Mediterranean Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Mediterranean Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Mia

Mediterranean Grilled Portobello Mushrooms bring together the earthy richness of meaty portobello caps with the vibrant, sun-drenched flavors of the Mediterranean coast. These substantial mushrooms are marinated in a fragrant blend of extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, aromatic herbs, and tangy balsamic vinegar before being grilled to perfection. The result is a dish that's both satisfying and incredibly healthy, embodying the heart-healthy principles of the Mediterranean Diet.

Portobello mushrooms have long been celebrated in Mediterranean cuisine for their ability to absorb flavors while maintaining a satisfying, steak-like texture. When grilled, they develop a smoky depth that pairs beautifully with the bright notes of lemon, oregano, and basil. This dish is not only rich in umami but also packed with nutrients including B vitamins, selenium, and antioxidants, while being naturally low in calories and fat.

Perfect as a main course for vegetarians or as an elegant side dish, these grilled portobellos can be served alongside quinoa, couscous, or a fresh Greek salad. They're also wonderful tucked into whole grain pita bread with tzatziki sauce and fresh vegetables. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity – quality ingredients prepared with care create a dish that's both restaurant-worthy and easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

Whether you're following the Mediterranean Diet for health reasons or simply love bold, wholesome flavors, this dish delivers on all fronts. The combination of healthy fats from olive oil, the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic and herbs, and the nutrient density of mushrooms makes this a meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Nutrition

27 minutes
None servings
185 calories
Fat 17.00g
Carbs 8.00g
Protein 3.00g

Ingredients

4 largeportobello mushroom caps, stems removed and gills scraped out
1/3 cupextra virgin olive oil
3 tbspbalsamic vinegar
4 clovesgarlic, minced
2 tbspfresh oregano, chopped
2 tbspfresh basil, chopped
2 tbspfresh lemon juice
1 tsplemon zest
1 tspsea salt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1/4 tspred pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
1/4 cupcrumbled feta cheese, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Whisk
tongs
chef's knife
spoon
medium mixing bowl
measuring cups and spoons
serving platter
basting brush
grill or grill pan
shallow dish or resealable bag

16:8 Diet

Ideal for the 16:8 eating window, this nutrient-dense recipe provides satisfying healthy fats from olive oil, B vitamins and minerals from mushrooms, and anti-inflammatory compounds from herbs and garlic. The balanced, whole-food ingredients provide sustained energy without processed carbohydrates or sugars that could spike blood sugar.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 principle with 100% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods: portobello mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and optional feta cheese. All components are anti-inflammatory, minimally processed, and rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Ancestral Diet

Perfect for the Ancestral diet when feta cheese is omitted, this recipe uses only whole, unprocessed foods: portobello mushrooms, olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon—all ingredients that would have been available to hunter-gatherers. The recipe contains no grains, legumes, dairy (without feta), refined sugars, or processed ingredients.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including extra virgin olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs (oregano, basil, parsley), and lemon, all of which contain powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. The portobello mushrooms provide selenium and other nutrients that support immune function, while the recipe avoids all processed foods, refined sugars, and inflammatory oils.

Atkins Diet

This recipe is Atkins-friendly with very low net carbs from the portobello mushrooms (under 5g per serving), high healthy fats from olive oil and optional full-fat feta cheese, and no grains, sugar, or starchy vegetables. The combination of fat and protein promotes satiety while keeping carbohydrate intake minimal, suitable for all Atkins phases.

Autoimmune Paleo

To make this AIP-compliant, omit the feta cheese, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (as black pepper and nightshade peppers are excluded). The recipe otherwise fits perfectly with portobello mushrooms, olive oil, fresh herbs (oregano, basil, parsley), garlic, lemon, and sea salt—all AIP-approved ingredients that support gut healing and reduce inflammation.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with only whole, minimally processed ingredients: fresh portobello mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and sea salt. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no refined sugars, artificial additives, preservatives, or processed components.

DASH Diet

This recipe fits the DASH Diet by emphasizing vegetables (portobello mushrooms), heart-healthy olive oil, and using herbs and spices for flavor instead of excessive salt. To make it fully DASH-compliant, reduce the sea salt to 1/2 teaspoon or less and use low-fat feta cheese, as the recipe is naturally low in sodium and rich in potassium from the mushrooms.

Diabetic Diet

Excellent for diabetic diets, this recipe features low-glycemic portobello mushrooms with minimal carbohydrates, healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil that don't spike blood sugar, and no added sugars or refined carbohydrates. The fiber-rich mushrooms and healthy fats promote stable blood glucose levels.

Evolutionary Diet

This recipe fits Evolutionary/Paleo principles when you omit the feta cheese, featuring only whole foods like portobello mushrooms, olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon. The recipe avoids all grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, and processed ingredients, emphasizing nutrient-dense foods that would have been available to our ancestors.

Flexitarian Diet

Perfect for flexitarian eating, this recipe centers entirely on plant-based ingredients with portobello mushrooms as the substantial, satisfying main component. The dish demonstrates how plant-based meals can be hearty and flavorful without relying on animal products, though the optional feta cheese can be included for those who occasionally consume dairy.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using only fresh portobello mushrooms, olive oil, herbs, and seasonings with no wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients. All components are whole foods that are inherently gluten-free, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe is heart-healthy with extra virgin olive oil providing monounsaturated fats that support cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory garlic and herbs, and no saturated fats, trans fats, or processed ingredients. To optimize for heart health, use low-fat feta or omit it, and keep sodium minimal by reducing the sea salt.

Intermittent Fasting

Perfect for intermittent fasting eating windows, this nutrient-dense recipe provides satisfying umami flavors and healthy fats from olive oil that promote satiety, along with B vitamins, selenium, and antioxidants from the mushrooms. The whole, unprocessed ingredients and absence of refined sugars support stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, flavorful dish made with whole ingredients that provide both pleasure and nourishment. The recipe focuses on taste, texture, and satisfaction without restrictive language or calorie-counting, allowing eaters to enjoy the Mediterranean flavors mindfully.

Ketogenic Diet

These grilled portobellos are keto-compliant with very low net carbs (mushrooms contain minimal carbohydrates), high healthy fats from the generous olive oil marinade, and the optional full-fat feta cheese. The recipe avoids all grains, sugars, and starchy vegetables while emphasizing fat-rich ingredients and low-carb vegetables, making it ideal for maintaining ketosis.

Low-Carb Diet

These grilled portobellos are excellent for low-carb diets, with mushrooms being naturally low in carbohydrates (approximately 3-4g net carbs per serving) while providing a meaty, satisfying texture. The recipe emphasizes healthy fats from olive oil and avoids all grains, bread, pasta, rice, and high-carb ingredients.

Low-Fat Diet

To make this recipe low-fat compliant, reduce the olive oil to 2-3 tablespoons (or use cooking spray) and omit the feta cheese, keeping total fat under 5g per serving. The portobello mushrooms remain flavorful and satisfying even with minimal oil, especially when grilled with the aromatic herbs, garlic, and lemon juice.

Low-Sodium Diet

This recipe can easily be adapted for low-sodium diets by reducing or omitting the sea salt (use only 1/4 teaspoon or none) and omitting the feta cheese, relying instead on the bold flavors from fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and balsamic vinegar. The recipe uses no processed ingredients or high-sodium condiments.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean Diet dish, featuring extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, fresh herbs (oregano, basil, parsley), garlic, lemon, and balsamic vinegar. The portobello mushrooms provide a hearty, nutrient-dense base while the optional feta cheese adds authentic Mediterranean flavor in moderation, perfectly embodying the diet's emphasis on plant-based foods, healthy fats, and minimal processing.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health with extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat (a key MIND Diet component), along with anti-inflammatory herbs and garlic. The portobello mushrooms provide B vitamins and selenium that support cognitive function, while the recipe avoids butter, red meat, and processed ingredients that the MIND Diet limits.

Mindful Eating

Perfect for mindful eating, this recipe engages multiple senses with aromatic herbs, the visual appeal of grilled mushrooms, varied textures from tender mushroom caps to crunchy garnishes, and complex Mediterranean flavors. The whole, minimally processed ingredients encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation.

Paleo Diet

This recipe aligns with Paleo principles by using only whole, unprocessed ingredients including fresh vegetables (mushrooms), healthy olive oil, herbs, and lemon—all foods that would have been available to hunter-gatherers. Simply omit the feta cheese garnish to make it fully Paleo-compliant, as the recipe otherwise contains no grains, legumes, dairy, or processed ingredients.

Paleolithic Diet

Omit the feta cheese to make this fully Paleolithic-compliant, featuring portobello mushrooms, olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon—all whole, unprocessed ingredients that could have been hunted, fished, or gathered. The recipe contains no grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, or processed foods.

Pegan Diet

This recipe aligns with Pegan principles by centering on vegetables (portobello mushrooms) as the main component, using healthy olive oil, and incorporating anti-inflammatory herbs and garlic. Simply omit the feta cheese to make it fully Pegan-compliant, as the recipe is naturally free of gluten, grains, legumes, and processed ingredients.

Plant-Based Diet

This recipe is plant-based compliant when you omit the feta cheese garnish, featuring portobello mushrooms as a hearty plant protein source along with olive oil, fresh herbs, and vegetables. The dish is naturally free of meat, poultry, and fish, emphasizing whole plant foods that are nutrient-dense and minimally processed.

Primal Blueprint

This recipe is Primal Blueprint-compliant with portobello mushrooms as the vegetable base, healthy olive oil, fresh herbs, and optional full-fat feta cheese (acceptable in Primal Blueprint). The recipe contains no grains, legumes, refined sugars, or processed ingredients, emphasizing whole foods and healthy fats.

Primal Diet

This recipe is Primal-compliant featuring whole, unprocessed ingredients including portobello mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, and optional full-fat feta cheese (which is acceptable in the Primal diet). The recipe contains no grains, legumes, refined sugars, or processed foods, focusing on nutrient-dense ingredients that support metabolic health.

South Beach Diet

Perfect for South Beach Diet (all phases), this recipe emphasizes healthy fats from olive oil, non-starchy vegetables (portobello mushrooms), and avoids all refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and processed foods. The optional low-fat feta cheese provides protein while keeping saturated fat in check.

Vegan Diet

Simply omit the feta cheese to make this recipe completely vegan, featuring portobello mushrooms as a substantial plant-based protein with a meaty texture, marinated in olive oil and fresh herbs. The recipe contains no animal products or by-products and emphasizes whole plant foods rich in nutrients and antioxidants.

Vegetarian Diet

This recipe is naturally vegetarian, featuring portobello mushrooms as the protein-rich main ingredient with no meat, poultry, or fish. The optional feta cheese adds additional protein and authentic Mediterranean flavor while keeping the dish completely plant-based with dairy.

Weight Watchers

This recipe aligns with Weight Watchers principles by featuring nutrient-dense, low-calorie portobello mushrooms as the star ingredient, using healthy olive oil in moderation, and avoiding processed foods and added sugars. The dish is naturally low in calories while being satisfying and flavorful, making it an excellent choice for weight management.

Instructions

1

Clean the portobello mushroom caps gently with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt. Remove the stems and use a spoon to scrape out the dark gills from the underside of each cap.

5 min
2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, chopped oregano, chopped basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

3 min
3

Place the mushroom caps in a shallow dish or large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the mushrooms, making sure to coat both sides thoroughly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

15 min
4

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F to 450°F). Clean the grill grates thoroughly and lightly oil them to prevent sticking.

5 min
5

Remove the mushrooms from the marinade, reserving the remaining marinade. Place the mushroom caps on the preheated grill, gill-side down first.

6
6 min

Grill the mushrooms for 5-6 minutes on the first side, brushing with reserved marinade halfway through. The mushrooms should develop nice grill marks and begin to soften.

7
6 min

Flip the mushrooms carefully using tongs and grill for an additional 5-6 minutes on the other side, brushing again with marinade. The mushrooms are done when they're tender throughout and have released their juices.

8

Remove the grilled mushrooms from the heat and transfer to a serving platter. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the juices to settle.

3 min
9

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and crumbled feta cheese if desired. Drizzle with any remaining marinade or a splash of fresh olive oil. Serve warm.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions