Vegan Mushroom Meatballs
Vegan Mushroom Meatballs — Juicy, Savory, and So Satisfying! 🌱
These Vegan Mushroom Meatballs are everything you love about classic meatballs — tender on the inside, golden on the outside, and bursting with rich flavor — but made 100% from plants!
They’re perfect served with pasta, in a sub, or with a rich gravy over mashed potatoes. The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients and a skillet!
🌿 Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 oz (about 300 g) mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup cooked lentils (or chickpeas, mashed)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water (flax egg)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- Fresh parsley or thyme, chopped (for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the base:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
2️⃣ Add mushrooms:
Add chopped mushrooms and cook until the moisture evaporates and they turn golden brown (about 8–10 minutes). Stir in soy sauce and tomato paste, then remove from heat.
3️⃣ Mix the “meatball” dough:
In a large bowl, combine the cooked mushroom mix, breadcrumbs, lentils, flax egg, and seasonings. Mix until well combined. The mixture should hold together when pressed — if it’s too wet, add more breadcrumbs.
4️⃣ Form balls:
Roll into 1–1½ inch balls and place on a plate or tray.
5️⃣ Cook:
- Pan method: Heat oil in a nonstick skillet and cook the meatballs on all sides until browned.
- Oven method: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
6️⃣ Optional glaze:
For extra flavor, toss the meatballs in a simple glaze — mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp maple syrup, and 1 tsp cornstarch with ¼ cup water, then simmer until thickened. Pour over meatballs before serving!
💡 Tips & Serving Ideas
🍝 Serve with marinara and pasta for classic comfort.
🥖 Load into a sandwich roll with vegan cheese for a meatball sub.
🥔 Pair with mashed potatoes and vegan gravy for a hearty dinner.
✨ Rich, meaty, and perfectly tender — these Vegan Mushroom Meatballs are proof that plants can do it all! 🌱❤️
