How to Microwave Mushrooms
Cooking mushrooms in the microwave with Anyday is — dare we say?— magical. Microwaving mushrooms in a covered glass Anyday dish is like pressing fast-forward on your meal prep session — plus it locks in nutrition and mushrooms’ natural juiciness. Add lots of flavor by adding butter, herbs, seasonings, and other condiments. Plus, with minimal cleanup, spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying this quick and easy side dish.
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
The Small Dish
This dish’s superpower is evenly heating leftovers and cooking small portions.
The Anyhand Mitts
Ingredients
- 1 cup (85g) mushrooms, sliced, quartered or halved
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter (oil or stock)
Preparation
- Add the mushrooms, butter, and salt to the Anyday dish.
- Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
- Cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Honey balsamic: Once cooked, season with balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Miso sesame: Toss with room temperature butter, miso paste, and sesame oil before or after cooking.
- Garlic rosemary: Toss with room temperature butter, garlic powder, and chopped rosemary before or after cooking.
- Sour cream and onion sauce: Once cooked, mix with onion dip mix and sour cream over pasta, chicken, or pork.
Recipe notes
- Any kind of fresh mushrooms will work with this recipe. Some large mushrooms such as king oyster might need 1-2 more minutes of cooking time.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Microwave Match Up: Mushrooms
See for yourself— microwaving mushrooms is simply faster, start to finish.
| Appliance | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Microwave in an Anyday dish | 3-5 mins |
| Stovetop* | 5-10 mins |
| Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* | 20 mins |
All You Need to Know About Microwaving Mushrooms
How long does it take to cook mushrooms in the microwave?
| Ingredient | Water | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup mushrooms, sliced, quartered or halved | 1 teaspoon unsalted butter (oil or stock) | 2-3 mins |
| 2 cups mushrooms, sliced, quartered or halved | 1 teaspoon unsalted butter (oil or stock) | 2-3 mins |
| 4 cups mushrooms, sliced, quartered or halved | 2 teaspoons unsalted butter (oil or stock) | 5-6 mins |
| 6 cups mushrooms, sliced, quartered or halved | 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (oil or stock) | 7-8 mins |
It typically takes around 2-3 minutes per cup of mushrooms to cook in the microwave. To determine when mushrooms are cooked through, look for fork-tender, bendy mushrooms, and some excess cooking liquid. You can also test its doneness by eating a piece of mushroom, which should be soft and hot (not rubbery).
Is it safe to steam mushrooms?
Steaming mushrooms is a safe and convenient cooking method. To ensure safety, begin by cleaning the mushrooms thoroughly by rinsing them under cool water and patting them dry. Next, trim and slice the mushrooms to your desired thickness for even cooking. Add a small amount of water, stock, or butter to create steam, then cover with the lid and cook as suggested. Avoid overcooking to maintain their texture and prevent them from becoming rubbery.. Steaming mushrooms preserves their flavor and nutritional value.
How can I make my mushrooms taste better?
Mushrooms are like little sponges which will absorb flavor very well. Add chili crisp, garlic powder, salt, pepper, curry powder, or herbs to the Anyday dish when cooking mushrooms and you will quickly transform this ingredient into a dish. Add some chicken, beef or flavored bouillon paste, or miso, to enhance the mushrooms’ natural savory notes.
Is it better to cook mushrooms with butter or oil?
Mushrooms have a very mild flavor. That’s why using ingredients such as butter, chicken or beef stock, or flavorful oils such as sesame or olive oil, is a great and easy way to enhance mushrooms’ natural flavor, and don’t forget about adding some salt.
How to freeze microwaved mushrooms?
After steaming and cooling the mushrooms, spoon them into the 1/2 Cup Anytime Freezer Trays, then cover them with the lid and freeze until solid. This method ensures you have convenient access to quick and easy steamed mushrooms when needed.