The Ultimate Guide To Bbq Mushrooms

Grilled mushrooms are a delicious and healthy side dish that can be made on the barbecue in just a few simple steps. With a range of seasoning options, from garlic butter to olive oil and balsamic vinegar, this versatile vegetable can be cooked in a foil pack or directly on the grill. Whether you choose to use skewers or go for a larger variety like portobello mushrooms, grilling mushrooms is a quick and easy way to add flavour and nutrition to your summer meals.

How to BBQ Mushrooms

Cleaning mushrooms

When shopping for mushrooms, look for those without grey-brown spots on their caps, as this can indicate decay. The bottom of the stem can be discoloured, but it shouldn't be overly dry, mushy, or starting to shred. A little dirt on the cap or stem is no problem, but you'll want to clean them before cooking.

There are several methods for cleaning mushrooms:

• Use a damp paper towel or a soft mushroom brush to wipe each mushroom, removing any dirt. A clean kitchen towel can also be used.
• Rinse the mushrooms in cool water to remove any dirt and insects. If they look clean, this may be enough. If not, a short soak in lightly salted water will bring out any remaining insects and dirt. Change the water as needed until the dirt is removed, then pat the mushrooms dry.
• For sliced mushrooms, give them a shake in a colander to loosen any dirt, then give them a quick rinse before cooking. Dry them with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
• Place the mushrooms in a colander and spray them with water until the dirt washes away. Then pat the mushrooms dry.
• Fill a large bowl with water and add the mushrooms, tossing them for a minute or so until the dirt settles at the bottom. Remove the mushrooms and pat them dry.

When cleaning morel mushrooms, they may be very dirty, so use a brush and some water to get them as clean as possible.

After cleaning, trim the thin slices from the ends of the stems. If you're planning to stuff the mushrooms, you may want to remove the gills, as they can get in the way. For grilled portobello burgers or other unstuffed mushroom recipes, you may leave the gills for a richer flavour.

Preparing skewers

Once your mushrooms are prepared, it's time to season them. Place them on a large plate or baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and tamari. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and use your hands to ensure the mushrooms are thoroughly coated in the oil and seasonings. If you want to add some extra flavour, you can marinate the mushrooms in a mixture of butter, garlic powder, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and finely chopped herbs like parsley or thyme.

Now it's time to assemble the skewers. If you are using cremini mushrooms, thread them onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. If you're using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in ice water for about 20 minutes before adding the mushrooms, to prevent them from burning on the grill. For button mushrooms, you can thread them whole onto the skewers, or slice them into smaller pieces first. Portobello mushrooms can be placed directly on the grill without skewers, or you can use a grilling basket.

Finally, it's time to cook your mushroom skewers. Heat your grill or grill pan to medium heat and place the skewers on the grill. Cook until the mushrooms are charred on the first side, then flip them over. They are ready when they are tender, juicy, and charred on both sides. You can also cook the mushroom skewers indoors under the broiler or in the oven. Brush the mushrooms with garlic butter during the last few minutes of cooking for extra flavour.

Seasoning

After cleaning, place the mushrooms on a large plate or baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and tamari sauce generously over the mushrooms. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the mushrooms and use your hands to ensure they are thoroughly coated in the oil and seasoning.

If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in ice water for 20 minutes before threading the mushrooms onto them. This prevents the skewers from burning on the grill. You can also add other vegetables to the skewers to make mixed veggie kebabs. If you are using larger mushrooms, such as portobellos, you can put them directly on the grill without skewers.

Another option is to marinate the mushrooms in advance, which can take them from good to great. To make a marinade, whisk together butter, soy sauce, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, pepper, and garlic. Combine the mushrooms with salt and half of the butter mixture, tossing to coat them well. Cover and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

You can also baste or mop the mushrooms with olive oil, garlic, salt, and other seasonings while they are on the grill. This will keep them moist and enhance their flavour.

Cooking

There are several ways to cook mushrooms on a barbecue, and they can be a great addition to any summer meal.

Firstly, you'll want to clean the mushrooms. Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe away any visible dirt. If you rinse them under water, they may become waterlogged and won't absorb the seasonings as well.

If you're using portobello mushrooms, remove the stems and gills. You can leave the stems on cremini mushrooms, but trim off any dried-out ends.

Now, it's time to season the mushrooms. Place them on a large plate and drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tamari, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic powder, parmesan cheese, or other herbs like parsley, chives, dill, thyme, or basil. Use your hands to ensure the mushrooms are thoroughly coated in oil and seasonings.

If you're using cremini mushrooms, thread them onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in ice water for about 20 minutes first to prevent burning. For larger mushrooms, like portobellos, you can place them directly on the grill grates, gill-side up.

Heat your grill or grill pan to medium heat. Place the skewers or mushrooms on the grill and cook until charred on the first side, then flip. The mushrooms are ready when they are tender, juicy, and charred on both sides.

You can also try grilling mushrooms in a foil packet. Place the mushrooms, onions, butter, and seasonings in the centre of a foil sheet. Bring up the sides and seal the packet tightly. Grill over medium-high heat for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender.

Another option is to stuff the mushrooms with garlic and drizzle with olive oil. Place them on a lightly oiled barbecue plate at medium temperature, cup-side up, and cook for a few minutes. Flip the mushrooms, scooping any lost garlic back into the cup. Tap each mushroom lightly around the outside with tongs to release the juices, then cook for another 5 minutes or so.

Grilled mushrooms are versatile and can be served as a side dish, sliced for tacos or sandwiches, or added to eggs for breakfast.

Serving suggestions

Grilled mushrooms are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:

As a Side Dish

Grilled mushrooms make an excellent side dish for any summer meal. Their savoury, umami flavour can complement a variety of main courses. Whether you're grilling meat, fish, or vegetarian options, grilled mushrooms can be a tasty and healthy addition to your plate.

In Tacos or Sandwiches

For a vegetarian option, slice your grilled mushrooms and stuff them into tacos. You can also pile them onto a bun to create a "meaty" vegetarian sandwich. Portobello mushrooms, in particular, work well for this purpose due to their larger size and hearty texture.

On Skewers

Thread your mushrooms onto skewers for easy grilling and a fun presentation. Soak wooden skewers in ice water for 20 minutes before adding the mushrooms to prevent them from burning. You can also add other vegetables to create mixed veggie kabobs. Brush the mushrooms with garlic butter and herbs like parsley, chives, dill, thyme, or basil for extra flavour.

With Other Grilled Vegetables

Combine grilled mushrooms with other grilled vegetables like onions, zucchini, or bell peppers. Try cooking them in a foil packet on the grill for hassle-free preparation and cleanup. Add butter and seasonings to enhance the flavours. Grilled vegetable foil packs can be a impressive and unexpected addition to your barbecue spread.

As a Topping

Grilled mushrooms can be used as a tasty topping for burgers, salads, or grain bowls. Chop them into bite-sized pieces and toss them on top of your favourite dishes to add a burst of flavour and texture.

In Breakfast Dishes

Don't forget that grilled mushrooms can be a delicious addition to breakfast or brunch. Leftover grilled mushrooms can be tossed into scrambled eggs, omelettes, or breakfast bowls. Their savoury flavour will enhance your morning meal.

Frequently asked questions