Learn How To Cook Mushrooms with this simple and flavorful starter recipe!
Okay, if you have ever tried to cook mushrooms, you know that they often come out soggy and lacking flavor. Not cool. You were hoping they would have a nice texture and that yummy, kind of earthy, umami taste, right? Well, here is a quick how-to recipe/tutorial that will change your relationship with these fungi.
Before we get down to how to cook mushrooms, let me quickly explain why they often come out wrong and, more importantly, why it is not your fault! I hate it when my dishes are less than delicious or look sorry when served. I take it personally that my cooking skills are off or, worse, that I’m not as great a “chef” as I claim to be. Come to find out, the mushrooms were to blame! Mushrooms contain about 90% water. That’s a lot of liquid, and a potential recipe for disaster.
The best part about this recipe is that you won’t be using a new fancy kitchen gadget (even though I can never have enough), and you don’t need exotic ingredients. Instead, you’ll learn the secret of cooking mushrooms with just a pan and a pat of butter. This is a basic recipe, but you may habitually return to this method when you prepare any dish with mushrooms. You may find it handy when making a yummy Mushroom Frittata, Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Mushrooms, or one of my all-time favorite dishes, Steak With Garlic Butter Mushrooms.
Are Mushrooms Healthy?
Yup! Mushrooms not only add depth and flavor to any dish, but they have wonderful health benefits as well. For one, mushrooms contain fiber, B vitamins, selenium, potassium, and copper. Mushrooms are also low in fat and calories. Finally, they check most of the boxes for special diets and dietary restrictions.
How To Clean Mushrooms
If we’re going to learn how to cook mushrooms properly, we should also discuss how to clean them.
Don’t skip this section!
I know you’re thinking, “I already know how to clean a veggie,” but cleaning mushrooms is a bit different. First, mushrooms aren’t actually vegetables—they’re fungi, even though you’ll find them in the produce section. Some chefs say not to wash mushrooms in water because of their sponge-like properties, but that myth has been debunked time and time again. So go ahead, wash your mushrooms—no one wants to eat dirt!
You need to wash all store-bought mushrooms with water. Remove or trim the stems and dunk mushrooms in a bowl filled with water. Swish it around a couple of times and then immediately drain. Place your mushrooms on paper towels to drain and thoroughly pat them dry. For more fragile fungi, like Hen of the Woods, rinse them in the water for about five minutes, then carefully drain and pat dry.
If you have a mushroom brush, you can use it to remove any debris, but honestly, using water is the fastest and best way to wash your shrooms.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Generally, you don’t want to make (or wash) mushrooms ahead of time, and they should only be stored in the fridge for 24 hours once they’re cooked. You can reheat them in a pan on the stove for 3-5 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Once you’ve mastered how to cook mushrooms, you’ll find they’re great as a quick, healthy side dish or to add flavor and meatiness to soups or pasta dishes.
I make chicken, like, twice a week. I know, so basic. But, with the right recipes, it does not have to be boring! I love serving mushrooms with Pistachio Chicken or Curry-Cashew Chicken. I like how these textures work together. Serve the mushrooms over classic brown rice or something more flavorful like Roasted Cauliflower Rice or Spanish Rice, and you have a complete meal!
You can also add mushrooms to any pasta dish, like this delish Angel Hair Pasta, or go a bit healthier with this vegan, gluten-free Pasta Salad With Artichokes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound sliced mushrooms cremini or any variety
- 1 tablespoon butter salted or unsalted
- Salt (if using unsalted butter) to taste
- Fresh thyme or similar aromatics
Instructions
- Ensure mushrooms are clean by rinsing in a bowl of water, then slice if not pre-sliced.
- Place the mushrooms in a large pan over medium-high heat without overcrowding. Cook until they release and then evaporate their water.
- Once dry, allow mushrooms to brown to your preference, then reduce heat to low and add butter, thyme, and optional salt.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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