Balsamic Grilled Mushrooms (How to Grill Mushrooms)

Get ready to grill up some insanely delicious mushrooms with this easy grilled mushroom recipe. Believe me, if you aren't grilling your vegetables yet, it's time to start. You also need to try this Grilled Cauliflower and Garlic Grilled Zucchini.

Once it gets warm out, I want to make all my meals on the grill, including side dishes! I hate having to run between the grill, oven, and stove to get one meal on the table. That means, whenever possible, everything is going on the outdoor grill!

Vegetables are no exception, and in fact, we like them even better on the grill. These grilled mushrooms are one of our all-time favorites!

Grilling mushrooms does something pretty magical to this humble plant. The outside gets browned and caramelized with hints of smoke and char from the grill, and the inside becomes tender and meaty. And when you add the tangy and slightly sweet flavor of the balsamic marinade, it will be your new favorite way to eat mushrooms!

Whether making grilled portobello mushrooms for sandwiches or grilled criminis for a side dish, you can add tons of flavors even with simple marinades and spice rubs to match any meal.

What mushrooms are best for grilling?

The short answer is that you can grill any type of mushroom,, but depending on the type, you will need to prep it slightly differently. We will cover the three most popular mushrooms for grilling.

• Portobello mushrooms: These large mushroom caps are one of the best options for the grill since they won't fall through the grill grates due to their large size. They can be used for sandwiches, steaks, or sliced for a side dish. To prep them for the grill, brush off any dirt or debris. Then remove the stem, and scrape out the gills if you like. They can be cooked directly on the grill.
• Crimini mushrooms (baby bellas): These smaller mushrooms are young portobellos that haven't matured as much. They are also called brown or cremini mushrooms. They are darker in color with a firmer texture than a white mushroom. They are great for the grill since they have a firm texture and a nutty flavor. To prep for the grill, remove dirt and then slice them in half. Smaller mushrooms can stay whole. These work best on a skewer or in a grill basket.
• Button or white mushrooms: These are the most common and also work great on the grill. To prepare, clean them and then slice them in half. Very small mushrooms can stay whole. Like criminis, these also come out best when cooked on a skewer or grill basket.
• Other varieties: Other varieties, such as shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, king trumpet mushrooms, lobster mushrooms, or enoki mushrooms, can also be grilled. Since these mushrooms tend to be delicate, grilling them on skewers or in a grill basket is best.

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Here is everything you need to make this delicious grilled mushrooms recipe:

• Mushrooms: I love using crimini or baby bella mushrooms. They have the best meaty texture and flavor when grilled. Feel free to use any fresh mushrooms you prefer, like the options above.
• Balsamic vinegar: This adds a nice tangy sweetness to the mushrooms. I recommend using balsamic vinegar when possible. However, a mixture of maple syrup, red wine, or sherry vinegar is a good substitute.
• Olive oil: Oil helps prevent the mushrooms from sticking to the grill. You can substitute any oil or even melted butter.
• Soy sauce: A little bit of soy sauce for an umami boost. If you are gluten-free, use coconut aminos.
• Seasonings: You can use kosher salt and pepper. I added garlic powder and thyme for extra flavor in this recipe.

How to Grill Mushrooms

Grilled vegetables are actually easy to cook, and you can make amazing grilled mushrooms in just a few simple steps.

1. Prepare the mushrooms by brushing off any dirt or debris. If desired, remove the stem and gills of larger portobello mushrooms. For smaller mushrooms, cut them in half.
2. Add flavor with a simple marinade, spices, or seasoning. The simplest option is simply to toss the mushrooms with olive oil and your favorite spice blend. A simple salt and pepper combo works great. Please note that mushrooms absorb flavors quickly for marinades, so they shouldn't be marinated for more than 30 minutes. Marinades can be something simple like olive oil and vinegar, store-bought or dressing, or a more complicated homemade marinade.
3. Get the mushrooms ready for the grill. Larger mushrooms can go right on the grill. Smaller mushrooms should be threaded onto wooden skewers or placed in a grill basket. In a pinch, you can also grill mushrooms in foil. More info on that below.
4. It's time to grill! Most mushrooms will take about 8-10 minutes to cook, but smaller mushrooms can have shorter cooking times. Make sure to flip the mushrooms (or skewers) or shake the grill pan during cooking. They are ready when there are grill marks and the mushrooms are golden brown and tender.

How long do mushrooms take on the grill?

Most mushrooms take 8-10 minutes to cook and should be flipped over halfway through.

If cooking in a grill basket, shake the basket 1-2 times during cooking. Whole mushrooms will likely take 12-16 minutes to grill.

How to Grill Mushrooms in Foil

Another option for grilling mushrooms is to grill them in foil. This works best for smaller mushrooms but can be done with whole, halved, or sliced mushrooms.

Start by laying out a couple of heavy-duty pieces of foil. Place the mushrooms in the center and toss with olive oil (or melted butter) and any seasoning you like. Then, fold up the sides of the foil and seal the packet closed.

Place the foil packet directly on the grill and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning the packet once during cooking. Open carefully and serve with your favorite garnishes—lemon, fresh herbs, shredded cheese, and balsamic vinegar are some of our favorites.

What are the best ways to serve grilled mushrooms?

Mushroom fan or not, you won't run out of ways to use grilled mushrooms. Try out some of these delicious ideas:

• Side dish: Serve them as a side dish with your favorite grilled protein. We love them with this Grilled Greek Chicken, Grilled Tuna, and Grilled Sirloin Steak.
• Mushroom burgers: Make a delicious vegetarian burger with grilled portobello mushroom buns holding all your favorite fillings.
• Vegetarian tacos: Chop grilled mushrooms into smaller pieces and toss them in taco seasoning to make amazing mushroom tacos.
• Main dish: Serve mushrooms over rice, pasta, or your favorite grains with arugula and some quick-cooking chicken sausage.
• Salads, wraps, and scrambles: Use your leftovers for salads, wraps, and the best breakfast scrambles.

Flavor Ideas for Grilled Mushrooms

Mushrooms are like a blank canvas and take on flavors really well. Here are some of our favorite options for adding flavor to grilled mushrooms:

• Soy sauce: Instead of using salt, I love using soy sauce. It plays up the earthy mushroom flavors and works great in marinades.
• Vinegar: Grab some balsamic, red wine, or sherry vinegar and add it to olive oil to create an easy marinade. The bite of the vinegar works great with the mushrooms.
• Steak seasoning: Mushrooms have a meaty flavor that stands up to spice. Pre-made spice blends like steak seasoning and Montreal seasoning tossed with olive oil are great options for mushrooms.
• Garlic butter: It's hard to talk about mushrooms without thinking about garlic and butter. Since garlic can burn on the grill, I like to saute some garlic and butter on the side and toss with the mushrooms after grilling. Finish with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese or goat cheese and fresh herbs. 

Storage and Reheating

Storage might not be an issue because these grilled mushrooms are so delicious that you probably won't have any leftovers. But if you do, here's how you can enjoy them later:

To store: Place any leftover mushrooms in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To reheat: Cook the mushrooms in a skillet over medium heat until warm. You can also use the microwave.