Vegan Pot Pie

Why Make this Recipe

If you’re looking for an impressive plant-based main dish, you’re going to love this vegan pot pie!

It’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for both holidays and everyday meals, much like this Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie and Chickpea Meatloaf.

Reminiscent of chicken pot pie, this vegan version of the classic dish is perfect for the Fall and Winter months, Thanksgiving, Christmas or even New Year’s Day.

The savoury, creamy filling is almost like a thick chowder and bubbling away under the lightly golden pie crust, it’s a match made in heaven!

This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.

• Butter: Use plant-based butter for a vegan pot pie, otherwise, any butter works, or you can use olive oil in a pinch.
• Italian Seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp dried thyme and 1/2 tsp dried sage. You can also add a pinch of dried rosemary if you like. You can also use 1-2 tbsp minced fresh herbs instead of dried herbs. Feel free to customize the herbs to your preference.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour for this recipe.
• Stock: You can use any store-bought or homemade vegetable stock or bouillon. I like Better than Boullion.
• Milk: Unsweetened almond milk is suggested, though cashew milk or soy milk also works.
• Peas and Corn: You can use frozen or canned and rinsed peas and corn.
• Chickpeas: You’ll need 1 cup of canned chickpeas, drained and well-rinsed. White beans would well as a substitute or you could use some extra potato or other veggies.
• Potato: Use Yukon Gold potato or another yellow potato variety. You’ll need roughly 3 small potatoes or 1 large potato.
• Celery and Carrot: Use fresh celery and carrot.
• Pie Crust: You’ll need 1 double crust vegan pie crust. You can use a favourite recipe or purchase this in stores. You can also just use 1 pie crust if you want a crustless pot pie or use puff pastry or biscuit dough for the topping.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix Butter, Flour & Seasoning

Melt the butter over medium heat then add the flour, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook this for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 2: Add Stock and Milk

Add the vegetable stock and milk and continue mixing for a few more minutes until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 3: Add the Vegetables

Add the peas, corn, chickpeas, potato, carrots and celery. Bring the mixture to a light simmer then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often.

Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.

While you wait, place a rack in the lower third of the oven, preheat the oven to 425 F and start to prepare the pie crust.

Step 4: Prepare Pie Crust

Lightly spray a 9-inch pie dish with baking spray. Press one of the pie crusts into the pie dish and lightly perforate the bottom of the crust with a fork.

Add your vegetable filling to the pie dish.

Next, place the second pie crust on top and press around the edges of the dough to form a textured crust and seal the edges.

Finally to prepare for baking, use a sharp knife to create slits in the top of the pie. This will allow steam to escape while baking. You can follow the pattern in the picture or create your own.

If you like, you can lightly brush the top of the pie with melted butter to help with browning and crisping.

Step 5: Bake the Pot Pie

Time to bake! Bake the pie for 25-30 minutes. Watch closely after 20 minutes to make sure the crust doesn’t burn or get overly brown.

If it’s starting to brown too quickly, lightly cover it with a piece of foil while it finishes baking.

When the pie comes out of the oven, let it set for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

When you’re ready, slice, serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• For a golden baked crust, brush with a bit of melted butter before baking.
• Monitor the pie when it’s getting close to being done and cover the crust with a piece of foil if it’s getting too browned.
• Don’t forget to add slits to the top pie crust to allow steam to escape while baking.

Variations & Add-Ins

• Adding Plant-Based Meat: Mix in plant-based chicken or cooked seitan when you remove the pot from the heat, before adding the filling to the pie.
• Biscuit Topping: Use your choice of biscuit recipe and add a number of dollops of the dough over the pie in a pie dish or rectangular casserole dish.
• Puff Pastry Topping: Use any store-bought or homemade puff pastry or phyllo dough for the topping. You can use the bottom pie crust as well or it can be done crustless in a pie dish or casserole dish.
• Crustless Pot Pie: Skip the bottom pie crust and bake in a casserole dish, ramekins, pie dish, etc. with your choice of topping (pie crust, puff pastry, biscuit dough, etc.).

Storing & Reheating

• Meal Prep: The filling can be made in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
• Let the pot pie cool completely before storing.
• Fridge: Cover the whole pie tightly with cling wrap or foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge then reheat in the oven uncovered for 10-15 minutes at 350 F or reheat from frozen in the oven for 40-50 minutes or until heated through.
• Reheating: Reheat servings in the microwave in 30-second intervals or in the oven at 350 F for about 10 minutes.