Vegan Carnitas With Mushrooms (Printable)

Tender shredded mushrooms with bold Mexican spices make a perfect plant-based taco filling ready in 40 minutes.

# What you need:

→ Mushrooms

01 - 1.1 lbs oyster mushrooms or king oyster mushrooms
02 - 1 tbsp 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 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
10 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
12 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Liquids

13 - 1/4 cup orange juice
14 - 2 tbsp lime juice
15 - 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
16 - 1 tsp agave nectar or maple syrup

→ Optional Serving Accompaniments

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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 410°F.
02 - Clean and shred mushrooms using hands or fork to create a pulled texture resembling carnitas.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 3-4 minutes until softened.
04 - Add minced garlic and diced jalapeño to skillet, sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Stir in shredded mushrooms and cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and moisture begins to evaporate.
06 - Sprinkle in cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, coriander, black pepper, chili powder, and salt. Stir well and cook 2 minutes to toast 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 and spread in an even layer.
09 - Bake 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until edges are crispy and mushrooms are golden brown.
10 - Serve hot with warm tortillas and desired toppings.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get all the smoky, savory satisfaction of traditional carnitas without touching a single piece of meat
  • The texture becomes incredible crispy and chewy in ways that will surprise even dedicated mushroom skeptics
02 -
  • Dont skip the oven step because that is where the magic happens with texture
  • Overcrowding the pan while sautéing will steam the mushrooms instead of browning them
03 -
  • Make a double batch because these reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
  • King oyster mushrooms work exceptionally well because they are firmer and hold up better to the two step cooking process

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