How Long to Boil Mushrooms

Although there are different ways to cook them, knowing how long to boil mushrooms is good information to have, especially if you are making a soup or stew or even working with dried mushrooms, which need to be rehydrated.

Mushrooms are packed with fiber and antioxidants and a good source of vitamins B, B1, B2 and D. Some of the delicious mushroom recipes you can make include:

• Soup
• Stew
• Casseroles
• Quiche
• Crostini and bruschetta
• Pizza
• Scrambled eggs 
• Frittata
• And lots more!

Boiled mushrooms also make a tasty snack or side dish, and boiling them means you’ll end up with mushroom broth, so you get two different dishes in one!

How Long Does it Take to Boil Mushrooms?

The answer to this depends on what variety of mushrooms you use, what recipe you are preparing with them and, of course, how tender you want them. Let’s start with regular button or chestnut mushrooms, since these are the most common:

How to Prepare Mushrooms for Boiling

1. Clean your mushrooms. Trim a small part of the base of the stem, then use paper towels to wipe off any dirt. Since you’re going to boil them, another option is rinsing them off.
2. Put the mushrooms in a pot and add water to just cover them.
3. Add garlic, olive oil, salt, or any other seasonings you like, to add subtle flavor to the mushrooms.
4. Boil for about 5 minutes over high heat, then turn the heat down to medium and let them simmer until done.
5. Once you can pierce the them with a fork, they have shrunk a bit and the water has turned brown, the mushrooms are done.
6. Remove them with a slotted spoon and proceed with your recipe.
7. Don’t discard the broth! You can use it for future gravies, sauces, soups, stir-fries and stews. It freezes well, too.
8. Keep the boiled mushrooms refrigerated in an airtight container and eat within three days.

How Long to Boil Mushrooms if They’re Dried

As well as being suitable for a whole range of recipes, dried mushrooms are handy because they keep for much longer than fresh ones. The amount of time you need to boil then depends on the shape and size of the fungi.

Boiling them in hot water is quicker than soaking them in cold water. The following table is a good guideline:

Whatever type of mushrooms you are boiling, whether you are using fresh or dried, they should come out delicious. Don’t forget to keep the water you boiled them in, too, because not only is it tasty but also, when you boil the mushrooms, they will release some of their nutrients into this liquid.

Once you know how long to boil mushrooms, you will want to add this tasty vegetable to your regular recipe rotation.