Caramelized Mushrooms
Cooking mushrooms can be a bit tricky. You can eat mushrooms raw, so they can be technically done any time, right?
Well, that’s not exactly true. When cooking mushrooms over the stovetop, I am always looking for the same deep-mahogany perfection, just like good steak has.
Caramelized mushrooms are next level. They have a delicious umami taste, caramel color, and meaty texture.
Choosing Mushrooms
There are so many types of mushrooms you can choose from. Still, not all are suitable for the caramelizing process.
Some of them have a very soft texture, while some are firmer. We are looking for those with a firmer texture, otherwise you will end up with a mushy mixture.
- Cremini mushrooms – These are also known as baby bella mushrooms. They are small mushrooms with round brown tops. They are one of the most widely consumed mushroom varieties in the world. Cremini mushrooms are the same variety as button mushrooms but one growth stage after button mushrooms. This gives them a more complex, meaty, and savory flavor.
- Portobello mushrooms – The Portobello mushrooms are another popular type you can use. They have an intensely meaty flavor, with loads of umami. Portobello mushrooms are the last growth stage, or the oldest growth stage when compared to cremini, and therefore they have a more intensive flavor.
- Oyster mushrooms – This type of mushroom has caps shaped like oysters. Their stems are very short and they grow in clusters. The most common type are pearl oyster mushrooms and king oyster mushrooms. They are delicate and savory, with a hint of complexity on the finish.
- Shiitake mushrooms – These mushrooms are the most popular edible mushrooms in the world. They are slender, light brown, and have a tough, inedible stem. The flavor of these mushrooms is savory and meaty.
Cleaning Mushrooms
Should you wash mushrooms, or just brush the dirt off? To clear up this kitchen confusion, here is how to properly clean mushrooms.
Mushrooms need a shower, not a bath. This works on most mushrooms you can find in the grocery. One exception is morel mushrooms – these mushrooms can be very dirty and are cleaned with a brush and some water.
Here is the right way to clean the mushrooms, and it takes no time at all. There is the best method and the cheat method, just in case you feel lazy:
- Bowl method – Fill a bowl with water. Add mushrooms and toss them in the water for a minute. Toss them gently until the dirt is removed and settled on the bottom. Remove the mushrooms and pat dry.
- Strainer method – This is the cheater method. Place the mushrooms in a colander and spray them with water until the dirt goes away. Then, again, pat dry the mushrooms.
For both mushrooms, make sure not to soak them and always remember, just shower them, don’t bathe them.
Tips For Perfect Caramelization
This process really gives nice color and also loads of flavor. The best way is to sear them perfectly before any other cooking is done.
Once you have your mushrooms in the skillet, leave them to sear, without moving for few minutes. Flip them and cook for another few minutes.
You may want to use a large skillet for this, so they are almost in an even layer. Also, make sure you are cooking your mushrooms on high heat, because the high heat will instantly drive off excess moisture.
Key steps for the caramelized mushrooms:
- Clean and thickly slice your mushrooms – If you slice them thinly, they will just become too flat and even more thin. Cut them thick or in quarters. Rinse them gently and pat them dry.
- Cook in a large skillet – Make sure your mushrooms have a lot surface area. You want to be able to spread the mushrooms out in a single layer, to maximize their contact with the hot skillet.
Serving Caramelized Mushrooms
Serve the mushrooms warm, sprinkled with some chopped parsley, or chopped chives. They are a perfect side dish or to be served as an appetizer. They will pair well with meat, poultry, or warm pasta salads.
Caramelized Mushrooms Recipe
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb white mushrooms, thickly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp rosemary
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tbsp soy sauce
- Chopped parsley, or chives, for garnish
Instructions
1. Clean the mushrooms.
2. Add oil and butter to a skillet and set over high heat.
3. Add mushrooms, in a single layer. Cook the mushrooms for 4 minutes per side, without moving.
4. Flip them and cook for another 4 minutes.
5. Add garlic, and cook for 1 minutes.
6. Add rest of the ingredients and cook for 30 seconds, tossing the mushrooms gently.
7. Serve warm.
Caramelized Mushrooms
This recipe for perfectly caramelized mushrooms is so quick and easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1 lb white mushrooms, thickly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp rosemary
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tbsp soy sauce
- Chopped parsley, or chives, for garnish
Instructions
1. Clean the mushrooms.
2. Add oil and butter to a skillet and set over high heat.
3. Add mushrooms, in a single layer. Cook the mushrooms for 4 minutes per side, without moving.
4. Flip them and cook for another 4 minutes.
5. Add garlic, and cook for 1 minutes.
6. Add rest of the ingredients and cook for 30 seconds, tossing the mushrooms gently.
7. Serve warm.
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