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
Do I need to wash the mushrooms before I cook them? Never wash mushrooms. Instead, Wipe off any dirt with a damp paper towel. You can wash them but they won't be as good in texture/color.
What should we not do before cooking mushrooms? ›
Do I need to wash the mushrooms before I cook them? Never wash mushrooms. Instead, Wipe off any dirt with a damp paper towel. You can wash them but they won't be as good in texture/color.
How do you know if mushrooms are cooked enough? ›
Cook the mushrooms until browned and reduced by half.
Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until all the moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms start to turn dark reddish-brown with golden spots, 5 to 8 minutes more.
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 is the advice given about cooking mushrooms in Julie and Julia? ›
Julia Child wants you to spread 'em out
Crowded, wet mushrooms will steam rather than sauté in the pan. So, to crisp them up, keep your mushrooms far apart as they brown and make sure to select a large enough pan to give them the space they need.
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.
How to cook mushrooms correctly? ›
Don't cut them too thin, as they will shrink while cooking. Heat oil and butter in a medium to large pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms leaving space between. Cook mushroom for 3-5 minutes before turning.
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 to get the most flavor from mushrooms? ›
Sear mushrooms for a more intense roasted, charred and smoky flavor and overall aroma. Roast mushrooms to get more sweet, salty and umami tastes with caramelized, nutty and buttery flavors. When cooked properly, mushrooms can take on the texture and consistency of meat.
How long does it take for mushrooms to cook? ›
When the oil or melted butter is hot, add the mushrooms. You should hear a sizzle. (If the fat isn't hot enough, the mushrooms will start to water out and steam instead of sautéing.) Cook the mushrooms 4 to 5 minutes or until they're tender and lightly browned.
The key is timing, according to Tiess. He recommends that mushrooms grown in compost should be quickly rinsed in cold water, drained, sliced immediately, and fully cooked to develop the flavor and reduce the chance of a food-borne illness. Mushrooms should only be cleaned when you are ready to use them.
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.
How to correctly saute mushrooms? ›
Heat olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, wine, teriyaki sauce, sliced garlic, garlic salt, and black pepper; cook and stir until mushrooms are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer until mushrooms are tender, 5 to 8 more minutes.
How to cook mushrooms like a pro? ›
How to Sauté Mushrooms Like a Pro
- Heat enough oil to coat the bottom of your Smart Cooker. ...
- Add the mushrooms, sliced, quartered, or whole, in a single layer. ...
- Do not stir the mushrooms. ...
- Cook off any excess liquid. ...
- Season your sautéed mushrooms with a pinch of salt, as it brings out the meaty, umami flavor.
Sautéing them in oil first is a crucial mistake when cooking with mushrooms, as the oil will disappear, so you'll add more but then be left with soggy, oil-logged mushrooms. Cooking the mushrooms in water -- although counterintuitive and unconventional -- solves the problem of soggy mushrooms.
Are toxins in wild mushrooms killed in the cooking process? ›
Cooking doesn't make a poisonous mushroom safe. In fact, you can be poisoned by breathing in the cooking fumes from some poisonous mushrooms. Even non-poisonous mushrooms can cause unpleasant reactions in people who are sensitive to them. Symptoms from eating poisonous mushrooms can be delayed for many hours.
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.
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.
