Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient used in dishes worldwide. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, with white and brown being the most common. Mushrooms can be purchased whole, sliced, chopped, dried, canned, or powdered, and are often measured in cups or pounds. When buying mushrooms, it is important to know how many pounds of whole mushrooms you need, especially if your recipe calls for a specific number of mushroom caps. So, how many whole mushroom caps are in a pound?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cups of sliced mushrooms in 1 pound | 5 cups |
| Number of cups of chopped mushrooms in 1 pound | 4 cups |
| Number of cups of chopped mushrooms in 1/2 pound | 2 3/4 cups |
| Number of cups of sliced mushrooms in 1/2 pound | 2 1/2 cups |
| Number of cups of cooked mushrooms from 1 pound of sliced mushrooms | 2 cups |
| Number of whole button mushrooms in 4-ounce can | 3/4 cup |
| Number of sliced button mushrooms in 4-ounce can | 3/4 cup |
| Number of medium-sized white or crimini mushrooms in 1 pound | 24 mushrooms |
| Number of portabella mushrooms in 1 pound | 3 large or 4 to 5 medium caps |
| Number of large portabellas with stems in 1 pound | 2 |
| Number of medium portabellas with stems in 1 pound | 3 to 4 |
| Number of ounces of dried mushrooms equivalent to 1 pound of fresh mushrooms | 3 ounces |
| Number of ounces of fresh shiitake mushrooms equivalent to 1 ounce of dried shiitake mushrooms | 8 ounces |
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What You'll Learn
Portobello mushrooms are large, brown and thick-capped
Portobello mushrooms, botanically classified as Agaricus bisporus, are the larger, earthier, and more mature versions of a common mushroom belonging to the Agaricaceae family. They are one of the most commonly consumed mushrooms in the world and are sold under a variety of names and at various stages of maturity in brown, white, and off-white forms. Portobello mushrooms are medium to large in size, averaging 10 to 15 centimetres in diameter, and will vary in appearance from convex to broad and flat, depending on maturity. The caps are generally plump, ranging in colour from tan to dark brown, and have a smooth to slightly wrinkled nature.
Portobello mushrooms are commonly found worldwide in fields and grassy areas following rain, from late spring to autumn, especially in association with manure. They are also one of the top cultivated varieties in the United States, accounting for around ninety per cent of the country's mushroom production. They are widely used by chefs and home cooks in a variety of raw and cooked culinary preparations.
Portobello mushrooms are favoured for their rich, savoury, and earthy taste, as well as their dense, meaty texture. They are sometimes sold as giant cremini or ports (short for portobellos). Cremini mushrooms are an immature brown form of portobello mushrooms, typically harvested when they are 2.5 to 7.5 centimetres across. Selected before the cap has flattened, these round mushrooms generally have a closed veil with no visible gills.
Portobello mushrooms are known for their large caps, which are also famously used as a meat substitute. They are a good source of potassium, copper, fibre, selenium, vitamin D, phosphorus, niacin, and vitamin B6. When cooked, they have a slightly drier texture compared to other mushrooms due to their lower water content.
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Button mushrooms are the mildest-tasting variety
Mushrooms are part of the fungus family and are commonly used in cooking. They are known for their earthy, woody, meaty, and savoury flavours, with some varieties having a more intense or tangy taste.
Button mushrooms, also called white mushrooms, are the most common variety available, making up 90% of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. They are the immature form of the edible fungus Agaricus bisporus, which also includes cremini and portobello mushrooms. Button mushrooms have a mild, earthy flavour, sometimes described as slightly nutty. Their flavour is subtle when raw, but it deepens and intensifies when cooked, making them versatile and suitable for grilling, sautéing, stir-frying, roasting, and braising. They can be used in a wide range of recipes, from tarts and omelettes to pasta, risotto, and pizza.
Button mushrooms are also the most affordable variety. They have a high water content, which dilutes their umami flavour and gives them a squishy texture when undercooked. However, cooking them for longer reduces the water content, resulting in a denser, almost meaty texture.
Cremini mushrooms are the same species as button mushrooms but are picked later in their development. They have a slightly bolder, earthier taste and are darker, firmer, and more mature. Portobello mushrooms, on the other hand, are the mature form of cremini mushrooms. They have a rich, smoky, and earthy flavour, making them a popular meat substitute.
When substituting fresh mushrooms for dried ones, it is important to note that dried mushrooms have a more intense flavour due to dehydration, which concentrates their taste. Generally, 1 ounce of dried mushrooms is equivalent to about 8 ounces (1/2 pound) of fresh mushrooms.
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Cremini mushrooms are similar to button mushrooms but with a darker colour
Cremini mushrooms, also spelled "crimini", are the same variety as white button mushrooms and portobellos. They are part of the Agaricus bisporus species, which is one of the most popular species of edible fungus in the world. The only difference between these three mushrooms is their stage of maturity. Button mushrooms are the youngest, cremini mushrooms are moderately mature, and portobellos are the most mature.
Button mushrooms are white, cream, or pale tan in colour, with short white stems and creamy white caps. As the mushroom matures, its cap grows in size and develops a brown or tan colour, and its gills darken into a darker brown. Cremini mushrooms have caps that range in colour from pale tan to dark brown, with stems that are still white. They are harvested when their caps are between 1 and 3 inches across.
Cremini mushrooms have a slightly firmer texture and a more intense flavour than button mushrooms, although their flavour is still mild and earthy. They are used frequently in stews and soups as they hold up better in liquid. Cremini mushrooms can be substituted with button mushrooms or portobellos in most recipes, although you will lose some flavour if you substitute creminis with buttons.
The number of whole mushroom caps in a pound will vary depending on the size of the mushrooms. A typical portobello mushroom is 4 to 6 inches in diameter and weighs about 3 ounces (85 grams). A half-pound of fresh button mushrooms yields about 2 3/4 cups chopped or 2 1/2 cups sliced. One source states that it takes about 3 ounces or 4 to 5 button mushrooms to reach the 1-cup mark when sliced or chopped.
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Shiitake mushrooms are larger and more flavourful than baby bellas
When it comes to cooking, it's important to know how many whole mushrooms you'll need for a recipe that calls for a certain number of cups of sliced or chopped mushrooms. Mushrooms are typically sold by the pound, and a half-pound of fresh button mushrooms yields about 2 3/4 cups chopped or 2 1/2 cups sliced.
Shiitake mushrooms are a great option for those looking for a more intense flavor profile than what baby bellas (also known as cremini or brown mushrooms) can offer. Shiitake mushrooms have broader, umbrella-shaped caps with tan gills and long, curved stems that should be removed before consumption. A large shiitake cap is about 2 to 3 inches in diameter, while baby bellas typically measure 1 to 2 inches across. This means that if a recipe calls for 4 large shiitake mushrooms, you'd need about 6 to 8 baby bellas to achieve a similar volume.
Baby bellas have a light tan to rich brown cap and a firmer texture, making them a versatile ingredient that can be used as a meat substitute or a side dish. They have a deeper, earthier flavor that is especially pronounced when cooked, adding a bold touch to various dishes. On the other hand, shiitake mushrooms have a softer texture and a more smoky or woody flavor profile, making them a perfect pairing for Asian dishes like dumplings or soups.
When substituting fresh shiitake mushrooms for dried ones in a recipe, it's important to consider the difference in water content and flavor concentration. Dried mushrooms have a more intense flavor due to dehydration. Generally, 1 ounce of dried mushrooms is equivalent to about 8 ounces (1/2 pound) of fresh mushrooms. So, if a recipe calls for five dried shiitake mushrooms to be rehydrated in 3 cups of water, this would be equivalent to approximately 4 to 5 ounces of fresh shiitake mushrooms.
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Dried mushrooms have a more intense flavour
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient, adding interesting depth and flavour to almost any dish. They are commonly used as a meat substitute, especially in vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Dried mushrooms are a great way to add a flavour boost to your dishes. They can be reconstituted to resemble fresh mushrooms, or used to make a mushroom stock, which will add a rich, earthy, umami flavour to your cooking. Dried mushrooms are also a convenient way to reduce waste, as they last indefinitely if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
When substituting dried mushrooms for fresh, it's important to account for the difference in water content and flavour concentration. For example, if your recipe calls for five dried shiitake mushrooms, you can substitute this with 4 to 5 ounces of fresh shiitake mushrooms.
Different varieties of mushrooms will also have different flavour intensities, so it's worth experimenting to find your favourite. Dried porcini mushrooms, for instance, are known for their intense flavour, as are morels, shiitake, and portobello mushrooms.
So, if you're looking to add a flavour punch to your cooking, dried mushrooms are a great option. They are a convenient, long-lasting ingredient that will add a rich, earthy, umami flavour to your dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
A pound of button mushrooms yields around 5 cups, or 24 whole mushrooms.
A pound of portobello mushrooms yields 3 large or 4 to 5 medium caps.
A pound of shiitake mushrooms yields around 12 to 14 medium-sized caps.
A pound of oyster mushrooms yields around 4 cups, or 16 whole mushrooms.
