Crispy Oyster Mushroom Tacos

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!

❤️ Why you’ll love it

I am always amazed by the spongy texture of oyster mushrooms, which soaks up the marinade perfectly, and they become super crispy, just like traditional chicken or beef strips.

This is one of the things that make this recipe special. The incredible texture of the mushrooms mimics real meat, and the best part is that it is entirely vegan and easy to make.

Sauteeing the marinated oyster mushrooms until they are nice and crispy is what takes this recipe to the next level. The result is a filling that is full of flavor with the ideal texture.

🧾 Key ingredients

This oyster mushroom taco recipe uses ingredients that are simple and easy to find at your local grocery store. You might even have some of them in your kitchen already.

Oyster mushrooms are the star of this dish. They have a unique, savory flavor and a meaty texture that makes them a perfect substitute for meat in vegan tacos.

Small tortillas are the vessel for all of the delicious ingredients in these tacos. You can use flour or corn tortillas, whichever you prefer.

Avocado and vegan sour cream add a creamy, cool element to the tacos, balancing out the heat from the salsa and the spices. s.

Sweet corn and black beans add a touch of sweetness and a hearty, satisfying element to the tacos. You can use canned corn and beans for convenience, but you can also cook them from dried if you prefer.

Chunky salsa sauce is a quick and easy way to add a ton of flavor to these tacos. You can use store-bought salsa or make your own if you have the ingredients on hand.

🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

🥘 Equipment

To make these delicious oyster mushroom tacos, the most crucial piece of equipment you will need is a good quality skillet. I use a non-stick ceramic skillet, which is perfect for sautéeing the oyster mushrooms to crispy perfection.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preparing the ingredients

STEP 1
Start by preparing your pearl oyster mushrooms. Simply cut off the end of the stem, and then tear both the cap and stem into shreds with your hands.

STEP 2
Next, prepare the marinade for the mushrooms. In a bowl, combine olive oil, taco seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix these ingredients well to make the marinade.

STEP 3
Now, add the oyster mushroom strips to the marinade and ensure they are well coated. Let the mushrooms marinate in this mixture for about 5-10 minutes.

Making the oyster mushroom tacos

STEP 1
Heat a skillet to high heat. Once hot, add the marinated oyster mushrooms to the skillet in a single layer. If you are making a large batch, work in batches to ensure the mushrooms are in a single layer.

STEP 2
Saute the mushrooms in the skillet, stirring them with a spatula. Continue to do this until the mushrooms are crispy. This should take about 10-15 minutes. If the mushrooms start to feel too dry, add a teaspoon of olive oil to the skillet.

STEP 3
While the mushrooms are cooking, prepare the other components of the tacos. Saute some corn in the same skillet, without seasoning, after the mushrooms are done.

STEP 4
Once the mushrooms and corn are ready, it is time to assemble the tacos. Take a small tortilla and add the sautéeed mushrooms and pan-seared corn. Then, add some black beans and slices of avocado.

STEP 5
To finish off the tacos, add a spoonful of chunky salsa sauce and a dollop of dairy-free sour cream. Your oyster mushroom tacos are now ready to serve.

💡 Expert tip

The key to achieving the perfect, crispy texture for your oyster mushroom tacos is to sauté the marinated mushrooms on high heat. This process allows the moisture to evaporate quickly, ensuring that the mushrooms become crispy rather than soft. If you cook them on low heat, they will release their liquid and end up soft instead of crispy.

🔄 Variations

You can try using a different seasoning mix. Make it spicier by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or add smoky paprika for a smokier flavor. Or try our easy, homemade fajita sauce.

There are 11 ways to cook oyster mushrooms, but for the crispiest result, opt for pan-frying. However, these tacos can also be baked like my vegan gyros. Place parchment paper in a sheet pan. Spread the shredded oyster mushrooms, preferably in one layer. Preheat oven to 425 Fahrenheit and bake them for 40 minutes or until crispy on the edges. 

Feel free to use other types of oyster mushrooms for a change in flavor. There are also a handful substitutes that will give you similar texture and taste.

🥣 Serving ideas

Oyster mushroom tacos are a versatile, delicious, and healthy meal that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is with a side of fresh, homemade guacamole. It is also delicious with fajita veggies or chipotle veggies.

You can also make a DIY taco bowl by adding cilantro lime rice, sweet potato rice, corn salsa, vegan nacho cheese sauce, or vegan queso dip. It results in a hearty, satisfying meal for the entire family.

If you are a fan of Mexican street corn, consider adding some elote-inspired toppings to your tacos. A dollop of vegan sour cream, a sprinkle of chili powder, and a squeeze of lime juice will give your tacos a burst of flavor and a hint of heat, perfect for a summer cookout or a casual dinner with friends.

🤔 FAQs

More Vegan Tex-Mex recipes

THANK YOU so much for visiting our website. Please comment below if you have tried this recipe. We LOVE hearing from you! If you loved the recipe, please don’t forget to give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RATING. We appreciate all of our readers.