Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
Brush large, cleaned portobello caps with a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and crushed garlic, then grill over direct medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes per side until the edges char and the caps soften.
Remove the gills for a better texture.
The dark gills hold a lot of moisture and can make the finished mushroom muddy or gritty. Use a spoon to scrape them out before marinating.
- grill
- pastry brush
- large spoon
- tongs
What goes in.
- 4 largeportobello mushroom caps
- 1/4 cupolive oil
- 2 tbspbalsamic vinegar
- 2 clovesgarlic, minced
- 1 tspkosher salt
- 1/2 tspblack pepper
Managing the moisture
Mushrooms are mostly water. Start with a hot grill to evaporate surface moisture quickly, which encourages browning rather than steaming.
The method.
Clean and prep
Wipe the mushroom caps with a damp cloth to remove any dirt. Gently scrape out the dark gills with a spoon, leaving the firm white flesh behind.
Marinate
Whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Brush the mixture generously over both sides of each cap. Let them sit for 10 minutes.
Grill
Place the caps gill-side down on a medium-hot grill. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes. The mushrooms are done when they are tender and show dark grill marks.
Other turns to take.
Herbed
Add one tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary or thyme to the marinade.
Spicy
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the oil and vinegar base.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Do not soak the mushrooms in water; they act like sponges and will become waterlogged.
If the mushrooms stick to the grates, they need more time; they will release naturally once a proper sear forms.
Serve immediately while hot, as the texture changes as they cool.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I grill them whole or should I slice them?
Grill them whole to keep them juicy. Slicing them before grilling increases the surface area too much, causing them to dry out.
How do I know if they are fresh?
Look for caps that feel firm and dry. Avoid any that feel slimy or have soft, sunken spots.
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