Protein forward without the meat, taco Tuesday is in your future.
Table of Contents
Traditionally Tuesdays have been the most underappreciated day of the week, Mondays start the week, Wednesdays are hump day, Friday is the start of the weekend, but Tuesdays have always been overlooked. Always, that is, until tacos got involved. Taco Tuesday is a fan favorite in my house, the kind of day that makes you wish every day was Tuesday. When my daughter recently decided to take the plunge and go vegetarian, I knew we were going to need to make adjustments. Taco Tuesday wasn’t going anywhere but we needed to broaden our options. I had to find a perfect vegetarian recipe to keep the Taco Tuesday tradition alive and delicious as ever. The answer, as it often is when going vegetarian, came in the form of the mushroom, portabella mushrooms to be exact. Full of flavor and healthy proteins, they were the perfect fungus.
Portabella mushrooms are often used in vegetarian dishes as a replacement for meats, largely due to their size. The largest mushroom generally found at the grocery store, they usually range from three to six inches in diameter. This size makes them a great replacement for a steak or burger, as they fit well on bread or buns. They also absorb flavors, however you season them. I have found that no matter what your seasoning is it will work with portabella mushrooms. These mushroom tacos are no different. Slicing the portabellas into strips makes them the perfect alternative to carne asada, chicken, or fish. Still hearty and filling, the portabella mushroom is one of the most versatile members of the mushroom family and when you put them in your tacos you’ll see why.
Are Mushroom Tacos Healthy?
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for the healthy option, and these mushroom tacos fit the bill. The portabella mushroom itself is full of B vitamins to help break down carbohydrates into healthy sugars, they are high in riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. These mushroom tacos are low-fat, low-calorie tacos that are high in fiber. These mushroom tacos are not only great for vegetarians, but they are also completely plant based. The omission of cheese or sour cream makes them a fantastic option for vegetarians and vegans alike.
how do i find the perfect portabella?
When shopping for ingredients for this mushroom taco recipe you want to find the perfect portabella mushroom. We’ve already talked a little about why the portabella is commonly used to replace meats in vegetarian cooking but there are still more reasons to discuss. Portabellas, prior to seasoning, have a rich earthy flavor, they are a “meatier” mushroom with a texture that is both firm and perfectly chewy. When shopping for your portabellas be sure to examine the outer skin of the mushroom as well as the gills under the mushroom. The outer skin should not be mushy or slimy and should have a nice tan color. The gills should be a dark brown, but once again, should not look wet or slimy. The caps should be open to between three and six inches. If your portabella matches all these criteria, congratulations, you’ve found a perfect mushroom for your mushroom tacos.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 large portabella mushrooms, grilled and sliced into thin strips
- Adobo sauce (optional for spiciness)
- 8 corn or flour tortillas, warmed
- 1 cup avocado salsa
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
Grill
Prepare and cook mushrooms.
Spice
Brush mushrooms with adobo sauce for heat.
Assemble
Layer ingredients in tortillas and serve.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
If you have additional ingredients, you can store each ingredient separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you are ready to make more tacos, you can heat new tortillas and the mushrooms, and you will be ready to go.
If you would like to make these mushroom tacos gluten free, simply choose the corn tortilla option in the recipe. Corn tortillas have a firmer texture, so you’ll want to make sure they are warmed through to be more pliable for your tacos.
Adobo seasoning is often used in different ethnic cuisines. It has a nice natural spice brought on by its blend of salt, onion powder, paprika, garlic, black pepper, cumin, and oregano. Warm and hearty without having too overpowering a flavor.
Serving Suggestions
When your mushroom tacos are ready serve them with some lime wedges and a little extra salsa. I personally enjoy a nice margarita with my mushroom tacos, but if you are looking for a non-alcoholic option you can have a glass of lemonade or an aqua fresca. My personal favorites are watermelon or cucumber mango.
Ingredients
- 4 large portabella mushrooms grilled and sliced into thin strips
- Adobo sauce optional for spiciness
- 8 corn or flour tortillas warmed
- 1 cup avocado salsa
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 lime cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
- Grill the portabella mushrooms until tender and slightly charred, then slice them into thin strips.
- Optionally, for a spicy kick, brush the sliced mushrooms with adobo sauce to your desired heat level.
- Warm the tortillas and assemble the tacos by layering the grilled mushrooms, avocado salsa, and pickled red onions. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Serve the assembled tacos with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment