Vegan ‘Burger’ Sliders with Smokey Maitakes

These loaded vegan burgers are topped with smokey roasted maitake mushrooms for a classic bacon-burger combo. Vegan “beef” is a unique ingredient that resembles meat and has made vegan food more alluring to non-vegans. Irresistible is an understatement!

Serves 3 (6 sliders total)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 8 ounces RI Mushroom Co. Maitake mushrooms, sliced

• 2 each clove garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• Kosher salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 12 ounces ground vegan ‘beef’ (Impossible™ Foods, Beyond Beef®, etc.)

• Dijon mustard, vegan mayo, or BBQ sauce, for serving (optional)

• 6 each vegan slider buns

• Pickle slices, for serving

• Lettuce, for serving (optional)

• Tomato slices, for serving (optional)

• Red onion slices, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a medium bowl, add extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine. Be conservative with the salt because more can always be added later.

2. Add sliced RI Mushroom Co. Maitake mushrooms and toss well to distribute the seasonings. Spread in one layer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until crispy, about 15-25 minutes, depending upon how crunchy you like them. Remove and reserve.

3. Meanwhile, prepare other slider toppings including lettuce, tomato slices, red onion slices, and pickle slices. Lightly toast slider buns in a skillet. Don’t forget to slightly season your tomato slices!

4. Divide the ground vegan ‘beef’ into 2-ounce patties, about ⅓-inch thick. Heat a skillet or cast-iron pan to medium-high heat and add vegetable oil. Once the oil is lightly smoking, place a few patties into the pan. Season the top with salt and pepper, to taste.

5. Cook the patties, untouched, until crusty and browned, about 2 minutes. Flip onto the other side and cook until browned, another 2 minutes. Reserve cooked patties to a large plate. This is best done in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

6. Assemble the sliders with a swipe of Dijon mustard, vegan mayo, or BBQ sauce on the bottom bun, followed by pickle slices. Add the seared vegan burger then some sliced red onion, seasoned tomato slice, smokey roasted Maitake mushrooms, and some lettuce. Place the other side of the bun on top and enjoy immediately!