Portobello Mushroom Steaks

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These juicy portobello mushroom steaks are a game-changer for all vegan food lovers out there. Its meaty texture and earthy flavor make it a perfect vegan steak that will make your mouth water. The marinade, made with simple ingredients like balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a blend of spices, infuses the large portobello mushrooms with an umami flavor that’s hard to resist.

This hearty, healthy dish is just what you need if you’re looking for a special meal to share with the ones you love! Whether it’s an at home date night, or a Sunday night family meal, these portobello mushroom steaks will not disappoint.

This is a complete meal, with marinated portobello mushrooms, healthy mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus! The best part? It only takes forty minutes to make from start to finish. 

The portobello mushrooms are drenched in a garlic balsamic marinade, and grilled to perfection! They are so easy to make and you don’t need an open flame. You’ll get the same great grilled flavor by broiling these in the oven.

The remaining marinade is brushed on top of the asparagus and grilled, then served with a healthy potato cauliflower mash. But you can serve it with anything else you like too! They work perfectly as a main dish, or you can sandwich them in a burger bun for a hearty vegan meal.

You really can’t go wrong with this easy recipe! Portobello mushrooms make for a delicious substitute for traditional steak, with fewer calories, and improved health benefits!

So, whether you’re a long time vegan, trying out a plant-based diet for the first time, or just looking for a healthy and tasty alternative to traditional steak, this simple recipe is a must-try. It’s the best way to get your meaty fix!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why You’ll Love Vegan Portobello Mushroom Steaks

• Plant-Based: These juicy portobello mushroom steaks are a dream come true for anyone on a plant-based diet. They’re hearty, satisfying, and made entirely with vegan ingredients, making them perfect for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking to reduce their meat intake.
• Quick And Easy: This recipe is so easy to make! You can have a delicious meal on the table in just 40 minutes with a simple marinade and a quick bake in the oven. Plus, the clean-up is a breeze!
• Gluten-Free: This portobello steak recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it a great choice for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone looking to reduce their gluten intake. It’s a great way to enjoy a hearty, meaty meal without any gluten.
• Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a long list of complicated ingredients to make these portobello steaks. All you need are some large portobello mushrooms, a few pantry staples for the marinade, and your favorite sides.
• Family-Friendly: This vegan steak recipe is a real crowd-pleaser and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. The meaty texture and earthy flavor of the mushrooms make them a great alternative to traditional steak, and kids will love them too! Trust me, everyone ends up becoming huge fans of the juicy, meaty flavors!

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🥘 Ingredients

Making this portobello mushroom steak recipe is a breeze with simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store. From earthy portobellos to aromatic spices, each component adds a unique touch to this delicious recipe!

• Portobello Mushroom Caps: The star of our vegan steak recipe, these large caps offer a meaty texture and earthy, juicy flavor that’s truly satisfying. 
• Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil: Balsamic is a tangy and slightly sweet vinegar that adds depth to our marinade, enhancing the umami flavor of the mushrooms. Olive oil helps the marinade ingredients adhere to the mushrooms while also contributing to a juicy finish on the grill.
• Cumin: Known for its warm, earthy flavor, cumin adds a hint of spice that complements the mushrooms perfectly.
• Black Pepper: A classic seasoning, black pepper lends a touch of heat and enhances the overall flavor of our vegan steaks.
• Smoked Paprika: This gives our portobello steaks a hint of smoky flavor, mimicking the taste of traditional grilled steaks.
• Garlic & Salt: Fresh garlic cloves infuse the marinade with a robust flavor that pairs well with the mushrooms and spices. Salt is essential for bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients, and also helps to tenderize the mushrooms.
• Vegan Friendly Steak Seasoning: This blend of spices boosts the savory, meaty taste of our portobello steaks. Be sure to choose a vegan-friendly option!
• Asparagus: This is optional, but is great as a side dish – asparagus adds a fresh, vibrant touch to this hearty meal. Grilled asparagus complements the mushrooms beautifully with its slight crunch and subtle sweetness.

🍲 Ingredient Substitutions

• Mushrooms: While portobello mushrooms are the main ingredient in this recipe due to their meaty texture and earthy flavor, you can also use large shiitake mushrooms or any other large mushrooms. I don’t recommend baby bellas unless you want some bite sized steak pieces instead! Just remember, the type of mushroom you use may alter the flavor and texture of your vegan steaks.
• Vinegar: If you don’t have balsamic vinegar, you can substitute it with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and maple syrup or brown sugar to mimic its sweet and tangy flavor.
• Oil: Any other neutrally flavored oil like avocado oil or grapeseed oil can be used in place of olive oil.
• Seasoning: These spices listed above add a unique flavor to the marinade. However, if you don’t have one or more of these, feel free to substitute with your favorite spices or herbs. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile may change.
• Garlic: If you’re out of fresh garlic, garlic powder can be used instead. Use about a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of garlic. Alternatively, you can also use onion powder for a slightly different taste.
• Vegetable Side: If asparagus isn’t your favorite side, feel free to substitute it with other green vegetables like green beans or broccoli. You could also opt for a side of sweet potato fries or a fresh salad.

🔪 How To Make Portobello Mushroom Steaks

Ready to cook this simple recipe? Here’s how to make vegan mushroom steaks that will leave your mouth watering. For more detailed instructions and nutrition facts, see the recipe card at the end of this post.

Preheat Oven, Prep Mushroom Steak Marinade: Start by setting your oven to preheat at a temperature of 400 F and pulling out a large shallow bowl or skillet. In a large bowl, combine olivе oil, balsamic vinegar, spices, and chopped garlic to create the marinade for your steaks.

Marinate The Vegetables: Place your portobello mushrooms and asparagus in a shallow dish, baking sheet, or preferably an oven-safe skillet. Using a soft brush or pastry brush, generously apply the marinade to the tops and bottoms of both the mushrooms and asparagus.

Bake The Vegetables: Set the mushrooms top side down and pour the remaining marinade over them, slightly covering the bottom of the pan. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes.

Flip And Continue Baking: After the initial baking time, remove the skillet from the oven, flip the mushrooms and asparagus, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. Make sure that the mushrooms are cooked all the way through.

Prepare The Side Dish: While the mushrooms and asparagus are baking, follow this healthy mashed potatoes recipe to prepare a side of mashed potatoes.

Serve Immediately: Once everything is cooked, serve your portobello mushroom steaks and mashed potatoes immediately for the best taste and texture. Enjoy!

💭 Expert Tips

• Clean The Mushrooms Properly: Use a damp paper towel to clean the portobello mushrooms. Avoid washing them under the faucet or soaking them in a bowl of water as mushrooms absorb water quickly, which can result in mushy steaks.
• Prep Your Mushrooms: Remember to remove the mushroom stems if you’ve bought whole mushrooms. You can also choose to use a spoon to scrape off the gills. Portobellos have black gills that are edible, but can cause a dark gray look. Remove the gills if you’d like to, but we are not cooking them alongside anything else in the recipe, so the color should not be an issue.
• Opt For Oven Or Grill: You can bake these mushroom steaks in the oven or grill them on an open flame. If you choose to make grilled mushroom steaks, keep in mind that they won’t need as much time. Alternatively, you can grill them indoors using a grill pan or cast iron pan at medium-high heat. See more in the Variations section.
• Adjust Cooking Time: Remember to flip the mushrooms after 20 minutes and adjust the cooking time as needed to make sure that they are cooked all the way through.

📖 Variations

• Spicy Portobello Steaks: For those who like to turn up the heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the marinade. This will give your vegan steaks a nice kick and enhance the earthy flavor of the portobello mushrooms.
• Herb-Infused Steaks: Want to add a fresh twist to this vegan mushroom steak recipe? Add a handful of fresh herbs to the marinade. Rosemary, thyme, or parsley would work great. The herbs will infuse the mushrooms with a delicious aroma and flavor.
• Grilled Portobello Steaks: If you prefer the smoky flavor of the grill, you can easily adapt this recipe for the outdoor grill. Instead of baking, cook the marinated mushrooms on a hot grill for about 4-5 minutes on each side. This is a perfect option for grilling season!
• Umami-Boosted Steaks: To enhance the umami flavor of the portobello steaks, add a tablespoon of soy sauce or coconut aminos to the marinade. This simple addition will make your vegan steaks even more savory and delicious. You can also add some vegan Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard to the mix. 
• Sweet And Tangy Steaks: For a sweet and tangy twist, add a tablespoon of maple syrup, tomato paste, and a squeeze of lemon juice to the marinade. The syrup will add a subtle sweetness that compliments the tangy balsamic vinegar, while the lemon juice will brighten up the flavors.
• Portobello Burgers: If you want to switch things up, serve these vegan steaks on a burger bun. Top with your favorite condiments and some fresh greens for a delicious and hearty plant-based burger.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

This recipe for portobello mushroom steaks are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways to suit your personal preferences or dietary needs. Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions:

• Grilled Dishes: Pair these vegan steaks with grilled vegetables like zucchini, peppers, and squashes for a mouth-watering plant-based feast. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms complement the charred veggies perfectly.
• Hearty Salads: Serve these vegan mushroom steaks alongside a hearty salad for a light and refreshing meal. Try it with a classic Caesar salad, a zesty keto Greek salad, or a sweet apple walnut salad.
• Steak And Fries: If you’re craving a classic steak and fries meal, pair these juicy portobello steaks with some crispy french fries. Bake some potato wedges with olive oil, salt, and black pepper while your mushrooms are marinating. This is a great side dish that will make your meal even more satisfying. Serve it with some vegan steak sauce. This is my favorite way to enjoy them!
• Comforting Sides: If you’re in the mood for some comfort food, these steaks go beautifully with sides like healthy mashed potatoes, vegan potato salad, or air fryer sweet potato fries. You could also serve them with a side of roasted green beans and potatoes.
• Stew And Bread: For a cozy meal, serve with a healthy vegetarian stew and some crusty buckwheat sourdough bread. The meaty texture of the mushrooms adds a nice contrast to the soft, hearty stew.

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

This portobello mushroom recipe is already vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free so it can accommodate most dietary restrictions. There are also no common allergens in this easy vegan steak recipe. 

🫙 Storage Directions

• Refrigerating: Leftover portobello mushroom steaks can be stored in the refrigerator for three to five days. Make sure that they are cooled to room temperature and then placed in an airtight container to maintain their juicy and meaty texture.
• Freezing: Unfortunately, freezing isn’t recommended for this portobello steak recipe. Mushrooms have a high water content which can result in a mushy texture once thawed. However, you can freeze the remaining marinade in an airtight container for up to one month.
• Reheating: To reheat, you can place the mushroom steaks in a large skillet over medium heat for about five minutes on each side or until heated through. If you’re using leftover marinade, thaw it at room temperature and heat it in a medium saucepan before brushing it onto the mushroom steaks.

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🌱 More Vegan Recipes!

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