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Mushroom Smash Burgers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 110 reviews

These Mushroom Smash Burgers are a delicious, vegetarian-friendly alternative to traditional beef burgers. Featuring large portobello mushrooms seasoned and smashed flat in a hot cast-iron skillet, they’re topped with sharp cheddar cheese and served on hamburger buns with your favorite toppings and condiments. The quick pan-cooking technique creates a perfectly browned, juicy mushroom ‘patty’ that satisfies burger cravings with a rich umami flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Mushrooms

  • 1/4 cup neutral oil, such as grapeseed, plus more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed, wiped clean

For Assembling

  • 4 slices sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 2 hamburger buns
  • Toppings such as lettuce, sliced tomato, sliced onion, and pickles, as desired
  • Condiments such as mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard, as desired

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oil Mixture: In a small bowl, stir together the neutral oil and onion powder. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste, ensuring the mushrooms will be well-flavored.
  2. Prepare the Mushrooms: Score the top of each portobello mushroom with an X to help them absorb flavors and flatten more easily. Coat the mushrooms all over with the oil and seasoning mixture.
  3. Heat the Skillet: Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. This ensures a good sear on the mushrooms.
  4. Cook the Mushrooms: Add the coated mushrooms to the skillet. Place a second heavy skillet on top of them—wrapping this top skillet in foil will make cleaning easier. Cook, flipping the mushrooms every two minutes. After about 4 minutes, once the mushrooms have flattened, press down firmly on the top skillet occasionally to promote browning. Continue this flipping and pressing process for 8 to 10 minutes until the mushrooms are browned and thin. Reduce heat if the mushrooms start to char, and if they become matte and wrinkly, drizzle on another tablespoon of oil.
  5. Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Top each mushroom with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid or a sheet pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Assemble the Burgers: Place two cheese-topped mushrooms on the bottom half of each hamburger bun. Add your desired toppings such as lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles, along with your preferred condiments such as mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.

Notes

  • If you don’t have a second skillet to press the mushrooms, use a heavy pan or a weighted lid to apply pressure evenly.
  • Use grapeseed or another neutral oil to avoid overpowering the mushroom flavor.
  • Portobello mushrooms can release a lot of moisture; cooking slowly and pressing down helps evaporate excess liquid and create a nice crust.
  • For a vegan version, substitute the cheddar cheese with vegan cheese or omit it altogether.
  • These burgers are best served immediately while the cheese is melty and mushrooms are warm.

Keywords: Mushroom Smash Burgers, vegetarian burgers, portobello mushroom recipe, cast iron skillet burgers, cheese mushroom burgers

Find it online: https://savorandsimmer.com/mushroom-smash-burgers-recipe/