by Caitlin Shoemaker
updated on
GFGluten FreeGRGrain FreeNFNut FreeVVegan
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These Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce are juicy and meaty, with a creamy black pepper sauce. The ultimate date night main! Vegan & Gluten-Free.
I’ve never found a better steak substitute than portobello mushrooms–they’re meaty in texture and pack a savory umami flavor! These Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce are pan-seared until they’re juicy and tender, then topped with a spicy peppercorn drizzle that will leave your mouth watering. Perfect for date nights or elegant weekend dinners!
INGREDIENTS + INSPIRATION
If you’ve never had portobello steaks before you might be thinking, “Does it taste exactly like a steak?” No, but this vegan steak substitute does vary slightly from the real thing, but it’s delicious in its own right!
The marinated mushrooms have a deep, juicy flavor and a hearty, meat-like texture that’s both filling and delicious. The flavor is taken to the next level with the peppercorn sauce! It’s a classic steak condiment that we’ll be veganizing by swapping out the cream and using a dairy-free milk instead 🙂
HOW TO MAKE PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM STEAKS WITH PEPPERCORN SAUCE
Just 20 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cooking before your vegan steak dinner is ready to enjoy! All you do is shake up all of the ingredients for your marinade, add your mushrooms, and pan-sear them to meaty perfection.
- Mix the tamari, wine, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce in a jar and shake well.
- Place the mushroom caps and marinade in a bag/small bowl and let sit for 10+ minutes.
- In an oiled cast-iron skillet, sear the mushrooms cap-side up, flip and brush with marinade, and flip one final time. Once cooked, transfer to a covered dish.
- Add the oil, garlic, and peppercorns to the same pan and sauteé, scraping up all of the cooked brown bits and ensuring they don’t burn.
- Deglaze the pan with brandy and remaining marinade, then add vegan beef broth and simmer. Add the coconut milk and continue simmering until reduced.
COOKING TIPS + FAQ:
- What is the best pan to use? I prefer to cook the mushrooms in a cast iron pan as it sears better and adds a smoky flavor, but a stainless steel pan will work as well. You can use a nonstick pan, but they don’t brown as well.
- Want a thicker sauce? Make a cornstarch slurry by dissolving 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 2 teaspoons of water, then add to the pan and stir well. Simmer until the sauce reaches your desired thickness, about 2-3 minutes.
- What non-dairy milk can I use? you can use coconut milk, oat milk, or even an unsweetened vegan creamer. You can also make a cashew cream by blending 1/4 cup of cashews and 1/3 cup of water.
These vegan steaks make the ultimate date night main! Go classic and serve them with creamy mashed potatoes or vegan potato salad and your favorite vegetables – asparagus or roasted peppers would be delicious here!
Or, turn up the elegance with a few next-level sides like theseDijon Garlic Roasted Potatoes, thisEveryday Kale Salad, or maybe even someCrispy Tofufor an extra boost of protein 🙂 Although these mushroom steaks are best served fresh, any leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
If you’re looking for more cozy date night recipes, you’ll also love thisVegan Cacio E Pepe With Garlicky Mushrooms, this, and theseHealthy Two-Person Berry Crumblesfor dessert!
Finally, if you make this recipe and decide to share it onFacebookorInstagram, don’t forget to tag me@FromMyBowl+ #FromMyBowl! I love seeing your delicious recreations 🙂
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5 from 11 reviews
These Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce are juicy and meaty, with a creamy black pepper sauce. The ultimate date night main! Vegan & Gluten-Free.
- Author: Caitlin Shoemaker
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2 to 4 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mushroom “Steaks”:
- 4 portobello mushroom caps, stems removed
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium tamari*
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry red wine
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil, for cooking
For the Peppercorn Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2–3 teaspoons black peppercorns, coarsely crushed
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup (85 ml) brandy or cognac (or use more wine)
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) full-fat coconut or oat milk*
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) imitation “beef” broth (or sub vegetable)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cornstarch, for a thicker sauce
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: add the tamari, wine, paprika, and Worcestersh*te sauce to a small jar and shake until emulsified. Add the mushroom caps to a bag or small dish and pour the marniade over them; marinate for at least 10 minutes. Note: if you are using the pan method, I like to coat the mushroom tops in marinade, flip them, and then pour the rest over the caps, which act as a well and hold the extra liquid.
- Sear: Coat cast iron with oil and add mushrooms cap-side up, sear 2-3 minutes to get color. Flip and add remaining marinade and cook 2-3 more minutes. Flip one final time and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, until most of the marinade has evaporated from the pan. Use tongs to remove the mushrooms from the pan and place in a covered dish to keep warm.
- Start the Pan Sauce: moving quickly, add the oil to the same pan. Once warm, add the garlic and peppercorns and swirl around, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan as well. Sauté for 45 to 60 seconds, making sure the other sauce remnants do not burn.
- Deglaze: deglaze the pan with brandy and add the remaining marinade. Sauté for 1 minute or so, until the alcohol has cooked off and the bottom of the pan has been scraped. Add the “beef” broth to the pan and bring to a simmer, then add in the coconut milk. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, until the sauce has reduced. If you’d like a thicker sauce, dissolve 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 2 teaspoons of water, then add to the pan and stir well; simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve:Divide the mushrooms onto serving plates and top with peppercorn sauce. Serve warm; leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Milk:coconut milk will give the peppercorn sauce a richer mouthfeel, but it does leave a subtle coconut taste. If that bothers you, use oat milk instead. You can also make a homemade cashew cream (1/4 cup cashews + 1/3 cup water), or use an unsweetened vegan creamer.
- Other Substitutions:vegan Worcestershire sauce can be replaced with a steak sauce. Cornstarch can be replaced with arrowroot powder. If you do not cook with alcohol, replace it with equal parts vegetable broth. I would recommend adding 2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar to the peppercorn sauce to give it more depth of flavor.