Grilled mushrooms are a tasty treat that goes well with any meal, whether you are grilling steaks, chicken, fish or shrimp. Check out this simple method for making mouth-watering barbecue-grilled mushrooms.
The problem with cooking mushrooms on the barbecue grill is that mushrooms tend to dry out very easily and sometimes turn mushy on the grill.
There is a simple secret for cooking mushrooms that helps them to retain their moisture and improves the flavor. The secret is to marinate the mushrooms for an hour or more in extra virgin olive oil prior to cooking. The olive oil is absorbed by the surface of the mushrooms, which helps them to retain moisture, which causes them to be steamed rather than baked.
It is important that you use “extra virgin” olive oil, because that type is much better tasting. If you are not a fan of olives, do not confuse the taste of olive oil with the taste of olives. This type of olive oil does not taste like olives and is used to enhance the flavor of many very popular Italian meals.
I do not recommend using “extra light” olive oil. The extra light in the name has nothing to do with the olive oil containing less calories or being better for you in any way. If you read the fine print on a bottle of extra light olive oil, the extra light refers to extra light tasting, which basically means it has no flavor. Olive oil is naturally much better for your health than vegetable oil or many other types of food oils.
To prepare the mushrooms, clean them under cold water and place them in either a plastic container or a heavy duty seal-able bag. You do not need to submerge the mushrooms in oil. Just add enough so that they will be coated in oil when you gently stir the container or shake them in a bag. About 3 ounces of olive oil will coat 1-pound of mushrooms. After coating the mushrooms, place the container in a refrigerator and let them sit for about an hour. This gives the mushrooms time to absorb the olive oil.
You can use this recipe for many types of mushrooms. We typically use it with large button mushrooms. After waiting for the marination period to end, simply place the mushrooms on a medium temperature barbecue grill. Turn then frequently until the surface is a nice golden brown. Mushrooms cook rather quickly. It should only take about 10 to 15 minutes until your grilled mushrooms are ready for your feast.