Did you know mushrooms contain 80%-90% water? This can make them a little tricky to cook to a nice meaty texture without having them get soggy from steaming in their own liquid
Follow these tips and tricks for perfect mushrooms every time
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Are Mushrooms Good For You?
Each variety of mushroom has its’ own unique health benefits, but generally mushrooms protect against certain cancers, help with weight loss, can be a good source of vitamin D, lower cholesterol, and help to boost immunity
They are low in calories, and can make a good replacement for meat when grilled or used in chili
White and brown foods have a bad rep, largely because of white flour and sugar, but many of these foods are nutritional powerhouses. Check out White and Brown Nutrition Powerhouses for benefits of these foods
What Seasonings Go Best With Mushrooms?
Anything in the garlic or onion family goes well with mushrooms. Herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley are also good pairings
How to Avoid Soggy Mushrooms
Mushrooms are best when they are roasted and caramelized. They will be cooked through but retain a nice meaty texture. Regardless of the type of mushrooms you choose to cook, they have a very high water content which is released during the cooking process, which can make them soggy or mushy if not handled right
Follow These Tips and Your Mushrooms Will Come Out Perfect Every Time
When cleaning, use a damp towel or mushroom brush to remove dirt vs. soaking or rinsing in water.
Running water over the mushroom will just add more water to the dish, and the goal is to cook out the naturally occurring water in the mushrooms
Use a Large Sauté Pan
If you overcrowd your pan, the mushrooms will boil in the liquid they release
Preheat Your Pan Over Medium Heat and Preheat Cooking Fat
Medium high heat vs. low will help the mushrooms roast in the pan. If the pan heat is too low, the mushrooms will steam in their liquid. I like to use extra virgin olive oil, which is 100% fat. Many people like to use butter because of the rich flavor, but butter has about 20% naturally occurring water content. If you like buttery flavor, try a mix of extra virgin olive oil with some butter, and be mindful that you will want to roast any extra water out
When to Add Salt to Mushrooms
I add salt at the very end stage of cooking mushrooms. If you add it too early before they are browned and roasted, the salt will pull the water out making the mushrooms soggy. In this recipe, I am using tamari instead of salt. The same holds true whether using salt, broth, soy sauce, or tamari in that you will want to add it at the end. If you are using a salty liquid, stir it in quickly so it gets evenly distributed among the mushrooms and cook it off until the pan is dry
Can I Freeze Mushrooms
Because of the water content, if you freeze mushrooms, they will be soggy when you defrost them. It’s best to buy fresh, cook, store leftovers in the frig, and use within 3-5 days
What Can I Do With Cooked Mushrooms?
Add to a barley pilaf, polenta or pasta, soups, or top a burger or pizza. Roasted or grilled mushrooms make a great addition to sandwiches. You can pulse them in a mini chopper with some sundried tomatoes in oil for a delicious crostini spread as an appetizer. Sauté asparagus with mushrooms to make omelets for a quick mid-week supper.
Are Mushrooms Low Carb and Keto Friendly?
If you are carb conscious, mushrooms have the types of carbs that we do not break down. They do not impact blood sugar or insulin so are a perfect addition to a low carb or keto diet
Perfect Pan Roasted Caramelized Mushrooms
Makes One Cup Cooked
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus extra as needed
10 oz Baby Bella Mushrooms, cleaned and sliced ¼ inch pieces
3 large cloves garlic sliced
1 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
1 tsp tamari or soy sauce
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
Ground pepper to taste
Preheat olive oil in a large skillet
Add sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms over medium high heat until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes
Add garlic slices and chopped rosemary, tossing to combine
If mushrooms are very dry, sprinkle in a little more olive oil
If mushrooms have begun to release liquid, no need to add more oil
Continue to sauté over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are brown, and pan liquid has evaporated
Sprinkle with tamari or soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar, and stir to evenly distribute, and cook down liquid
Stir in ground pepper
Taste to adjust seasonings if needed, and cook until mushrooms are caramelized
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