Vegan Walnut and Mushroom Pâté

This Vegan Walnut and Mushroom Pâté is rich, savory, and full of earthy flavors. It’s a flavorful plant-based appetizer that’s great for spreads and charcuterie boards during the holidays. Smooth, creamy, and easy to make, it pairs beautifully with crackers, veggies, or toasted bread.

Walnuts and mushrooms make a delicious duo in dishes like Easy Walnut Taco Meat and Vegan Cuban Picadillo and they shine just as well in this recipe.

You need to try it at your next gathering or holiday party as part of a delicious vegan charcuterie board. If you're looking for more vegan appetizers to include, try Easy Lemon Pistachio Gremolata, White Bean Basil Dip, or High-Protein Lupini Bean Hummus.

What Is Pâté?

Pâté is a rich and savory spread or paste with its origins rooted in French culinary traditions. It is traditionally made from finely minced or pureed ingredients like liver, often combined with herbs, spices, and sometimes alcohol. It's a popular appetizer or snack in various cuisines, known for its creamy texture and complex flavors.

On the other hand, this vegan mushroom walnut pate is a plant-based alternative that mimics the texture and flavors of traditional pâté without using any animal products.

Why I Love This Recipe

• This pâté is incredibly versatile. Spread it on crackers, use it as a dip with veggies, or even as a sandwich spread.
• Despite its gourmet appeal, this pâté is surprisingly easy to prepare with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
• Its elegant and sophisticated flavor profile makes it a great choice for dinner parties, gatherings, or holiday events. People may never suspect it's made with mushrooms and walnuts.

Ingredients

For the quantities, see the recipe card. Here are the simple ingredients you'll need.

• Choose mushrooms like cremini or button.
• Use fresh thyme and rosemary ideally, but use dried if you're in a pinch.

How To Make Vegan Walnut and Mushroom Pâté

Here's the process in pictures. For detailed directions, see the recipe card.

Step 1: Toast the walnuts first over medium heat in a large saute pan.

Step 2: Then, cook the shallots, minced garlic, and mushrooms in olive oil.

Step 3: Add flavorings and incorporate all the ingredients, including the toasted walnuts.

Step 4: Blend the mushroom mixture in a food processor or blender. Taste and adjust flavors as needed. Chill completely for about an hour to really get those flavors to meld.

I like to top it with sprigs of fresh herbs and a little bit of olive oil for a nice presentation.

Top Tips

• Don't skip toasting the walnuts. This brings out their nutty essence and adds an extra layer of flavor to the pâté.
• Cook the mushrooms until all their moisture is released and evaporated. This concentrates their flavor and prevents the pâté from becoming too watery.
• If you use a blender, you'll probably need a tamper to push down the sides and the ingredients so it all blends well.
• Taste your pâté and adjust the seasonings as needed. If it's too thick, you can add a little more olive oil or a splash of water to get the right consistency.

Serving Suggestions

• On a Charcuterie Board: Add it to a vegan charcuterie board alongside other spreads, olives, pickles, capers, vegan cheeses, and various crackers and bread.
• With Crudité: Serve it as a dip with a platter of fresh vegetable sticks such as carrots, celery, bell peppers, and cucumber.
• As a Sandwich Spread: Use it as a flavorful spread in sandwiches or wraps paired with fresh veggies like spinach, cucumber, and tomatoes.
• On Crostini: Spread it on toasted slices of baguette or crostini and garnish with a small sprig of fresh thyme or parsley for an elegant appetizer. You can also serve it on a fresh baguette.
• Stuffed Mushrooms: Use it as a filling for stuffed mushrooms. Just spoon the pâté into mushroom caps and bake until tender.

Recipe FAQS

More Vegan Mushroom Recipes