Mastering Mushrooms And Onions On The Grill

how do you grill mushrooms and onions

Grilled mushrooms and onions make a great side dish or topping for grilled steak, beef tenderloin, chicken, or even a vegetarian sandwich. They can be grilled in a foil packet or in a grill-friendly pan. To prepare, clean the mushrooms and cut them lengthwise into thirds. Peel and slice the onions. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and other seasonings like Worcestershire sauce or garlic. Place on a hot grill over medium to medium-low heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes until tender and golden brown.

Characteristics Values
Ingredients Mushrooms, onions, vegetable oil, salt, butter, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, steak seasoning
Recipe Steps Clean and slice mushrooms and onions, add seasoning, cook on grill or in skillet, serve
Serving Suggestions Side dish, topping for grilled steak, light dinner, tacos, sandwiches, burrito bowl, pasta, polenta
Calories 90kcal

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How to clean mushrooms before grilling

Cleaning mushrooms before grilling them is a crucial step to ensuring your mushrooms are dirt-free and safe to eat. Here is a detailed guide on how to clean mushrooms before grilling:

Firstly, it is important to note that mushrooms should be cleaned just before cooking to prevent them from becoming soggy. While some sources advise against washing mushrooms due to their ability to absorb water, others suggest that a quick rinse or shower is perfectly fine. If you are concerned about water absorption, you can opt for a gentle wipe-down method.

For whole mushrooms, fill a large bowl with water and place the mushrooms inside for about a minute. The dirt will settle at the bottom of the bowl. Remove the mushrooms from the bowl and pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Alternatively, you can place the mushrooms in a colander and spray them with water until they are clean. If you are using sliced mushrooms, give them a quick rinse or wipe them down with a damp paper towel, then dry them thoroughly.

For portobello mushrooms, gently twist off or cut off the stems. If you plan to stuff the mushrooms, use a spoon to gently scrape away the gills from the underside of the caps. You can reserve the stems and gills for the stuffing if desired. However, if you are not stuffing the mushrooms, you can leave the gills intact for a richer flavor.

After cleaning, trim thin slices from the ends of the stems, especially if they feel tough. Always remove the stems of shiitake mushrooms before cooking, as they are too tough to eat. Finally, cut the mushrooms into halves or quarters, or slice or chop them as needed for your recipe.

By following these steps, you can ensure your mushrooms are properly cleaned and prepared for grilling, resulting in a delicious and safe meal.

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What type of mushrooms and onions to use

When grilling mushrooms and onions, there are a variety of options to choose from in terms of the types of mushrooms and onions to use.

For mushrooms, white mushrooms, baby bella, cremini, oyster, portobello, and shiitake mushrooms are all suitable options. Portobello mushrooms are a popular choice for grilling due to their hearty texture and ability to be used as a meat substitute. If you're using portobellos, remove the stems before grilling. For other varieties like cremini, you can leave the stems intact but trim off any dried-out ends.

When it comes to onions, yellow or red sweet onions are commonly used for grilling. These onions have a milder flavour and a higher sugar content, which can add a touch of sweetness to your dish.

It's important to note that the type of mushroom and onion you choose can depend on your personal preference and the availability of ingredients. You can also mix and match different varieties of mushrooms and onions to create unique flavour profiles.

Additionally, consider the size of the mushrooms and onions. For grilling, it's generally recommended to use medium-sized onions and mushrooms that are evenly sized to ensure consistent cooking. However, you can always cut larger mushrooms and onions into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking.

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How to cut mushrooms and onions

Before grilling mushrooms, it's important to clean them first. Wipe them with a damp paper towel or kitchen towel to remove any visible dirt. Avoid rinsing them under running water, as they will become waterlogged and won't absorb the seasonings as well.

Once cleaned, different types of mushrooms require different preparation methods. For button/white mushrooms, cremini/baby bella mushrooms, king trumpet/oyster mushrooms, and lion's mane mushrooms, trim off any woody or dried-out pieces of the stems. For shiitake, chanterelle, and portobello mushrooms, remove the stems entirely as they tend to be woody and dried out. For portobellos, you may also want to scoop out the gills, as they will become mushy when cooked. After preparing the mushrooms, you can cut them into slices, quarters, or diced pieces, depending on your desired size and the dish you are preparing. If you plan to grill the mushrooms on skewers, cut them into pieces that will fit neatly onto the skewers.

When grilling onions, the first step is to decide on the cut. You can cut onions into wedges or rounds, depending on how you plan to serve them. For wedges, cut the onion in half through the root end, then peel and cut each half into quarters, leaving the root end intact to hold the layers together. For rounds, peel and trim the ends from the onion, then insert skewers from root to tip about 1/2 to 3/4 inch apart, and slice between the skewers to create rounds. The skewers will make it easier to flip the onions on the grill and prevent them from slipping through the grates.

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How long to grill mushrooms and onions for

Grilled mushrooms and onions make for a delicious side dish, especially during the summer. The cooking time depends on the method you choose to grill them.

Grilling in Foil

If you're grilling mushrooms and onions in foil, you should start by preheating your grill to a medium heat. Slice your onions and mushrooms, season them, and wrap them inside a packet of foil. Place the packet on the grill and cook until the vegetables are tender, which should take around 45 minutes.

Grilling on Skewers

Another option is to grill mushrooms and onions on skewers. First, preheat your grill to a medium-high heat (400°F to 425°F). Thread the mushrooms and onions in an alternating pattern on 12-inch skewers. Place the skewers on the grill and cook until grill marks form on the mushrooms, which should take about 3 minutes. Turn the skewers over and grill for another 3 to 4 minutes. Then, brush the vegetables with butter and continue grilling until they are well browned and tender, which will take around 1 to 2 minutes more.

Grilling Time and Temperature

In general, grilling mushrooms and onions should take around 15 minutes in total, including the time taken to form grill marks and brown the vegetables. The ideal grilling temperature for mushrooms and onions is between 400°F and 425°F.

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What to serve grilled mushrooms and onions with

Grilled mushrooms and onions are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. They make a great side dish for grilled steak, beef tenderloin, or grilled chicken. They can also be served as a topping for mashed or baked potatoes, or even on their own as a light dinner. If you're feeling creative, try stuffing them into a calzone or stromboli, or spooning them over wild rice with sausage and Brussels sprouts.

For a vegetarian option, grilled mushrooms and onions can be served in a quesadilla with mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese, or in a toasted cheese sandwich. They can also be added to an omelet, either on their own or with smoked Swiss cheese, and served with hot bowls of tomato soup with basil.

If you're looking for a heartier option, grilled mushrooms and onions can be paired with grilled or pan-fried pork chops, grilled pork tenderloin, or sausage. They also go well with pasta. For a unique twist, try adding wine to the mushrooms and onions while cooking.

No matter how you choose to serve them, grilled mushrooms and onions are sure to impress your guests with their bold flavors and versatility.

Frequently asked questions

Clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel and cut them lengthwise into thirds. Peel and slice the onions. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt, and place on a hot grill over medium to medium-low heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes.

Baby bella mushrooms or white mushrooms are good options. Portobello and cremini mushrooms are also great choices, especially for vegetarian dishes.

Medium sweet onions, either yellow or red, are recommended.

The mushrooms and onions are done when they are tender and lightly charred. You can cook them for longer if you prefer them more well-done or even slightly burnt.

Grilled mushrooms and onions make a great side dish for grilled steak, chicken, or other grilled vegetables. They can also be served in tacos, sandwiches, omelets, or on top of potatoes.

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