What Are Mushrooms and How Can I Use Them?
If mushrooms have turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use them with confidence and how to choose them, cook them, store them, what to substitute, and 2,583 recipes to try them in.
What are mushrooms?
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom.
Edible mushrooms are used extensively in cooking, in many cuisines. Though mushrooms are commonly thought to have little nutritional value, many species are high in fiber and provide vitamins. Though not normally a significant source of vitamin D, some mushrooms can become significant sources after exposure to ultraviolet light. This also darkens their skin.
Mushrooms are also a source of some minerals, including selenium, potassium and phosphorus.
Mushrooms that are sold in supermarkets have been commercially grown on mushroom farms.
The most popular of these, Agaricus bisporus, is generally considered safe for most people to eat because it is grown in controlled, sterilized environments, though some individuals do not tolerate it well.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup, pieces or slices (70g)Where found
Mushrooms are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Mushrooms are a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much do mushrooms weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup, pieces or slices | 70 grams |
| 1 cup, whole | 96 grams |
| 1 large | 23 grams |
| 1 medium | 18 grams |
| 1 slice | 6 grams |
| 1 small | 10 grams |
| ½ cup pieces | 35 grams |
Related
Vegetables and Vegetable Products
| In Chinese: | 蘑菇 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | champignons | |
| en español: | hongos |
Recipes using mushrooms
There are 2583 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Awesome Stuffed Mushrooms
Easy mushrooms stuffed with a simple savory, sour cream and bread crumb filling, baked in the oven until juicy and ready for guests in a flash.
Creamy Bacon Spinach Salad with Hard Boiled Egg & Radish
A vibrant, nutrient-packed salad featuring fresh spinach, crispy bacon, tender hard-boiled eggs, and peppery radishes, all tossed in a creamy garlic-cheese dressing with a zesty lemon kick. Perfect as a hearty side or light main dish
Turkey Bacon Burgers
Juicy turkey burgers with raw bacon ground into the patty, sage, and sautéed mushrooms on top. Pan-cooked in butter, the leanness of turkey paired with the richness of bacon.
Cheese Mushroom Hearty Meatballs
Stuffed cheese mushroom meatballs filled with melted Swiss and sauteed mushrooms, simmered in a tomato cream-of-mushroom sauce. Hearty Midwestern comfort food served over pasta or mashed potatoes.
Buffalo & Beans
Buffalo and beans is a hearty chili that mixes ground bison with ground beef, kidney beans, sweet peppers and mushrooms. Long-simmered for deep flavor, leaner than all-beef chili and meatier than pure bison.
Brown Mushroom Rice
Quick side dish with cooked brown rice sautéed in margarine with mushrooms and green onions. Simple, nutty, and ready in 20 minutes using leftover rice.
Very Cheesy Casserole
Packed with healthy whole-grain and cheesy goodness. 3 cheeses, feta, cottage and parmesan cheese plus beans and brown rice. This hearty casserole is tastes great and is loaded with nutritious healthful ingredients.
Cheesy Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms
A cheesy and scrumptious side dish that goes perfect with mashed potatoes or any pasta dish.
Tuna-Casserole Supreme
Tuna Casserole Supreme is a quick and easy dish that combines pantry staples like canned soup, tuna for a comforting meal. It features a creamy, savory base with added crunch from water chestnuts and almonds, topped with cheese for a delightful texture contrast.
Olive & White Mushroom Soup with 3-colors Fusilli
Once upon a time I was reading a magazine article about good cooking. The journalist tried to convince me not to use some combinations of ingredients. One of the "banned" combinations mentioned was green and black olives. And so this soup was born to enjoy me.
Hot & Sour Mushroom Soba Soup
Hot and sour mushroom soup with sliced mushrooms, bamboo shoots, rice vinegar, and white pepper, ladled over Japanese soba noodles. A 30-minute lighter take on the Chinese takeout classic.
Brussels Sprouts, Kale & Bell Pepper Frittata
A golden, veggie-packed frittata with tender brussels sprouts, earthy kale, sauteed mushrooms, and melty Swiss cheese. This quick vegetarian breakfast or brunch comes together in 30 minutes with just one skillet.
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom & Garlic Oil Flatbread
The pizza dough is brushed with garlic perfumed olive oil, topped with caramelized onions, mushrooms, sweet bell pepper and pineapples. It's easy and packed with yumminess. Use a whole wheat pizza dough to make it even healthier.
Beets, Chorizo & Pomegranate Braise with Cilantro Salsa
This delicious and well-balanced one pot meal will for sure satisfy everyone around the dinner table with all the yumminess and goodness.
Meatless Monday Chili
Vegan chili made hearty with marinated tempeh, kidney beans, mushrooms, and a long simmer in tomato and vegetable stock. Deep, savory, slow-cooked Meatless Monday meal.
Loaded Vegetable & Quinoa Salad with Miso Orange Dressing
A wide variety of fresh vegetables and quinoa are tossed with a salty and sweet miso orange dressing. Serve it as a refreshingly nutritious side dish or a vegetarian/vegan main course.
Spaghetti Bolognese
My man can't get tired of spaghetti. I try to add new ingredients and play around with the recipe. This one is yummy and it contains some vegetables. I try to add vegtables as much as possible in our dinner. My kids love it too.
Beef Boulette Burgers
Beef boulette burgers fold sour cream, mushrooms, and parsley into ground beef for tender French-Canadian-style patties. Juicier than standard burgers, broiler or grill ready.
Cheesy Caramelized Mushroom & Sun-Dried Tomato on Toast
A quick, easy and delicious recipe for you to make a simply tasty meal within ten minutes.
Yummy Spaghetti with Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs simmered in a slow-cooked tomato sauce with red wine, mushrooms, green pepper, basil, and oregano. Tender pan-fried beef meatballs and a deeply layered sauce that builds for two hours.
Guilt-Free Low-Fat Crockpot Onion Soup
A healthified low-fat version of onion soup for your slow cooker.
Pasta with Marinara Sauce & Veggies
Use homemade or store-bought marinara sauce, a few fresh vegetables and pasta to make this quick, easy and tasty one-pan meal that's ideal for a busy week-day supper.
Chinese Stir-Fried Noodles with Veggies
A flavorful and filling dish is great for a quick week-night meal. It's healthy and nutritious enough as well.
Egg Pancake with Vegetables & Feta
A delicious egg pancake is folded with sauteed vegetables and feta cheese. A delicious and energetic breakfast to start you day.
