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The Best Vegetarian Tacos With Mushroom Carnitas And Avocado Salsa
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There’s nothing quite like the vibrant, fresh flavors of California, and today we’re diving into a dish that brings it all straight to your kitchen: vegetarian tacos with mouth-watering mushroom carnitas, paired with a creamy avocado cilantro salsa. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of the best produce California has to offer.
Why Mushrooms Are More Than Just Filler
Forget what you thought about mushrooms being just a side dish. In California, mushrooms are grown with care and precision, especially at places like Far West Fungi, where the art of mushroom cultivation is taken to new heights.
Mushrooms are the ultimate MVPs when it comes to replacing meat in dishes. They have an incredible meaty texture that holds its own during cooking. Mushrooms are also loaded with umami, that magical flavor bomb that adds depth and richness to any vegetarian dish.
How Mushrooms Are Grown in California.
Mushrooms haven’t always been the culinary equivalent of the “It Girl.” Even though the New York Times called them the “Ingredient of the Year,” mushrooms have traditionally been a divisive ingredient that people either love or love to hate. But over the past several years, their popularity has grown, and exotic mushrooms are even more popular.
The Garrone family of Far West Fungi has always been passionate about mushrooms, growing and distributing edible fungi for the past 35 years!
Click here to tour their farm at Moss Landing with us!
The Magic Behind Our Mushroom Carnitas
Why reach for mushrooms when making tacos? The answer is simple: texture, taste, and a touch of environmental kindness.
What Type of Mushrooms Are Best for Making Vegetarian Carnitas?
While you could choose all sorts and types of mushrooms to make delicious taco fillings, we are partial to king oyster mushrooms for this particular recipe.
King oyster mushrooms aren’t any old ordinary mushrooms; they’re a meaty, flavorful base perfect for creating the richest, most satisfying vegetarian carnitas for tacos that you will ever have. Their firm bite seriously rivals pulled pork, to the point that it’s wild!
Handling King Oyster Mushrooms Like a Pro
Cleaning king oyster mushrooms is a breeze. A quick wipe with a damp cloth is all it takes to get them ready for cooking. This ensures they maintain their firm texture and deep, earthy flavor – taking your vegetarian tacos from good to unforgettable.
The Secret’s in the Salsa: Avocado Cilantro Goodness
A taco without salsa is like a day without sunshine, especially in California. Our Avocado Cilantro Salsa made with ripe avocados, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime brings a creamy, zesty kick to your mushroom carnitas tacos. Each bite is a blend of flavors that’s just irresistible.
It’s Officially California Avocado Season!
March through September is avocado season here in the Golden State, and we couldn’t possibly be more excited! The California combination of passionate farmers and a sun-kissed climate, create an idyllic setting for these creamy fruits to thrive. Like a Mediterranean paradise, California’s weather provides the ultimate nurturing ground, allowing avocados to blossom under the care of those who know and love the land deeply. It’s a true harmony of nature and nurture, making each avocado a testament to the state’s rich, fertile environment.
California’s avocado growers champion sustainability, marrying traditional farming with innovative practices.
Through smart water use and natural pest control, their commitment to the earth ensures the orchards’ vitality and the ongoing delight of avocado lovers everywhere.
This effort not only sustains the local economy but also offers a slice of California’s agricultural legacy with every creamy bite, celebrating the bond between the land and its stewards.
California Avocado Recipes You Haven’t Tried, But Should!
Just for some context, there are over 11 million uses of #avocado on Instagram…and that’s not even counting any other related hashtags. The superfood sensation is synonymous with California cuisine and a favorite of health nuts everywhere.
Click here for more of our best recipes with avocado.
Ways to Make These Vegetarian Tacos Your Own
While we love to just dunk our crispy vegetarian tacos straight into Avocado Cilantro Salsa, there are all sorts of ways you can customize this taco recipe to your liking. California offers a smorgasbord of fresh veggies that will add layers of flavor and texture to your tacos. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Roasted Pepper Power: Bell peppers, poblanos, or even jalapenos add a touch of smoky sweetness when roasted.
- Caramelized Onion Magic: Sweet and savory caramelized onions take any taco to the next level.
- Crunchy Cabbage Crew: Shredded cabbage adds a refreshing crunch and helps balance the richness of the avocado salsa.
- Tangy Tomato Trio: Diced tomatoes will provide that juicy acidity we all crave.
What Cocktail Pairs Best With These Vegetarian Tacos?
May we suggest a savory Sangrita Shandy with a delightful avocado garnish?
An important component of a Shandy is the effervescence. That’s why this recipe calls for dry sparkling wine from California in place of the beer that is typically used to make a Shandy.
Instead of sweetened lemonade for the flavor base, we use our savory Sangrita mix, which transforms this classic drink into a juicy shandy with a bit of a spicy bite!
Learn how to make this savory cocktail here!
Be Sure To Share Your Vegetarian Taco Masterpieces With Us!
At CA GROWN, we’re not just sharing recipes; we’re sharing stories about our food, where it comes from, and the people who grow it. We’re a community of food enthusiasts, farmers, and home cooks, all united by our love for California’s bounty.
Have a go-to vegetarian taco recipe that is a hit at every dinner party? We want to see it! Share your best creations with us by tagging #CAGROWN on social media. Your recipe could inspire our entire community of food lovers. If this peek into California’s flavors has your taste buds tingling, don’t stop here. Follow us on Pinterest for endless inspiration that celebrates the freshest, most flavorful ingredients from the Golden State.
Mushroom Carnitas Vegetarian Tacos with Avocado-Cilantro Salsa
Ingredients
For the mushroom carnitas:
- 10 ounces king oyster mushrooms
- 1 TBSP cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp granulated garlic
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp coarse kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 TBSPS olive oil, divided
- ½ cup orange juice
- 3 TBSPS tomato juice
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced small
- ½ white onion, diced small
For the salsa:
- 2 avocado
- ½ jalapeno, seeded
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ bunch cilantro
- 2 TBSPS lime juice
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ tsp salt
For the tacos:
- 6 corn tortillas
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 2 TBSP paprika
Instructions
To make the mushroom carnitas:
- Preheat your oven to 425℉ (220℃). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cleaning the mushrooms gently. Remove tough ends and slice the mushrooms lengthwise into thin strips. Then, shred the strips into smaller pieces by gently pulling them apart with your fingers or a fork.
- Next, toss the shredded mushrooms with the cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, oregano, granulated garlic, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Make sure the mushrooms are well coated, then evenly spread them onto the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until they begin to get a little crispy on the edges and are still a little chewy. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the diced jalapeno and diced white onion in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Cook until the onions start to become translucent, about 2-4 minutes, then add the orange juice, tomato juice, and cooked mushrooms to the skillet and stir. Allow to cook for another 2-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the juices have almost evaporated and are coating the mushrooms. It should be a little tacky to the touch.
To make the avocado-cilantro salsa:
- Place all the ingredients for the salsa in a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides occasionally. Taste and adjust the salt if necessary.
To make crispy tacos:
- Mix the paprika into the vegetable oil in a medium bowl. Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Dip each tortilla into the paprika oil completely, let any excess drip off, and place in the preheated skillet. Place about 2 tablespoons of the mushroom carnitas on one half of the tortilla and allow to cook for about two minutes, or until the tortilla becomes crispy. Fold the tortilla in half over the mushrooms and remove from the skillet.