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 prepare oyster mushrooms? ›

The bottom section of the stem should be cut off to rid the mushroom of any wood remnants. The spaces in between an oyster mushroom's many gills should be rinsed thoroughly in order to flush out any dirt or insects. Once cleaned, it's time to get creative with the cooking.

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.

Should you refrigerate oyster mushrooms? ›

Store them in the vegetable compartment of the fridge or a cold store in a lidded yet slightly open plastic box so that they can breathe. They will last for two weeks in good condition.

What to look for when buying oyster mushrooms? ›

The reason why this mushroom is called an oyster mushroom is that its appearance resembles the oyster. They have a broad fan-shaped cap spanning 5-25 cm and come in a variety of colours. I've found them in grey, white, dusky pink and tan but the main identifier is that the gills are always white or cream coloured.

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. I would not suggest more than a couple tablespoons of salt per few cups of water, as the mushrooms may become too salty.

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.

How long should oyster mushrooms be cooked? ›

The best way to cook oyster mushrooms:
  1. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
  2. Chef tip: Arrange the mushrooms in one layer in the pan. This is important! ...
  3. Cook 3-4 minutes, or just until they develop a nice golden-brown crust.
  4. Transfer the mushrooms to a serving platter.
Feb 21, 2024

Are oyster mushrooms good for you? ›

In addition to being highly nutritious, they may promote heart and immune system health, encourage healthy blood sugar control, and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Try adding these versatile mushrooms to your diet by using them in dishes like pasta, stews, and omelets.

When not to eat oyster mushrooms? ›

Luckily, it's not hard to tell if your oyster mushrooms have gone bad. It will develop a wet, slimy surface and look darker in color. If the mushrooms are just starting to get a bit off, you can quickly cook them to extend their life in the fridge, but if they've gone full slime, it's time to say goodbye.

Can you eat too many oyster mushrooms? ›

Additionally, do not consume an excessive amount of oyster mushrooms as it may cause an upset stomach and nausea. Sometimes, they may cause gas buildup in the intestines as some carbohydrates are difficult to digest. The recommended daily value of oyster mushrooms is one cup.

How to tell if oyster mushrooms have gone bad? ›

How can you tell if oyster mushrooms are bad? Avoid ones that are dark, wilted, too moist, or slimy, or with caps that appear torn or missing.

Which is the tastiest oyster mushroom? ›

Golden oyster (Pleurotus citrinopileatus). The golden oyster has a vivid yellow colour and a more complex, aromatic flavour profile than both the pearl and blue oyster varieties.

Can you eat oyster mushrooms 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.

Are oyster mushrooms worth money? ›

They can grow in about six weeks and sell for about $6 a pound wholesale and $12 a pound retail. They're pretty easy to grow, they grow quickly, and they can make you good money—all reasons you should choose oyster mushrooms to grow for profit.

Do you have to peel oyster mushrooms? ›

To prepare: Cultivated mushrooms are usually very clean: just wipe with a kitchen towel or rinse briefly and dry before use. Do not peel.

How many flushes of oyster mushrooms do you get? ›

How many mushrooms will I get? Over a period of 6-8 weeks, your Oyster mushroom bag will produce 3-4 flushes of mushrooms. It's important to be patient between flushes.

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