These Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers offer a smoky, savory, and slightly tangy flavor profile, making them a perfect addition to any grilling session. The mushrooms are marinated in a balsamic vinegar and garlic mixture, skewered, and grilled until tender with a slight char. They are a simple, delicious option for a side dish, appetizer, or light main course.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 pounds mushrooms, sliced 1/4 inch thick

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari)

• 3 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon thyme, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, mix together balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, chopped garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper.

2. Marinate the Mushrooms: Place the mushroom slices in the marinade and let them sit for about 30 minutes to soak up the flavors.

3. Skewer the Mushrooms: Once marinated, thread the mushrooms onto skewers.

4. Grill the Mushrooms: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Grill the skewers for about 2-3 minutes per side until the mushrooms are tender and slightly charred.

5. Serve: Remove from the grill and serve warm as a side dish or appetizer.

Nutrients

• Calories: 62 kcal per serving

• Carbohydrates: 9g

  • Fiber: 2g

  • Sugar: 5g

• Protein: 7g

• Fat: 0.8g

  • Saturated Fat: 0g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: 233mg

• Potassium: 243mg

The Flavor Profile: A Harmony of Ingredients

What makes Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers so delightful is the marinade. The combination of balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and thyme creates a beautifully balanced flavor profile that enhances the natural earthiness of the mushrooms.

• Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a rich, tangy sweetness that brings depth to the dish. It’s a perfect contrast to the earthy flavor of mushrooms and provides a subtle sweetness that’s balanced by its acidity.

• Soy Sauce (or Tamari): Soy sauce provides a salty, umami-rich flavor that complements the balsamic vinegar. It deepens the overall taste, making the mushrooms feel more savory and satisfying.

• Garlic: Freshly chopped garlic infuses the mushrooms with a robust, aromatic flavor. Garlic works wonderfully in marinades, as it softens and becomes more mellow during grilling, adding warmth to the dish.

• Thyme: Fresh thyme offers a slightly earthy, herbal note that brightens up the overall flavor, bringing freshness and complexity to the mushrooms.

Together, these ingredients create a marinade that elevates the mushrooms, making them more than just a simple side dish. The marinade also helps to tenderize the mushrooms, ensuring they grill beautifully and soak up all the wonderful flavors.

Choosing the Right Mushrooms for Grilling

For this recipe, any type of mushroom can be used, but larger varieties such as cremini, portobello, or button mushrooms work best for grilling. These mushrooms are firm enough to hold up on skewers without falling apart during cooking. They also have enough surface area to absorb the marinade and develop that smoky, charred flavor when grilled.

If you’re using smaller mushrooms, you may want to skewer them or consider using a grilling basket to prevent them from slipping through the grill grates. Regardless of the variety you choose, make sure the mushrooms are fresh and firm, with no signs of wilting or excessive moisture.

The Marinating Process: Simple Yet Effective

Marinating the mushrooms for 30 minutes is key to ensuring they absorb all the flavors from the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and thyme. This marinating time doesn’t need to be long, as mushrooms are porous and take on flavors quickly. The acidity from the balsamic vinegar and soy sauce works to tenderize the mushrooms while infusing them with the rich, savory flavors.

If you have extra time, you can marinate them for longer, but even a quick 30-minute soak will provide plenty of flavor. Just be sure to toss the mushrooms occasionally in the marinade to ensure an even distribution of the seasoning.

Skewering the Mushrooms

Once marinated, the mushrooms are ready to be skewered. Threading them onto skewers makes grilling them a breeze, as it keeps the mushrooms in place while cooking and allows them to cook evenly on all sides.

Be sure to leave a little space between each mushroom slice when threading them onto the skewers. This will allow heat to circulate around the mushrooms, ensuring they cook evenly and develop a nice char. If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 20-30 minutes before use to prevent them from burning on the grill.

Grilling: Achieving the Perfect Char

Grilling the mushrooms is where the magic happens. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, and once hot, place the skewers on the grill. Grill the mushrooms for about 2-3 minutes per side, turning them occasionally, until they’re tender and slightly charred. The char gives the mushrooms a smoky flavor, while the balsamic vinegar caramelizes, creating a slight sweetness and depth of flavor.

Since mushrooms cook quickly, it’s important not to leave them on the grill for too long. Overcooked mushrooms can become mushy and lose their flavor, so keep an eye on them and remove them from the grill once they’re golden and tender.

Serving Suggestions

These Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers can be served in a variety of ways, making them versatile enough for any occasion. They can be served as a side dish alongside grilled meats, seafood, or other vegetables. They also make an excellent appetizer when served with a dipping sauce, such as a creamy ranch or a tangy balsamic glaze.

For a light main course, these skewers can be paired with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables, providing a satisfying and flavorful vegetarian meal. They’re also a great addition to a Mediterranean or Italian-inspired meal, complementing dishes such as pasta, grilled fish, or roasted chicken.

If you want to add a little extra richness, you can drizzle some extra balsamic vinegar or olive oil over the grilled mushrooms before serving. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese also works beautifully as a garnish.

Nutritional Benefits of Grilled Mushrooms

These Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers are not only delicious but also offer a number of health benefits. Mushrooms are low in calories and fat, making them a great option for those looking to enjoy a tasty, light dish. Each serving contains only 62 calories, with 9 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 7 grams of protein, which makes them a great addition to a balanced meal.

Mushrooms are also a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and supports proper muscle function. They contain small amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, B vitamins, and iron, making them a nutritious choice for maintaining overall health.

The balsamic vinegar used in the marinade also has health benefits, as it contains antioxidants and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. When combined with the garlic and thyme, this dish provides not only great flavor but also a variety of health-promoting compounds.

Conclusion: Why You Should Try Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers

Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers are a simple yet flavorful addition to your grilling repertoire. The combination of smoky, savory mushrooms with the tangy, sweet balsamic marinade creates a mouthwatering flavor profile that will impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds. Whether served as a side dish, appetizer, or main course, these skewers are sure to become a favorite at your next BBQ or dinner party.

With their easy preparation and quick cooking time, these skewers offer a delicious, healthy option for any meal. So, fire up the grill and give these Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers a try—you won’t be disappointed!