Where and when can I buy oyster mushrooms?

Many grocery stores sell oyster mushrooms year round, or you can buy them at a farmers' market. Some experienced foragers like to harvest oyster mushrooms in the wild or you can buy mushroom growing kits and cultivate them at home. In the wild, they can usually be found in the fall and early winter. In some climates, you will see them growing in late spring or summer. Whenever foraging in the wild, make sure you’re completely certain about your identification. Some types of mushrooms are poisonous and should never be consumed.

What is the price of oyster mushrooms?

At my local grocery stores, the price of oyster mushrooms is usually between $6.99 and $7.99/pound. Sometimes they are sold loose by the pound and sometimes they are packaged. However, how much oyster mushrooms cost depends on where you buy them. I've seen them cost slightly less than $6.99/lb and I've seen them sold for quite a bit more. Generally, they are more expensive than button or cremini mushrooms, but typically less expensive than morels, chanterelles or other speciality mushrooms.

What about dried oyster mushrooms?

The dried version of this mushrooms is very mild and lacks the flavor and texture of fresh ones. However, they can work well in soup and stew because they quickly hydrate in liquid.

Are king oyster mushrooms a different type of mushrooms?

There are around 200 species in the oyster mushrooms genus ( Pleurotus ostreatus ). King oyster mushrooms are simply a variety that has wider stems and thicker caps than regular oyster mushrooms. They are also known as King Trumpet mushrooms.

Are mushrooms plants?

Mushroom are fungi , not plants. Oyster mushrooms are actually considered carnivorous! They can break down and consume microscopic nematodes and use the nutrients to supplement the low levels of nitrogen available in wood and trees that they grow on and consume.

Why are they called oyster mushrooms?

There are a few reasons. The name "oyster mushroom" comes from the way the mushrooms grow in attached clusters, just like oysters in the ocean. In the wild, the mushroom clusters attach to trees and logs just like real oysters attach to rocks. Also, the shape of the mushroom cap slightly resembles the shape and color of an oyster. Lastly, when you cook oyster mushrooms, you might notice a delicate seafood aroma, which is another way this mushroom got its name.

Can I eat the stems of oyster mushrooms?

Yes, you can eat the entire mushroom. You will, however, want to trim off the bottom part of the stem that connects oyster mushrooms in a cluster so that the cluster can be separated into individual mushrooms.

How to Cook Oyster Mushrooms

Sautéed Oyster Mushrooms Recipe

a small cast iron skillet with sauteed oyster mushrooms garnished with thyme

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The trick to sautéing oyster mushrooms is starting with medium-high heat to brown the mushrooms, then turning the heat down so the mushrooms will get tender without burning. Also, make sure to space the mushrooms out evenly in the skillet!

A pound of oyster mushrooms will shrink down to 2 servings after cooking, or just barley enough to toss with a pound of pasta.

Author: Jenny Meier
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: side dishes
Method: saute
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound oyster mushrooms, cleaned and pulled apart (see the notes section below or the blog post above for more details about cleaning and prepping the mushrooms)
2 tablespoons olive oil or salted butter (or a combination of the two)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (optional)
Salt, to taste

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Instructions

If mushrooms are crowded into a skillet, the moisture that releases will steam the mushrooms and they won't brown nicely. To prevent this, you'll need to saute a pound of mushrooms in two batches. When fewer mushrooms are in the skillet, the moisture will release and then evaporate.

In a wide skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of either oil or butter over medium-high heat.
When the skillet is hot, add half of the mushrooms in an even layer, spread out across the skillet. Mix well to coat the mushrooms in oil then cook, without stirring, for 3 minutes. This gives the mushrooms a chance to brown. If the skillet seems dry, add a little bit more oil or butter.
Season the mushrooms lightly with salt, then toss and gently mix. Turn the heat down to medium or medium low.
Continue to saute the mushrooms until they are tender, have shrunk in size, and are lightly browned around the edges, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Take the cooked mushrooms out of the skillet. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter or oil to the skillet along with the remaining mushrooms. Saute the second batch of mushrooms the same as the first.
Turn the heat down to medium low. Add all of the mushrooms back to the skillet along with the garlic. If the skillet seems dry, add a little bit more oil or butter.
Saute for an additional minute or two, until the garlic is cooked.
Taste the mushrooms and add more salt to taste.

Notes

Cleaning

Oyster mushrooms are usually cleaner than other types of mushrooms and have less dirt clinging to them. However, it's still a good idea to clean them before consuming. You have two options. You can brush the mushrooms off with a dry or damp paper towel. Or, for a more thorough cleaning, hold the stems and swish the caps in a bowl of water. Shake excess water from the mushrooms then use a towel to blot the mushrooms mostly dry.

Trimming and Prepping

Oyster mushrooms are sold in clusters of attached mushrooms that can be gently pulled apart into individual mushrooms. You can also use kitchen shears to snip the mushrooms free. Once separated, you can leave the individual mushrooms whole, or tear them into pieces or slice them with a knife.

Roasted Oyster Mushrooms

To roast the mushrooms, follow my recipe for roasted oyster mushrooms with garlic and thyme.

Find it online: https://www.kitchenskip.com/how-to-cook-oyster-mushrooms/