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? ›

So when you season the mushrooms immediately after tossing them in the pan, the mushrooms begin to release moisture, causing them to steam in the excess liquid in the pan. Waiting to salt them gives them a chance, instead, to sear and become crisp. That's it!

Is it better to roast or saute mushrooms? ›

Roasting mushrooms is easy and one of the best ways to cook them. I roast mushrooms with olive oil and herbs until golden brown, then stir in fresh garlic a few minutes before they come out of the oven. Our oven-roasted mushrooms are simple and so flavorful.

What is the secret to cooking mushrooms? ›

For the Best Mushrooms, Give Them a Good Sear

Cooking mushrooms concentrates their flavor and brings out notes of sweet earthiness from the Maillard reaction taking place. The best way to do this is to sear the mushrooms first in a dry pan. The high heat browns the mushrooms while instantly driving off excess moisture.

What is the best way to cook mushrooms? ›

"Medium-high heat is the way to go with mushrooms. You want their liquids to slowly evaporate while they caramelize," says Norton. High heat can burn mushrooms, while low heat will make them cook in their own liquid, she says. You also want to be mindful of the pan.

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 get mushrooms crispy in a pan? ›

Tips for the Perfect Texture

Preheat Your Pan: Start with a hot pan to ensure your mushrooms sear rather than steam. This helps in achieving that desirable crispy exterior. Don't Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches if necessary. Crowding can cause the mushrooms to steam and become soggy.

What type of mushroom is best for roasting? ›

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!

Are roasted mushrooms good for you? ›

Are roasted mushrooms good for you? Yes! Roasted garlic mushrooms are good for you because they are made with clean fresh ingredients and are filled with fiber and protein. These healthy mushrooms contain everything you need to stay full and keep going.

What is the healthiest way to cook mushrooms? ›

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 to cook mushrooms like a pro? ›

Chop into 1/4-inch slices or, if the mushrooms are larger, like portobello, cut into 1/4-inch cubes. 2Heat the olive oil in a large, wide skillet over medium heat. 3Add the mushrooms and spread into one layer. Then cook, without moving, until browned on one side, 3 to 5 minutes.

How long should mushrooms be cooked for? ›

How to Sauté Mushrooms
  1. Heat oil or butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet ($25, Target). ...
  2. Cook the mushrooms 4 to 5 minutes or until they're tender and lightly browned.
  3. For even cooking, stir mushrooms occasionally with a heatproofspatula ($11, Crate & Barrel) or wooden spoon.
Oct 6, 2022

Do you cook mushrooms covered or uncovered? ›

Covering the mushrooms for the first few minutes of cooking helps them release their liquid and brown more quickly. Once uncovered, the liquid evaporates, and the mushrooms begin to brown.

What liquid to cook mushrooms in? ›

Olive Oil + Butter.

Sautéed mushrooms with butter have their benefits, but so do sautéed mushrooms with olive oil. I use both oil and butter for a dynamic duo that pairs searing (oil) with rich, satisfying flavor (butter). (I also use both in my Sauteed Spinach.)

Why don't you wash mushrooms before cooking? ›

Some believe that by washing the mushrooms, they would absorb the water, turn soggy, and never achieve the desirable browning that makes them so delicious. The New Food Lover's Companion supports the damp paper towel route and advises that "if necessary," rinse mushrooms with cold water and dry them thoroughly.

Why should mushrooms be cooked in water before oil? ›

Sautéing them in oil first is a crucial mistake when cooking with mushrooms, as the oil will disappear, so you'll add more but then be left with soggy, oil-logged mushrooms. Cooking the mushrooms in water -- although counterintuitive and unconventional -- solves the problem of soggy 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.

How do you keep mushrooms from getting watery when frying? ›

Here's my current process:
  1. Rinse the mushrooms in a colander over cold water. ...
  2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and put a thin layer of olive oil in the bottom. ...
  3. When the olive oil glistens, pour all of the mushrooms in. ...
  4. Do not salt the mushrooms!
Oct 10, 2012

How to keep fried mushrooms crispy? ›

Use a dry coating like flour, cornflour, or breadcrumbs. This will absorb the natural moisture coming from the mushrooms and keep them crispy.

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