How to Cook Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a truly versatile food. They can be a great accompaniment to a wide variety of meals, and they can even be a meal on their own.

So, how can you truly master mushroom cooking? How can you grow accustomed to the various processes and techniques used around the world to prepare and cook this delicious fungi?

You can start by reading this article. We’ve compiled some of the best ways to cook mushrooms here for your review. Each section links out to a longer article on the subject if you want to take a deeper dive.

So strap yourselves in and get ready to explore the wonderful world of mushrooms!

How to Clean Mushrooms

You’ll notice when you open up a fresh package of mushrooms that they’re not exactly clean. Sometimes, they’re downright dirty!

So, obviously, you should clean them.

But there’s a problem there. They’re super absorbent, much like a tiny sponge, so if you soak them in liquid, it’s going to be an issue.

Try using a dry brush that will help you loosen any dirt or excess debris, then use a damp cloth to wipe each mushroom down. The worst thing you could do is just put them in the sink and run water over them.

Take special care when cleaning your mushrooms and they will be all the better when it comes time to actually cook with them.

Speaking of which, let’s move on to some cooking techniques.

Cook Mushrooms in the Air Fryer

A lot of people have taken to cooking mushrooms in the Air Fryer.  This is a useful course of action when you’re working with whole mushrooms.

You could then serve them up as a side dish alongside a steak or in a pasta dish.

The end result of air fryer mushroom cooking is softened, golden brown, juicy mushrooms that are packed with flavor.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
2. Place the mushrooms in a bowl with oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss everything to coat nicely.
3. Transfer your mushrooms into the basket of your air fryer. Make sure they’re in a single layer and then place the basket into the fryer.
4. Cook for 5 minutes. Toss the mushrooms.
5. Cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Transfer to a serving plate.

Roasted Mushrooms

Roasting mushrooms can be a great way to concentrate the earthy flavor of every piece for a truly unforgettable experience.

Roasted Mushrooms can accompany a steak, appear on a charcuterie board, or serve as a topping for pizza. All you need is an oven, some seasoning, and about 20 minutes.

Here are the steps to roasting mushrooms:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
   Clean your mushrooms. Chop them thickly or keep them whole.
2. Toss in a bowl with butter, olive oil, garlic, and thyme.
3. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes if whole. If you’re chopping the mushrooms, check them after 15 minutes

Sautéed Mushrooms

If you have 5 minutes handy then try sautéing mushrooms. You’ll get a buttery earthy flavor that can’t be topped.

For this method you’re going to have to slice the mushrooms. It’s important to make sure that they all lay flat in the skillet so that they brown evenly and won’t turn watery. Too many mushrooms crowding a skillet will end up steaming the mushrooms instead of sautéing them.

Here are the steps you need to take when sautéing mushrooms:

1. Heat a skillet with oil on high heat.
2. Clean and slice your mushrooms.
3. Add the mushrooms, making sure they all lay flat.
4. Brown on both sides.
5. Add butter to the skillet.
6. Add salt right at the end of cooking. Adding them too early will draw out too much moisture.

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Up until now we’ve mostly focused on mushrooms as side dishes, but mushrooms can be an entrée if prepared right.

Take the portobello mushroom burgers as a prime example. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan these make a great burger substitute.

Portobello mushrooms have a meaty flavor, so grilling them up creates a burger-like experience. Is it going to taste EXACTLY like ground beef? No, of course not. But it’s still going to be a great meal that even the most carnivorous meat eater can believe in.

Here are the steps you’ll have to take:

1. Clean the mushrooms by trimming off the stem and wiping away dirt with a damp paper towel.
2. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a bowl.
3. Place the mushrooms on a plate, gill side down, and brush the tops lightly with the olive oil mixture.
4. Flip the mushrooms then brush the gill side with the remaining mix. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
5. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
6. Add the mushrooms gill side up. Grill them until you get grill marks underneath. It should take about four minutes.
7. Turn the mushrooms 90 degrees to create grill marks and then cook for another two minutes.
8. Flip the mushrooms and repeat the process.
9. Flip the mushrooms again and place 1 ounce of brie on each and let it melt.
10. Take the burgers off the grill and place them on a plate.

In Conclusion

There you have it! A number of ways to prepare one of the most versatile foods on the planet.

What’s your favorite mushroom recipe? Comment below and let us know!