cut a small slit in the top of the puff pastry in each ramekin.
- Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake 15 minutes, then turn down the heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until the tops are all golden and puffy.
- Remove from the oven, let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe notes
- Click here for a homemade puff pastry recipe. To make the pastry whole-wheat, sub the all purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
Sharon Mast
Can the vegan puff pastry be made and frozen in advance of using it for the mushroom pot pies?
Vaishali
Yes!
Nan
So, so good. This has been a Thanksgiving tradition in our home for many years now and it will be on the table this year. Even the meat-eaters in our family love it.
Velia
Have I missed it or what happens to the reserved soaking liquid from the shiitake mushrooms?
Vaishali
Step 5, where it says "mushroom stock"! 🙂
Letitia
Making right now. Not sure from the recipe whether cashew paste includes the water or not. Guess I’ll flip a coin! 😆
Vaishali
Blend with the soaking water!
Leona
Why does it mention cashew paste, but it's not in the ingredients?
Vaishali
See where it says raw cashews in the ingredients.
Annie
Thank you for the delicious recipe! I made this for our thanksgiving dinner and it was amazing. I accidentally left out the cashew paste and had to substitute veggie broth for the mushroom broth, but it was the crown jewel of our meal. We will definitely make this again!
Jen
Hi! Want to make this, but unclear about the stock measurement. If using fresh mushrooms, how much stock? Or, is it just the liquid that remains from cooking the mushrooms? Thanks!
Vaishali
Fresh mushrooms will express a good amount of juices, so add another 1/2 cup of stock!
Eliza Combs
I wonder about a GF or lower carb version of this. I am going to try in my instant pot and serve over rice.
Katy
Thank you! This was very tasty. I added a magic UK based ingredient Henderson's Relish which is a vegan version of worcester sauce for extra seasoning and cheated by buying puff pastry 🙂 made one big pie which being greedy was a generous serving for 4 people with roast potatoes and greens. Your idea of frying off the mushrooms in flour was great!
Vaishali
So great to hear--thanks for the feedback!
Anonymous
this recipe is amazing!! best pie I've made, will definitely be adding this to my regulars, thank you!!
anonymous
Blessings.
Lisa Hassler
I have made this several times now, and it is so delicious! Beyond a doubt, one of our favorite recipe's - even for my non vegan husband and son. When I am pressed for time, I just use a couple of different types of fresh mushrooms and some quality vegetable broth. Looks beautiful enough for company too!
Fransiska
Hi, could this be freeze for later? Would love to have this as ready meal for busy weekdays night.
Thank you
Ella Anne Smith
Can the peas be replaced with corn?
Vaishali
Yes that's fine!
Ella Anne Smith
Can you replace the peas with other vege? maybe corn>
Kristel
Hi Vaishali
I was just wondering if this recipe would work for a large pie instead of 8 individual ones as I do not have the ramekins and I don't want to go that expense right now. Thank you for sharing the recipe it sounds lovely.
Vaishali
Yes, absolutely!
Julie
If you bake this as a larger pie instead of in individual ramekins, is the cooking time the same?
Vaishali
Hi Julie, add another 10 minutes!
Stephanie
Absolutely hits the spot! Kids and husband demolish these each time....it’s earned a spot on our favourites list!
Renee
Loved it!!! We will be adding this to our rotation. Thanks!
Lesley Jackson
If I was to use fresh mushrooms rather than dried ones, how much stock should I add, please?
Vaishali
Use 3/4 cup of stock to replace the mushroom soaking liquid, since the fresh mushrooms will express a lot of liquid.
Supriya
We made this for Christmas dinner and all loved it! Great, hearty comfort food. Thanks so much for sharing!
anna callahan
I am making this for company in a couple of days. One guest is allergic to cashews. Is there a good substitute? Or can I just omit it? Looking forward to trying this!
Vaishali
Hi Anna, use another nut like almond, if possible, or make a "cream" with pumpkin seeds, using the same proportion as the cashews.
Pk
I made this and i loved it 🙂 thank you x
Vaishali
So happy you tried!
Is Andrews
This was fab, thank you so much. Made it for a birthday celebration meal for my mother's 78th last night (exactly a year after you posted the recipe, I realised today) and it was delicious. We've all recently changed our diet to a plant-based one, since July this year, and I was looking for a filling and tasty family meal. Was perfect with mashed potato (with oat cream) and steamed broccoli. Will definitely make it again—even my slightly sceptical 12 year old daughter loved it.
Vaishali
Hi Andrew, that's so great to hear. Happy birthday to your mom!
Rachel
Hi Vaishali! I was wanting to make these for my first ever vegan thanksgiving, but since I'm the only one in my family who is vegan I was just wondering how many ramekins this makes? I wasn't sure if it was 8 or how many? Thank you!
Vaishali
It makes eight!
snowy
This Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie is fantastic! So satisfying and delicious. I won't hesitate to serve this for a dinner party, that's for sure. Love the last step of 20 minutes, browning the sauce -- so good! The cashew paste worked just beautifully.
snowy
oh, I do see the comment now on the "cm." Thank you. Also, your website is the best! One thing I have found is that all your recipes are correct. They come out correctly and I might add, so delicously! Also, your methods in preparation are correct. You are a very fine chef! Thank you so much for helping this vegan girl and her husband eat well. Good food makes a home!
Going to go make the Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie now. My husband is making the Quick Ciabatta bread while I do the pot pies. hehehe
Vaishali
Thanks for the kind words, Snowy! So glad you are making the ciabatta-- my favorite bread!
snowy
Please forgive my ignorance. But, what does 2 cm mean for the carrots?
Vaishali
Not at all, another scramble from when I moved the recipe. It's just 2 carrots and 2 celery sticks. Thanks!
Luke
Hi Vaishali
Im confused by these measurements
"1 cm large red onion cut into a 1- dice"
Could you please elaborate for me
Thank you
Vaishali
1/2inch dice. I moved to a new recipe format recently and it scrambled some things. Corrected now.
Kathleen
I love the flatware in your photos! Where did you get the spoons?
Vaishali
Those are from a yard sale. 🙂
Natalie
Hello, This recipe looks delicious Unfortunately I can not seem to find the recipe for the pastry anywhere and store bought will not be vegan. Is there supposed to be a link where you say: "either store-bought or made at home using this recipe."? Because if there is mine is not working!
Thanks so much,
Natalie
Vaishali
Hi Natalie, There's a link to my vegetable puff pastry in the vegetable puffs post (linked above in post, or search using search box please!)
Also, most store-bought puff pastry sheets are vegan, although it's always a good idea to double-check the ingredient list.
Best,
Vaishali
Noa
I made this today and it was absolutely delicious. Such a warming and satisfying meal, especially with the weather getting colder. Definitely adding this pie to the regular rotation!
Vaishali
Noa, how wonderful to hear. Thanks for letting me know!
Wendy
Hi Vaishali, this looks sooo good. My daughter is vegan & this hit just the right note for her Thanksgiving dinner. I was wondering if I could make this ahead of time & if so what would be the best way to store it?
Vaishali
Hi Wendy, you can definitely make the stew ahead of time and bake the day of serving.
Jessica B
Am I blind? I can't seem to see where you add the peas in. Look forward to eating this!
Vaishali
Hi Jessica, in step 5. Thanks!
Anonymous
Delicious,thank you
Mini
Vaishali, These are simply delicious. We made them for dinner last night and not a single one survived until morning. Just awesome!
Vaishali
Mini, so happy you tried. 🙂
Anonymous
Vaishali,
Greetings once again. I am looking for the flourless version of Kulfi. Can you help ?
Thank You for all your wonderful work of publishing your recipes and wonderful stories.
Vaishali
Hi there, kulfi has no flour. It's like an Indian ice cream. Perhaps you're thinking of something else?
Sandy B
I made this last night for dinner and it was a success! I omitted the cashews because the flour created a lot of thickness as well as adding more veggie broth. the only problem was that there were no leftovers for today. i will be making this again this weekend in larger batches! thanks for sharign this recipr. It was delicious!
Vaishali
Sandy, so glad you tried it! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂