The BEST! Fried Mushrooms - Easy Pan or Deep Fried 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.

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.)

The best type of oil for frying mushrooms is one with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil. These oils can withstand high temperatures without breaking down and imparting unwanted flavors to the mushrooms.

Mushrooms are mostly water. You have to drive that water out to concentrate their flavor and prevent them from being mushy. Sautéing them in hot oil, getting them nicely browned and cooking them until they are dry will give you the best results. Once you've done that, you can use them however you like.

They work well with simple seasonings like salt and pepper but can take on a whole new dimension when you add ingredients like garlic, butter, and fresh herbs. Basic cooking techniques, flavorful ingredients, and a few tips and tricks can help add more flavor to mushrooms without a lot of fuss or stress.

Heat the oil or butter in the pan on a medium-high heat. Wait until it's sizzling, then add the mushrooms to the pan. Add the mushrooms and let them cook without stirring. Try to resist any stirring for the first 5 minutes.

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.

The wider size gives me more room. Salt your mushrooms at the end: I know this seems odd, but mushrooms are one of the only things I salt towards the end of cooking. Salt brings out moisture, which, in the case of mushrooms, prevents them from browning in the pan.

The Best Way to Wash Mushrooms

The critical step is to wait to wash them until right before you cook with them so they don't get bogged down with water. After giving the mushrooms a rinse, dry them off, and you're ready to cook.

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 keep mushrooms from getting watery when frying? ›

Use the widest pan you can to maximize evaporation while you fry them, also, you can put them in a very low oven for an hour to draw some of the moisture out. Don't crowd the pan, make sure each one has some space. Also, don't wash them in water before cooking! Mushrooms are sponges, they absorb liquids.

Does baking soda kill mushrooms? No, it does not kill mushrooms but halts their growth. Sprinkling baking soda over the mushrooms in your mulch can help reduce their spread, as well as provide a pH buffer that may discourage further growth.

Some call for pouring hot water over the mushrooms, but that hurried soak results in weirdly chewy-hard mushrooms that look ok but are difficult to eat. For deep flavor, the most aroma, and super luxurious texture, rehydrate dried shiitakes in water for at least 6 hours (I've let them soak for up to 24 hours).