Vegan Carnitas With Mushrooms (Printer-friendly)

Tender shredded mushrooms seasoned with bold Mexican spices and citrus for a satisfying plant-based taco filling ready in under an hour.

# What You'll Need:

→ Mushrooms

01 - 1.1 pounds oyster mushrooms or king oyster mushrooms
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

→ Spices & Seasonings

06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Liquids

13 - 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed preferred
14 - 2 tablespoons lime juice
15 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
16 - 1 teaspoon agave nectar or maple syrup

→ Optional Serving Suggestions

17 - Warm corn tortillas
18 - Chopped cilantro
19 - Diced red onion
20 - Lime wedges
21 - Avocado slices

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 410°F.
02 - Clean oyster or king oyster mushrooms and shred using hands or fork to create a pulled meat texture.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Add minced garlic and diced jalapeño to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Stir in shredded mushrooms and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and moisture begins to evaporate.
06 - Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, coriander, black pepper, chili powder, and salt. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
07 - Pour in orange juice, lime juice, soy sauce, and agave nectar. Mix thoroughly to coat all mushrooms evenly.
08 - Transfer mushroom mixture to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
09 - Spread mixture evenly and bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until edges are crispy and mushrooms are golden brown.
10 - Serve hot with warm tortillas and favorite toppings such as cilantro, red onion, lime wedges, or avocado slices.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The texture is uncannily similar to traditional carnitas but completely plant-based
  • One pan and simple ingredients come together in under an hour
  • The spice blend creates layers of smoky citrus flavor that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
02 -
  • Squeeze as much moisture as possible from the mushrooms before cooking for the best texture
  • Do not skip the oven step as it creates the crispy edges that make these taste authentic
  • Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes after baking for the best texture
03 -
  • Mix different mushroom varieties for more complex texture
  • A splash of liquid smoke creates that authentic carnitas flavor

Go Back