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

What to look for when buying oyster mushrooms? ›

Fresh mushrooms have firm and smooth caps that are free of any damage or dark spots and moisture. A single color with no major changes in texture is an indicator of freshness. And if you're still confused read all about how to choose and store oyster mushrooms here.

What is the best way to eat oyster mushrooms? ›

Whether it be king or pearl oyster mushrooms, pan-frying them is the best way to cook them because these mushrooms marinate easily and cook fast. Crispy fried mushrooms work great as a side or topping due to their ability to add textural contrast to any kind of dish you're making.

How do you get rid of bugs in 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.

How do you clean store bought oyster mushrooms? ›

Use the edge of a knife to gently scrape off stuck-on dirt.

Pick up a mushroom with your other hand and use the sharp edge of the knife to carefully scrape off any dirt that is stuck to the mushroom. You can also cut off any particularly dirty parts, such as the bottom of the main stem if it is still attached.

Should oyster mushrooms be washed before cooking? ›

While it's true that a mushroom will absorb a little moisture if washed (around 1 to 2% by weight), it's not really enough to make any kind of significant impact on cooking. When I have a dirty-looking batch of 'shrooms, I'll give them a rinse under cold running water, then carefully spin them dry in a salad spinner.

What is the most flavorful 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.

Are there any poisonous oyster mushroom 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.

Why are oyster mushrooms so 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).

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.

Can I eat raw oyster mushrooms? ›

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.

Can you eat too many oyster mushrooms? ›

No, since eating too many of them can make you sick, you should limit your oyster mushroom intake.

What are the black worms in my oysters? ›

These parasites are sometimes called mud blister worms, because the burrows that they create inside the shells fill with mud and detritus from their feeding. Shell-boring worms engage in a tit-for-tat with the mollusc owner of the shell. The intrusion of the shell-boring worm irritates the oyster.

What is the white stuff growing on my oyster mushrooms? ›

Sometimes when the conditions, temperature and humidity are favorable, the mushrooms release their spores, which rapidly grow into white fuzz called mycelium. Despite appearance, they are safe to eat. You can also wipe these “hairs” off with a wet cloth or paper towel.

What is the disease in oyster mushrooms? ›

Green mould, ink caps, cobweb, dry bubble, yellow blotch and soft rot are some common diseases infecting Pleurotus.

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.

Do you have to peel oyster mushrooms? ›

To prepare: Wipe with a kitchen towel or rinse briefly and dry before use. Do not peel. Leave the mushrooms whole or slice as necessary.

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. These mushrooms are best eaten as soon as they're ready. If you love this recipe, try our delicious Fried Feta Stuffed Olives too!

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