Vegan Mushroom Carnitas Recipe
This Vegan Carnitas with Mushrooms recipe offers a flavorful and healthy plant-based alternative to traditional carnitas. Using king trumpet mushrooms shredded and seasoned with a blend of spices, tamari, and citrus juices, this dish is cooked on the stovetop and finished with oven baking to achieve a crispy texture perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 9.5 ounces king trumpet mushrooms
- 1/2 white onion, thinly sliced
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Sauces
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- Juice of 1 lime
Spices & Seasonings
- 3/4 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt, or more to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Mushrooms: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Clean the king trumpet mushrooms by wiping them with a damp towel. Trim about 1/2 inch off the bottoms and discard. Cut the mushroom tops off and thinly slice them. Shred the mushroom stems using two forks or fingers to pull them apart into thin pieces.
- Sauté Ingredients: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add the shredded mushrooms, sliced onion, minced garlic, and tamari. Cook this mixture until the mushrooms and onions have softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Juices and Spices: Pour in the freshly squeezed orange juice and lime juice, then add cumin, onion powder, granulated garlic, dried oregano, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the mushrooms, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Bake to Crisp: Transfer the mushroom mixture onto a large sheet pan, spreading it out in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven until the mushrooms become crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
- Serve: Use the vegan carnitas as a filling for tacos, burritos, nachos, or your favorite dishes. For tacos, warm corn tortillas on the stovetop, spread with guacamole, add the carnitas, and top with diced onion, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeño, and shredded cabbage for an authentic and vibrant meal.
Notes
- Use king trumpet mushrooms for the best texture and flavor, but other sturdy mushrooms can work as a substitute.
- Adjust the amount of salt and chili powder according to your taste preferences.
- The orange and lime juices add bright acidity and sweetness; fresh juice is preferred for best flavor.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure your tamari or soy sauce is certified gluten-free.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the mushrooms for the last 2-3 minutes but watch carefully to prevent burning.
Keywords: vegan carnitas, mushroom carnitas, plant-based carnitas, king trumpet mushrooms, vegan tacos, vegan Mexican recipe
Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/vegan-mushroom-carnitas-recipe/
