All veggies should be part of a healthy diet, but if you’re vegan or just trying to cut back on meat, it’s time to pay special attention to mushrooms (no, not those kinds).
Their hearty bite and texture make them perfect meat substitutes in plant-based diets, whether you’re using them in burgers or spaghetti sauce
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And don’t worry — you don’t need to settle for portobello every time. There are so many varieties to try that give you that sought-after umami flavor while being a solid source of nutrients. What’s not to love? Here are our faves.
1. King oyster mushroom “scallops” with mint-pea purée
Sliced thick to look exactly like the classic seafood appetizer, these oyster mushroom bites could fool just about anyone. Their meaty texture offers the ideal contrast against the fresh, minty three-ingredient pea topping.
2. Vegan stuffed portobello mushrooms
Vegetarian stuffed mushrooms often involve cheese, but these vegan bites are dairy-free. They boast a pecan, ginger, and veggie filling that’s the perfect balance of rich and light. They don’t even need bread crumbs on top, so they’re easily gluten-free too.
3. Mushroom walnut lentil pâté
Even meat eaters might shudder at the thought of a traditional pâté made with liver, so this mushroom-based version works for everyone.
Brown sugar, miso paste, sage, and fresh thyme add tons of depth to the spread, and walnuts and lentils provide a richness alongside the meaty shiitakes.
4. Mushroom ceviche
Who says ceviche can only be made with raw fish? You might just be surprised how much this looks like the real deal.
This vegan take does require some stove work to cook the oyster mushrooms, but once you toss them with jalapeño, cucumber, avocado, and onion, it won’t taste any different from the marinated seafood appetizer.
5. Portobello mushroom bruschetta
For a lower carb alternative to bruschetta, spoon your tomato and basil mixture into portobello caps instead of onto bread slices. The “cups” are adorable and are a perfect light starter for a heavier main course.
6. Mushroom and roasted garlic hummus
Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack or a party appetizer, hummus is never a bad idea — especially when it’s homemade.
Next time you make it, use this recipe, which jazzes up the chickpea pureé with some roasted mushrooms for a lot of extra savory flavor.
7. Garlic mushroom kebabs
No grill? No problem! These kebabs are actually made in the oven, so you can whip ’em up any time of year. Another bonus: The marinating process takes just 15 minutes, so they’re a great last-minute appetizer.
8. Silky cream of mushroom soup
Yup, you can totally have a soup that’s silky and vegan at the same time.
How does it get its creamy texture? Potatoes and sunflower seeds are added to the mushroom broth, and then the whole thing is puréed until it reaches that glossy consistency.
9. Creamy coconut and mushroom quinoa soup
For a soup that can double as a full meal, try this soup-er (we had to) satisfying recipe. With healthy fats from the coconut milk, protein-packed quinoa, and a variety of mushroom types, it’s got a ton of flavor but is easy to make — no blending necessary.
10. Warm balsamic mushroom salad with pine nut Parmesan
Warm toppings go a long way toward making a salad feel more like a main meal than a side. In this case, it’s a simple sauté of mushrooms and navy beans on a bed of arugula.
And making the pine nut “Parmesan” isn’t nearly as complicated as you might imagine — all you need is a food processor.
11. Quinoa and shiitake mushroom salad
Mushrooms don’t need to be the star of a dish to stand out. Here, they show off their earthy flavor as part of an ensemble cast of ingredients.
From the tiny grains of quinoa to the juicy cherry tomatoes to the fresh and crunchy corn, this salad is a total party of textures.
12. Roasted mushroom and romaine salad
Chopped, toasted pecans and crushed rosemary join cremini mushrooms to make this warm salad totally cold-weather-worthy. With a simple, herb-kissed dressing, it’s the perfect addition to a fall or winter menu.
13. Mushroom, lemon, and lentil salad
Sliced mushrooms and lentils pair up for a powerhouse salad that doesn’t skimp on protein, fiber, or — thanks to plenty of lemon and garlic — flavor.
The veggie and legume mixture can be eaten hot or cold, making this a solid meal-prep option for those of us with a busy week ahead.
14. Mushroom salad with spinach and flaxseeds
In the time it would take you to assemble a regular cold salad, you can make one that’s semi-cooked to get a little more comfort in your meal.
Mushrooms are skillet-cooked with garlic and scallions, tumbled onto a pile of spinach, sprinkled with fiber-filled flaxseeds, and then drizzled with a tangy Dijon vinaigrette. It’s surprisingly simple, perfectly light, and so satisfying.
15. Maple-Dijon portobello burgers
While you’ve probably seen a portobello burger as the vegan option in every bistro you’ve ever been to, this particular recipe stands out for needing only four basic ingredients.
Instead of being carelessly slapped onto a bun, these mushroom caps are generously brushed with a sweet, tangy maple syrup and Dijon mustard sauce before being baked or grilled.
16. Vegan oyster mushroom and artichoke “crab cakes”
It may look fancy, but this creative vegan spin on crab cakes and rémoulade is a surprisingly simple 30-minute meal.
Chickpea flour holds the artichoke and oyster mushroom patties together, and the mayo-free, sesame seed-based sauce takes no time to whip up in a blender. Make this when you want to seriously impress your fellow diners.
17. 5-ingredient easy mushroom tacos
We probably had you at “tacos,” but the fact that these take all of 5 minutes to put together may make them your new go-to recipe for vegan Mexican night.
It’s all thanks to the quick-cooking mushrooms. They need nothing more than a bit of garlic and onion to become the perfect tortilla filling.
18. Vegetarian summer wild mushroom paella with chanterelles and black trumpets
For a showstopping vegan entrée, this meat- and seafood-free paella is an absolute winner thanks to the addition of gorgeous, golden chanterelles and black trumpet mushrooms.
It takes a bit of time to let the saffron, white wine, thyme, and garlic flavors soak into the dish, but after one bite of the end result, you’ll be so glad you put in the effort.
19. Groovy mushroom toast
Mushrooms on toast is one of those easy meals you can throw together on a busy evening, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be special.
This recipe goes for an upgrade by using oyster and shiitake ’shrooms instead of the standard button variety. Fresh herbs and hummus kick up the complexity of the flavors.
20. Vegan mushroom stroganoff
We’ll always be grateful to ingredients like plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, and — duh — mushrooms for allowing us to enjoy meatless and dairy-free versions of dishes like this.
Cooked into a creamy, rich sauce to ladle over pasta, this stroganoff proves that going vegan doesn’t have to mean compromising on foods we love.
21. Vegan sticky apricot mushrooms
Pick naturally sweetened apricot preserves to keep this dish lower in sugar. You’ll still get their fruity flavor, which, along with some fresh orange juice, is crucial to the dish’s sweetness.
With soy sauce for a savory balance and chili flakes for a spicy kick, you’ve never had mushrooms quite like this.
Whether you’re vegan or not, these mushroom recipes give you plenty of ways to feast on the edible fungi. From appetizers to main courses, this roundup proves there’s always room for more mushrooms in your meals.
