The weather here in northeast Ohio has been super wonky the last couple of weeks. It’s been warm, then cold, and then straight up hot the next day. Repeat this cycle for a month or so and you’ve got “spring” in Cleveland. I’m hopeful warmer weather plans to stick around for a while. I could do without the 80˚ days so early in the season, but I’ll take what I can get. I’m ready to fire up the grill, make s’mores in the backyard, and enjoy a cool beverage in the evening air — and repeat this as many times as possible over the summer!
I have a secret to divulge. I’ve never had a portobello burger. At least not until a couple weeks ago anyway. When I make my grocery list for the week, I do so based on the meals we plan. And I plan my meals on two things: 1) my training schedule (aka no high fiber meals the evening before a run longer than 4 miles) and 2) the weather. If it’s hot out, I don’t want to be making a vegetable soup but if it’s cold I don’t want to be grilling brats. Make sense? During one of the warmer weeks we had in April, I made my grocery list according to said parameters and realized I wanted to be grilling that week. I’m not a huge meat person so I thought why not try something we had never had before? Enter portobello burgers.
When I set out to make portobello burgers (keep in mind I had never had one before), I knew I wanted the flavor to be a little zingy but sweet. Kind of like a really good pasta salad. You know the kind. The kind that has enough zing but not so much that it feels drenched in dressing. For my marinade, I experimented with salad dressing from the bottle (too generic), apple cider vinegar (too vinegary), and after several attempts, finally settled on using balsamic vinegar as the base.
O.M.G.
And I hope you think so, too…
Zingy Grilled Portobello Burgers
Ingredients
- 4 large portobello mushrooms (caps)
- 1/2 C balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 C olive oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt
- 1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper
Directions
Lightly brush dirt and debris from mushrooms with a mushroom brush and a little bit of water. Be careful not to soak the mushrooms as you do not want them to become water-logged. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine balsamic vinegar and oil. Whisk until well combined. Add remaining ingredients and continue whisking until as uniform as possible.
Drizzle a little marinade on the bottom of a glass 8×8 baking dish. Make sure the bottom is covered. Place mushrooms in the dish and pour remaining marinade on top. Cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes (up to two hours).
Remove mushrooms from the refrigerator. Preheat the grill. Grill mushrooms for 5 minutes per side or until desired crispness is reached. Serve warm on a bun with desired condiments.
After eating this portobello burger, I honestly can’t believe it took me this long to have one. I feel like a whole world opened up when I took my first bite. Portobello burgers are easy to make, they’re absolutely delicious, and I had no guilt when I wanted more! I haven’t made my menu for this week yet… I’m thinking there may be more portobello burgers in my life.
I hope you enjoy this recipe for portobello burgers. It’s easy and delectable. Yum!
xo
TALK TO ME!
Have YOU had portobello burgers before?
What’s your favorite burger topping?
Linking up with Confessions of a Mother Runner and The Fit Foodie Mama for Meatless Monday.
45 Comments
I have never had a portobello burger either! This is making me want to try one. The weather has been so strange lately. It was so humid here on Saturday. I keep wondering how the weather will be for the Cleveland marathon- it could go either way at this point!
It seems to go in an “every other” pattern. Last year it hailed and thundersnowed so this year should be brutally hot. ?
I am like you are 🙂 or were. I have a dirty little secret of never having had one either. It is full on grilling time here in Austin – – I need to give these a try. I wonder if I could convince anyone else in the family to try them, too??
About that… ? We gave one to my son and he hates mushrooms so we told him it was a veggie burger. He took one bite and was almost in tears! My daughter kind of liked it. The grownups definitely loved it!
Balsamic goes so well with Portobellos! I love them grilled as well
I’m shocked it took me so long to eat a portobello burger. Life changing!
Yum! Balsamic and mushrooms really is a dreamy combination! These look incredible.
It really is an amazing combo. I’m dreaming of more… 🙂
Such a simple but really yummy looking recipe!
So simple. So delicious.
I used to have balsamic portabello mushrooms all the time. What is wrong with me for not doing so in so long?
I don’t know because they’re AMAZING.
I runfess I’ve only had them eating out. I’ve never made them at home. It would help a ton if we actually had a grill. Right now we do not. Don’t even get me started on that one.
Gah! We were sans grill for a while. It was fine for a minute but…
I’ve NEVER ordered one out because I was always too scared I wouldn’t like it. Lol!
Sounds delicious! I love all those herbs you put in there.
Thanks! It was fun to play around and find a good combo.
I’ve tried them, but have never made them at home! This is a great way to have a “meatless” burger.
My favorite toppings are lettuce, tomato, and avocado:)
I bet avocado would be amazing on top of a portobello burger. Mmmm!
And they look seriously JUST like a hamburger! And I must confess, I’ve never had one either! 🙂
Don’t they?! Gina, they’re amazing. I highly recommend them. I feel like a whole new world of eating was opened with my first bite!
It has been years since I had a portobello… I think I did not like the chewy meaty texture so have never had another. Maybe my tastes have changed? Your pictures are terrific!
Haha, that’s my son’s issue. He can’t get past the texture.
I love portobello burgers but I must admit I’ve never made them at home. Your marinade sounds perfect – I must try this!
I was always too scared to order one at a restaurant! Lol. But now I know how delicious they are so I’m much braver. 😉
I love roasting small portobello mushrooms in some olive oil, salt and pepper, so why not buy the larger ones and grill them? This sounds amazing and I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the recipe.
Ooooh, your idea sounds amazing, too! I must try that.
I haven’t, but my meat-eating husband has and he loves them!!! Yum!
They’re so good… noms…!
I have not have pone of these either LOL I like mushrooms in pasta sauce or on pizza, but that’s my experience (pathetic, huh!). I need to give these a try!
Oh my gosh, you definitely do. They are life changing!
I have never tried a portobello burger, but I LOVE mushrooms! My husband does not like them at all lol! I would love to try one! Thank you for sharing!
Sounds like my son. He abhors mushrooms. Lol! My daughter and I love them.
I love the portobello/balsamic combination. I hadn’t thought to marinate them so well!
It’s pretty yummy!
Yum! I don’t made portobello burgers enough but we do really enjoy them.
I love how simple they are to grill. Just pick a marinade or a few seasonings and you’re done!
I can’t wait to ttry these- I love portabello burgers but I haven’t made them since…well, last summer! Good reminder-pinning for this yummy marinade!
Excellent! Hope you enjoy it. I can’t wait to try new marinades on portobellos. They’re so delish!
I love them! With a allergy to beef I have learned to love all kinds of alternatives- this one is my favorite!
I’m shocked it took me so long to try them. I love portobello burgers!
i have tried portobello only couple of times and really enjoyed it! i have tried it as burgers and steak and both equally good. im glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I’m a believer in portobello burgers! They’re amazing.
We’ve had very similar weather here. Its hard to stay on top of what the weather is going to be like each day, and whether it’ll be good grilling weather.
Oh my gosh, the back and forth is torture. On Sunday it was 80. Tuesday it was 40 and rainy. What is UP?!
I love portobellos!