Barbecues these days aren’t all about burgers. The smoky, crispy flavor that comes from this high heat also gives vegetables like portobello mushrooms a meaty taste. Both the grilling and the marinade impart an intense umami flavor and great texture to the mushrooms, making them an excellent vegetable dish with grains or as a side dish to anything else you’re grilling. Cucumber yogurt sauce, chimichurri, pesto, avocado dressing, or marinara add extra flavor. Or put them in a bun with lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mustard for a hearty veggie burger.
How do you grill portobello mushrooms?
Remove and discard the stems of the portobello mushrooms—they’re edible, but usually woody and somewhat stringy. Then, either marinate the mushrooms or simply brush them with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated grill with clean, well-oiled grates to prevent sticking, and grill covered for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through. Covering the grill helps retain heat and creates an oven-like atmosphere that makes the mushrooms extra tender. The mushrooms are done when they are lightly charred from the grill marks and are razor-tender.
Grilled Portabello Mushrooms on a Plate
Which side of a portabello mushroom do you grill first?
It doesn’t matter! Just make sure to turn the mushrooms halfway through the grilling time to ensure both sides are evenly cooked.
What to Serve with Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Fresh herbs complete the dish perfectly – basil adds an Italian touch, but parsley, mint, cilantro, or tarragon also work well. Serve the mushrooms as a side dish or choose a suitable side dish to make the mushrooms the main course. Serve them as mushroom steaks or sandwich them between buns to make mushroom burgers. You can also slice them and serve them with other ingredients over grains to make mushroom grain bowls.
Continued on next page. Preparation time: 15 minutes.
Cooking time: 10 minutes.
Serves 2 to 4.
Ingredients
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