This Seared Mushroom Sandwich with Watcharee’s Thai Basil & Garlic Sauce is the perfect recipe. a fast, flavorful, plant-forward meal.
This technique uses a burger press (or the bottom of a heavy pan) to smash the mushrooms while searing, giving them crispy edges and a meaty, almost burger-like texture.It’s vegetarian, quick to prepare, and loaded with Thai basil, garlic, and aromatic herbs from Watcharee’s signature sauce.
Serve it for lunch, dinner, or a weekend sandwich that tastes like street food from Bangkok.
Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
Lightly oil the pan and place cleaned whole mushrooms or thick slices in a single layer without crowding.
Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Place a burger press or a flat weight on top of the mushrooms to press them firmly against the pan.
Sear for 2–3 minutes without moving them to develop deep browning.
Lift the press, flip the mushrooms, and press again. Cook another 2–3 minutes until the mushrooms are deeply caramelized and release very little moisture.
Reduce heat to medium and drizzle a small amount of oil if the pan looks dry.
Add a spoonful of Watcharee’s Basil & Garlic Sauce to the pan and toss the mushrooms briefly to coat. Warm the sauce for 30–60 seconds so it clings to the mushrooms without burning.
Toast bread or sandwich rolls in the same skillet until golden.
Spread a thin layer of additional Basil & Garlic Sauce on the bread if desired.
Layer seared mushrooms onto the bread along with optional toppings such as microgreens, red onion, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, or pickled vegetables.
Press the sandwich lightly, slice, and serve warm.
Recipe Note
Pair with a simple cucumber salad, crispy fries, or Thai iced tea.
Make it a mushroom melt by adding cheese and broiling for 2 minutes.
Serve mushrooms over rice or noodles for a Thai basil stir-fry bowl.
