Welsh Cawl was a staple for farming families in the 19th century because of its ability to provide nutrition, fill up the family and use up easily accessible vegetables at the time. It has continued to be a family favourite to this day and is still enjoyed all over Wales.
This traditional stew is made up of hearty vegetables like onions, leeks, and carrots and finished with chunky pieces of beef or lamb, marinated for hours in a vegetable broth. Cawl is enjoyed in the winter months and is usually served with bread and Welsh Cheese.
Is Welsh Cawl Suitable for Vegetarians/Vegans?
No, a traditional Welsh Cawl recipe would contain meat as one of its main defining characteristics, typically Welsh Lamb or Beef. Sometimes bacon or even fish was added to the stew depending on location and was cheap and easily available at the time.
In most recipes, beef or meat stocks and lard are also used in the cooking process which are not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. However, with some easy adaptations, we can make Welsh Cawl totally vegan so it can be enjoyed by every diet.
How To Make a Cawl Vegetarian: Plant-based ingredients are the main source of this stew so there is very little to change to the traditional recipe. Start off by removing the meat from your ingredients and replacing it with a nice butter or kidney bean for bulk and texture. Then simply swap your commonly used beef stock for vegetable stock and you have your completely vegan and gluten-free Welsh Cawl.
What To Serve With a Veggie/Vegan Welsh Cawl?
So, you've got your vegetarian cawl, but how should you serve it? Here are some serving suggestions:
- Home-Made Sour Dough Bread – Great for dipping and soaking up the broth. Try baking some simple vegan sourdough bread as an accompaniment to your Cawl. Not only will it make the house smell great, but it's also the traditional way to serve Welsh Cawl so you're ticking all the boxes. Top your homemade sourdough with a slice of rich Vegan cheese.
ㅤ - Vegan Dumplings – The finisher for any stew, soft-bready dumplings! Best baked straight on top of your stew half an hour before serving, they are not only a tasty addition to your Cawl but are also one hundred percent plant-based. Try them out with this great vegan dumplings recipe.
ㅤ - Tawts Popty – Tawts Popty is another family favourite and winter warmer. With layers of sliced potatoes, onion & leek these completely vegan potatoes are perfect to serve with your homemade Welsh Cawl. Using similar ingredients, you can easily make this alongside your Cawl and serve it by its side as a cheesy potato bake to soak up your broth.
Chefs Tip: Add vegan cheese to the top of your potatoes when you have finished the recipe to add extra resemblant.
Published: 6 December 2022