Smoked portobello mushroom ready to eat.

Smoked Portobello Mushrooms on the Grill

These smoked portobello mushrooms are an excellent whole-ingredient meatless alternative that take very little time to prepare. Serve them as a main dish or a side dish for any occasion.

Since portobello mushrooms are a favorite choice for vegetarians and vegans, with their meaty texture and concentrated umami flavor, smoking the mushrooms elevates them to another level. The smokiness and complex flavors make this dish unique.

Smoked portobello mushroom on a serving board.

What’s unique about this Recipe?

  • Great choice for non-meat eaters.
  • Very little prep time.  It only requires 5-10 minutes of active prep time which can be done well in advance or as little as 2-hours beforehand. 
  • Leverage your grill for hands-off cooking over smoking wood chips.
  • Slow cooking process ensures the smoke penetrates and enhances the umami flavor of the mushrooms.

Grocery and Pantry List

  • Portobello mushrooms 
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • Chili pepper (Aleppo, or other choice of chili)
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Thyme
  • Wood chips (hickory, mesquite, apple, cherry) 

Time Required:

Grill on a preheated grill at 220°F (105°C).

  • 2 hours: To marinade
  • 30 minutes: To smoke

Special Tools to Use:

  • Outdoor Grill
  • Broiler pan 

Recipe Steps at a Glance

This grill smoked portobello mushroom recipe can be broken down into the following steps:

  • Washing and cleaning mushrooms
  • Marinating mushrooms
  • Smoking mushrooms 

Step-by-step: How to Make Grill Smoked Mushrooms

Step 1: Washing and cleaning mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms washed and ready to be seasoned.

When it comes to cleaning mushrooms, there are two camps: those who adhere to a no-wash rule and those who wash them.

While some experts suggest simply wiping mushrooms with a damp cloth, I believe a quick rinse under running water is more effective. This brief rinse ensures the caps and gills are free of debris, and mushrooms absorb only a negligible amount of water.

After rinsing, pat them dry with a towel and place them gills-side down to release excess moisture. Remove the thin membrane under the cap and give the stem a fresh cut, leaving it intact.

Step 2: Marinating mushrooms

Sprinkling mushrooms with salt.

Marinading the mushrooms are the best way to introduce additional flavors into the woody texture.

Mushrooms with thyme leaves.

Place the mushroom upside down, gills facing up, and season with salt and pepper, drizzle with balsamic vinegar or red wine. Sprinkle with thyme leaves, cover, and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to grill.

Step 3: Smoking mushrooms 

Soak the wood chips ahead of time for at least an hour. 

I found that using a broiler pan for smoking is a good option. Most of the oven ranges in the USA come with one. It consists of two-pieces; slotted upper pan and a drip pan. It’s made of an enameled porcelain finish that makes them impervious to high-heat cooking.

Preparing wood chips.

I am using the drip pan for wood chips and the upper pan will be the smoker basket for holding the mushrooms.

Smoked portobello mushroom s 3

Line the drip pan with foil, this will hold the wood chips and ensure easy cleaning afterward. 

Mushrooms on a broiling pan.

Evenly distribute the woodchips over the foil and put the slotted tray on top.

Preheat the outdoor grill to 220°F (105°C) and place the broiler pan on the gill. Brush the mushrooms with oil and place them on the broiling pan. 

After 20-30 minutes check for doneness. Pierce the stem with a knife or a skewer. You shouldn’t feel any resistance. The skewer or knife should slide all the way through.

Once the mushrooms are done, transfer to a platter and serve. Leave them stem side up, so the juices say inside the cap.

Best Way to Serve

  • Smoked mushrooms can be served as a main dish with a side of other vegetables.
  • You can slice them or serve them whole.
  • Smoked portobello mushrooms go well on a sandwich.
  • Serve with a meat-lover’s option: Smoked Pork
  • Serve with a either store bought or homemade Smoked Salmon
Smoked portobello mushroom on a plate.

Tips and Wisdom from Cafe Osharak

  • Keep the mushrooms stem side up, so they hold the delicious juices.
  • Let them rest (after cooking) and before slicing.
  • Marinate the mushrooms. The longer they stay in a marinade the more flavor they absorb.
Smoked portobello mushroom ready to eat on a cutting board.

More Recipes to Try From Cafe Osharak

Smoked Portobello Mushrooms on the Grill

These smoked portobello mushrooms are an excellent whole-ingredient meatless alternative that take very little time to prepare. Serve them as a main dish or a side dish for any occasion.
Save Pin Recipe Print Recipe
Smoked portobello mushroom ready to eat.
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:40 minutes
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 2 Portobello mushrooms
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
  • ¼ 1 Chili pepper Aleppo, or other choices of chili
  • 1-2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
  • 3-4 sprigs Thyme
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 cup Wood chips

Instructions

  • Wash and clean the mushrooms. Turn the stem side up and sprinkle salt, pepper, and chili pepper.
  • Drizzle vinegar into the gills.
  • Sprinkle chopped thyme. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • In the meantime, soak the wood chips and prepare the smoking pan. (see instructions in the post).
  • When ready to smoke, preheat the outdoor grill to 220° F (105° C) and place the broiler pan on the gill. Brush the mushrooms with oil and place them on the broiling pan.
  • Cook for 30-40 minutes. The mushrooms are ready when a skewer easily pierces through the mushroom.

Notes

Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe.
  • Marinate mushrooms for maximum flavor absorption.
  • Keep mushrooms stem side up to retain juices.
  • Allow mushrooms to rest before slicing.

Nutrition

Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 591mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 2
Calories: 91kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @osharak.cafe or tag #osharak.cafe!

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