Guide to Mushrooms: Chanterelle, Oyster & More

Dive into the magical, nuanced world of mushrooms and learn the best tips for getting the most out of each variety.

The rich, savory taste of mushrooms can elevate the other ingredients in your dish — making them essential for everything from fall feasts to everyday comfort food. Check out the Produce department in your Whole Foods Market store opens in a new tab for a wide array of year-round varieties, plus several peak-season mushrooms that are available for a limited time only. Find your new favorite mushroom recipe and learn pro tips for getting the most out of each unique ’shroom.

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Mushroom math: 1lb of fresh mushrooms = 6 cups chopped, 5 cups sliced, or 3oz dried.

How to Buy, Clean and Prep Mushrooms

Ready to get cooking with mushrooms? Follow these pointers to buy, store, clean and prep your ’shrooms so they’re ready to be used in your favorite recipes.

  • Buying: How many mushrooms should you buy? Stick to this simple formula: 1 lb fresh mushrooms = 6 cups chopped or 5 cups sliced or 3 oz dried

  • Storing: Refrigerate fresh mushrooms in a paper bag or container that allows cool air to circulate.

  • Cleaning: Mushrooms absorb water easily and should never be soaked. Instead, clean with a damp cloth or rinse briefly and dry with a towel.

  • Prepping: Use a paring knife to trim stems as needed. Next, just slice, dice or use whole in your favorite recipes.

More Tips for Mushroom Magic

Last but not least, get the most out of your mushroom haul with even more buying, prep and storing tips.

  • Pump up the “wow” factor without inflating your budget. Combine intensely flavorful wild mushrooms with mellow, mixable button mushrooms.

  • When combining different varieties, chop or slice the mushrooms to roughly the same size to ensure that they cook evenly.

  • Preserve some of nature’s bounty by drying thinly sliced mushrooms in a dehydrator or a very low oven. Store in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid for up to a year and rehydrate later for use in recipes.

  • Store sautéed mushrooms in the freezer for up to one month. Keep some on hand to add to soups, gravies, sauces and pot pies.

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