Move over, button mushrooms: there are so many types of mushrooms to enjoy! Button and portobello mushrooms might be the most popular, but there’s a whole world of fungi to discover. These days, more varieties than ever are becoming available at grocery stores in the US, not to mention farmer’s markets! Mushrooms are low in calories and fat, high in vitamins, and best of all: over the top delicious when cooked correctly. Here at A Couple Cooks, we’ve become mushroom experts: experimenting with each one to find its best qualities. Here are all the most popular types of mushrooms we’ve found at our local grocery stores! There’s a bit about the mushroom, what it tastes like, and the best ways to use it. Whatever recipe you choose: you won’t be disappointed.
And now…types of mushrooms & how to use them!
Mushroom storage and how to clean
Once you bring home your mushrooms, what’s the best way to store them? And should you wash them before using them? Here’s our two cents: Flavor: Very mild; they’re great raw and their flavor develops even more when sautéed and grilled How to use them: Sauteed, grilled, or roasted, stuffed, in salads, in pizza, risotto, pasta, and more Recipes:Sautéed Button MushroomsEasy Stuffed MushroomsGoat Cheese Mushroom Pasta or Mushroom Pasta with ParmesanCreamy Mushroom RisottoBrie & Mushroom QuesadillaMushroom PizzaFarro with Mushrooms & ParmesanVegan Mushroom GravyMushroom Barley SoupWild Rice Mushroom SoupCreamy Vegan Mushroom SoupPerfect Grilled Mushrooms Flavor: Robust, savory and meaty; like a mini portobello How to use them: Sauteed, grilled, or roasted, in salads, stuffed, in pizza, risotto, pasta, and more Recipes: Baby Bella Mushroom RecipesSauteed Cremini Mushrooms Easy Stuffed MushroomsSauteed Mushrooms and Onions Roasted Mushrooms Best Ever Sauteed Mushrooms Grilled MushroomsFarro with Mushrooms & ParmesanVegan Mushroom Taco MeatWild Rice Mushroom Soup Mushroom Barley Soup Creamy Vegan Mushroom SoupMushroom PizzaMushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese or Mushroom Pasta with Parmesan Flavor: Intensely meaty and savory, with loads of umami; ideal for use as a meat substitute (for flavor, not protein) How to use them: Sauteed, grilled, or roasted, stuffed, chopped on pizza or in pasta, risotto, and tacos Recipes: Portobello Mushroom RecipesStuffed Portobello Mushrooms Portobello Mushroom Burger Portobello Mushroom PizzaGrilled Portobello Mushrooms Mushroom TacosPesto Portobello Mushroom Burger Greek Grilled Portobello BurgerCaprese Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Portobello Mushroom Salad Flavor: Savory and meaty How to use them: Shiitake mushrooms are often included in Asian-style dishes like Japanese, Chinese and Korean cuisine. Use them in ramen and stir fries, and they also work in pasta, pizza, and risotto. Recipes:Sauteed Shiitake MushroomsShiitake BaconVegan Mushroom RamenGo-To Tofu Stir FryVegan Mushroom GravyMushroom PizzaGoat Cheese Mushroom Pasta or Mushroom Pasta with ParmesanCreamy Mushroom RisottoKale Soup with Mushrooms and Garlic Flavor: Delicate and savory, with a hint of complexity on the finish. Some people say they have a slight seafood flavor, or a subtle anise finish (black licorice). How to use them: Sauteed as a side dish, fried as a vegan meat substitute, or in sit fries, pasta or risotto Recipes: Sauteed Oyster Mushrooms Mushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese Farro with Mushrooms & Parmesan Creamy Mushroom Risotto Flavor: Earthy, aromatic, and very savory. King oyster mushrooms are very meaty and almost tough. Expect a tougher texture than most mushrooms. How to use them: Sauteed, in stir fires, or texture makes them a great choice as a meat substitute, shredded with BBQ sauce or as “scallops” Recipes: Sauteed King Oyster Mushrooms Vegan Pulled PorkFried Oyster Mushrooms King Oyster Mushroom “Scallops” Flavor: It has a strong earthy, peppery flavor and is best served cooked. How to use them: Sauteed, roasted, add to soba noodles, stir fries, pizza or ramen Recipes: Sauteed Maitake MushroomsRoasted Hen of the Woods Mushrooms Flavor: Delicate, savory flavor and a crunch from the thin strands How to use it: Sautéed or raw in salads, or throw it raw into ramen and hot pot and it cooks up right in the broth Recipes: Sauteed Enoki Mushrooms Flavor: Delicate, tender, juicy and meaty. Some people say it tastes like seafood or crab meat. How to use it: Sauteed as a side dish, in stir fries, in a sandwich as a vegan meat substitute Recipes: Sauteed Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Flavor: Lightly sweet, savory and nutty flavor, with a subtly crunchy texture How to use it: Sauteed as a side dish, in stir fries, soups, risotto, pasta, and soups Recipes: Sauteed Beech Mushrooms
Store mushrooms in a paper bag in the main portion of the refrigerator (not the produce drawer). The paper bag lets the breathe and helps them stay fresh longer. Mushrooms do best in the main part of the refrigerator where there’s the most airflow. Give them a quick rinse before using. Despite conventional wisdom, you can wash your mushrooms! Just make sure not to soak them. Give them a rinse to clean off any dirt. Go to How to Clean Mushrooms…the Right Way.
More mushroom recipes
Want more ideas on how to use mushrooms? We’ve got lots of great mushroom recipes:
Bake them into Vegan Mushroom LasagnaServe them on Goat Cheese Bruschetta with MushroomsSlice them up raw in a Broccolini SaladMake them into delicious Vegan Taco Meat for a Taco Salad
No reviews *Want recipes for other types of mushrooms like lion’s mane, enoki, maitake, shiitake, oyster and more? See the list above!
