Pour this smooth, earthy sauce over pasta, steak, or pork chops for a bold and full-bodied meal.
Every Thanksgiving, my grandpa (may he rest in peace) would make the most decadent creamy mushroom sauce. Although it’s been a couple years since his passing, I still remember the earthy scent of mushrooms and his soft humming while he peeled them. Although this recipe doesn’t call for peeling the mushrooms, my grandfather always did, because he swore it made the dish creamier and cleaner. He was a stubborn one, but his staunchness in the kitchen always led to a sauce that couldn’t possibly disappoint. It was buttery and velvety, and went well with turkey, mashed potatoes, and other classic holiday fixings.
This mushroom sauce is a well-cooked combo of cremini mushrooms, garlic, veggie broth, heavy cream, and white wine, seasoned with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. Although it takes 25 minutes to make, it won’t be long before the kitchen smells like a garlicky paradise.
Some of us in the family have tried to copy my grandpa’s recipe since he left… and although it’s still really good, none of our replications have compared to his magic mushroom sauce. Perhaps you’ll be the next to perfect the recipe, and start a new tradition with your family. If it’s anything my grandfather loved, it was sharing his blessings with others!
Is Mushroom Sauce Healthy?
While mushrooms are nutritious, mushroom sauce isn’t necessarily the healthiest sauce out there. It’s got a lot of fat from the butter and cream, but there’s no added preservatives or sugar. Overall, it’s vegetarian and gluten-free, but to make it vegan, you’d have to use plant-based butter and coconut cream.
A Brief History of Mushroom Sauce
While I’ve shared my personal history with mushroom sauce, it also has a broad and expansive history around the world. This is likely because mushrooms grow easily in all kinds of regions. For centuries, a creamy and savory mushroom sauce has been part of European cuisine, and became integral to North American cooking during the 1800s. By the 1950s, President Dwight D. Eisenhower was known to be a fan of steak drenched in mushroom sauce, which is still a popular pairing today. It’s cool to think that a sauce that traveled through the generations of my family, also nourished so many others around the globe.
How to make ahead and store
Before storing in the fridge, make sure the sauce cools completely to room temperature. Then, pour into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to simmer. You may also freeze mushroom sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Simply thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This mouthwatering mushroom sauce is best savored on top of Instant Pot Steak, Broiled Pork Chops, Air-Fryer Turkey Breast, Spinach Pasta, or Garlic Mashed Potatoes. But the possibilities are nearly endless, so don’t stop there. Even a veggie-lover’s favorite like Cauliflower Risotto or Veggie Pasta would become decadent when drenched in mushroom sauce. Explore the options and find your favorite.
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons unsalted butter
- 12 ounces cremini mushrooms sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook until the wine is mostly evaporated.
- Stir in the vegetable broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in fresh thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
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.
Leave a Comment