Boost Grilled Mushrooms' Intensity With A Slather Of Steak Sauce

Whether or not you're part of the 10% of Americans that exclude meat from their diet, according to The Conversation, you've likely either heard that mushrooms are a great alternative to meat, or given it a try yourself. Even if you eat meat, grilled mushrooms are a delicious dish packed full of B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin D, and what they lack in protein they make up for by being low in fat (via Scelta Mushrooms).

Anyone who's cooked mushrooms before is familiar with how they soak in the flavor of seasonings. When prepared well, mushrooms are rich with flavor and umami, but if you don't season them right, they can be a bit bland and flavorless. Even if you load them up with your favorite spices, you may still miss that signature meaty, hearty grilled steak flavor. Luckily, there's an incredibly easy way to boost the meaty taste of mushrooms with just one ingredient — steak sauce.

Steak sauce sounds like it should only be used for meaty dishes, but it's an incredibly versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of ways. According to The Manual, steak sauce has British origins, developed in the 19th century to help season beef that was past its prime. It originally consisted of tomato, apple, molasses, dates, vinegar, tamarind, and raisins, but today, seasonings and ingredients vary by company and recipe. The popular brand A.1. steak sauce is made from tomato puree, vinegar, corn syrup, raisin paste, and spices like garlic and onion to add a sweet, sour, and tangy bite to steak. 

It's common to dip your fries in steak sauce in Britain, but it can also be used to flavor grilled mushrooms, giving them that signature meaty flavor. Don't just top your mushrooms with steak sauce when they're done, though. Mushrooms absorb whatever flavor you introduce, and even more so while they're still cooking. This is why Delish recommends adding the sauce during the grilling process. Not only will the mushrooms absorb the tangy, rich flavor of the sauce, but they will also caramelize and char on the hot grill, enhancing that meaty taste.