5 Easy Pickled Mushroom Recipes You'll Love

Pickled mushrooms are not just a delicious side dish; they also offer a unique way to preserve the bounty of the season. Whether you're a seasoned pickler or just starting, these pickled mushroom recipes will enhance your culinary skills and add variety to your meals. Let's dive into some easy yet flavorful recipes that you can make at home with ingredients readily available at your local supermarket.

Why Pickle Mushrooms?

Before we explore the recipes, let’s briefly discuss why pickling mushrooms is such a beloved practice:

• Preservation: Pickling allows you to extend the shelf life of mushrooms significantly.
• Flavor Development: The pickling process infuses mushrooms with new tastes, enhancing their natural flavor.
• Versatility: Pickled mushrooms can be used in salads, as toppings, or as an appetizer.

Recipe 1: Simple Vinegar Pickled Mushrooms

This is the quintessential pickled mushroom recipe that’s both easy and satisfying:

Ingredients:

• 500g of button mushrooms
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• Peppercorns to taste

Method:

1. Clean the mushrooms, trimming the stems if necessary.
2. Blanch the mushrooms in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain.
3. In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt, sugar, bay leaf, garlic, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil.
4. Add the blanched mushrooms to the pot, remove from heat, and let them soak in the pickling liquid for about 10 minutes.
5. Pack the mushrooms into sterilized jars, pour the hot pickling liquid over them, and seal.

🍄 Note: Ensure your jars are sterile to prevent spoilage. You can sterilize jars by boiling them for 10 minutes before use.

Recipe 2: Spicy Pickled Mushrooms

If you love some heat, this spicy version will tickle your palate:

Ingredients:

• 450g of mixed mushrooms (oyster, shiitake, and cremini work well)
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• ¹⁄₂ cup water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Blanch the mushrooms as described above.
2. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sauté garlic until golden.
3. Add mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, water, and salt. Bring to a simmer.
4. Introduce the blanched mushrooms to the hot mixture, simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Transfer to sterilized jars and seal.

Recipe 3: Italian-Style Pickled Mushrooms

Bring an Italian flair to your table with this recipe:

Ingredients:

• 600g of chanterelles or other wild mushrooms
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups white wine vinegar
• ¹⁄₂ cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Blanch the mushrooms in boiling water, drain.
2. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except the mushrooms. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the mushrooms, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Allow to cool slightly before transferring to jars and sealing.

Recipe 4: Honey-Garlic Pickled Mushrooms

For those with a sweet tooth, this recipe blends sweet and savory flavors:

Ingredients:

• 500g portobello mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup rice vinegar
• ¹⁄₂ cup water
• ¹⁄₄ cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Method:

1. Blanch the mushrooms, drain.
2. Combine vinegar, water, honey, garlic, and soy sauce in a saucepan. Heat until honey dissolves.
3. Add mushrooms to the warm mixture, remove from heat after a few minutes of soaking.
4. Transfer to jars and seal.

🍯 Note: Honey might crystallize over time. If you notice this, you can gently reheat the jars to liquefy the honey again before serving.

Recipe 5: Dill Pickled Mushrooms

For a refreshing taste, try this dill-infused recipe:

Ingredients:

• 700g of button or cremini mushrooms
• 1 cup white vinegar
• ¹⁄₂ cup water
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon dill seeds
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• Salt to taste

Method:

1. Blanch mushrooms, drain.
2. Combine vinegar, water, dill, mustard seeds, dill seeds, garlic, and salt in a pot. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the mushrooms, remove from heat, and let cool slightly.
4. Transfer to sterilized jars, seal, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator.

Pickling mushrooms is a delightful and practical way to enjoy this versatile ingredient throughout the year. Each recipe above showcases how you can manipulate flavors to create a unique pickled product, perfect for various dishes or enjoyed straight out of the jar. The process is simple, fun, and deeply rewarding, bringing new life to your culinary adventures. Whether you prefer traditional, spicy, sweet, or herbal notes, there's a pickled mushroom recipe for every taste, ensuring your pantry remains stocked with an array of flavorsome treats.