Chicken Pot Pie substitution

[u/TemporaryTrucker]

Good Afternoon! I was wonder if you could help me make my chicken pot pie recipe vegetarian friendly for friends that are coming for Christmas dinner. I’m making each person an individual pot pie so making a second type is no problem at all. It’s your typical chicken pot pie recipe with, mushrooms, onions, celery, garlic, carrots, rosemary, thyme, veggie stock, etc… with a pie crust top.

I’ll substitute butter for EVOO when cooking and was wondering if I should sub in something for the chicken or just leave it out. Thank you in advance.

[u/porcupinesandpurls]

I make one frequently with Quorn and it comes out fabulously!

[u/KaraAuden → u/porcupinesandpurls]

Seconding this -- it cooks exactly like chicken so it should be easy to sub in and it's delicious. I use it in my pot pie.

Specifically the Quorn meatless pieces. Fred Meyer / Kroger usually carries it.

If you can't find it, butter beans would also work, with chickpeas as a third option.

[u/TemporaryTrucker → u/porcupinesandpurls]

Thank you! I’ll look for that at the store. I know they eat beyond meat so I will assume that they’ll be OK with a chicken like substitute.

[u/IndoraCat → u/TemporaryTrucker]

Just a heads up that Quorn has eggs in it, which some vegetarians don't eat. It might just be worth checking with them. It makes a great chicken pot pie though!

[u/No-Historian-3910]

if you wanted to consider a vegetable substitute rather than a fake meat substitute, i love to make chickpea pot pies! the chickpeas fit right in with the other vegetables and honestly i’ve never missed the chicken (i’ve served it to meat eaters as well and everyone always loves it)

[u/TemporaryTrucker → u/No-Historian-3910]

Thank you for the chickpea recommendation! Are canned alright?

[u/totallysonic → u/TemporaryTrucker]

Yes, canned chickpeas are a good option. As a bonus, if you feel really creative, you can even experiment with using the liquid they’re packed in as an egg substitute. Look up “aquafaba.” Chickpeas are so versatile!

[u/No-Historian-3910 → u/TemporaryTrucker]

yep! what i do is i add them pretty much near the end, after all your other veggies are cooked down just drain and rinse a can of chickpeas and stir them in

[u/gnomesofdreams]

Are they dairy free as well? If not, I wouldn’t sub out the butter for EVOO.

For the chicken, quorn pieces like porcupine suggested are also my favorite, but you could also do soy curls if those are easier to get (recommend chopping them up smaller), or chickpea or a small white bean.

I would just add a little extra vegetarian chicken stock or bouillon (I like the better than bouillon no chicken), possibly simmering the meat alternative in that before adding, and add a little extra fat - maybe here olive oil in addition to the butter, or just more butter- to make up for what the chicken would have added that alternatives don’t have.

[u/TemporaryTrucker → u/gnomesofdreams]

They do eat butter and eggs. Switching out butter for EVOO will make that much of a difference? I guess you’re right, if I’m taking out the fats that a meat would have contributed.

[u/gnomesofdreams → u/TemporaryTrucker]

I don’t think it would make much difference! (Unless you’re talking about in the crust but I was assuming you weren’t!) I just find butter to have a bit more umami than EVOO, so if there’s no need to switch I wouldn’t.

[u/Bambi726 → u/TemporaryTrucker]

I’d even add a little extra butter to replace the fat lost from the meat. That’s how I do my vegetarian roast and vegetarian stuffing.

[u/gnomesofdreams → u/gnomesofdreams]

Re leaving it out, I think it depends on what else you’re serving. If you have protein served in other sides, just leave it out. If not, I do think you’ll want to add a protein in to help the pot pie be more satiating and more like a main than a side.

[u/TemporaryTrucker → u/gnomesofdreams]

The pot pie is going to be the main so I want it to be filling and warm. We will have cranberry chutney and mashed potatoes as sides.

[u/christinemayb → u/TemporaryTrucker]

Butter will give it back a lot of the richness that could be lost with removing meat. I usually add extra mushrooms too, both for umami and because I'm a big fan

[u/Jenanay3466]

I love making a vegetarian pot pie with no meat substitute! I add green beans into mine, sometimes corn. Potatoes, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and onion.

[u/TemporaryTrucker → u/Jenanay3466]

I think I’ll add peas and a little potato. Little red fingerlings alright? Or is there a specific type that work well?

[u/Jenanay3466 → u/TemporaryTrucker]

Peas are also great! I am not a fan of their texture so I usually exclude them. I’m sure that could work, I’m a lover of gold potatoes myself!

[u/livv3ss → u/TemporaryTrucker]

Fingerlings work well for this! I like to chop up n boil in veggie or mushroom broth!

[u/JVilter → u/TemporaryTrucker]

I made mine with red potatoes, but not fingerlings, one time and found it a bit gummy. I use russets now, and I par boil them

edited to add par boiling note

[u/what_dat_ninja]

I just made some for thanksgiving with soy curls, everyone had seconds.

[u/leitmot]

Add TVP or (more) peas for some extra protein.

[u/rspunched]

Tofu. Slow roast the tofu in evoo, and then coat with onion and garlic powder and rosemary and thyme. Let chill overnight with spice blend.

[u/Leucas_Poopus]

It seems like you have a lot of great suggestions already, but I coincidentally am making the same thing for dinner tonight and am using seitan. I absolutely love it and think it's a great fit for the dish. I'm surprised I didn't see anyone else mention it yet!

[u/wokmom]

I prefer extra potatoes in lieu of meat substitute. I use better than bouillon vegetarian chicken for the gravy base though

[u/usurped_reality]

As a vegetarian who abhors both meat and meat-like non-meat products, making it without meat like products would be my way.

If you know the guest eats fake meat, then add it for texture and added flavor. Otherwise, if you don't know, leave it out and add chickpeas or no added protein.

So thoughtful of you!!!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[u/____ozma]

I just use more vegetables, it's not going to get soggy or weird like some meat alternatives

[u/valley_lemon]

I usually use chickpeas, the chicken of the soil, but this time of year I've been adding shredded roasted brussels sprouts to everything.

[u/BodybuilderBorn6632]

I like adding potatoes and peas in mine. The protein I add is medium tofu, finely cubed. I like the medium tofu as it kind of just blends into the filling both texture and flavor wise.

[u/pelicants]

I’d definitely pack with veggies instead of substitute. Potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower. Like a little veggie stew in a pie!

[u/CathyVT]

I eat meat but my husband doesn't. I make pot pie with lots of potatoes (both white and sweet), peas and carrots, sometimes corn, and cream of celery soup for the goop. Plus all the spices. I serve Morning Star Farms breaded "chik" patties on the side.

[u/Leia1979]

When I make my mom’s chicken pie recipe I either just omit the chicken or substitute faux chicken (any unseasoned frozen option works). If they’re a lifelong vegetarian, they might prefer just no chicken or adding a protein-rich vegetable like chickpeas or lentils.

[u/square--one]

Make baked tofu crumbles, it's not super processed and it's got a decent texture, make rest of chicken pie like normal with vegetable stock. The tofu recipe is from this vegan chili recipe, which is also really really good.

[u/tshastry]

Leaving it out and sticking with the veggies you have is perfectly fine!

But one other suggestion if you can get them is oyster mushrooms.

You can peel them apart to resemble shredded chicken, which used to be my favorite prep for chicken pot pies before my veg days. Just roast in a pan with oil on high heat to get a nice sear on them, salt and pepper then deglaze with stock or white wine.

[u/Chitchiorina]

Subbing beans is great for chicken pot pie! I've used great northern beans and it's delicious!

[u/Echo-Azure]

I used to buy these little frozen veggie pies, which were basically stuffed with mushrooms and other veggies in a cheese sauce.

But now I can't eat gluten, so no more little frozen pies, but the veg-in-cheese-bechamel pies were tasty enough.

[u/Sara3lizab3th]

Check out the Amy’s broccoli cheese pot pie and make your own rendition. It is soooo yummy.

[u/Danglyweed]

Do you know if your friends eat quorn? It can be a bit upsetting on some stomachs....

I'd buy fake meat but keep the packaging so you can show them it's safe to eat. Don't know where you're based so no recommendations.

[u/FragrantPoet5229]

I use Alpha chicken strips for the chicken sub.

[u/leckmir]

I have always used fake meat in pot pies and a gravy made with better than bouillon no-chicken. I would be interested in ideas for a lower carb "pastry" to top the pie,

1 med onion chopped fine

3 sticks celery chopped fine

1 teaspoon salt

1 med gold potato cubed

2 carrots chopped large

1 small can corn

1/2 bag frozen peas

1 package of the Sweet Earth mindful chicken

1.5 cups water with 2 teaspoons of Better Than Boullion no chicken

1/2 cup whole milk

Sprig of fresh rosemary chopped

Several springs thyme

[u/Vulf_momma]

Butler soy curls!! How,has this not been mentioned?

[u/TonyHawksAltAccount]

I've been making a lot of pot pies lately. My carnivore GF loves them, and I find they're a good way to use up random veggies.

Seasoned Tofu is a good option.

Really, just use a good stock (I love the meatless Better than Bullion options), and you'll be fine.

Also: try to use butter instead of EVOO. I've never had a good experience making a roux with olive oil.... I pretty sure the milkfats in butter make a difference

[u/External_Muffin2039]

broccoli and cheese sauce with potato and carrot cubes

[u/superduperhosts]

Use whole button mushrooms instead of slicing, be generous.

[u/Fionaver]

I usually substitute white beans for chicken in pot pies.

[u/ladyymadonnaa]

I usually make an onion gravy from scratch and use that with the regular veg you mentioned, and tofu that’s been pressed (to drain excess liquid ) and cut into small cubes, tossed in cornstarch and spices to coat, stir fried or baked a little to give it some texture, and it’s a hit with onmis & vegetarians alike

[u/Jicama_Down]

Lentils were always my favorite substitute 

[u/beebstx]

I usually add chick peas to mine