Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are a tasty variety of mushroom to add to your cooking repertoire! Make them fried with herbs using this tasty recipe.

Got your hands on some oyster mushrooms? Let’s get cooking! This edible fungus is not nearly as common as the white button mushroom: but it should be! This variety has a mild, savory flavor and a delicate texture that works in all sorts of recipes. Here at A Couple Cooks we’ve been cooking through all the types of mushrooms, so we were excited to see this variety on the shelf in our standard grocery store. Sauté them up as a side dish, mix them with pasta, or even make them as a vegan meat substitute! Here’s what to know about this popular fungus.

What are oyster mushrooms?

There are so many different types of mushrooms you can find at the store! Oyster mushrooms are a variety that’s becoming easier to find in non-specialty American grocery stores. Here’s more about this tasty fungus:

• Oyster mushrooms are a common type of edible fungus with caps that are shaped like oysters. The stems are very short and they grow in clusters.
• Types of oyster mushrooms: There are seven main varieties. The most common types you’ll encounter at the store are pearl oyster mushrooms and King oyster mushrooms. The King variety is much larger and grows individually instead of in clusters. Other more unique types you might find at a farmer’s market or foraged are blue oyster mushrooms and pink oyster mushrooms.
• Where to find them? You can find this type of mushroom at some grocery stores or specialty food stores. You can also find them at international or Asian grocery stores.

What do they taste like?

Is it worth picking up this special type of ‘shroom? Absolutely. Here’s more about the flavor profile:

• What do oyster mushrooms taste like? The flavor is delicate and savory, with a hint of complexity on the finish. Some people say they have a slight seafood flavor, or a subtle anise finish (black licorice). Either way, they’re best eaten fried or sautéed: we don’t recommend eating them raw.
• Do oyster mushrooms smell fishy? Some can! This variety of mushroom can smell subtly fishy when you remove them from the packaging. Perhaps that’s another reason for the name of this fungus!

How to store and clean them

Once you get ahold of these mushrooms, what’s the best way to keep them fresh? How to clean them before cooking them?

• Store the mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator (not produce drawer). The best way to store mushrooms is in a paper bag, which allows them to breathe. Leave them in the main part of the refrigerator to get good airflow, not the produce drawer.
• Clean them with a quick rinse. This type of fungus grows on wood, so they likely won’t be as dirty as say, a cremini or portobello. Give the mushrooms a quick rinse to get off any dirt (don’t soak them or they can become soggy).

How to cook oyster mushrooms

Ready to get cooking? This sauteed oyster mushrooms recipe is a basic way to eat them: pan fried with herbs, garlic and lemon juice. While it’s common in Japanese and Chinese cuisine, it’s also eaten in European cuisines so here we’ve paired it with Mediterranean flavors. (For Japanese-style flavors, try these recipes for Lion’s Mane Mushrooms or Enoki Mushrooms: they’ll work here too!)

• Slice off the bottom stem. Slice off the stem of the mushrooms, which separates the individual caps.
• Saute 2 to 3 minutes in olive oil. Add a smashed garlic clove to infuse a bit of flavor.
• Add chopped herbs and lemon juice in the last 30 seconds. This brightens and lightens the flavor. Use any herbs you like: chives, basil, oregano, or thyme would be fantastic.

Ways to serve this oyster mushrooms recipe

How to serve this oyster mushrooms recipe? Here are a few ideas:

• Side dish: Throw them on a plate and they’re great as a side for chicken, fish, or a vegetarian or vegan main dish.
• Pasta: Add them to pasta with goat cheese or a creamy sauce. Or, use them in this Mushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese recipe.
• Rice or Risotto: Mix them into rice, or add them to Parmesan Risotto or Mushroom Risotto (made with homemade mushroom broth!).
• Farro: Stir them into whole grain farro, or make Farro with Mushrooms & Parmesan.
• Sandwich: Try them in a sandwich, like a Fried Egg Sandwich or Grilled Cheese.
• Quesadilla: Opt for a gourmet quesadilla, like a Brie & Mushroom Quesadilla.

More recipe ideas

There are lots of other ways to cook up this variety! Here are some common ways to eat them:

• Fried: Try battered and fried oyster mushrooms, a vegan substitute for fried chicken.
• Vegan pulled pork: Make vegan pulled pork with the King variety.
• Soup: Make savory oyster mushroom soup.

This oyster mushroom recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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