Unlock the secret to sauteed mushrooms with the perfect texture—crispy on the outside, tender inside. This foolproof recipe will help you master the art of cooking restaurant-quality mushrooms at home. Adapt it effortlessly with our easy-to-follow variation ideas.
2tablespoonsolive oilor a mix of olive oil and butter for richer flavor
1poundmushroomscremini, white, shiitake, or portobello
Saltto taste
Black pepperto taste
Instructions
Preparation
Cleaning and Trimming Mushrooms: Wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt. If the stems are tough or woody, trim them off. For larger mushrooms, such as portobellos, remove the stems and gills.
Cutting Mushrooms: Depending on their size and your preference, mushrooms can be halved, quartered, or sliced. This allows for even cooking and desired texture.
Sauteeing
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it sizzles.
Add the prepared mushrooms to the skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding; if the mushrooms are too close, they will steam instead of sautéing. Cook in batches if needed.
Let the mushrooms cook without stirring for about 3-4 minutes. They should sizzle and start to brown on the bottom. When they easily release from the pan and have a golden edge, it’s time to stir or flip them.
Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the other side is also golden and the mushrooms are tender.
Season with salt and pepper at the end of cooking. This ensures that the mushrooms don't release too much water and become soggy, preserving their texture.
Notes
Garlic Mushrooms
Before adding the mushrooms, add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic to the hot oil in the skillet.
Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but not browned, to infuse the oil. Then proceed to add the mushrooms as per the basic recipe.
Balsamic or Soy Glazed Mushrooms
After the mushrooms have been flipped and are nearly cooked, drizzle 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar or soy sauce over them.
Stir gently to coat all the mushrooms evenly and cook for an additional minute to allow the glaze to thicken slightly and adhere to the mushrooms.
Herb Mushrooms
Once the mushrooms are cooked, remove them from the heat.
Sprinkle with freshly chopped herbs like thyme, parsley, or rosemary for a fresh, aromatic finish.
Spicy Kick: Along with the salt and pepper seasoning, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mushrooms. This will infuse a subtle heat throughout the cooking process, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of spice.For a Richer Flavor use a combination of butter and olive oil. Replace half of the olive oil with an equal amount of butter, allowing it to melt and combine with the oil before adding the mushrooms.