One of the questions we’re asked all the time is: what is the best way to cook mushrooms? But, it’s a difficult question to answer because there are so many wonderful ways to cook mushrooms to bring out their robust, rich flavor.
The four most popular methods for how to cook mushrooms include:
Below, we’ll discuss tips and tricks for perfecting these methods so you can cook delicious mushrooms for any occasion:
How To Cook With Mushrooms: Cleaning & Preparation
Another frequently asked question is: should I wash my mushrooms before cooking them?
While the answer is yes, mushroom cleaning is likely different than what you’re used to with other foods, such as vegetables and fruits.
So, it’s a great idea to review our mushroom preparation tips, where we explain how to test for freshness, store, wash, and slice your mushrooms to set yourself up for cooking success!
How to Sauté Mushrooms on the Stove
Sautéed mushrooms make for a delicious side or a savory topping on your favorite dish. Use our base sautéed mushroom recipe to make flavorful, umami-rich mushrooms that pair excellently with most everyday meals. Or, use these three drool-worthy sautéed mushroom recipes to get creative in the kitchen.
No matter how you use them, here are some tips on how to prepare them:
- Use the right heat. Turn your stovetop between low and medium heat and coat the pan in butter or oil — while two tablespoons generally do the trick, a simple rule of thumb is to use enough to coat the entire pan.
- Give your mushrooms some room in the pan. Because mushrooms are about 92% water, they steam when cooked. In order to avoid your mushrooms retaining the released moisture, be sure to spread them apart in the pan. The mushroom pieces should never touch, so cook in batches if needed.
How Long Should I Saute Mushrooms?
Give each side of the mushroom about seven minutes to cook.
Set it and forget it! Moving your mushrooms around too much can affect their texture, so set a timer for each side to avoid rubbery or soggy mushrooms.
How To Roast Mushrooms in the Oven
Mushrooms can be cooked or roasted in a conventional oven, and as a matter of fact, this is the preferred method for preparing Portabella caps and stuffed mushrooms.
Here are a few tips for oven roasting some delicious mushrooms:
- Coat your mushrooms. Lightly baste your caps or slices in olive oil, melted butter, or your favorite sauce or wet seasoning.
- Roast a single layer of mushrooms on your pan. Just like with sauteing, you don’t want to overcrowd your mushrooms, so be sure to evenly space them out and roast multiple pans if you’re preparing a large quantity.
- Use a high temperature. Mushrooms cook best in a quick, high-temperature roast. Cook your mushrooms uncovered in a pan at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or until they are slightly browned.
Cook up these roasted beauties in one of the many delicious recipes found in our More Flavor, Less Guilt mushroom cookbook.
How To Microwave Mushrooms
One of the biggest benefits of microwaving mushrooms is that you don’t need to add any oil or butter — though you can add extra flavor by coating them in a sauce prior to cooking.
Possibly the simplest way to cook mushrooms, you’ll want to place your sliced mushrooms in a microwave-safe bowl and cover. Set your microwave to high and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring once after a minute or so.
Explore this helpful tutorial from The Mushroom Council on how to microwave mushrooms!
How To Grill Mushrooms
Mushrooms are one of the top five “vegetables” people toss on the grill, but are you making them correctly?
Check out our tips below and try some of these mushroom-friendly recipes to enjoy on the grill!
How To Chop Mushrooms
Larger varieties, like Portabellas, are great to grill whole, but you may need to chop some mushrooms, especially if you’re mixing them with other veggies or making kebabs. We provide recommended dicing sizes in our Kebab Cookbook — check those out here before you get started.
How Long To Marinate Mushrooms for Grilling
In the same way that we don’t recommend running water over mushrooms to clean them, their porous structure does not tolerate being marinated for too long. You should ideally marinate mushrooms for twenty minutes.
When marinated, mushrooms absorb these rich flavors and are able to retain moisture on the grill. If you don’t have time to marinate, simply brush your mushrooms with oil and sprinkle them with a bit of salt.
Should I Use Skewers To Grill Mushrooms?
When possible, it’s a great idea to use skewers! While large mushroom caps can be placed right on the grates to cook, smaller chops can easily be placed on skewers to stop them from falling through. If you don’t have skewers handy, wrap the mushrooms in tin foil or use a grill pan.
How Long Should I Grill Mushrooms?
There’s a big difference between cooking mushrooms on direct and indirect heat, so it’s important to know how far away from the fire to place your mushrooms.
This varies by mushroom, so read How to Grill Mushrooms Tips from the Fungi Experts to find what’s best for your recipe.
Save Your Mushrooms for Later
If you prepared too many mushrooms, don’t worry! You have a couple of options:
You can freeze your mushrooms to use later in tasty sauces, soups, or blended recipes. Follow our step-by-step instructions to properly freeze your mushrooms.
You can also dry or dehydrate your mushrooms to make a nutritious powder that’s perfect for adding to smoothies, shakes, broth, gravy, and more.
Time to Get Cookin’
No matter how you decide to prepare your mushrooms, we hope these cooking tips leave you inspired!
Add mushrooms to your favorite summer dishes this year with our Summer Grilling Guide! Download it today to get started creating delicious mushroom meals that everyone will love.
