Laura Smith
Frying button mushrooms is a simple and tasty way to cook this versatile vegetable. Button mushrooms, also known as white mushrooms, are juicy and full of flavour. They can be fried in a pan with olive oil or butter, and seasoned with salt and pepper. For extra flavour, you can add garlic, thyme, lemon, and red wine. Frying mushrooms is a beginner-friendly way to cook them as they are almost impossible to burn.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Sautéing, dry sautéing, stir-frying |
| Ingredients | Mushrooms, olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon juice, thyme, red wine, teriyaki sauce |
| Equipment | Wide skillet, pan |
| Preparation | Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel, cut away hard stems, slice or chop |
| Cooking Time | 3-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic, fresh herbs, butter |
| Serving Suggestions | Sauce, rice, meat, vegetables, soup, pizza, pasta, risotto, quesadillas |
| Storage | Airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, or freeze for up to 6 months |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare button mushrooms for frying
Button mushrooms, also known as white mushrooms, are juicy and full of flavour. They can be cooked in many ways, including sautéing, stir-frying, and dry sautéing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare button mushrooms for frying:
Clean the Mushrooms
Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe the mushrooms and remove any dirt. Alternatively, you can rinse them quickly under cold running water and pat them dry with a towel or kitchen paper.
Cut the Mushrooms
Remove any hard stems from the mushrooms and discard them. You can leave small mushrooms whole or simply remove the stems if you prefer. For larger mushrooms, cut them into slices or cubes. A quartered mushroom is great for stir-fries, soups, or stews, while sliced mushrooms work well in sauces.
Choose Your Frying Method
Button mushrooms can be fried in several ways. You can sauté them in a mixture of olive oil and butter, dry sauté them without any fat or oil, or stir-fry them with just a little oil or butter.
Heat Your Pan
Use a large, wide skillet or sauté pan to give your mushrooms enough space to brown instead of steaming. Heat your pan over medium to medium-high heat. If using butter or oil, add it to the pan now and heat it until melted or warm.
Cook the Mushrooms
Add the mushrooms to the pan, spreading them out in a single layer if you are sautéing them. Cook the mushrooms without stirring for 3 to 5 minutes, until they start to brown. Then, stir or flip them and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, until they are golden brown on all sides. If you are stir-frying, flip the mushrooms every minute or two until they are browned.
Season and Serve
Once your mushrooms are browned, it's time to season them. You can use salt, pepper, garlic, fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lemon juice. Stir the mushrooms to coat them in the seasoning, then remove them from the pan and serve. Enjoy your fried button mushrooms as a side dish or add them to pasta, pizza, or soup.
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Choosing the right oil or butter
When frying button mushrooms, you can use either oil or butter, depending on your preference. Using butter will give your dish a rich, buttery taste, while oil will let the natural flavour of the mushrooms shine through.
If you want to use oil, olive oil is a good choice. It has a relatively high smoke point, which means it can be heated to a high temperature without burning. This is important because you need to cook mushrooms at a medium to medium-high heat to get them to brown. Other oils with a high smoke point include avocado oil, peanut oil, and sesame oil.
If you want to use butter, you can melt it in the pan first and then add the mushrooms, or you can add the butter after the mushrooms have started to brown. Adding the butter at the end will give your dish a more pronounced buttery flavour.
You can also use a combination of butter and oil. This will give you the richness of butter with the high smoke point of oil, which can be helpful if you're worried about burning the butter.
Finally, if you're looking for a lower-fat option, you can dry sauté your mushrooms. This involves cooking them in a hot pan without adding any fat, oil, or butter. The mushrooms will release their own moisture as they cook, which will prevent them from sticking to the pan. You can always add a little butter at the end of cooking if you want some extra flavour.
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Frying techniques
Frying button mushrooms is a simple and versatile process. You can fry them in a pan with oil, butter, or a combination of both. You can also dry sauté them, frying them in their own juices without the addition of fat or liquid.
To fry button mushrooms, start by cleaning the mushrooms with a damp paper towel and removing any hard stems. You can leave small mushrooms whole, or slice them into quarters or smaller pieces, depending on your preference and intended use.
Heat a large, wide skillet or frying pan on medium-high heat. Add butter or oil, or a combination of both, to the pan. You can also add other flavourful fats like marsala wine or truffle oil. Spread the mushrooms in a single layer in the pan, giving them enough space to brown rather than steam. Fry the mushrooms without stirring for 3 to 5 minutes, until they are browned on one side. Stir the mushrooms, then spread them back into a single layer and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, until they are golden brown on all sides.
At this point, you can add your choice of seasonings. You can add salt and pepper, garlic, fresh herbs, or more butter. You can also add onion powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, or red wine. Continue to cook the mushrooms for another minute or two, until the garlic is fragrant and the other flavours are absorbed.
Button mushrooms are versatile and can be used as a side dish or added to a variety of main dishes, including pasta, pizza, soup, and stir-fries. They can also be served in a sauce, with rice, directly on meat, with other vegetables, or in a soup.
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Seasoning options
Salt and Pepper
A simple yet classic combination of salt and pepper can bring out the flavour of the mushrooms. It is recommended to add salt towards the end of cooking, as salt draws out moisture and can prevent the mushrooms from browning. Pepper can be added at any point during cooking, adjusting to taste. For a more sophisticated take on salt, try using truffle or porcini salt to deepen the mushroom flavour.
Garlic
Fresh garlic or garlic powder can lend a bold, pungent flavour to the dish. Garlic is typically added towards the end of cooking, as overcooking can lead to a bitter taste.
Herbs
Fresh herbs such as thyme or parsley can be added for an extra layer of flavour. Thyme, in particular, pairs well with mushrooms and can be added alongside butter, garlic, and lemon for a light, buttery sauce.
Lemon
Lemon zest and lemon juice can add a bright, acidic note to the mushrooms. As with garlic, it is best to add lemon juice towards the end of cooking to retain its flavour and avoid bitterness.
Butter
Swirling in some butter at the end of cooking can add richness and depth to the dish. This is a great option for those who want a decadent, savoury flavour.
Wine and Sauces
For a more complex dish, consider adding a splash of red wine or Marsala wine, which can enhance the savoury notes of the mushrooms. Additionally, teriyaki sauce can be used to season the mushrooms, adding a salty, umami flavour.
These seasoning options can be mixed and matched to create unique flavour profiles, allowing for a versatile and tasty fried button mushroom dish.
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Serving suggestions
Fried button mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:
As a Side Dish
Fried button mushrooms make a great side dish for grilled meats such as steaks, pork chops, or burgers. They can also be served alongside baked potatoes or grilled ribeyes. The umami flavour of the mushrooms complements the proteins and starches in these dishes.
As a Topping
The crispy texture and savoury taste of fried button mushrooms make them an excellent topping for various dishes. Try them on top of steaks, pork chops, or baked potatoes for an added flavour and texture boost. They can also be used to top burgers, adding a juicy, savoury element to the sandwich.
As an Appetiser
Fried button mushrooms can be a delicious and hearty appetiser on their own. Coat them in a light and crispy seasoned beer batter, then deep-fry them to golden brown perfection. Serve them with a variety of sauces such as ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, ketchup, honey mustard sauce, or warm marinara sauce for dipping.
In a Sauce
Fried button mushrooms can be added to sauces to elevate their flavour and texture. Try them in a creamy gravy served alongside other fried foods or grilled meats. They can also be incorporated into a buttery sauce with garlic, lemon zest, thyme, and a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright and fragrant finish.
With Other Vegetables
Fried button mushrooms can be combined with other vegetables to create a hearty and nutritious dish. Try them with potatoes, either as a hash or roasted with other vegetables. They can also be incorporated into vegetarian or vegan dishes, adding a savoury and umami flavour to grain bowls or salads.
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