Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (2024)

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By: Sarah Bond 14 Comments

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Everything you need to know about cooking with oyster mushrooms! What they taste like, variations, how to buy, store, clean, and eat this unique edible fungi!

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (1)

Chances are, you haven’t heard much about the humble oyster mushroom. But I’m here to tell you that there is more to the mushroom world than portobellos and button mushrooms.

Oyster mushrooms are the mushroom you need to be eating more of. They’re packed with nutrition, quick to cook, and make for the best vegetarian pulled pork substitute (step aside, jackfruit). Let’s talk about oyster mushrooms!

Type of Oyster Mushrooms

While there are many varieties of oyster mushrooms, the two most common types that you are likely to find in a supermarket are:

  • Pearl Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus): These are tender and small, with almost no stem (see previous photo).
  • King Oyster (Pleurotus eryngii): These have thick white stems and small flat caps, with a heartier, more meaty texture than other oyster mushrooms (pictured below).
Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (2)

What do oyster mushrooms taste like?

The taste of oyster mushrooms is very mild, and some describe it as subtly woody or like seafood. What makes this mushroom so unique is their texture. Both pearl and king oyster mushrooms can have a very meaty texture when prepared properly!

Where to Buy Oyster Mushrooms

Depending on where you are, oyster mushrooms can be tricky to find. Asian supermarkets will almost always carry oyster mushrooms, with natural food grocers also sometimes carrying them. If you live in an area with a large Asian immigrant population (like here in the Netherlands), your neighborhood grocery store may also carry them!

How to Store Oyster Mushrooms

Store oyster mushrooms in a loosely closed plastic bag in the fridge, where they should stay fresh for 5 to 7 days.

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (3)

How to Clean Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms usually grow on wood, so they probably haven’t been in contact with dirt and shouldn’t need mush washing. Gently clean each mushroom with a damp cloth. If you have a lot of oyster mushrooms you can rinse them, but be careful not to rinse for too long as they can become water logged (goodbyyye flavor!)

Oyster Mushroom Recipes

I love using oyster mushrooms to replace meat in many vegetarian recipes. Here are a few of my favorite ways to cook with them!

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (4)

King Oyster Mushroom Pulled Pork

By shredding king oyster mushrooms, seasoning with spices, and baking, you can create a vegan mushroom pulled pork that rivals the real stuff! The perfect pulled pork alternative for sandwiches, tacos, nachos…or whenever you need vegan pulled pork.

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (5)

Corn and Pulled Mushroom Vegetarian Tacos

These vegetarian pulled “pork” mushroom tacos are loaded with adobo-spiced pulled mushrooms and a fresh corn ceviche that adds sweet crunch. Best vegetarian taco recipe of all time? Quite possibly.

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (6)

Buttermilk Fried Mushrooms

This Buttermilk Fried Mushrooms recipe is about to revolutionize your vegetarian cooking. With air fried oyster mushrooms and a crunchy coating, it tastes just like fried chicken!

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (7)

Vegan Nachos with BBQ "Pulled Pork" and Queso

These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ “pulled pork” and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off.

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (8)

Vegetarian Buffalo Dip

This vegetarian Buffalo Chicken Dip uses shredded oyster mushrooms to recreate the tailgate favorite dip!

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (9)

Southern Eggs Benedict

This Southern Eggs Benedict is has a southern BBQ twist on the delicious classic, with shreddedBBQ mushrooms, homemade Hollandaise sauce, and a poached egg.

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  1. Leah says

    Bought oyster mushroom and after a few days found some discolouration on them are they safe to eat?

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Discoloration could be normal, but be on the lookout for dry fuzzy patches, which could indicate mold!

  2. Julie says

    I live in South Louisiana. We have been finding our own oyster mushrooms. They grow on water willows. We harvest them and dehydrate them. Only have to put them in a little water and they plump right up. Found some in one of our local grocery stores, $8.99 lb. Love them.

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      So fun that you can harvest your own! 😀

  3. Natalie kearney says

    Please send me a copy of these recipes.

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Hi Natalie! You can find each recipe by clicking on the photo for the recipe you’d like to try 😀

  4. BE FROM ME says

    I have been finding many pounds of oysters this fall in Maine which is what lead me here. The recipe looks good.

    My advice is to store mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge. They can get slimy and mold in a plastic bag. Paper breaths better and they tend to just dry out a little instead of molding.

    Reply

    • Lee Ann says

      Thanks for that tip! I’m growing my own near Death Valley, and the harvest is good, but needed some advice on how to store them. My air fryer comes in really handy since we usually grow more than we can eat. Go figure. In the desert?!

  5. Brena says

    Can you consume oyster mushrooms after seven days? Thanks Brena

    Reply

    • Sarah Bond says

      As long as there is no evidence of mold or spoilage!

  6. Donna says

    Will oyster mushrooms cause diarrhea?

    Reply

    • Sarah Bond says

      I suppose they could if you have an allergy to them!

  7. Clarissa Tiangco says

    You’ve mentioned “adobo-spiced”on your Vegetarian Tacos, wonder if you’ve been here in the Philippines or just tasted “adobo” in Netherlands?

    Love your recipes,more on these healthy recipes please?

    Thanks,🙏🙏🙏❤️🤗

    Reply

    • Sarah Bond says

      It’s on my travel bucket list! The adobo I tasted that inspired many of these recipes came from the Mexican food I ate while living in Texas. Chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce is pretty common, and adds a nice smoky spice to dishes 🙂

Oyster Mushrooms 101: Buying, Cleaning, and Best Recipes! (2024)

FAQs

How do you clean and cook oyster mushrooms? ›

Use a damp or dry cloth to wipe your mushrooms clean. Remove the stems. You can discard the stems or chop them up and cook them. You can also slice your mushrooms if you prefer.

What to look for when buying oyster mushrooms? ›

When buying oyster mushrooms, look for mushrooms that are firm and dry, with no visible signs of mold or discoloration. Store your mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to one week. Do not store them in plastic, as this can cause them to sweat and spoil.

What is the best way to eat oyster mushrooms? ›

Serve as a side dish or use in sauces, stir-fries, pastas, risotto, or even to top toast. Because they get so silky when cooked, oyster mushrooms respond well to braising, too. Add them to soups and stews or sauces.

Which oyster mushroom tastes the best? ›

Golden Oyster

One of the better tasting oyster mushrooms out there. (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) One of our most beautiful oyster species, this cool to warm weather strain is VERY FRAGILE when mature.

How do you clean store bought oyster mushrooms? ›

How to Clean Oyster Mushrooms
  1. Use a paper towel. Wipe off the dirt with a damp paper towel or damp cloth if you find a lot of heavy residue on your mushrooms. ...
  2. Try a quick rinse. You shouldn't have to give your mushrooms a deep cleaning. ...
  3. Use a mushroom brush. Use this specialty tool to brush off any excess dirt lightly.
Dec 13, 2021

How do you get the bugs out of oyster mushrooms? ›

😅 For certain mushrooms, like Morels and Oysters, a *short* soak in water/saltwater is not going to harm their texture and will quickly draw out/kill bugs and larvae that may be inside.

Do oyster mushrooms have poisonous look alikes? ›

Here are some poisonous mushrooms that may look like oyster mushrooms: Angel Wing (Pleurocybella porrigens) - Angel Wing mushrooms resemble oyster mushrooms, but have a white spore print and a distinctive odor. They can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and even lead to death in rare cases. False Oyster (Hohenbuehe.

Are there any poisonous oyster mushrooms? ›

Oyster mushrooms are among the easiest edible mushrooms to identify. Similar-looking species in our region are generally not highly poisonous. One of the few poisonous mushrooms that could conceivably be mistaken for an Oyster is the Jack-o-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olivascens).

What is the most popular oyster mushroom? ›

Pearl oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Out of all the different types of oyster mushrooms out there, pearl oyster mushrooms are the ones that are most commonly available in stores. They are white or light brownish-gray in color, with large visible gills of the same color, and thick, short stems.

Are you supposed to eat oyster mushroom stems? ›

Get ready to relish the full mushroom experience! The stems of white button, crimini, portabella, oyster, and king oyster mushrooms are entirely edible and bursting with savoury goodness. These tasty stems add texture and depth to your dishes, allowing you to enjoy the whole mushroom with every delightful bite.

How many oyster mushrooms can you eat? ›

However, there may be some side effects of consuming oyster mushrooms. Therefore, you should eat them at the recommended daily value, one cup.

Can I eat oyster mushroom raw? ›

Oyster mushrooms can come in many forms, like fresh or dried. You can eat raw oyster mushrooms, which are a great addition to salads, but sometimes they can have a slight metallic taste if they're uncooked. Cooking oyster mushrooms is simple, and when cooked, they have a subtle flavour and a velvet-like texture.

Why is oyster mushroom expensive? ›

If oyster mushrooms are so easy to grow, why are they so pricey? Turns out, mushroom cultivation (AKA fungiculture) is actually pretty difficult. ... They also require high humidity and their substrate might need to be sterilized, which can get expensive (via Mushroom Company).

Which color oyster mushroom is best? ›

Brown Oysters are a great mushroom to sauté, with a flavor that is easily enhanced. Brown Oysters have a beautiful anise, almond aroma when first picked. If cooked within a short time, the tempura will retain some of that character. They are fantastic in paste or as an accompaniment for meat dishes.

What is the tastiest mushroom in the world? ›

Some mushrooms known for their rich flavors are chicken of the woods, truffles, morels, porcini, shiitake and portobello mushrooms. Many of these delicious gourmet mushrooms are also some of the most expensive mushrooms in the world, as they're not easy to cultivate.

Do oyster mushrooms need to be washed before cooking? ›

Many folks have said that it's a bad idea to wash your mushrooms under water, as they'll absorb the liquid and become difficult to cook. Some even go so far as to recommend using a special brush to remove any dirt from their surfaces to avoid getting them wet. These steps are largely unnecessary.

How do you prepare oyster mushrooms? ›

The best way to cook oyster mushrooms
  1. Wipe off any dirt with a damp cloth or paper towel. ...
  2. Trim the ends, then slice if required.
  3. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat.
  4. Add the mushrooms to the pan and let them cook for around 3 minutes.

Should you wash oyster mushroom with water before frying? ›

Most oyster mushrooms usually don't need too much cleaning—simply wipe them with a damp paper towel.

Do you eat the stems of oyster mushrooms? ›

Get ready to relish the full mushroom experience! The stems of white button, crimini, portabella, oyster, and king oyster mushrooms are entirely edible and bursting with savoury goodness. These tasty stems add texture and depth to your dishes, allowing you to enjoy the whole mushroom with every delightful bite.

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