You can cook mushrooms in a variety of ways and each method is just as delicious. One way we don’t think about or talk about often is cooking mushrooms in the microwave. Yes! You can microwave mushrooms…
To microwave mushrooms, slice them up as you normally would then pop them into a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a lid or a plate and then microwave for 1 minute, stir then microwave for a final minute.
How to Microwave Mushrooms
Microwaving mushrooms is a straightforward process. You might even start to wonder why you haven’t been cooking mushrooms this way for years! Here’s our simple method for microwaving mushrooms:
- Slice
Slice your mushrooms to make them easier to cook and eat. - Place Into a Bowl
Pop the mushrooms into a bowl that is suitable to put in the microwave. - Cover
Cover with a lid or a small plate. - Heat for 1 Minute
Heat on full power for about a minute then stir. - Microwave for a Further Minute
After stirring heat for about one to two minutes until the mushrooms are cooked.
Once cooked, you can add seasoning or herbs such as parsley to elevate them further.
Yes, all types of mushroom can be microwaved. Of course, the timings will differ for each type of mushroom
How to Microwave Mushrooms Successfully
If you want to have complete success when using the microwave for cooking mushrooms, then make sure you follow these three simple tips:
- Don’t Add Oil or Butter – You don’t need to add oil or butter to help them cook, but if you want to add flavour, you could add a little teriyaki or soy sauce. This adds flavour without adding oil or other fats.
- Always Wash and Slice – Always wash and slice your mushrooms before cooking them in the microwave. If you leave them whole, they will take longer to cook and it would be easy for them to end up rubbery on the outside and raw in the middle.
- Expect Heat – Be careful when you take the mushrooms out of the microwave they may be very hot due to the water content in the mushrooms. Use an oven glove and give them a minute to rest before serving.
Why You Should Microwave Mushrooms
As we’ve already mentioned, there are a couple of clear benefits to using the microwave to cook mushrooms:
Speedy
One advantage of cooking mushrooms in the microwave is the speed at which you can have freshly cooked mushrooms. It takes two to three minutes and it tastes great.
In a pan, mushrooms take 5 to 10 minutes to cook through. Roasting mushrooms takes even longer, especially because you have to sit, waiting patiently, for the oven to preheat.
Healthy
It is now thought that microwaving is one of the healthier ways to cook mushrooms.
The other healthy method would be to grill them, but that takes a little longer than cooking them in the microwave. Cooking them for a short amount of time without fat locks in nutrients and keeps them low calorie.
Why You Shouldn’t Microwave Mushrooms
Unfortunately, it’s not all good news. There are a few drawbacks you need to be aware of when using the microwave:
Easy to Overcook
It is very easy to overcook mushrooms in the microwave, which can be a disaster and make them inedible.
Because they have such a short cooking time it only takes a few seconds too long in the microwave to turn them from a delicious addition to your meal to a rubbery and inedible mess.
Restricted
There is only really one method of cooking mushrooms and that’s by slicing them up.
If you want roasted or grilled whole mushrooms, then you are still better off doing this in the oven as you are unlikely to have a lot of success trying to do it in the microwave.
Microwaving Mushrooms FAQs
Below are a few FAQs about microwaving mushrooms that you might find useful to read over:
One of the best things about frozen mushrooms is that you don’t need to thaw them. You can cook them right from frozen! They will only take a few minutes.
Yes, mushrooms sauce can be microwaved. Pop it into a jug, cover with cling film and then microwave for 30-seconds. Stir and repeat until it is piping hot.
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
