The Biggest Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Mushrooms 

How do you usually eat mushrooms?

Mushroom did wonders in my life. I could remember several years ago after divorce with my wife which brought me into my disastrous journey on Alcohol and cigarettes. I suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Got diagnosed with cptsd. Not until a friend recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Much respect to mother nature the great magic shrooms.

This video: Do not wash your mushrooms. Pre-packaged mushrooms label: “Wash before use.”

I start out on medium high heat with a dry pan- no oil- and let the mushrooms roast around for a few minutes before adding anything else to the pan, seasonings or oil. I saw this technique years ago and find it's easier to control the oiliness/moisture better this way. But whatever works and suits your taste is what's best!

it's been tested and proven that washing mushrooms in water doesn't waterlog them, truth is one mushroom doesn't even absorb a full gram of water plus, it's literally impossible to overcook mushrooms, you can burn them however

After seeing Alton Brown at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo talk about cooking and prepping mushrooms, he explained that part of their growing medium was powdered horse poo. He said, "Do I wash my mushrooms? You better believe I do!" I wash my mushrooms, it doesn't harm them in any way.

I like the watery mix when I cook mushrooms. As a vegetarian, I can thicken it and get an awesome meatless gravy.

I've always thoroughly washed mushrooms. Anybody who says water sogs mushrooms, hasnt cooked it. It's impossible to overcook mushrooms. Idk who came up with this 'wipe your mushrooms' idea. But if you want the dirt off, just wash it. Simple

Before you put mushrooms on pizza, marinate them in olive oil salt and pepper, ore the spices to your liking 😋😋😋

I've tried washed vs unwashed brushed "clean" mushrooms. I can't tell the difference, except that I don't have to throw out as many dishes because there's dirt in them. You can throw them in the oven on low for a bit (use a rack) if you want the water gone. Salad spinner works fairly well too. I think this rule came from lazy restaurant cooks who don't bother to wash their food properly.

Blumenthol, award winning 3-Michelin star chef, debunked the washing mushroom's myth. I used to spend tons of time wiping them. Unless you have fragile delicate mushrooms like Chanterelles, a nice rinse is the fastest, easiest, and best way to clean mushrooms.

So... I'm doing EVERYTHING wrong, and I still enjoy my mushrooms.

Actually cooking mushrooms on low heat is great if you intend to use them for a sauce. In that case the water that seeps out should be drained off into the sauce for even more flavour. However, I always use butter for mushrooms, never oil.

But sometimes, especially if buying sliced mushrooms, they tell you to rinse well before use. (Don’t judge me for buying pre-sliced mushrooms, I buy preprepared veg. I’m disabled and find it less painful to get the prep work done first)

Tomatoes have water as well and we wash them why? Because it needs to be washed.

Alton Brown already dispelled your first “mushroom mistake”. Mushroom are already saturated with water, so HOW could they possibly take more water?

I LOVE ❤️ MUSHROOMS I EAT THEM ON PIZZA, I LOVE ❤️ MUSHROOM OMELETS, I LOVE ❤️ STUFFED MUSHROOMS, I LOVE ❤️ SAUTÉED MUSHROOMS ON MY STEAK, I CAN EAT MUSHROOMS BY THEMSELVES, I LOVE ❤️ MUSHROOMS IN SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH ANY KIND OF CHEESE, I LOVE ❤️ CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOM SOUP AND CHEESE CASSEROLES, I LOVE ❤️ MUSHROOM SOUP. SO ALL THAT I CAN KEEP ON SAYING AND REPEATING IS THAT I LOVE ❤️ MUSHROOMS 🍄

This video is trying to give advice without giving clear direction on how to accurately follow their mushroom. Don't undercook your mushroom but also don't overcook them. Wow! Who would've thought of that

ricky dona said it right. Mushrooms do not absorb water when washed. I'd rather a water logged mushroom than eat fertilizer.

Why does everything have a "nutty" taste? Guess I'll just buy nuts then...

You can never overcook fungus. Salting them early really helps draw out the moisture.

I just cook them however I feel like and haven't noticed a problem.

#1, damn I always ran them through a load in the dishwasher before cooking. I use butter, not oil. While salting is best at the end like they said, try heating your oil/butter ahead of time with your other seasonings of choice. That way when the mushrooms uptake the oil, it takes the seasoning flavor into them and not just a surface seasoning. It also ensures more even seasoning. It's even more effective on things like Shallots that impart their flavor over time.

Mushrooms sometimes comes with dirt on them. Always wash them.

Wow ... I really appreciate it. I just had Oyster Mushrooms turn quickly! I kept them in the open Plastic bag that they are sold in! I will place them in a paper bag from now on! This was a very informative post! Thanks

Ive learned some valuable tips. Thank you. Also, I've accidentally discovered how intensely flavoured dried out mushrooms are, when I found and used some old, dried out ones in the bottom of my freezer! Best for stews and risotto.

anybody ever done fried mushrooms i love the smell lol

I discovered accidentally that I can dehydrate mushrooms in the refrigerator in paper bags. When I had too many mushrooms and had to travel unexpectedly, I left some mushrooms in a paper bag. When I returned from the trip after two weeks, they were almost completely dried out. These work very well when cooked in rice or slow cooker foods. Now I but extra just to have dried mushrooms on hand for a more intense flavor than fresh mushrooms provide.

There are so many ways to eat mushrooms. I love them raw in a salad, on pizza, and my two favorite things are "Beef, Mushroom, and Barley Soup" and "Mushroom Risotto".

Washing the mushrooms allows you to use less oil to cook them. The water evaporates and then they caramelise .

You wash them at the last minute before you cook them or they become slimy. They do not soak up water by washing them and if you know how they are grown you want to wash them

I open plastic covered mushrooms as soon as I get home, use a shaving, (soft) brush to take off the remaining compost and only break them with my hands to the size I want. Perfect everytime!

I 'll cook my mushrooms to my liking.

No matter what, am still washing them before cooking

I’ve drank water from my neighbors hose, played lawn darts and rode my bike as a kid with no helmet, so I’m not worried about washing them.

I’ll definitely stop soaking them, but I’ll still rinse off the dirt. Thanks for your tips though. I will definitely cook them in a separate pan to dehydrate them if all the liquid before adding to my potato soup I’m making tomorrow. ❤ I’ll definitely try the paper bag method, that sounds like it will be easier to simply dust the dirt off for the next time. Glad I. Seen this video.

When using any other mushroom than the Paris kind you will probably have a lot of sand, sawdust and other stuff sticking on them that really needs to be rinsed off with a lot of water. I once saw an interview with a Belgian 3 stars chef that was a bit surprised when the interviewer suggested that mushs shouldn't be washed. His answer was about clients not being to keen on eating sand when they ordered a dish with wild forest mushrooms ...

Now I know I'm not going to die by eating a unwashed mushroom thanks.

Fry well in a bit of butter,garlic and chilli. Yum!

Such great information about cooking mushrooms. I watch this whenever I cook mushrooms.

Thank you for this!! I already knew about many of these but not all. I learned some valuable information.Yay!

mushrooms are grown in dung, I'm washing mine first.

I usually eat them in a pasta meal, with chicken, cream cheese, leaks, garlic, pieces of peach, one or two tablespoons of the peach juice, and Italian seasoning, next to salt and pepper, of course. My favorite meal.

Wow, so glad I found this! Embarrassed to admit this but pretty much everything stated in this video was completely unknown to me previously 😂

Happy Holidays and thank you!

Washing mushroom is just fine. They do not "act like sponges"; they do, however, absorb some water if left soaking or aren't dried after washing.

Hello, mushroom enthusiast here. I do not recommend not washing, but you should definitely try to use as little water to do the job, along with a small brush (like a toothbrush). No soaking (unless recipe states so). My favorite way of cooking champinions is not discussed here, so I will share this secret that changed my dishes. After I slice them thinly I put them in a pan at medium to low heat and wait for excess water to come out. If there is too little, try adding a little on top (depends how much you crowd them). They should boil for a few minutes, which will cook them slightly but also stop them from absorbing oil. They should darken only slightly. Once most water is gone add just a small amount of oil/butter and saute for a couple of minutes and they are done. Firm texture, not soaked in oil and flavorful, I use them for omlettes, salads and sandwhiches. They also keep well in the fridge for a few days if the mushrooms were fresh and firm when cut, which is very much desirable. Using butter instead of oil will give them a nuttier taste but should be done at low heat to avoid burning.

Very best video cooking tips. I love mushrooms. I make breakfast with eggs, spinach, onions, bell peppers. Only thing is I always missing Mushrooms. Thank You.

I've never washed a mushroom. I peel them. However I love soggy mushrooms and cook them slowly on low in butter. Yum. Just cook them how you like them :D

Most world reputed chefs (Jacques Pépin, Martha Stewart, Lidia Bastianich) advise to pre-wash mushrooms quickly and vigorously under running water, to dry them with a soft kitchen towel, then proceed with your recipe. I pre-wash them (about 5 seconds, twice) under running water, shake them well, and cook them as I like. It always turn out firm and tasty. Mushrooms grow very close to soil and they are always picked by hand. Eating them as they come, health wise, is not a good Idea.

Thank you for the tips. Especially about storing them after opening the plastic bag. I usually store my vegetables in thin cotton bags. I haven't done that with mushrooms, don't know why and is rather stupid of me. Will do so from now on.

I make a mushroom/butter sauce for pasta or soup by cooking sliced and chopped mushrooms in butter in a medium tightly covered pot with some salt. The idea is to get as much of the liquid in the mushrooms out, pouring it off every few minutes, adding some more butter and continuing until you've got as much as you can get from them. Now the resulting butter sauce has a delicate but distinct mushroom flavour that you can't get any other way. I use the cooked mushrooms in gravy or in cream of mushroom soup to put back some moisture. You can also soak them in water for a while and they'll recover nicely. I've done this for years and it always works out and tastes great.

Sound information indeed! Especially removing plastic form Supermarket mushrooms - it kills them! They are humble things - treat with respect!

Mushrooms don’t get waterlogged.

Mushrooms are ABSOLUTELY DIVINE!!!!!!!

Thanks for the info. I needed it.

Thank you, so helpful!

I use to believe most of these “rules”. Then I saw a video that debunked most of these cooking instructions. I was skeptical at first...but I tried it myself and I’ve never looked back. Many of these other “tips” are questionable or case sensitive. A few are flat out bunk!

Instead of throw away shiitake mushroom stems, they could dry them and turn them into powdered mushrooms to use in anything...

Thanks for the info! Good to know. 👏👍

I always wash my mushrooms. It doesnt make them watery. I always saute them in butter and cook them until all their juices are re-absorbed. They will even absorb some of the butter. They have tons of flavor when i cook them that way. And if i want mushrooms in my spaghetti sauce i saute the mushrooms, put them aside while i make the sauce and noodles, then add the mushrooms to the sauce just before serving the spaghetti. Every time you bite into one of the mushrooms in the saute you taste the beautiful mushroom flavor. Yum!

Buy mushrooms that have closed gills, they will store longer and yes add sea salt when sautéing them to draw out the moisture

Washing mushrooms properly is not a mistake. 😒

I don't fry anything or use any fats. I steam most of my food, including mushrooms, which are my preferred food stuff. I add black pepper, a tiny amount of salt and a bunch herbs, like oregano, or mixed herbs. I brush the loam off the mushrooms with a soft brush. If the mushrooms are small, I leave them whole, if large I quarter them. I may use a small amount of vegetable stock just to coat the mushroom, not drown them. I don't eat red meat, but sometimes have sliced chicken breast with the mushrooms and a selection of vegetables, broccoli, carrot, sweetcorn, garden peas.

I will continue to wash my mushrooms. I’m not interested in eating dirt and what if they were dropped on the floor at the store or in transit where an employee’s shoe had just stepped in poop and the mushrooms happened to be there on the floor. Like no thanks. I’ll wash my mushrooms.

I almost exclusively use dried forest blend mushrooms. I'll give them a quick rinse first, and break off any hard stalks, but they usually go in the pan still dry. If I presoak them, it will be in a liquid to enhance their flavor...Like red wine mixed with Worcestershire sauce and MSG to saute in butter for a steak.

I agree with the damp towel, washing will change the flavor drastically as well. Paper towel is best. I use ghee install of oil. Or butter and peanut oil. Using ghee gives you the butter flavor and removes the need for adding oil. There are tons of video on making ghee yourself! Do it! I use it all the time now, and use little oil since making my own ghee. Seasoning salt with herb and garlic seasoning is delicious. Cook till caramelized.... Perfection with steak, steak tips or any beef dish.

Thanks soooo much for this video. I did not know any of this information. I do love mushrooms and this was soooo helpfu😊

I pretty much cook them medium high with a little oil . I use large portabella mushrooms for salad but I bake them with a dressing of olive oil scallion and garlic , balsamic vinegar😉

Mushrooms are NOT like sponges. That is an urban legend.

Water is the enemy of the Maillard reaction and caramelization. Both happen above 100 °C, the boiling point of water. If you can remove the surface water first (with high temperatures), you can reduce the temperature after the water on the surface is gone. I assume that if they are already dried out, you don't really need to go to high temperatures at all (140°C to 165°C). Sun drying is best if you're in a cold climate (vitamin d2). Also, the smoke point of butter is 150°C. That isn't a bad way to go.

Well yes this is very true. One contradiction is that here in the UK some decades ago our famous TV Chef-esse and Authoress Delia Smith who has written superb books on cookery used the motto "A washed mushroom is a Happy Mushroom" but one has to add that she wrote one book aimed at some folks who didn't even know how to boil an egg! I find this method does work better than washing them as I've tried it 3 times and always it's clear that they taste better when fried in a little oil or ghee and waiting until they absorb all the fat - keep the heat high - stir them a bit and wait till the moisture starts to leech out of them and evaaporate the liquid off on a reasonably high heat - just what it says here in the video. Then I add it to any dishes in the last stage of cooking eg Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce; Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Chasseur, Mushroom Bhaji Curry. Result is first rate.

I wrap my mushrooms is kitchen paper and leave in fridge for about a week or so to mature. Perfect.

Too much bad information! BAD information!

"don't wash your mushrooms because they soak up water" "Don't salt your mushrooms right away because it draws out the water" "You want to add salt when the liquid is cooked out" WHAT?!?!?

Hello MASHED !!! 🥂 🍄🍄🫒 GRATE VIDEO Thanks for the info on mushrooms

Thanks for the video. Tomorrow, I’m testing out a Recipe from one of Chef Gordon Ramsey’s latest cookbook that involves using Portobello and Cremini mushrooms. Now I know what NOT to do with them, when I’m doing my food prep.

I've washed and only brushed off mushrooms before preparing then. Honestly, I found no difference in how the cook. I feel more comfortable washing( rincing) them 1st. I usually put them in a colander to dry off before slicing and or cooking. But if I'm using them in a soup or stew I don't care if they're wet.

how you cook mushrooms is entirely dependent on what sort of dish you are making.

Omg....I love shrooms and put them in almost everything when i cook 🍳 🍄 (My ex despised the fact I put them in homemade chili 😋) It's crazy to know I've been preparing them wrong this whole time... I can't stand canned shrooms and hate waterlogged fresh ones.😡 Thanks so much for the info....will definitely be putting it to good use 👍

Button mushrooms already have a lot of water in them; simply rinsing them quickly doesn't matter much. I always prefer to rinse the mushrooms as it's quite common for them to have dirt on them.

I may be wrong, but I believe that it’s almost impossible to ruin mushrooms, they are delicious no matter how you cook them, the stronger the flavor the better!

It depends on the type of mushroom how you prepare it. Wild black trumpets, for example, call for several vinegar baths to clean them.

Great advice, thanks a lot!

THIS WAS A GREAT VIDEO..CONCISE & INFORMATIVE

Sorry... there is no way I won't wash my mushrooms. I don't eat steer manure, even if it is sterilized. I also dont know who handled them, peed on them, spit on them, dropped them on the floor, ground, or some filthy place. I dry them, wrap them in paper towel to store.

I usually wash my mushrooms and dry them a bit with paper towel before cooking. That way I am sure i am eating them clean.

Great lesson, thank you ❤

Thanks for the awesome tips

Top Mistakes (per video) : 1. Washing them 2. Cooking them on low heat 3. Always slicing mushrooms (as opposed to sometimes cooking them whole or torn) 4. Overcrowding pan 5. Not using enough oil 6. Not leaving them on heat long enough 7. Salting them as soon as they're in the pan

Been tested. Washing mushrooms do not lessen the browning effect. Urban myth.

Yeah. I just taste tested some mushrooms I found in a cow pasture after a rain storm. Now I can't stop watching the movie Killer Clowns From Outer Space on loop! Bon Appetite, I think...Or something like that. Peace

Lots of good info. Thanks

"Wipe the mushrooms off with a damp towel." Yeah, try that, then rinse the mushrooms with a sprayer and see all the black soil and fertilizer that washes out of crevices. YUCK!

Your video was so informative. Thank you so much!

Store mushrooms in a paper bag? I can do that. Also, I slice up mushrooms (usually button type) and dry them, which is easy to do in my dry area of the country. They have a very strong fragrance.

Put mushrooms in a bowl, add some flour (I use about 2-4 Tbsp per 8 oz. mushrooms), mix until mushrooms are coated well then rinse with water and pat dry. The flour removes the dirt.

I always wash my mushrooms and they are never waterlogged because I wash them quickly and the don’t have time to absorb water.

I've heard so many wonderful things about magic mushrooms but I can't easily get some, Is there any realiable source I can purchase from??

And I must remember to carmelize them too.