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Lunch/ Summer Lovin'

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

February 20, 2019 (Last Updated: June 14, 2020) by Chris Collins

These Portobello Mushroom Burgers are absolutely bursting with flavour! With a simple 4 ingredient marinade, these are sure to be some of the best veggie burgers you’ve ever had!

Portobello mushrooms make perfect burgers for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they’re big and juicy. I don’t know about you, but when someone says ‘mushroom burger’ I always think ‘it better be a darn big mushroom otherwise this ain’t gonna work.’ Portobellos can hold their own in a bun, trust me. Second is that they take on flavour so well.

close up shot of Portobello Mushroom Burger with caramelised onions, cheese, hummus, tomato and watercress

Portobello Mushroom Burger Marinade

The absolute key to a delicious mushroom burger is to marinate the mushrooms. Because portobellos are so large, you really want to inject as much flavour into them as possible, just to ensure you don’t end up with a bland mushroom burger. The mushroom is the star of the show after all. Here’s what you’ll need for the marinade:

Portobello Mushroom Marinade

  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Soy Sauce
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Garlic

The combination of balsamic vinegar and soy sauce works wonders on so many things, not just including burgers. With the addition of Worcestershire sauce, you get a really deep ‘beefy’ and delicious flavour. And garlic? Who doesn’t want garlic with their mushrooms.

Alongside the fantastic 4, you’ll just need a swig of olive oil (just to help with the frying) and a pinch of salt and pepper (to taste).

How long to marinate for?

I find the sweet spot lies between 30mins – 1hour. Any less and there isn’t enough time for the mushrooms to soak up the goodness, any more and the mushrooms start to wilt and shrink from the acidity.

Process shots: remove stalks (photo 1), combine marinade in zip lock bag (photo 2), add mushrooms (photo 3), marinate (photo 4).

How to marinate portobello mushrooms - step by step photos

How to Make Portobello Mushroom Burgers

These beauties are perfect for the BBQ, but we’re in the thick of winter now so pan frying is where we’re at. I don’t recommend baking these as you won’t get the same caramelization and therefore, they’ll be laking in flavour. When it comes to the toppings, here’s the usual suspects for me:

  • Toasted Buns – Important to toast the buns, just so they give a nice crispy contrast to the soft mushroom in the centre.
  • Hummus – Don’t skip this, even if it’s store bought!
  • Caramelized Onions – Below I’ll show a shortcut to caramelized onion, you can also sub sliced red onion if you wish.
  • Cheese – Here I use Swiss which works nicely. Use cheese of choice though!
  • Tomato – One hefty slice of beef tomato will do the trick.
  • Watercress – Or greens of choice.

A lot of the juices stay in the pan after you’ve fried the mushrooms, the onions will soak this up and taste beyond delicious once they’re fried. For proper caramelized onions, you want to fry them low and slow, but here I make quick caramelized onions (with a little help from a tsp of brown sugar).

Process shots: Add your mushrooms face down to a pan over medium heat and fry for 4-5mins until soft (photo 1), flip mushrooms over (photo 2), add cheese and fry for another 4-5mins or until knife tender with the cheese melted. Remove from pan (photo 3), add onions & sugar and continue to fry until soft and caramelized (photo 4).

how to pan fry portobello mushrooms - step by step photos

What to serve with Portobello Mushroom Burgers?

If you’re looking for another awesome marinated mushroom recipe be sure to check out my Crispy Breaded Mushrooms!

For more similar recipes give these a ganders too:

Delicious Burger Recipes

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for these mushroom burgers shall we?!

Placing top bun on top of grilled portobello mushroom burger

How to make Portobello Mushroom Burgers (Full Recipe & Video)

close up shot of Portobello Mushroom Burger with caramelised onions, cheese, hummus, tomato and watercress

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

These Portobello Mushroom Burgers are absolutely bursting with flavour! With a simple 4 ingredient marinade, these are sure to be some of the best veggie burgers you've ever had!!
4.72 from 7 votes
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Servings (click & slide): 4
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories per serving: 292kcal
Cost per serving: ÂŁ2 / $2.50

Equipment:

  • Large Zip Lock Bag
  • Frying Pan & Tongs
  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
  • Paper Towels (for cleaning mushrooms)

Ingredients (check list):

Mushrooms

  • 4 Portobello Mushrooms, stalks removed & cleaned with damp paper towel
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Garlic
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • Salt & Black Pepper, to taste

Burger

  • 4 Burger Buns, toasted
  • 4 slices of Tomato
  • 4 tbsp Hummus
  • 4 slices of Cheese, here I use Swiss
  • 1 large Red Onion
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 handful Watercress

Instructions:

  • In a zip lock bag, combine your mushrooms with the marinade. Mix it around so all of the mushrooms are coated, then allow to marinate for 30mins - 1 hour, or as long as you have time for. I wouldn't go past 1 hour because they start to shrink from the acidity. Even 5mins makes the world of difference.
  • Place your mushrooms facing down on a pan over medium heat and fry 4-5mins. Flip, then top with cheese and fry for another 5mins or until tender. Timings will depend on the size and shape of your mushrooms.
  • Remove from pan, leaving any leftover juice, then add your onions. Fry until soft, then add sugar and continue frying until caramelised. For the best caramelised onions you want to fry low over a long period of time to release their natural sugars, but for convenience this works just fine!
  • Top your bottom burger bun with hummus, then watercress, then tomato, next with your mushroom burger, topped with your onions and finished with the top bun. Enjoy!

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Cleaning - Although it seems 'extra' to clean your mushrooms with a damp paper towel, I encourage you to NOT rinse the mushrooms. That'll pack in more moisture than there already is and make for a sloppy mushroom burger.
b) Toasted Buns - Highly recommend toasting the burger buns, this gives a nice crispy texture contrast to the soft mushroom burger.
c) Additional Toppings - Grilled halloumi works great in this burger, as do roasted red pepper and avocado. Can also add crispy bacon if you're a meat eater.
d) Calories - Based on the assumption that all the marinade is used, which is of course an over estimate. Also including the toppings listed in the recipe card. Calories per burger.

Your Private Notes:

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts
Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Amount Per Serving
Calories 292 Calories from Fat 120
% Daily Value*
Fat 13.28g20%
Saturated Fat 5.455g27%
Trans Fat 0.013g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.492g
Monounsaturated Fat 5.52g
Cholesterol 19mg6%
Sodium 1039mg43%
Potassium 622mg18%
Carbohydrates 32.79g11%
Fiber 3.4g14%
Sugar 11.08g12%
Protein 11.68g23%
Vitamin A 1350IU27%
Vitamin C 11.6mg14%
Calcium 280mg28%
Iron 2.2mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.
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Looking for more?You'll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook 'Comfy'

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Recipe Rating




19 Comments

  • Reply
    Cindie
    January 6, 2024 at 7:25 pm

    I’m from the Netherlands and was looking for a recipe like this. It is delicious and just as tast as a beef burger. And Will definitely make It again. Thanks for sharing.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      January 6, 2024 at 8:21 pm

      So great to hear, Cindie! Thanks so much for the review. C.

  • Reply
    Mrs Beaso
    November 8, 2023 at 10:27 am

    3 stars
    Was so wanting to love this recipe, but although it tasted good – the marinade completely took over the taste of the mushroom sadly.

  • Reply
    Leslie Osman
    December 30, 2020 at 12:23 am

    5 stars
    I love all your recipes but I tried this for the first time tonight and it was excellent. Quick to make. Easy to make. And so flavorful.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      December 30, 2020 at 10:26 am

      Awesome to hear! Thanks for popping back for a review, Leslie 🙂

  • Reply
    Kay
    May 26, 2020 at 7:39 pm

    Delicious with a salad. My husband who eats meat at every meal enjoyed it thoroughly.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      May 27, 2020 at 10:59 am

      That’s great to hear, Kay! Glad it went down well! 🙂

  • Reply
    Eric
    September 26, 2019 at 2:06 am

    5 stars
    Newly vegetarian and this was as good as any beef burger I’ve had, thanks!

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      September 26, 2019 at 2:55 pm

      That’s awesome to hear! Glad it went down well 🙂

  • Reply
    Sabrina
    February 25, 2019 at 1:26 pm

    5 stars
    Your photos are making me so hungry! I love how fully loaded this burger is!

    • Reply
      Chris
      February 25, 2019 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks Sabrina! It’s so yum 🙂

  • Reply
    Demeter
    February 25, 2019 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    I love portobello mushrooms! Such a wonderful way to add so much flavor.

    • Reply
      Chris
      February 25, 2019 at 4:10 pm

      They’re the best aren’t they!? So versatile 🙂

  • Reply
    kim
    February 25, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    This recipe has so much flavor and it’s so easy! Love it!

    • Reply
      Chris
      February 25, 2019 at 3:54 pm

      So much flavour! 🙂

  • Reply
    Helen of Fuss Free Flavours
    February 25, 2019 at 12:09 pm

    5 stars
    Such an easy alternative for a veggie burger, bursting with delicioius flavours. A really good meal for everyone and great for any day of the week.

    • Reply
      Chris
      February 25, 2019 at 3:46 pm

      Oh yes! These are perfect for all occasions!

  • Reply
    Danielle Wolter
    February 25, 2019 at 11:41 am

    5 stars
    these look incredible! I am loving that marinade and the onions on top. awesome alternative to your typical burger.

    • Reply
      Chris
      February 25, 2019 at 3:43 pm

      Yup! I’m a total meat eater but still love these bad boys!

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