How to Steam Mushrooms

When it comes to cooking mushrooms, you have a number of options. You could pan-fry them with lots of butter and black pepper. You could roast them with springs or thyme and rosemary. But, what about steaming? Can you steam mushrooms? And are the results worth it?

What you’ll find when you steam mushrooms is they retain a lot more texture and tend not to shrink up. Have you ever roasted mushrooms, taken them out of the oven and found they’ve gone all wrinkly and dry? This is what steaming prevents!

If you’re a mushroom lover that has never tried steaming them before then you must try this recipe.

What You’ll Need to Steam Mushrooms

Fortunately, steaming mushrooms couldn’t be simpler. For 4 people, here are the key ingredients you’ll need alongside some salt and pepper, of course:

• 500g Fresh Mushrooms: You’ll need around 500g of mushrooms. This is a couple of good handfuls. Try to ensure they’re all the same size. This is especially important if you’re using a mix of different mushroom varieties. I tend to stick to button mushrooms.
• 2 Garlic Cloves: Steamed mushrooms alone are a bit dull. This is why you’ll need to pair it with one of mushroom’s friends… Garlic!
• 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley: A little freshness is important to balance out the pungent garlic. Parsley will do just that.
• 1 tbsp Butter: You’re going to turn the garlic into a sauce and the easiest way to do that is with some butter. You could use olive oil too.

How to Steam Mushrooms

Steaming mushrooms takes just 10 minutes or so when you follow this simple method:

1. Prepare the Steamer
   Fill a pot with a few inches of water and place a steamer basket inside. Ensure the water does not touch the base of the steamer. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. You could use a colander if you don’t have a steamer.

2. Steam the Mushrooms
   Place the mushrooms in the steamer basket. Cover the pot and let them steam for 8-10 minutes or until they are tender.

3. Season
   In a separate pan, melt the butter. Saute the minced garlic until fragrant. Toss in the steamed mushrooms and coat them well with the garlic butter. Season with salt and pepper, and finish with fresh parsley.

This easy way of steaming mushrooms will work for most types of mushrooms. I’ve used the method for steaming both oyster mushrooms and portobello mushrooms. It’s a pretty foolproof cooking method. You will need to adjust the timing slightly depending on the size of the mushrooms.

How to Steam Mushrooms Without a Steamer

If you don’t have a steamer, then don’t panic. You can still steam mushrooms pretty easily… By using your microwave!

Pop the prepared mushrooms into a microwave-safe dish, add around 2 tbsp of water and then cover. Microwave on high for around 3 minutes. Check for doneness. If they need a little longer, then give them another 30-second blast. Drain, season and serve.

Tips for Steaming Mushrooms

It’s easy to get things wrong when steaming mushrooms. You could end up with hard, spongy mushrooms that lack any flavour. Make sure you stick to my tips when steaming them:

• Dry Thoroughly: Mushrooms will absorb water so when you wash them, try not to use too much water. They already have a high water content and you don’t want to dilute that.
• Uniformity is Key: To avoid overcooking and undercooking the mushrooms, ensure the size of the mushrooms is the same throughout. This is particularly important if you’ve got a mix of mushroom types to steam.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Try to place the mushrooms in a single layer in the steamer so that the steam can evenly circulate and, therefore, evenly cook the mushrooms.
• Be Careful: All that steam can get hot! When removing the mushrooms, use an oven glove to avoid burning yourself. This is especially true when removing the lid from microwaved mushrooms.