How to Cook Mushrooms

Until 20 years ago, whenever people heard the word "mushroom," they thought only of the small white mushrooms packaged in the supermarket produce section. Then TV chefs started showing us how to buy cremini mushrooms—very much like white mushrooms except they have darker skin. And then came the portabellas: You could sauté them, grill them, and even use them instead of meat in a sandwich. Do you know they are all the same type mushroom? They are all called agaricus bisporus—fun fact!

Shiitake mushrooms are great to use in stir-fry. These popular spores not only look wild, they actually have a stronger taste, similar to wild mushrooms.

People also love to use the enoki mushrooms raw in salads after trimming the stems. If you want to cook the mushrooms first, you can wrap them in a foil packet with some soy sauce or Italian dressing and bake or grill them for about 20 minutes. Unwrap and serve on a bed of greens for a flavorful salad.

Cleaning Mushrooms

When you're reading how to cook mushrooms, most cookbooks tell you to simply wipe them with a paper towel, but we’re here to say there’s no crime in washing them. Do it briefly under cool water; letting them sit or soak in the water causes them to absorb it. Once they’ve had a quick rinse, cut off the bottoms of the stems and then wipe the whole thing with a paper towel. It’s entirely acceptable to peel off the top layer of mushroom “skin” if you see residual dirt or dark spots.

Portabellas

Now, the exception to that rule comes if you’re preparing a portabella—which is really just a big cremini—as the featured event in a vegetarian sandwich. For this you want to let the portabella soak up a flavorful marinade. Try something like soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce or even salad dressing. You can even try adding a little garlic. People usually talk about grilling them, but there are other options. Sauté them in a little cast iron skillet. Layer the portabella on the bun with some lettuce and tomato, plus whatever other toppings you like, and you’ve got quite a taste treat.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Totally bias opinion alert: the very best way to cook mushrooms is to stuff them. Buy large white or cremini mushrooms or small portabellas and remove the stems—that’s where you’ll put your stuffing. How do you stuff them? Let me count the ways:

Very finely dice the mushroom stems, some pepperoni, and cheese. Load the mixture into the place where the stems were removed and bake them for 20 minutes on a medium oven.

Microwave bacon to extra crispy, and then crumble it. Combine it with sautéed onion. Or try it with cream cheese.

Mix canned shredded crabmeat with some breadcrumbs, an egg, and some oregano and salt.

If you’re “stuffing” a large portabella, you’re really going to layer the crabmeat mixture on top of the portabella slice, spoon on a little marinara sauce, and top it with mozzarella cheese. Slip it briefly under the broiler.

Stuff them with drained canned diced tomatoes, cover them with your favorite cheese and bake.

Mushroom Recipes

For more shroom-y ideas, we’ve listed out our top 10 favorite ways to cook with mushrooms.