Carne Asada Mushroom Tacos

Updated on January 19, 2021

Attempting to incorporate meatless meals in your home? Get festive and prepare these Carne Asada Mushroom Tacos! Filled with marinated Shiitake mushrooms, grilled pineapple, pickled red onion, jalapeno and avocado crema. Prepare your taste buds for an ultimate ride on the flavor train!

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If you like meals that bursts with flavor, you'll love my Mexican Nacho Board, Mexican Pizza with Shredded Chicken paired with my Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita!

Finding any reason to pair pickled onions with a tasty dish has become my new hobby. If you're looking for a meatless option this week, look no further! Theses tacos are so tasty and satisfying for any palate; meat or meatless, these tacos truly stand firm on their own!

CARNE ASADA MUSHROOM TACOS

These carne asada mushroom tacos are vegetarian friendly and made with shiitake mushrooms. The mushrooms are marinated in a gluten and dairy free "steak-like" sauce and sauteed until crispy and slightly charred. Together with a warm tortilla and toppings that truly take the tacos to the next level, again, you'll never wonder why these babies are meatless! Yum!

WHAT TOPPINGS ARE ON THIS TASTY TACO?

What makes these tacos festive are the toppings that uniquely pair so well! From the combo of sweet, savory and tangy, again, it'll leave your tastebuds totally satisfied!

• Pickled red onion
• Grilled Pineapple
• Avocado Crema
• Cotija Cheese
• Cilantro
• Jalapeno

PICKLED RED ONIONS

Pickled onions are onions mixed in a vinegar, sugar and salt solution leaving a salty and tangy flavor much like dill pickles! Coupled with avocado toast, tacos, sandwiches in addition to salads and even grilled cheese. These fermented babies are even rich in vitamin B9 too!

The recipe I've used for pickled onions comes from an amazing blogger, Rachel who helped me overcome my fear of pickling onions at home! I'm adapting my own recipe soon but for now use her recipe. These pickled onions are so good, you can also eat them right out of the jar as a snack!

WHY GRILLED PINEAPPLE?

With all the tasty toppings on this taco, it's hard to choose the star. As a matter of fact, the grilled pineapple may be the secret star of this dish! Furthermore, the pineapples are grilled releasing juicy flavor and provides a sweet note you didn't know you needed!

Using fresh pineapple, simply slice the pineapple into rings and grill preferably on a griddle to produce beautiful grill marks. Moreover, the pineapple will be ready to flip when it becomes slightly sticky to touch using tongs.

Additionally, roughly chop the grilled pineapple into chunks and set aside until further use!

AVOCADO CREMA

While this topping is certainly optional if you're looking to stay dairy free. I strongly urge you to not omit this as there's a substitute that can make this sauce dairy free.

If you're looking for a healthier dairy based solution, try:

• Plain Greek Yogurt
• Cottage Cheese
• Buttermilk

For dairy free options, try:

• Cashew sour cream
• Vegan Sour Cream
• Coconut Milk or Cream

HOW TO MAKE THE AVOCADO CREMA?

In a medium sized bowl using one ripe avocado, smash the avocado until smooth. Next, add the dairy or non dairy ingredient of your choice such as greek yogurt, sour cream or vegan sour cream , stir until well combined.

Third, add fresh lime juice and a pinch of coarse salt. Last, stir one final time, taste and adjust seasonings and set aside until further use.

WHAT IS COTIJA CHEESE?

Cotija cheese is a mexican cheese used in several staple dishes. Similarly, feta cheese, romano or or parmesan cheeses are good substitutes and close in flavor.

The cotija cheese is as equally important in this dish as the other toppings but you can certainly omit if you're wanting to remain diary free.

WHAT TYPE OF FLAVOR DOES THE CILANTRO PROVIDE?

Coriander also known as cilantro is a leafy herb used in many dishes throughout the world. As a matter of fact, the leaves are considered "cilantro" while its seeds are considered the "coriander". Used in soups, salads, and traditional mexican dishes; people who find cilantro pleasing to taste describe the flavor as earthy, citrusy and slightly spicy.

GOOD SUBSTITUTE FOR CILANTRO

To put it differently, if you are not a fan of cilantro, you can certainly omit or use these herbs as a tasty substitute.

• Parsley
• Basil
• Fresh Oregano
• Dill
• Tarragon

CARNE ASADA STYLE MUSHROOMS

This taco is completely meatless, hence the mushrooms replacing the "meat" of this taco. Shiitake mushrooms are marinated in steak-like flavors to provide a salty, earthy and tangy flavor similar to most carne asada style flavors.

Similarly to the traditional mexican dish, the mushroom taste buttery, juicy, and slightly charred!

SUBSTITUTES FOR SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

• Crimini
• Porcini
• Portobello ("meatiest" option)

HOW TO MAKE CARNE ASADA MUSHROOM TACOS

Let's go over how these tasty meatless tacos come together. Trust me, once you try these, that is to say, I'm expecting to hear from you just how GOOD they were. You won't be disappointed! Connect with me on Instagram or Facebook, I'd love to connect!

In a medium sized bowl, add mushrooms, harissa powder, liquid smoke, steak sauce and water. Without delay, stir until well combined and let marinate for 30 minutes to one hour.

TIME TO PREPARE THE TOPPINGS!

While mushrooms are marinating, instantly prepare the pickled onions and avocado crema. To a medium sized bowl, add avocado, Mexican sour cream (or your choice of substitution), lime juice, salt and stir until smooth and creamy, last set aside.

Prepare the grilled pineapples by slicing fresh pineapple and sautéing each slice for 1-2 minutes per side until juices start to release.

Prep additional toppings for tacos while mushrooms marinate by slicing fresh jalapenos, cilantro, and dice grilled pineapple after it's grilled.

TIME TO SAUTE THE CARNE ASADA MUSHROOMS

In a medium saucepan on high heat, sear mushrooms (and all its liquid) until sauce cooks down and mushrooms are fork tender. Saute until liquid evaporates and allow mushrooms to slightly char.

Set aside until taco assembly being careful not to eat the entire bowl. 🙂

HOW TO ASSEMBLE CARNE ASADA MUSHROOM TACOS!

Assemble tacos by taking a warm flour tortilla layering the mushroom first. Next, add pickled onion, crumbled queso, avocado crema, cilantro, jalapeno and diced pineapple and enjoy!

BEFORE YOU GO, BE SURE TO TRY THESE TASTY RECIPES

If you like meals that bursts with flavor, you'll love my Mexican Nacho Board, Mexican Pizza with Shredded Chicken paired with my Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita!