Easy Roasted Mushrooms Recipe (2024)

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This recipe for mushrooms roasted in the oven results in a dish that's meaty, deeply flavored, and intensely savory.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

Easy Roasted Mushrooms Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated August 23, 2023

Why It Works

  • Roasting in a moderate, 375°F (190°C) oven gives the mushrooms plenty of time to concentrate in flavor.
  • Draining off the mushrooms' exuded liquid partway through the roast assists in browning and speeds up cooking time.

Let's face it: Raw mushrooms are bland, and having those raw slices added to my salads as a kid was part of the reason I grew up really disliking them. The other reason is that, when not properly roasted, they can be, well, slimy. A properly roasted mushroom, on the other hand, is meaty, intense, and deeply flavored. That's what we're after.

Easy Roasted Mushrooms Recipe (2)

Conventional wisdom tells you never to wash mushrooms, but it's okay—you can go ahead and do it. Even after a prolonged soak, they gain about 2% of their total weight in water, which is not enough to make a big difference in cook time. You can wash them in cold water, spin them dry in asalad spinner, and proceed as usual. Though I'd advise cutting and trimming them before washing, because, like the seminal 1986 Bon Jovi album, they're a bit slippery when wet.*

*Don't you just love contemporary topical references?

A moderate temperature is good for mushrooms, as you want to give them plenty of time to lose their internal moisture and concentrate in flavor. At 375°F (190°C), this can take over an hour, but there are ways to speed up the process.

See, mushrooms have a spongelike structure that very easily exudes its moisture. As this moisture escapes, it uses up the energy provided by the oven to evaporate. Until this moisture is mostly gone, it's very difficult for a mushroom to reach high enough temperatures for significant browning to take place.

I've found that by letting the mushrooms roast for a good 15 minutes, then draining off the liquid that's exuded into the tray, I can not only reduce total cooking time by about 15% and improve browning, but I also get the bonus of anintensely mushroom-flavored liquidto cook with. I like to think of it as a mushroom-flavored soy sauce alternative.

By the time the mushrooms have browned, they'll have shrunk down to about 50% of their original size. Oddly, the rules of mathematics don't seem to apply here, because they're way more than 200% more flavorful.

Roasted mushrooms are great on their own, tossed with a few herbs and olive oil, or as an ingredient in other dishes. Try adding them to your pasta, tossing them with sautéed green beans, or serving them cold with salads. And while this recipe is written for button or cremini mushrooms, the method can be adapted to work for many other types, including portobello, oyster, shiitake, wild mushrooms, and more.

December 2013

Recipe Details

Easy Roasted Mushrooms Recipe

Prep5 mins

Cook50 mins

Active5 mins

Total55 mins

Serves4to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds (900g) button or cremini mushrooms, washed, trimmed, and quartered

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 8 to 12 sprigs thyme or rosemary

  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, chives, tarragon, or other fresh herbs

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss mushrooms with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Spread thyme or rosemary sprigs on top of mushrooms. Transfer to oven and roast until mushrooms release liquid, about 15 minutes. Carefully drain liquid into a separate container and reserve for another use. (It's a great vegan seasoning sauce.)

    Easy Roasted Mushrooms Recipe (3)

  2. Return mushrooms to oven and continue roasting until browned but still tender, about 30 minutes longer. Discard thyme or rosemary. Transfer to a bowl and toss with parsley, chives, or tarragon. Serve immediately.

Special Equipment

Rimmed baking sheet

Read More

  • How to Roast Fall and Winter Vegetables | The Food Lab
  • Roasting Mushrooms? Save the Cooking Liquid to Make a Savory Condiment
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
74Calories
5g Fat
7g Carbs
4g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories74
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g6%
Saturated Fat 1g3%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 220mg10%
Total Carbohydrate 7g3%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 3mg17%
Calcium 35mg3%
Iron 1mg5%
Potassium 691mg15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Easy Roasted Mushrooms Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to crispy mushrooms? ›

First, make sure the mushrooms are completely dry, then cook them in a hot skillet with some oil or butter as you normally would. Wait until you take them off the heat to shower them with a sprinkle of salt. This seems like a really small thing, but it actually makes a big difference.

Is it better to roast or sauté mushrooms? ›

While you can sauté, grill, and even fry mushrooms, roasting them is perhaps the simplest way to draw out their savory, umami-rich flavor.

What is the secret to cooking mushrooms? ›

Tips for cooking mushrooms
  1. You need high heat; not the highest that would burn everything, but high enough to actually sear the mushrooms and not steam them. ...
  2. Then fat – you do need fat and more of it than you'd normally use. ...
  3. And now the main secret tip about time: do NOT stir the mushrooms!
Mar 2, 2020

What is the best way to cook mushrooms? ›

Heat the Pan: Place the skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté and Evaporate: Add the mushrooms and let them brown briefly. They will release moisture; allow it to evaporate completely. Achieve Golden Perfection: Continue to cook and stir the mushrooms until they turn golden brown, adjusting the heat as needed.

What enhances the flavor of mushrooms? ›

The study demonstrated that cooking methods have an effect on the flavor profile of white mushrooms. Sear mushrooms for a more intense roasted, charred and smoky flavor and overall aroma. Roast mushrooms to get more sweet, salty and umami tastes with caramelized, nutty and buttery flavors.

How to cook mushrooms like a pro? ›

How to Sauté Mushrooms Like a Pro
  1. Heat enough oil to coat the bottom of your Smart Cooker. ...
  2. Add the mushrooms, sliced, quartered, or whole, in a single layer. ...
  3. Do not stir the mushrooms. ...
  4. Cook off any excess liquid. ...
  5. Season your sautéed mushrooms with a pinch of salt, as it brings out the meaty, umami flavor.

What type of mushroom is best for roasting? ›

Prep! For our roasted mushrooms recipe, we use cremini mushrooms but you can make it your own and roast portobello, shiitake, or button mushrooms – whatever you have available! Cut into quarters and drizzle with olive oil and salt! Pro tip: place them cut-side down in a single layer to get that crispy bottom!

Do I wash mushrooms before roasting? ›

Regardless of the different schools of thought on how to get that pesky dirt off mushrooms, there is no doubt that it is important to clean mushrooms before cooking, one way or another. Vegetables (and fruits) can sometimes carry germs that can lead to foodborne illness, so it is important to be mindful.

Are roasted mushrooms good for you? ›

Mushrooms are a low-calorie food and pack a nutritional punch. Loaded with many health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they've long been recognized as an important part of any diet. Mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet light are a good source of vitamin D, an important component for bone and immune health.

How long should mushrooms be cooked for? ›

When the oil or melted butter is hot, add the mushrooms. You should hear a sizzle. (If the fat isn't hot enough, the mushrooms will start to water out and steam instead of sautéing.) Cook the mushrooms 4 to 5 minutes or until they're tender and lightly browned.

What is the healthiest way to cook a mushroom? ›

The researchers concluded that the best way to cook mushrooms while still preserving their nutritional properties is to grill or microwave them, as the fried and boiled mushrooms showed significantly less antioxidant activity.

How do you know if mushrooms are cooked enough? ›

Cook the mushrooms until browned and reduced by half.

Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until all the moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms start to turn dark reddish-brown with golden spots, 5 to 8 minutes more.

How to cook mushrooms so they are crispy? ›

Place the mushrooms into a bowl, then drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Spread them in an even layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Roast until they are golden brown and crisp around the edges for about 20-25 minutes, tossing once halfway through.

What liquid to cook mushrooms in? ›

ADD WATER FIRST; ADD OIL LATER

Steam cooks the mushrooms quickly, so they collapse and release liquid. After the mushroom jus evaporates, we add just ½ teaspoon of oil to brown the mushrooms.

How do you fry mushrooms without them getting soggy? ›

Choose a pan that is wide enough to hold the mushrooms in a single layer. Once the pan is hot, add just enough oil to coat the bottom. Add the mushrooms to the hot pan and cook, keeping the heat high and stirring frequently to help quickly evaporate any liquid the mushrooms give off.

Should you soak mushrooms before frying? ›

The myth that mushrooms will soak up all the water has been busted by other chefs and food scientists. Boiling mushrooms before sautéing works because mushrooms are neither plant nor animal. This comes down to the mushroom itself -- its internal structure is such that you literally cannot overcook a mushroom.

How do you get rid of water when frying mushrooms? ›

"Adding salt before throwing mushrooms in the pan or immediately after will draw out the water from them, making them simmer in their own liquids," says Sofia Norton, RD.

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