Bring elevated earthiness to your dinners with this herb-filled Oyster Mushroom Recipe.
Have you ever heard the saying that we “eat with our eyes?” It’s so true! Sure, our eyes aren’t a part of the digestive system, but they certainly influence how we perceive the food in front of us. Even if something tastes delicious, we may not be inclined to try it if it doesn’t look all that appetizing.
Instagram-worthy aesthetics make us pay extra to eat at chic restaurants—but that doesn’t mean we can’t make pretty plates at home. There are plenty of simple tricks to bring extra sophistication (and social media cred!) to your weeknight meals. For instance, have you ever considered serving luxurious oyster mushrooms as a side?
If you’re looking for a simple way to add some “eye candy” to your dinner, along with incredible flavors and a dose of health benefits, you’ve got to consider giving oyster mushrooms a try. Not only are they easy to find at the grocery store, but they’re easy to find in the woods if you’re into foraging (please don’t forage mushrooms unless you know what you’re doing!). There are even oyster mushroom growing kits sold at home supply stores these days, so there’s no excuse not to try them!
Is This Oyster Mushroom Recipe Healthy?
Oyster mushrooms aren’t just lovely to look at and tasty to eat; they’re packed with nutrients that will make your body happy. In addition to B vitamins, potassium, iron, and zinc, oyster shrooms also contribute doses of protein, fiber, and antioxidants. They’re naturally low in fat, calories, and carbs, too. The olive oil in this recipe contributes healthy fats. You don’t have to use the butter if you’re watching your saturated fat intake, but it sure is tasty with butter.
Overall, this dish is vegetarian-friendly, low-carb, keto, and gluten-free. If you’re vegan, you can use vegan butter to suit your diet.
The Flavors And Colors That Set Oyster Mushrooms Apart
The usual white button and portobello mushrooms we get from the grocery store are tasty and all, but every mushroom has different qualities. Some taste like seafood, others taste meaty like chicken, and some have much more of a “wild” flavor. Oyster mushrooms are known for having a mild, earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness, and if you’re concentrating on the flavor, you might find faint traces of licorice. The relatively neutral notes in oyster mushrooms make them versatile, either for pairing with meals or soaking up flavors in your favorite dishes. The texture of oyster mushrooms also makes them easy to use in many recipes.
The obvious feature separating oyster mushrooms from other varieties is their visual appeal. These mushrooms have a similar coloring, shape, and texture to a seaside oyster, which is sure to add a huge visual pop to whatever you serve them with. They come in a few different colors, too; the most common being blue (which is more of a blue-gray) and pink.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
You can store leftover cooked oyster mushrooms in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months, but it’s best to immerse them in butter or oil and vacuum-seal the combination before freezing. That leads to the best texture once thawed.
Serving Suggestions
Although oyster mushrooms have a distinctive taste and meaty mouthfeel, they’re subtle enough to work into many main courses. For example, you could serve your oyster mushrooms as toppings for homemade Margherita Pizza, Baked Hamburgers, or a juicy Oven-Cooked Top Sirloin Steak. You could even mix oyster mushrooms into lunch staples, like a toasty Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese or some Soft Scrambled Eggs for a touch of class.
Oyster mushrooms also work well as an add-on to a Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry. Lastly, oyster mushrooms on top of creamy Risotto Milanese, or atop pasta with Alfredo Sauce, is a simple serving of heaven.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh oyster mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme chopped
Instructions
- Gently pat the mushrooms with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. Trim off the hard stem at the base of each mushroom clump, separating large clusters into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it heat. Add enough mushrooms to form a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook without turning until one side is golden brown and crisp. Season with salt and pepper, then toss to distribute evenly. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and remove the pan from heat.
- In the same pan, but now off the heat, immediately add butter, garlic, and herbs, then swirl to combine. It is ready when the butter melts and has a garlicky aroma.
- Pour the herbed garlic butter over the cooked mushrooms, and serve immediately.
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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