Easy Roasted Mushrooms Recipe (2024)

  • Recipes By Ingredients
  • Vegetables
  • Mushrooms

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
  • Christmas Sides
  • Gluten-free Sides
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Vegetable Sides
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 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!

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!

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.

What should we not do before cooking mushrooms? ›

Do I need to wash the mushrooms before I cook them? Never wash mushrooms. Instead, Wipe off any dirt with a damp paper towel. You can wash them but they won't be as good in texture/color.

What is the most flavourful mushroom? ›

Maitake. Also called Hen-of-the-wood, this is pound-for-pound the most flavorful mushroom around. You could definitely say we're maitake fans. It's extremely versatile, just as good sautéed with butter as it is on pizza.

What is the most popular mushroom to cook with? ›

The most popular varieties are the white and brown beech mushrooms. Hon shimeji mushrooms have a nutty flavor with buttery notes. While brown shimeji mushrooms are nuttier, the white varieties have a milder, sweeter taste. They retain their texture when cooked, offering a slightly crunchy, firm bite.

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.

Do you peel mushrooms before roasting? ›

Unlike other vegetables, mushrooms do not take long to prepare for the oven. No need to peel or even slice, simply clean them with a damp paper towel. After cleaning your mushrooms, do be sure to dry them as mushrooms tend to release a lot of liquid whilst cooking. Preheat the oven to 250c.

Is it better to saute or roast 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 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 long do roasted mushrooms last? ›

Roasted mushrooms are best just out of the oven, but leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave for an easy side, or add them to a pasta, salad, or grain bowl!

Is it better to cook mushrooms in butter or oil? ›

Butter is great because it adds lots of flavor and produces a nice golden brown exterior, while adding oil allows the mushrooms to cook a little more quickly at slightly higher heat.

Why do chefs not wash mushrooms? ›

Similarly, Harold McGee, food historian and author of “On Food and Cooking” (my golden standard food science handbook), said, “Cookbooks often advise against washing mushrooms so as not to make them soggy or dilute their flavor. However, they're already mostly water, and lose little if any flavor from a brief rinse.

What not to do with mushrooms? ›

Sautéing on High or Low Heat

"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 is considered the best tasting mushroom? ›

Black trumpet mushrooms (Craterellus fallax, cornucopioides and others) are undeniably one of the best tasting mushrooms in the world. Their rich, earthy flavor becomes bitter when concentrated or pureed, so newcomers to this mushroom will enjoy them most lightly sauteed or incorporated into a cream sauce for pasta.

What type of mushroom is best for grilling? ›

I like grilling portobellos to use in tacos or as mushroom burgers. Grilled cremini mushrooms are a great veggie side dish. Extra-virgin olive oil – It adds richness to the mushrooms and prevents them from drying out on the grill (or sticking to it!).

Which mushroom tastes the most like meat? ›

Swap your beef for portobello steaks

The portobello mushroom crowns as the superior beef replacement due to their satisfying texture and array of flavours. This mushroom's absorbency can soak up sauces effortlessly, leaving for a fulfilling dish.

What is the best mushroom to eat raw? ›

The first step towards safely enjoying raw mushrooms begins with choosing the right varieties. Stick to those known for their edibility and palatability such as the common white button, cremini, and portobello mushrooms.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 5482

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.