Delicious Smoked Portobello Mushrooms: An Easy Indoor Smoker Recipe
Unlock the incredible flavor of smoked portobello mushrooms with this effortless indoor smoker recipe. Forget the hassle of outdoor grilling or waiting for perfect weather; you can now achieve rich, earthy, and smoky mushrooms right in your kitchen with a stovetop smoker. These versatile fungi make a superb addition to burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and salads, elevating any meal with their distinct taste and meaty texture.
Whether you prefer large portobello caps or smaller baby bella mushrooms, this method delivers consistent, mouthwatering results. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to infuse your favorite mushrooms with a deep, smoky aroma that will impress both vegetarians and omnivores alike. Prepare to savor juicy, flavorful mushrooms that could even serve as a satisfying vegan burger alternative. Everyone who tries them asks for more, and we’re confident your family will love them too!
Have a bounty of mushrooms? Transform them into these incredible smoked mushroom caps! They are perfect as an appetizer, a flavorful side dish, a unique condiment, or even a healthy snack. The convenience of an indoor smoker means you can enjoy these smoky delights year-round, adding a gourmet touch to your culinary creations.
Essential Ingredients for Smoked Portobello Mushrooms
Crafting delicious smoked mushrooms requires only a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 12 ounces (340g) Portobello Mushroom Caps: You can use large caps, smaller cremini (baby bella) mushrooms, or a combination. Look for firm, fresh mushrooms without blemishes.
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder: This aromatic spice complements the earthy mushroom flavor beautifully.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to your personal taste preference. Freshly ground black pepper adds a superior aroma.
- Cooking Oil Spray: Essential for preventing sticking and promoting even seasoning.
- Balsamic Glaze and Fresh Thyme: These are optional but highly recommended for a gourmet finish, adding a touch of sweetness and herbaceousness when serving.
For a detailed, printable recipe card with exact measurements and steps, please refer to the bottom of this article.
When selecting your mushrooms for smoking, sturdy varieties tend to hold up best and absorb the smoky flavor more effectively. Portobello mushrooms are a preferred choice over delicate white button mushrooms in this recipe due to their robust structure and minimal shrinkage during cooking. However, if you have white button mushrooms on hand, they can certainly be used, though their texture might be slightly softer.
Beyond portobellos, you can experiment with a variety of other fungi to discover your favorite smoked mushroom. Consider shiitake, oyster mushrooms, chanterelles, maitake, morels, or porcini for unique flavor profiles. If using smaller mushroom pieces, be mindful that their smoking time may need to be slightly decreased to prevent over-smoking or drying out.
Recommended Kitchen Equipment for Stovetop Smoking
To embark on your indoor mushroom smoking adventure, you’ll need a few key pieces of kitchen equipment:
- Indoor Smoker: For this recipe, we recommend a large stovetop kettle smoker, such as the Nordic Ware kettle smoker. These compact units are designed for safe and efficient indoor use.
- Mesquite Smoking Chips: For a rich, deep, and robust smoky flavor, Cameron’s wood smoking chips in mesquite are an excellent choice.
Many outdoor smokers, like traditional barrel smokers or ceramic grills (e.g., Green Egg), represent a significant investment, often costing hundreds of dollars. Stovetop indoor smoking offers a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative for those looking to explore the world of smoked foods without breaking the bank. Furthermore, indoor smokers typically consume far less fuel (wood chips) compared to their larger outdoor counterparts, making them an economical and convenient option.
Choosing the Right Wood Chips for Smoking Mushrooms
The type of wood chips you choose profoundly impacts the final flavor of your smoked portobello mushrooms. Mesquite wood chips are a personal favorite for mushrooms due to their ability to impart a deep, intensely smoky essence that truly complements the earthiness of the fungi. Hickory is another excellent option for those who enjoy a strong, pronounced smoky flavor.
If you’re an avid smoker, we highly encourage you to experiment with various wood chip varieties to discover your personal favorites. Always ensure you use wood chips specifically designated for smoking food, as other wood types may contain harmful chemicals or produce unpleasant flavors.
For those who prefer a milder smoky flavor, consider these alternatives:
- Alder chips: Known for their delicate, subtle smoke, perfect for a gentle infusion.
- Apple chips: Offer a sweet, fruity smoke that pairs well with many vegetables.
- Cherry chips: Provide a mild, slightly sweet smoke with a beautiful reddish hue.
Important Note: The wood chips designed for many indoor stovetop smokers are typically much smaller, often resembling fine wood shavings, and differ significantly from the wood pellets used in outdoor pellet grills.
Simple Steps to Make Perfect Smoked Portobello Mushrooms
Begin by thoroughly rinsing your portobello mushrooms with cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel. Gently remove the mushroom stems – you can save these for another recipe, such as a vegetable stock or sautéed side dish. The gills of portobello mushrooms are perfectly edible and contribute to their rich flavor, so there’s no need to remove them.
Lightly spray all sides of the mushroom caps with your cooking oil spray. This helps the seasonings adhere and prevents the mushrooms from drying out. Season them generously with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Next, spray the smoking tray of your indoor smoker with cooking spray and arrange the seasoned mushrooms in a single layer, gills-side down. This orientation prevents the caps from filling with liquid during the smoking process, ensuring a more consistent texture (though smoking gills-up also works, it results in a juicier, more liquid-filled mushroom).
Prepare your Nordic Ware or chosen kettle smoker. Place approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded wood chips in the bottom of the smoker. Then, insert the drip pan (if your smoker has one) and carefully place the smoking tray, with the mushrooms arranged on it, into the smoker. This recipe utilizes a dry smoking method, focusing on infusing pure smoke flavor.
Secure the lid on your smoker, ensuring it is properly seated and the thermometer (if applicable) is attached correctly. Close the lid vent to contain the smoke. Before turning on the heat, engage your stovetop’s vent fan to manage any escaping smoke effectively. Place the smoker on a stovetop burner and set the heat to medium-low. Allow the smoker’s internal temperature to gradually rise to 190 degrees Fahrenheit (88°C). If the smoker is heating too slowly, you may temporarily increase the heat to medium until it reaches the desired temperature.
Optimal Smoking Time for Portobello Mushrooms
Once the smoker’s temperature reaches 190°F (88°C), reduce the stovetop heat to low and set a timer for 25 minutes. This is the optimal dry smoking duration for portobello mushrooms. Throughout this period, it is crucial to maintain the smoker’s temperature within the range of 190-210°F (88-99°C). You may need to make slight adjustments to your stovetop’s heat or briefly open the lid vent to keep the temperature steady and prevent it from climbing too high. Monitor the thermometer regularly!
If you notice the heat rising too quickly, a quick lift and reseat of the lid can help bring the temperature down, giving you a moment to adjust your burner. Consistent temperature control ensures a perfect smoke infusion without overcooking the mushrooms.
After 25 minutes, turn off the stovetop heat and carefully remove the succulent smoked mushrooms from the smoker. For safety, extinguish the spent wood chips by soaking them in water. To serve, drizzle the warm mushrooms with a delightful balsamic glaze and sprinkle with fresh thyme, if desired. This adds a fantastic layer of flavor and aroma. Enjoy your perfectly smoked portobello mushrooms!
Alternatively, if balsamic glaze isn’t to your liking, a generous brushing of garlic butter would also be a magnificent complement to these earthy, smoky delights.
How to Store Smoked Mushrooms
Proper storage ensures your smoked portobello mushrooms remain fresh and delicious. Store any leftover smoked mushrooms in an airtight, covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can quickly warm them in a microwave for a couple of minutes or gently sauté them in an oil-sprayed pan on the stovetop until heated through. While you can vacuum seal and freeze smoked mushrooms for longer storage, be aware that their texture may become slightly softer upon thawing. They are best enjoyed fresh or after refrigeration.
Exploring Cold Smoked Mushrooms
For those interested in a different smoking technique that imparts smoke without significant heat, cold smoking mushrooms is an excellent option. To achieve this, we highly recommend acquiring a cold smoking gun. These specialized devices generate cool smoke, allowing you to infuse delicate smoky flavors into a wide array of ingredients without cooking them. Smoking guns are incredibly versatile and can be used for cheeses, cocktails, meats, various vegetables, and sauces, in addition to creating unique cold smoked mushrooms.
Watch How to Make It!
(Video coming soon – for now, follow the instructions below!)
Smoked Portobello Mushrooms Recipe
By Summer Yule
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
25
25
Slow Food DIY
American
4
20 kcal
Ingredients
- 12 ounces portobello mushrooms (340g, large caps, small, or a mix)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- cooking oil spray of choice
- balsamic glaze and fresh thyme (optional, for serving)
Love this recipe?
Please leave a comment below 😊
Instructions
- Rinse the mushrooms well with cool water to remove any dirt and pat them dry with a paper towel. Gently remove the mushroom stems and save them for another recipe.
- Spray the mushroom caps on all sides with cooking spray and season them with the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Spray the smoking tray with cooking spray, and place the mushrooms in a single layer on the tray gills-side down.
- Set up your Nordic Ware or other kettle smoker with 2 tablespoons of shredded wood chips. Put the drip pan and smoking tray with the mushrooms in the smoker. We are using a dry smoking method with these.
- Put the lid on the smoker. Ensure the thermometer is attached properly, and the lid vent is closed. Turn your stovetop vent fan on.
Put the smoker on a stovetop burner and turn the heat to medium-low. Allow the smoker’s thermometer to come to 190℉ (88°C). Sometimes you may turn the heat to medium if the smoker is coming to temp too slowly.
- Once the temperature comes to 190°F (88°C), turn the stovetop to low, and set a timer to dry smoke the mushrooms for 25 minutes. Make sure that the smoker stays within 190-210℉ (88-99°C) for the entire smoking period.
- After the 25 minutes is up, turn off the stovetop and remove the mushrooms from the smoker. Extinguish the spent wood chips by soaking them in water. Drizzle the mushrooms with balsamic glaze, sprinkle with fresh thyme (if desired), and enjoy!
Equipment
- Wood Smoking Chips
- Indoor Smoker
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe, ideal for supporting fat loss. Mushrooms are naturally low in calories and carbohydrates, making them an excellent food choice if you are aiming for weight management. They add significant volume to your meals for very few calories; an entire 8-ounce package of portobello mushrooms contains only around 50 calories, offering substantial satiety without the caloric load.
Beyond their low-calorie appeal, cooked portobello mushrooms are remarkably nutritious. They are a good source of several essential B vitamins, including niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2), pantothenic acid (B5), and pyridoxine (B6). Additionally, these fungi provide important minerals such as phosphorus and potassium, contributing to overall health and well-being.
The benefits of incorporating mushrooms into your diet extend further. This recipe is inherently vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, keto-friendly, dairy-free, and Paleo-compliant. This broad compatibility means that even individuals with strict dietary restrictions can likely enjoy these flavorful smoked mushrooms, making them an inclusive addition to various eating patterns.
While mushrooms don’t offer a significant amount of protein, they are officially counted as part of the vegetable group according to dietary guidelines like MyPlate. By including more mushrooms in your diet, you’re actively boosting your daily vegetable intake, contributing to a more balanced and nutrient-rich diet.
Moreover, these umami-packed mushrooms are incredibly delicious – arguably one of the most crucial aspects when considering any food! Their savory depth and smoky essence make them a standout ingredient.
These versatile smoked portobellos can be easily chopped or sliced and incorporated into a multitude of meals. Here are some recipe ideas that pair wonderfully with these mushrooms, enhancing both flavor and nutritional value:
- Air Fryer Bone In Ribeye Steak
- Air Fryer Bison Burgers
- Spelt Pizza CrustPizza
- Keto Big Mac Salad Bowl
Beyond these suggestions, you could also add these smoked mushrooms to your favorite soups, stews, or sandwiches for an extra layer of savory depth. If your whole smoked mushroom caps are sturdy enough, they can even creatively serve as a low-carb burger bun, offering a unique and healthy alternative. The possibilities for integrating these smoked mushrooms into your recipes are truly endless, so feel free to get creative and explore new culinary horizons!
Nutrition information is for one serving.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
Calories:
20kcal
Carbohydrates:
4.3g
Protein:
2.1g
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👩🏻🍳 Explore More Delightful Mushroom Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed the rich flavors of these smoked portobello mushrooms, you’ll be thrilled to discover more exciting ways to incorporate mushrooms into your cooking. Here are some fantastic mushroom-centric dishes to try next, expanding your culinary repertoire:
- High Calorie Pasta for Weight Gain (Pasta with Mushrooms): A hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for those seeking to add healthy calories.
- Air Fryer Breaded Mushrooms: Crispy, delicious mushrooms made healthy in the air fryer, without excessive oil.
- Air Fryer Sausage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: Imagine combining the smoky flavor from this recipe with these savory stuffed caps – a truly unforgettable dish!
- Oyster Mushroom Jerky Recipe: A unique and chewy vegan jerky alternative, packed with umami flavor.
🔥 Discover More Indoor Smoker Recipes
Intrigued by the capabilities of your indoor smoker? We have even more innovative and easy-to-make smoker recipes that allow you to enjoy deeply flavored dishes without an outdoor grill. Broaden your indoor smoking horizons with these fantastic options:
- How to Smoke Salmon at 200°F: Achieve perfectly flaky and smoky salmon with precise temperature control.
- How to Smoke Tofu in a Smoker: Transform plain tofu into a flavorful, meaty alternative that’s perfect for a variety of dishes.
- Smoked Stouffer’s Mac and Cheese: Elevate a classic comfort food with an irresistible smoky twist, adding depth to every creamy bite.
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