Garlicky Lemon-Marinated Portobello Burgers Recipe

Barbecue Nation | Taunton Press, 2007

When I was in culinary school, portobello mushrooms were the lunch “protein” of choice. We all knew how to make them, and they were sort of a welcome relief from the overabundance of food that we had to consume. Here you marinate the portobello mushrooms in a simple mixture of garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Then you grill them, shove them and some baby greens in a pita, and you’ve got a filling lunch that won’t slow you down.–Fred Thompson

LC Gills Or No Gills Note

There tends to be two types of cooks—those who can tolerate portobello gills and those who adamantly insist they be removed. Here’s your chance to proclaim your choice to the world. Which are you?

Garlicky Lemon-Marinated Portobello Burgers Recipe

Hands-On Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Serves 4

Want it? Click it.

Ingredients

8 medium portobello mushrooms, stems removed
For the garlic-lemon marinade
1/2 cup olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
For the vinaigrette
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon sherry wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 bag mesclun salad mix
4 pita pockets

Directions

1. Place the portobello mushroom caps upside down on a baking sheet.
2. Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and salt, and pour the mixture evenly over the mushrooms. Make sure the marinade pools up in the undersides of the portobellos. Turn them a few times during their bath so that both sides get liberally coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the vinaigrette ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
4. Light a charcoal fire or preheat your gas grill on high. Oil the grill’s cooking surface. Let the coals burn down to a medium-hot fire or adjust the gas grill burners to medium-high.
5. Grill the portobello mushrooms for about 5 minutes per side, longer if you want a slightly crispy crust.
6. Toss the mesclun with the vinaigrette, then place 2 mushroom burgers in each warm pita pocket and top with the dressed mesclun.

Hungry for more? Chow down on these:

Black Bean Mushroom Burgers from Brown Eyed Baker
Chipotle Portobello Burgers from Ezra Pound Cake
Michael Schlow Burger with Crispy Onions from Leite's Culinaria
Veggie Burgers from Leite's Culinaria