Vegetarian All-American Portobello Burgers

Portobello mushrooms stand in for meat patties in this recipe for veggie burgers with all the fixings. Mushrooms are a source of glutamate, a naturally occurring compound that gives the fungi their umami flavor. But to really give these "patties" a savory boost, we brush them with vegetarian steak sauce. Add a simple side salad or some grilled veggies for a satisfying and easy dinner on the grill.

Prep/Cook Time: 20 Minutes, Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 portobello mushroom caps, gills removed if desired
• Cooking spray
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 4 teaspoons steak sauce, vegetarian style
• 4 slices American cheese
• 4 whole-wheat buns, toasted if desired
• 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
• 4 large tomato slices
• Thinly sliced red onion & pickles (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Coat mushrooms with cooking spray and sprinkle with pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until tender, 10 to 12 minutes total.
3. Meanwhile, mix mayonnaise, ketchup and relish in a small bowl.
4. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and pat dry with paper towels. Brush with steak sauce and top the gill side of each mushroom with a slice of cheese. Return the mushrooms to the grill and cook until the cheese is just melted, about 1 minute more. Serve on buns with the sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and onion and pickles, if desired.

© Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission.