Sarah Brown
Creamy mushroom sauce is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of meals, including pasta, chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. The sauce is made by cooking mushrooms in butter and oil, deglazing the pan with wine, and then adding cream, parmesan, and seasonings. While heavy cream is typically used, lighter options such as half-and-half, light cream, or milk can also be used to create a thinner consistency. The sauce is then simmered until thickened, with additional ingredients such as garlic, thyme, and parsley enhancing its flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cream | Heavy cream, half-and-half, light cream, or milk |
| Cream Consistency | The lighter the cream, the thinner and less creamy the sauce |
| Wine | Any dry white wine, not woody/oaky or sweet. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and rosé wines are good options. |
| Wine Consistency | For a deeper flavor, substitute white wine for red |
| Mushrooms | Any mushrooms will work, but experiment with different types such as white button, cremini, portobello, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, chicken broth, vegetable broth, beef broth, cornstarch, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, rosemary, nutmeg, fish sauce, soy sauce |
| Vegan Options | Use almond milk or coconut milk and replace parmesan with nutritional yeast or omit it |
| Serving Suggestions | Steak, pork, chicken, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice, gnocchi, salmon, shrimp, bacon, Italian sausage |
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What You'll Learn
What type of cream to use
When making a creamy mushroom sauce, the type of cream you use can vary depending on your preferences and what you have available. Heavy cream, also known as thickened or whipping cream, is commonly used as it creates a rich and creamy sauce. However, if you don't have access to heavy cream, you can substitute it with a high-fat percentage cream (30% or above). This will still result in a delicious, creamy sauce, but it may be slightly thinner in consistency.
Half-and-half cream is another option that can be used, although it will produce a less creamy sauce compared to heavy cream. For an even lighter option, you can use light cream or milk. Keep in mind that the lighter the dairy product, the less creamy and thicker your sauce will be. If you're looking for a vegan alternative, almond milk or coconut milk can be used as a base for your mushroom sauce.
In addition to the type of cream, the other ingredients you use can also affect the consistency and flavour of your sauce. For example, adding parmesan cheese is a great way to thicken the sauce while also enhancing its savoury flavour. Cornstarch is another useful thickening agent that can be whisked into your milk or cream before adding it to the sauce.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of mushrooms and seasonings to create a mushroom sauce that suits your taste. Whether you're using white button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, or portobello mushrooms, the versatility of this sauce allows you to customise it to your liking.
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What type of mushrooms to use
When making a mushroom sauce, you can use any type of mushroom you like. Some recipes suggest using standard white button mushrooms, brown button mushrooms (Swiss Brown/Cremini), portabellini/chestnut mushrooms, or a combination of different varieties. You can also experiment with different types of mushrooms like diced portobello, sliced shiitake, or oyster mushrooms. If you're using dried mushrooms, be sure to soak them beforehand so they don't become chewy and tough in the sauce.
- Slice or chop the mushrooms according to your preference.
- Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms.
- Cook the mushrooms until they are golden brown. This should take around 4 to 5 minutes, and they may release some liquid. Let the liquid evaporate and continue cooking until golden brown.
- Add other ingredients like garlic, salt, and pepper towards the end of the cooking process to avoid overcooking the mushrooms.
Remember, the type of mushroom you choose is a matter of personal preference, and you can always experiment with different varieties to find the ones you like best in your mushroom sauce.
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How to thicken the sauce
To make a mushroom sauce, you can use heavy cream, half-and-half, light cream, or milk. The lighter the cream, the thinner and less creamy the sauce will be. To thicken the sauce, you can simmer it for a little longer. You can also add starch-based thickeners such as cornstarch, flour, or cornflour. These thickeners should be added at the end of the cooking process, and the amount added will depend on your desired thickness.
Another way to thicken the sauce is to add more mushrooms to the recipe. You can cook and reserve some mushrooms, then puree the remaining mushrooms and sauce in a blender or with an immersion blender. You can also add potato chunks to the puree for more body and potato starch. Alternatively, you can buy dried mushrooms, grind them into a fine powder, and use them as a thickener. You can also add parmesan cheese to the sauce, as it helps to thicken it and adds a terrific flavour.
If you are using cornstarch, flour, or cornflour as a thickener, you will need to create a slurry by mixing it with water or broth before adding it to the sauce. This will help to prevent lumps from forming in your sauce. You can also use milk or cream to create the slurry, but this may affect the final consistency of your sauce.
It is important to note that adding too much starch can result in a very thick and pasty sauce, so it is recommended to add a little at a time and adjust as needed.
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What to serve with mushroom sauce
Mushroom sauce is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of meals. Here are some ideas for what to serve with mushroom sauce:
Proteins
Mushroom sauce pairs well with various proteins, including steak, beef, pork chops, chicken, turkey, and seafood. It can be served as a topping or a sauce for these dishes, adding a rich and creamy flavour.
Pasta
Mushroom sauce is an excellent addition to pasta dishes. It can be tossed with al dente pasta or used in a pasta bake. Its creamy texture and earthy flavour complement pasta very well.
Potatoes
Consider serving mushroom sauce with potatoes in various forms. It can be used as a gravy for mashed potatoes, or stuffed into baked potatoes for a hearty and comforting meal.
Vegetables
Mushroom sauce can also be served with vegetables, such as steamed beans, asparagus, or roasted cauliflower. It adds a savoury and creamy element to the dish.
Bread
For a simple yet satisfying option, serve mushroom sauce with a hunk of crusty bread. Dunking the bread into the sauce can be a delightful way to enjoy both elements.
Omelettes
For a unique twist, try serving mushroom sauce with omelettes. It adds a creamy and savoury dimension to the classic breakfast dish.
With its versatility and rich flavour, mushroom sauce can enhance a variety of dishes and is a great option for elevating your meal.
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How to make a vegan version
Making a vegan version of a mushroom sauce is easy and versatile. You can serve it with pasta, mashed veggies, veggie meatloafs, burgers, or grilled portobello mushrooms. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a vegan mushroom sauce:
Ingredients
You can use any type of mushroom for this sauce, such as cremini, brown or white button mushrooms. You will also need:
- Onions
- Garlic cloves
- All-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
- Soy sauce or coconut aminos
- Vegan white wine or broth
- Soy or oat cooking cream, or other dairy-free cream, full-fat coconut milk, or silken tofu cream
- Yellow mustard
- Nutritional yeast flakes
- Salt and pepper
- Herbs like thyme and parsley
Method
- Heat some oil in a pan and sauté the mushrooms for 3-4 minutes until they turn slightly golden brown.
- Add the onions and garlic and sauté for another 3 minutes.
- Sprinkle with flour and thyme, and sauté briefly.
- Deglaze the pan with soy sauce and white wine, and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Add vegetable broth, cooking cream, and mustard.
- Season with nutritional yeast flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Cover the pan and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes on low heat.
- Finally, stir in the parsley, taste, and adjust seasonings if needed.
Tips:
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add some water, dairy-free milk, or more cooking cream.
- You can store leftover sauce in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days and reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can also freeze it.
- For a less creamy sauce, use half broth and half non-dairy cream.
- Add cornstarch mixed with broth to thicken the sauce if needed.
- Add vegan Worcestershire sauce for a flavour variation.
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Frequently asked questions
The ingredients are mushrooms, butter, olive oil, cream, milk, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and parsley. You can also add garlic, thyme, oregano, rosemary, lemon juice, wine, broth, and parmesan.
You can use avocado oil or butter instead of olive oil. White button or cremini mushrooms can be used in place of portobellos. Shallots, leeks, garlic scapes, or green onion can be used in place of garlic and onion. Almond milk or coconut milk can be used in place of regular milk.
Creamy mushroom sauce is a versatile dish that can be served with pasta, gnocchi, chicken, salmon, steak, potatoes, rice, or toast.
