Mushrooms are a delicious veggie for stirring into soups, sautéing for pasta dishes, or replacing meat for a hearty plant-based burger. But the beloved mushroom can easily end up ruining a dish, instead of improving it, if not cooked properly. From incorrect prepping to poor ingredient pairings, these are six mistakes you'll want to avoid for tasty mushrooms.
Here are a few do's and don'ts for cooking mushrooms, as explained by experts:
Salting Right Away
"Adding salt before throwing mushrooms in the pan or immediately after will draw out the water from them, making them simmer in their own liquids," says Sofia Norton, RD. This can result in rubbery and tough mushrooms with little flavor. "Add salt after they've caramelized near the end of cooking," she says, which will help them have the taste and texture you're looking for.
Not Cooking Long Enough
"Properly cooking mushrooms on the stovetop requires more heat and time than most people give," says Nick Schmuck, chef and partner at Walden. "Mushrooms have a ton of liquid in them, and the real flavor comes out when that liquid is cooked out. Be careful not to over-cook, but give them enough time to bleed out all of their juice in the cooking process," he says. It will be very obvious when they are no longer giving off liquid. And after that point you can get some delicious caramelization if you cook them a few more minutes, he says.
Not Washing Them Properly
Not washing mushrooms the right way can make them soggy, says Schmuck. "Certain kinds of mushrooms require washing but mushrooms soak up water quickly and become soggy," he says. "Always wash your mushrooms whole, never after cutting them. And fill a bowl with water first, then dunk mushrooms and quickly wash, they shouldn't be in the water for more than 10-15 seconds," he says. Afterwards, lay them out on a paper towel-lined baking sheet for an hour to dry back out.
Not Using Enough Oil
Mushrooms soak up everything, so they often require a lot of oil at the start, says Schmuck. Get your pan nice and hot, then put oil and the mushrooms. "Add more oil until there is a small amount remaining in the pan. After a few minutes, your pan will likely be filled with mushroom juice," he says. "Keep cooking the mushrooms through until all the juice is evaporated, by this point some oil will come back out of the mushrooms and you will actually be caramelizing the [food] this is the part that really builds flavor," he says. If you're fancy, finish with a little butter and a sprig of thyme for the last minute of cooking, he suggests.
Sautéing on High or Low Heat
Don't go too low or high on heat, which can make mushrooms over or under-cooked. Think right in the middle. "Medium-high heat is the way to go with mushrooms. You want their liquids to slowly evaporate while they caramelize," says Norton. High heat can burn mushrooms, while low heat will make them cook in their own liquid, she says.
You also want to be mindful of the pan. "A cast-iron skillet or another thick pan that can hold heat well is best for mushrooms," says Norton. Mushrooms need time and lots of heat to cook well, and a thinner pan might not heat evenly or predictably, so using a thicker pan will help you avoid burning or undercooking the mushrooms.
Slicing Them Too Thin
Thinly sliced mushrooms are great as a pizza topping, but you don't want to cook super-thin mushrooms. "When using them for soups, stews, sauces, and baking cut them to at least ½ an inch thickness. Mushrooms tend to shrink during cooking, so thicker pieces help offset this and give body and texture to your meals," says Norton. What's more, smaller mushrooms can even be prepared whole, while oyster mushrooms are great torn instead of sliced, she says.
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FAQs
This is the big one: Do not salt the mushrooms too early in the cooking process. Salting too early often draws out too much of the inherent moisture or liquid, which can be a bit overwhelming if you're a mushroom newbie making a large batch.
What should we not do before cooking mushrooms? ›
This is the big one: Do not salt the mushrooms too early in the cooking process. Salting too early often draws out too much of the inherent moisture or liquid, which can be a bit overwhelming if you're a mushroom newbie making a large batch.
Is there a wrong way to cook mushrooms? ›
Sautéing on High or Low Heat
Don't go too low or high on heat, which can make mushrooms over or under-cooked. Think right in the middle. "Medium-high heat is the way to go with mushrooms. You want their liquids to slowly evaporate while they caramelize," says Norton.
What are some tricks to cooking mushrooms? ›
Heat the Pan: Place the skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté and Evaporate: Add the mushrooms and let them brown briefly. They will release moisture; allow it to evaporate completely. Achieve Golden Perfection: Continue to cook and stir the mushrooms until they turn golden brown, adjusting the heat as needed.
Why do you need to soak mushrooms before cooking? ›
This will ensure that any little critters living in the mushroom find their way out. Add salt to the water you plan to wash the mushrooms with, making sure the salt dissolves in the water. Add the mushrooms to the water, and allow them to soak for 20 minutes.
Why do chefs not wash mushrooms? ›
But why would chefs have such a strong reaction to washing mushrooms? Because mushrooms can absorb a lot of water when you wash them, and you don't want your mushrooms to get soggy.
What is the healthiest way to cook a mushroom? ›
The researchers concluded that the best way to cook mushrooms while still preserving their nutritional properties is to grill or microwave them, as the fried and boiled mushrooms showed significantly less antioxidant activity.
How long should mushrooms be cooked? ›
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.
How to avoid rubbery mushrooms? ›
When this kind of thing happens, don't panic! Panic is the enemy. Instead of tossing the mushrooms straight in the pot, cook them in a little skillet alongside before you add them. This will help release their moisture, concentrate their natural sugars right in the pot, and lend big flavor to the whole dish.
How do chefs cook mushrooms? ›
and cook mushrooms like a chef on medium high heat. Add the mushrooms to a dry pan. First they're going to get a little bit golden, and then they begin to release all of their water, which has to completely evaporate. for them to become golden again.
Butter is great because it adds lots of flavor and produces a nice golden brown exterior, while adding oil allows the mushrooms to cook a little more quickly at slightly higher heat.
How do you cook mushrooms so they are tender? ›
How to Sauté Mushrooms
- Heat oil or butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet ($25, Target). ...
- Cook the mushrooms 4 to 5 minutes or until they're tender and lightly browned.
- For even cooking, stir mushrooms occasionally with a heatproofspatula ($11, Crate & Barrel) or wooden spoon.
Next up, prepare a cool and salty water bath for your mushrooms. Give them a swish for a short period to dislodge any remaining dirt and those stubborn worms. Remember, don't soak them for too long, unless you want a mushy mushroom mess! Rinse, Rinse, and Keep Your Eyes Peeled!
Do you eat mushroom stems? ›
Get ready to relish the full mushroom experience! The stems of white button, crimini, portabella, oyster, and king oyster mushrooms are entirely edible and bursting with savoury goodness. These tasty stems add texture and depth to your dishes, allowing you to enjoy the whole mushroom with every delightful bite.
What happens if you don't wash mushrooms? ›
"Since mushrooms are already high in water, about 85-95 percent, waterlogged mushrooms will develop a diluted flavor and have a rubbery and slimy texture after cooking," says Sofia Norton, RD.
When should you not eat mushrooms? ›
The number one rule of thumb when it comes to detecting freshness is that when mushrooms are slimy, they're no longer ideal for use. Sliminess occurs when mushrooms have been stored incorrectly or allowed to linger in the fridge for too long— it's a clear sign that the mushrooms are beginning to spoil.
How to safely prepare mushrooms? ›
The best way to clean mushrooms is to wash them in cold running water, transfer them to a salad spinner, spin 'em dry as best you can, then cook them just as you normally would, tacking on an extra few seconds to help them get rid of the extra moisture. Just make sure not to do this until just before cooking.
How to know if mushrooms are bad? ›
Fresh mushrooms are dry, firm and smooth and have a pleasant earthy smell. Bad mushrooms are softer (possibly mushy), sticky, slimy, shriveled, maybe moldy and discolored, and may smell unpleasant.
What happens if you don't cook mushrooms properly? ›
Eating them raw can lead to gastrointestinal issues, and in the case of toxic species, it poses severe health risks. Therefore, when consuming mushrooms from an unfamiliar source, always ensure you can positively identify the species.
