Emily Johnson
Shiitake mushrooms are a fantastic option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, offering a meaty texture and a rich, savoury flavour. Grilling is a great way to cook these mushrooms, enhancing their natural taste and texture. This guide will explore the best ways to barbecue shiitake mushrooms, including preparation, cooking methods, and serving suggestions, to ensure you get the most out of this versatile ingredient.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Clean the mushrooms with a moist cotton cloth. Cut away and discard the stems. Skewer the mushrooms on the diagonal so they lay flat on the grill. |
| Marinade | Soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice. |
| Grill temperature | Medium-hot coals. |
| Cooking time | Cook until the tops of the caps are dry. Turn over the mushrooms and cook until the insides become wet with the mushrooms' own juice. Turn over again and cook until the sake is bubbling. |
| Serving suggestions | Grated daikon, yuzu or lemon rind strips, ponzu dressing, arugula, roasted sesame seeds. |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare shiitake mushrooms for barbecuing
Shiitake mushrooms are a great option for barbecuing as they are packed with umami flavour and have a meaty texture. Before grilling, you'll want to clean your mushrooms with a damp cloth and cut off the stems. You can choose to skewer the mushrooms or cook them whole. If you decide to skewer them, be gentle, as shiitake mushrooms are delicate and can break easily. Skewering the mushrooms diagonally will help them lay flat on the grill.
Once your mushrooms are prepared, you can marinate them. Soy sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice make a great marinade, but you can also use melted butter and garlic salt, or sake. If you're using a marinade, let the mushrooms sit for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavours.
When your grill is preheated, place the mushrooms on the grate. If you're cooking them whole, place the caps directly on the grill. If you're using a broiler, place the caps gill-side down. Grill the mushrooms until the tops are dry, then flip them over. If you're using skewers, be careful when turning them so they don't slip through the grill grate.
Once the mushrooms are cooked to your liking, remove them from the grill and serve. Shiitake mushrooms are delicious on their own or as a topping for salads, tacos, or pasta. You can also serve them with a side of ponzu dressing, grated daikon, and yuzu or lemon rind strips.
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The best way to cook shiitake mushrooms on a barbecue
Shiitake mushrooms are a delicious and healthy ingredient, packed with essential nutrients and a rich, savoury, smoky flavour. Grilling is a great way to cook shiitake mushrooms, enhancing their "meaty" flavour and creating a beautiful smoky char.
Preparation
When preparing the mushrooms, you can choose to skewer them or cook them whole. Skewering the mushrooms diagonally allows them to lay flat on the grill, but be gentle as they are delicate and can break. If you choose to cook them whole, be careful when flipping them so they don't slip through the grill. Before grilling, you can marinate the mushrooms in a mixture of soy sauce, olive oil and lemon juice, or simply dip them in melted butter and sprinkle with garlic salt.
Cooking
Place the mushrooms on the grill, gill side down. Cook until the tops of the caps are dry, then turn them over and cook until the insides become wet with the mushrooms' own juice. Turn them over again and cook until the edges are crispy and golden brown. Serve hot from the grill, garnished with grated daikon and yuzu or lemon rind strips, and accompanied by ponzu dressing on the side.
Tips
- Mushrooms are a great meat substitute, perfect for vegetarians and vegans.
- They are also a fantastic vessel for your favourite sauces and marinades.
- Mushrooms lose up to 50% of their size during cooking due to moisture loss, so be sure to grill them whole if you want them to remain substantial.
- If you leave the stems on, they can act as a "handle" for eating, but they are usually cut off before cooking as they can be tough.
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How to barbecue shiitake mushrooms without skewers
Grilling shiitake mushrooms is a great way to enhance their "meaty" flavour. Their deep, earthy, and smoky flavour makes them a great substitute for meat in vegetarian and vegan dishes.
To barbecue shiitake mushrooms without skewers, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, prepare the mushrooms. If you are using smaller varieties, such as cremini, you can slice the mushrooms into thick pieces and grill them directly. For larger mushrooms like shiitake, keep the caps whole. You can remove the stems as they tend to be tough, but they can also be used as a "handle" while eating.
Next, marinate the mushrooms. Shiitake mushrooms are known for their ability to absorb flavours, so you only need to let them soak for about 15 minutes. You can marinate them in a mix of soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Alternatively, dip the mushroom caps in melted butter and sprinkle them with garlic salt.
Now, you can start grilling. Set up your grill to cook on direct medium-high heat. Place the mushrooms on the grill, cap side down, and grill for 3-5 minutes. Then, flip them over and grill for another 3-5 minutes, until the edges start to crisp. Be careful when flipping the mushrooms to avoid any slipping through the grill grates.
Finally, serve the grilled shiitake mushrooms. They can be served hot off the grill as a side dish or used as a topping for burgers, sandwiches, or BBQ plates.
By following these steps, you can easily barbecue shiitake mushrooms without the need for skewers, enjoying their delicious flavour and meaty texture.
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What to serve with barbecued shiitake mushrooms
Barbecued shiitake mushrooms can be served with a variety of dishes and sides. Here are some ideas:
As a Side Dish
Shiitake mushrooms can be grilled and served as a side dish to complement a variety of main courses. Their umami flavour and meaty texture make them a tasty addition to any barbecue spread. You can skewer the mushrooms for easy handling, or grill them whole, being careful when flipping to avoid losing them through the grill grates.
With Meat or Fish
Shiitake mushrooms pair well with meat and fish. For example, they can be added to a meat loaf mixture, along with soaked bread crumbs, and grilled to perfection. Alternatively, they can be served as a side dish to steak, as mentioned in one source.
With Carbohydrates
Shiitake mushrooms also go well with carbohydrates such as baked potatoes or pasta. You can even create a creamy mushroom sauce to pour over these dishes by sautéing the mushrooms in butter and flour, then adding milk and whisking until smooth.
In Salads
Shiitake mushrooms can be sliced and served over buckwheat soba noodles and fresh arugula, adding a smoky, tangy flavour to the salad.
In Vegan Dishes
Shiitake mushrooms are a great option for vegan dishes. They can be rinsed, sliced, and cooked in olive oil and soy sauce for a simple, tasty vegan meal. They can also be grilled and served with vegan steak or added to ramen or stews for a hearty, plant-based option.
With Other Vegetables
Shiitake mushrooms can be grilled alongside other vegetables such as onions, or they can be stuffed inside a vegetarian burger.
With their versatile flavour and texture, barbecued shiitake mushrooms are a great addition to any meal, accommodating a range of dietary preferences.
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How long to barbecue shiitake mushrooms for
Shiitake mushrooms are a great option for barbecuing due to their ability to absorb flavours and their meaty texture. They are also large enough to be cooked on a grill without the need for a grilling basket.
Shiitake mushrooms are best cooked on a medium-hot grill. The cooking time will depend on the size of the mushrooms and the desired texture. For whole shiitake mushrooms, barbecue for around 10 minutes, turning them occasionally to prevent them from slipping through the grill. If you are barbecuing smaller, sliced shiitake mushrooms, these will take less time, around 5-7 minutes.
Getting the right texture
Shiitake mushrooms are best when they have a crispy, golden texture. To achieve this, cook them until the tops of the caps are dry, then turn them over and cook until the insides become wet with the mushrooms' own juice. Turn them over again and cook until the juice is bubbling.
Marinating shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are like sponges and will absorb any marinade. For the best results, marinate them for around 15 minutes before barbecuing. You can also dip the mushroom caps in melted butter and sprinkle them with garlic salt before grilling.
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Frequently asked questions
Shiitake mushrooms can be grilled whole or skewered. If you skewer them, be gentle, as shiitake mushrooms are thin and crackling and can break easily. If you don't want to use skewers, you can grill them cap-side down and then cap-side up. You can also dip the mushroom caps in melted butter, sprinkle them with garlic salt, and grill them over medium-hot coals. Turn them when the edges start to crisp.
You can serve grilled shiitake mushrooms with grated daikon and yuzu or lemon rind strips, and ponzu dressing on the side. You can also serve them with arugula, roasted sesame seeds, or fresh herbs and balsamic.
You can marinate the mushrooms in a mixture of soy sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice. You can also clean the mushrooms with a moist cotton cloth and cut away and discard the stems.
