Description
This vegetarian smash burger features marinated oyster mushrooms seared to perfection with a smoky, savory blend of spices and melted American cheese, served on toasted brioche buns with spicy sriracha mayo and pickled jalapeños for a flavorful, satisfying plant-based alternative to a classic burger.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 2 tbsp Dark soy sauce (reduce to 1 tbsp if preferred for less saltiness)
- 1/2 tsp Liquid smoke
- 1/4 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/4 tsp Oregano
- 1/4 tsp Lime juice
- 1/2 tsp Maple syrup
Main Ingredients
- 6 ounces Oyster mushrooms
- Brioche buns
- 3 American cheese slices
- Lots of pickled jalapeños
- Sriracha mayo for spreading
Instructions
- Make the marinade: In a bowl, combine dark soy sauce, liquid smoke, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, lime juice, and maple syrup. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate mushrooms: Add the oyster mushrooms to the marinade ensuring they are well coated. Let them sit and absorb flavors for at least 10 to 15 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
- Preheat pan: Heat a cast iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed pan over high heat. Add a small amount of oil to prevent sticking and promote searing.
- Sear and smash: Place the marinated mushrooms gill-side down on the hot pan. Immediately press them flat with a heavy spatula or pan to create a smashed patty effect. Hold the pressure for 20 to 30 seconds without moving them. Allow the mushrooms to sear for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown. Flip and repeat the smashing and searing process on the other side, continuing to flip as needed until both sides are evenly seared.
- Add cheese: Once the mushrooms are perfectly seared, place the American cheese slices on top. Cover the pan with a lid briefly to melt the cheese thoroughly.
- Toast and assemble: Toast the brioche buns to golden perfection. Spread sriracha mayo on the bottom bun, add the cheesy smashed mushroom patty, load with pickled jalapeños for heat, then top with the remaining bun.
Notes
- Adjust soy sauce quantity to reduce saltiness if desired.
- Use a cast iron skillet for best searing results.
- Pressing mushrooms firmly creates a better crust similar to a smash burger.
- Pickled jalapeños add a spicy tang; adjust quantity to preference.
- Sriracha mayo adds a creamy, spicy kick but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- This recipe serves one but can be doubled or tripled for more servings.
