Vegetarian Nut Roast with Red Wine Gravy

A vegetarian nut roast brings the structure and ceremony of a traditional roast dinner without relying on meat. Here, toasted hazelnuts give the loaf depth and crunch, while mushrooms, onion, carrot and thyme create a savoury, well-seasoned base that slices cleanly after baking. The red wine gravy is just as important as the roast itself: reduced wine, golden onion, vegetable stock and thyme add gloss, acidity and richness. Serve it as a main course with roast potatoes, greens or seasonal vegetables, or slice leftovers for a hearty lunch.
Cuisine style British vegetarian roast dinner
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 2 hours

Why this recipe works

  • Deep savoury flavour: Toasted hazelnuts, browned onions, mushrooms and thyme build a rich, earthy base without relying on meat.
  • Classic roast format: Baking the mixture in a loaf pan gives the nut roast structure, making it easy to slice and serve as a main dish.
  • Roast-dinner richness: The red wine gravy brings glossy, savoury depth and ties the nut roast neatly into a traditional dinner plate.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Rest before slicing: Let the nut roast stand for the full resting time so the crumb firms up and the slices hold their shape.
  • Most time is hands-off: The active work is mainly chopping, sautéing and mixing; the bake time gives you room to finish the gravy or side dishes.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose nuts with character: Hazelnuts give a toasted, slightly sweet flavour, while walnuts make a softer, more buttery roast.
  • Cook mushrooms thoroughly: Mushrooms should lose their liquid in the pan before mixing, otherwise the roast can turn damp in the centre.
  • Balance the gravy: Reduce the wine until it tastes rounded rather than sharp before adding the stock.

Texture tips

  • Pack the loaf firmly: Press the mixture well into the tin so there are no loose gaps that could make the roast crumble.
  • Avoid excess moisture: A fairly dry pan after cooking the mushrooms is the best sign that the filling will bake into a clean, sliceable loaf.

Make-ahead tips

  • Store roast and gravy apart: Keep the cooled nut roast and gravy in separate airtight containers so the slices stay firm.
  • Reheat gently: Warm slices in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot, and loosen the gravy with a little extra stock if needed.
  • Freeze in slices: Slice the cooled nut roast before freezing so individual portions are easy to thaw and reheat.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Nut roast

Red wine gravy

Instructions
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  1. Heat the oven to 180°C (355°F). Tip the hazelnuts onto a baking tray and toast for 10 minutes until fragrant, then cool slightly.
  2. Grease and line a loaf pan. Roughly chop the toasted hazelnuts, then finely chop the mushrooms and dice the onion; grate the carrots and strip the thyme leaves from the sprigs.
  3. In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the onion with a pinch of the salt for 5 minutes until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until their liquid has evaporated and the pan looks fairly dry.
  4. Stir in the carrots and thyme leaves and cook for 3 minutes to take the raw edge off. Scrape into a mixing bowl and leave to cool for 5 minutes so the eggs do not scramble.
  5. Add the chopped hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, eggs, remaining salt and pepper to the bowl. Mix thoroughly until the mixture holds together when pressed.
  6. Pack the mixture firmly into the loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40 minutes until set and lightly browned, then rest for 10 minutes before turning out and slicing.
  7. While the nut roast bakes, make the gravy: finely dice the onion and cook in a saucepan over medium heat with a pinch of salt for 8 to 10 minutes until golden. Pour in the red wine and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes to reduce by about half.
  8. Add the vegetable stock and thyme sprigs, then simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until the gravy tastes rounded and slightly reduced. Season with the remaining salt and pepper, remove the thyme sprigs, and serve alongside the sliced nut roast.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For clean slices, let the nut roast rest for the full 10 minutes, then use a sharp bread knife and wipe the blade between cuts.
  • Cook the mushrooms until the pan is nearly dry; this prevents a crumbly, wet centre and helps the roast set firmly.
  • If serving anyone who should avoid alcohol, simmer the red wine vigorously so it reduces well before adding the vegetable stock.

Substitutions

  • Replace Hazelnuts with Walnuts for a slightly softer, more buttery texture.
  • Replace Red wine with Dry white wine for a lighter, fruitier gravy.
  • Replace Fresh thyme with Fresh rosemary for a more robust, piney flavour.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate the nut roast and gravy in separate airtight containers. Reheat slices in a 180°C (355°F) oven for 12 to 15 minutes until piping hot; reheat the gravy gently in a saucepan, adding a splash of vegetable stock if needed. Freeze the nut roast (sliced) for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Vegetarian Nut Roast with Red Wine Gravy
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h 25min (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: British
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Gluten Hazelnuts Wheat
Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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