Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (2024)

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 mushroomsthey’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!

Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (2)

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!

Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (3)

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

Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (4)

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.

  1. Mix the tamari, wine, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce in a jar and shake well.
  2. Place the mushroom caps and marinade in a bag/small bowl and let sit for 10+ minutes.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Deglaze the pan with brandy and remaining marinade, then add vegan beef broth and simmer. Add the coconut milk and continue simmering until reduced.

Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (5)

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.

Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (6)

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.

Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (7)

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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Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (8)

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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.

  • 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
  • 23 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
Portobello Mushroom Steaks with Peppercorn Sauce - From My Bowl (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to eat the gills of a portobello mushroom? ›

Yes, the dark gills of portobello mushrooms are edible. However, most chefs remove them as they darken the color of the dish they are using them in. Why remove gills from portobello mushrooms? Most people remove the mushroom gills during the cleaning process because dirt or sand may hide in the gill structure.

Can you eat the brown part of a portobello mushroom? ›

The stems of large portabella, while technically edible, can be woody and fibrous and are usually discarded (or used to flavor stock). Likewise, the dark black gills can be eaten, but they'll turn your food a nasty, murky, scuzzy brown, so it's best to scrape'em out.

What is mushroom steak sauce made of? ›

This sauce starts with plenty of fresh sliced mushrooms, which are cooked in butter until golden brown. Garlic is added for flavor, and flour is used for the thickening agent. The next step is to add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and pan drippings from your cooked steak.

What is the portobello mushroom scandal? ›

The Portobello Mushroom Controversy: A Summary

– 2017: Joe Rogan, during the same podcast episode, made a controversial assertion that consuming undercooked Portobello mushrooms can potentially lead to cancer. This statement sparked widespread debate and raised concerns among mushroom lovers.

What is the black thing inside a mushroom? ›

It is black because the mushroom's spores have dissolved into it. If water is leeching out of your mushrooms as you cook them either your pan wasn't hot enough or you are cooking too many at once. Mushrooms should be seared in a very hot pan with a little oil.

How do you know if a portobello mushroom has gone bad? ›

The number one rule of thumb when it comes to detecting freshness is that when mushrooms are slimy, they're no longer ideal for use. Sliminess occurs when mushrooms have been stored incorrectly or allowed to linger in the fridge for too long— it's a clear sign that the mushrooms are beginning to spoil.

What is the underside of a portobello mushroom called? ›

January 18, 2024

I have a sister who has an irrational fear of mushrooms, particularly those with “gills,” the thin papery ribs you find underneath some mushrooms caps, most commonly portobellos.

How much water is in a portobello mushroom? ›

NameAmountUnit
Water92.8g
Energy22kcal
Energy92kJ
Protein2.11g
20 more rows

Is Worcestershire sauce the same as mushroom ketchup? ›

It is one of the most classic of British condiments. Commercial brands make in the UK are good but hard to find in the United States, where they also tend to be overpriced. While you can substitute Worcestershire or soy sauce, the flavor is not quite the same, so here is a recipe for homemade mushroom ketchup.

What is a thickening agent for mushroom sauce? ›

To thicken this easy mushroom sauce recipe, you can use either cornstarch or flour. If your diet does not allow you to use flour or cornstarch, you can use Xantan Gum. Keep in mind than creamy sauces and gravy made with cornstarch are usually tend to be glossier than sauces made with flour.

Which mushroom tastes the most like steak? ›

Swap your beef for portobello steaks

The portobello mushroom crowns as the superior beef replacement due to their satisfying texture and array of flavours. This mushroom's absorbency can soak up sauces effortlessly, leaving for a fulfilling dish.

What are the gills on the underside of a mushroom? ›

Gills are one of the most common structures used by mushrooms for spore dispersal. These thin, papery veils hang vertically beneath the cap, resembling delicate curtains that conceal the mushroom's reproductive prowess. The sole purpose of mushroom gills, also known as lamellae, is to produce and release spores.

What are the gills on the underside of a mushroom used for? ›

Gilled mushrooms typically have a stem and a cap with plate-like gills on the underside. These gills are responsible for the storage and disposal of reproductive spores.

What are the gills on top of a mushroom cap? ›

The gills contain the spores of the mushroom, which are dispersed when the cap is disturbed or when the mushroom is mature. Some species of mushrooms have pores instead of gills. Pore-bearing mushrooms have a flat or slightly convex cap with a spongy underside covered in tiny holes.

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