What Is Mushrooms, button and How Can I Use It?

Button mushrooms is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 137 recipes to get you started.

What are button mushrooms?

Button mushrooms, scientifically known as Agaricus bisporus, are the most common and widely cultivated variety of edible mushroom worldwide. They are also frequently called white button mushrooms, champignons, or simply white mushrooms.

These fungi feature small, round, white caps (typically 1–2 inches in diameter when young) with short stems, giving them a button-like appearance that lends the name. As they mature, the caps may open to reveal pink or brown gills underneath, and they develop a mild, earthy, slightly nutty umami flavor with a firm, meaty texture.

Originally native to grasslands in Eurasia and North America, button mushrooms were first cultivated in France during the 17th century on horse manure heaps.

Today, they are inexpensive, readily available year-round in grocery stores, and versatile in cooking—often sautéed, added to salads, pizzas, soups, or stir-fries for their subtle taste and ability to absorb other flavors.

They are low in calories (providing almost none when eaten) while offering some protein, fiber, and nutrients like B vitamins.

Button mushrooms are distinct from other varieties like cremini (which are slightly more mature button mushrooms with a browner hue and deeper flavor) or portobello (fully grown versions of the same species).

Pro tips from the kitchen

Button mushrooms shine when treated right, absorbing seasonings like a sponge while keeping that satisfying bite. No more bland bites; let's dive into pro-level hacks that'll have you mastering "best ways to cook button mushrooms at home" in no time.

• Clean 'em smart: Skip the soak—mushrooms are thirsty critters that'll turn soggy. Wipe with a damp paper towel or soft brush instead for that crisp texture in "quick button mushroom stir-fry ideas."
• Slice for success: Uniform slices mean even cooking. Go thin for speedy sautés or thick for grilling to nail "grilled button mushrooms for BBQ sides."
• High heat hero: Crank the pan to medium-high with a swirl of oil or butter. This sears in juices, avoiding watery mush—key for "perfect garlic butter mushrooms as a side dish."
• Flavor boost basics: Toss with garlic, thyme, or soy sauce early on. They love acids like lemon or balsamic to brighten up "simple roasted button mushrooms for salads."
• Don't crowd the pan: Give 'em space to breathe, or they'll steam instead of brown. Batch-cook if needed for "meal prep button mushroom recipes for busy weeks."
• Storage savvy: Keep in a paper bag in the fridge for up to a week. If they get slimy, trim and use ASAP in "creamy button mushroom soup for comfort food nights."
• Versatile swaps: Sub in for meat in vegetarian dishes—think "vegan button mushroom tacos for family dinners." Or stuff with cheese and herbs for "easy baked stuffed mushrooms as appetizers."

Nutrition

Where found

Button mushrooms are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Mushrooms, button are a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much do button mushrooms weigh?

Related

Vegetables and Vegetable Products

Recipes using button mushrooms

There are 137 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Always Loved Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian Chili with bulgur and vegetables--Vegetarian chili: hot satisfying dish for fans of meatless mains.

Roasted Veg

This is an awesomely flexible dinner. You basically chop everything up, douse it in oil and some salt, pepper or whichever spices you're in the mood for (or grab first!) and chuck it in the oven for an hour or so.

Veggie & Plum Flatbread

Onions, bell peppers and plums are arranged over the bread dough or pizza dough that's brushed with garlic olive oil. It's a cheese free flatbread but still so yummy.

Two Onions, Pineapple & Olive Flatbread

Quick-easy to make, and it tastes delicious. This is a dairy-free flatbread, garlic-infused olive oil is brushed over the bread dough and topped with onions, bell peppers, olives and pineapples that are being seasoned.

Oven-Dried Heirloom Tomato, Basil Pesto & Mozzarella Pizza

Oven-Dried heirloom tomatoes are juicy yet tender, line these yummy bites underneath other topping ingredients in order to prevent from being burnt when the pizza is baked in the oven. There are so many layers of great textures and flavors, you will find all these delicious goodness in every bite of this freshly baked pizza.

Shiitake & Veggie Stew with Garlic-Black Bean Sacue

Shiitake mushrooms, a few different vegetables, garlic-black bean sauce, and glass noodles make this soup packed with great flavors and nutrients. Enjoy it with a refreshing and light salad aside.

Mama Delilah's Pasta Primavera

Hearty and zesty, this is my favorite pasta to make. It's a little bit of work, but comes out as stunning visually as it tastes. Definitely worth the effort. Enjoy!!!

Easy Breakfast Tortilla Pizza

This quick, easy and delicious tortilla pizza is made with whole wheat tortilla, basil pesto, fresh vegetables, pickled jalapenos and mozzarella cheese. Perfect for breakfast or brunch.

Breakfast Mexican Pizza

Had some fresh bell peppers, mushrooms, pizza sauce, scallions, and whole wheat tortilla, made up this Mexican Pizza for breakfast. Instead of mozzarella or Mexican cheese, I used Swiss cheese. The pizza came out super tasty and quite filling, and I also topped a pan-fried egg. Yum!

Open Face Spinach Egg Sandwich

This delicious breakfast sandwich takes no time to make, and it has all the nutritions you need before lunch. No excuse to skip your breakfast.

Cheesy Mushroom Pizza

Sauteed button mushrooms and shredded mozzarella cheese are only two ingredients you need in this pizza, and it is so delicious.

Sauteed Mushrooms, Onion, & Chipotle Chile with Corn Tortillas

Smoky chipotle mushroom tacos: sauteed mushrooms and onion cooked down with chipotle in adobo and garlic, piled into warm corn tortillas with queso fresco and salsa. A quick, vegetarian taco night winner.

Mushroom Patties

For the vegetarians....but also a great alternative for normal meat patties

Pizza Egg Melts

We didn't have English muffins, so used rosemary-olive oil bread that we bought from Costco instead, and it worked perfectly.

Feta, Ricotta & Swiss Chard Frittata

Found this recipe in donna hay magazine, and I just happened to have all the ingredients this recipe called for. I did make a few changes and cook it differently. The frittata came out delicious, but next time I will cook it on the stove top first to give a nicely browed bottom, then broil at the last a few minutes.

Quick & Easy Bibimbap

Learn how to make Bibimbap, one of my favorite Korean dishes. This time instead of preparing each vegetable separately, I cooked the similar texture vegetables together, which saved time and still tasted delicious. I mixed the seasoned vegetables with soba noodles and of course always have some kimchee as a side, that's a must in Korean food.

Quick Tortilla Pizzas

These quick and easy tortilla pizzas take no time to make and absolutely delicious. Simply spread some pizza sauce, top with some your favorite toppings, and sprinkle some cheese. No need to order from outside, get a few tortillas and make these yummy warm pizzas from scratch.

Sesame Vegetable Fried Rice

This is a delicious recipe that helps you make a tasty dish with leftover rice and whatever veggies you have on hand.

Cherry Tomato & Lettuce Salad with Fresh Mozzarella & Croutons

A quick easy and refreshing salad is ready in ten minutes or so. Sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes, lettuce, fresh mozzarella, mushrooms and crunchy croutons are tossed with a light and tasty lemon-olive oil dressing.

Soy-Sesame Vegetables with Penne

This Chinese inspired dish is packed with deliciousness. Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil are the core flavor of this dish. So you are a big fan of Chinese food overall, this dish won't disappoint you.

Cabbage Fried Rice

Green, red cabbages, carrots, and a few other veggies together make a hearty and tasty fried rice. Top with a fried egg, or some cooked chicken, pork or beef strips to boost the protein. A quick and no-fuss weeknight meal.

Quick & Easy Pickled Mushrooms

Make these pickled mushrooms for hot-dog or hamburger toppings, or serve it as a simply tasty side dish along with any barbecued meat.

Brussels Sprouts & Mushroom Omelet

This easy breakfast omelet fills you up and makes you feel great. A delicious and nutritious way to start off your day.

Chicken Mushroom Quesadillas

An easy Mexican-style chicken, mushrooms and spinach between crispy tortillas.

Favourite Three Bean Salad with Bacon

Three bean salad with bacon piles baked, lima and green beans with crispy bacon, mushrooms and peppers in a honey-Dijon lemon dressing. A hearty, make-ahead party salad that feeds a crowd.

All 137 button mushrooms recipes