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Portobello Frites

This elegant vegan dish offers a plant-based take on a classic French bistro favourite. Portobello mushroom frites swaps traditional steak for meaty, roasted mushrooms, which provide a deeply savoury flavour and satisfying texture. Paired with a sophisticated red wine and tarragon reduction, the dish feels indulgent while remaining entirely dairy-free. The mushrooms absorb the garlic and shallot infusion beautifully, creating a central element that holds its own against the rich, herbaceous sauce.

Crispy, golden potato wedges serve as the perfect accompaniment to this heart-healthy meal. By baking the potatoes before frying, you ensure a fluffy interior and a perfectly crunch exterior. This recipe is an excellent choice for a weekend dinner or a special occasion when you want to impress without using animal products. Serve with a crisp green salad or steamed seasonal greens to complete the plate.

Continue reading below

Ingredients for Portobello Frites

  • 2 russet potatoes, scrubbed

  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

  • 60ml olive oil

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon minced shallots

  • 4 portobello mushrooms, stems removed, caps wiped clean

  • 240ml dry red wine

  • 60ml Vegetable Stock

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

  • 60ml canola oil for frying

How to make Portobello Frites

  1. Preheat the oven to 204°C. Puncture each potato with a fork three times, sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoons of the coarse sea salt, and wrap individually in foil. Bake until tender to the touch, about 40 minutes. Unwrap the potatoes and let cool; when cool enough to handle, cut each into eight wedges. Set aside.

  2. While the potatoes are cooling, whisk together the olive oil, 1 teaspoon of the salt, the garlic, pepper, and shallots in a small bowl.

  3. Place the portobello caps on a sheet pan with rimmed edges and coat them evenly on both sides with the olive oil mixture, leaving them rounded sides up. Roast until soft in the middle, 8 to 12 minutes.

  4. Transfer the portobello caps to a plate, still rounded sides up, and set aside to cool. Pour the wine, vegetable stock, and mustard onto the warm sheet pan to mix with the mushroom cooking juices. Scrape any solids off the tray, then carefully pour this mixture into a large saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat until reduced by half, 8 to 10 minutes.

  5. Stir the tarragon into the red wine sauce. Remove the saucepan from the heat and cover to keep warm.

  6. In a large sauté pan, heat the canola oil over high heat. When the oil is very hot, carefully fry a few potato wedges at a time until they turn brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer the frites as they are done to a plate lined with paper towels and sprinkle them lightly with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt.

  7. Reheat the portobello caps in the oven if necessary. Serve smothered with red wine sauce and frites on the side.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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