When it comes to BBQ, most people picture mouthwatering and tender ribs grilling on the barbecue. However, when going for a vegan diet, normal ribs are not part of the meals that you can take. Introducing Vegan BBQ Mushroom Ribs – a BBQ lover’s dream come true providing the irresistible smoky goodness and tender chew you need from your ribs without the meat.
Occasionally, you might simply fancy having an unfamiliar dish, or occasionally you’re hosting a vegan BBQ, these mushroom ribs will teach even the most admitted meat lover a lesson or two.
Why Choose Mushroom Ribs for Your Vegan BBQ?
Mushrooms are a celebrity in plant-based meals and for a good reason. They are the best in so far as soaking up flavors and therefore the best for BBQ recipes. Mushrooms are used for their texture; the Portobello and King Oyster mushrooms have a similar mouthfeel to meat, what you expect from ribs. Not only are mushrooms delicious, second, they’re compact in nutrients, hence making them the ideal meals for your vegan BBQ recipes.
Mushrooms contain very little fats and calories and are well supplied with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is rich in B materials, selenium, and antioxidants which are vital for the body and coiled health. Also, it prefers mushrooms instead of meat; it’s an environmentally-friendly decision, as it takes less to produce mushrooms and is less harmful to nature.
Selecting Which Mushroom is Best for BBQ Ribs
There is no secret that BBQ mushroom ribs are vegan, but the secret to making them delightfully good is choosing the right mushrooms. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:
- Portobello Mushrooms: These very big and muscular mushrooms are excellent for vegan barbeque preparations. Grilled, they are ideal as they are large and chunky in texture and hold and marinate well to give a delicious meal.
- King Oyster Mushrooms: The King Oyster mushrooms, for instance, are characterized by thicker and stronger stems that replicate a ribs’ feel. It is perfect for grilling or baking and has a fairly neutral taste that will not overpower many different barbecue sauces.
- Shiitake Mushrooms: The last type of mushrooms I would recommend is not as popular as the previous two but they can bring a wonderful, hearty taste to your BBQ ribs. It is suitable to be used as a secondary component with Portobello or King Oyster mushrooms.
Ingredients for Vegan BBQ Mushroom Ribs
To make the best vegan BBQ mushroom ribs, you’ll need a few key ingredients: There are just a few essential components to the dish, but to make the perfect vegan BBQ mushroom ribs, here they are:
- Mushrooms: Because of the texture issue, it is recommended to go for either Portobello or King Oyster or a blend of both two.
- BBQ Sauce: Choose a vegan BBQ sauce or prepare it at home from tomato paste, vinegar, sweeteners including maple syrup or agave nectar, and spices.
Marinade Ingredients:
- Soy sauce or its gluten-free substitute – tamari
- Olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- maple syrup or agave nectar referred to as agave/Honey
- Smoked paprika, garlic powdered, onion powdered, black pepper
Optional Add-ons:
- Liquid smoke especially for that extra smoky enhanced flavour.
- Nutritional yeast to get a cheesy feel
- Fresh herbs such as coriander or parsley, either for garnishing accompany the meals.
How to Make Vegan BBQ Mushroom Ribs: Step-by-Step Recipe
Well, I’ll skip over telling you the story and give you the recipe right now. Here are the procedures for making delicious vegan BBQ mushroom ribs that will leave the crowd wanting more of your grill.
1. Prepare the Mushrooms
First of all, wash the mushrooms under slightly running water to get rid of dirt on them. If you decide to use Portobello mushrooms you have to first cut out the stem and with a spoon or a small brush clear the gills to get a smooth surface to grill. For the King Oyster mushrooms cut them in half lengthwise in the same way you would a rib.
2. Create the Marinade
Mix soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in an equally sized bowl. When it comes to seasonings, if you wish to kick up a notch the couscous recipe, you can afford to and favor whatever you fancy. Put the mushrooms in a wide bowl and then pour the marinade on them making sure the whole pieces are covered. It is recommended to let them marinate for about half an hour, but if the steak is soaked in the marinade for a couple of hours or even overnight in the refrigerator, it will taste even better.
3. These plates Grill or Bake the Mushrooms
Heat the grill or the oven to medium-high. In case of grilling it is advisable to put the mushrooms right on the grates of the grill. Should one bake, arrange them on a tray that has been lined. Grill or sauté the mushrooms for approximately 5-7 minutes on each side and brush with extra BBQ sauce. For those who want them more crunchy, you place the grill for the last two minutes at a broil.
4. Serve and Enjoy
After the mushrooms are fully cooked, move them off the grill or oven and let them sit for a few minutes. Optional, sprinkle with fresh herbs on top, then, pair the dish with your favorite vegan BBQ sides.
Suggested Pairings for Vegan BBQ Mushroom Ribs
The vegan BBQ mushroom ribs are fully flexible and can be prepared in various options; Here are a few ideas: Here are a few ideas:
- With Classic BBQ Sides: Mushroom ribs can be served with coleslaw, corn on the cob, or a rather spicy potato salad to produce an American type of barbequed dinner.
- As a Sandwich: The mushroom ribs should be presented in between a toasted bun with additional BBQ as dressing, pickles, and coleslaw for the sandwich.
- In a Wrap: Worth it to wrap the mushroom ribs in a warm tortilla with avocado, and lettuce, and topped with vegan ranch dressing for a sizzling BBQ wrap.
- With Light Salads: This delicious dish can be paired with a salad – rich, but lighter than the ribs themselves, for instance, a mixed greens salad with citrus vinaigrette.
Tips for Perfect Vegan BBQ Mushroom Ribs
To ensure your vegan BBQ mushroom ribs turn out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: The time you allow for the mushrooms to marinate increases therefore making them flavorful. Do not be in a hurry on this step if you want the best results.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Grill: In the process of grilling or baking, should allow the mushrooms to cook well with space between each other. This means that overcrowding in the surface tends to cause poor heat distributions across the ribs and that the ribs become moist all over and hence very soft.
- Baste Generously: BBQ sauce is also applied on the mushrooms in the final stages of grilling as it gives a nice glazing effect to the mushrooms. You should not be sparing with the sauce!
Variations to Try
While the basic recipe is delicious, you can customize your vegan BBQ mushroom ribs in many ways:
- Smoky BBQ Mushroom Ribs: Substitute more smoked paprika or liquid smoke if you want to achieve more smoky flavor.
- Spicy BBQ Mushroom Ribs: Add some more spice to your marinade and increase the heat by adding some hot sauce or some chili flakes.
- Sweet and Tangy BBQ Mushroom Ribs: Sweeten the marinade more by adding extra maple syrup or a small amount of pineapple juice can be added to smoothen the mixture.
Conclusion
This vegan BBQ mushroom ribs recipe is so delicious and perfect to bring to any barbecue gathering. They are delicious, filling, and very simple to prepare. Whether you are a purely vegan or have just decided to try something new, your friends and you will appreciate these mushroom ribs. Well the next time you’re planning a BBQ, don’t forget to get the mushrooms and have a delicious and healthy BBQ.
Related Recipes: If you liked this recipe, please take a look at the other vegan BBQ recipes on the site, such as our delicious smoky grilled tofu or our site-specific marinated vegetable skewers. Please find below our recipe card and join our newsletter list for more such recipes and tips on plant-based cooking.