• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
My Pure Plants
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About us
    • Contact us
    • Media & Press
  • Meal Plans
    • FREE 7-day Vegan Meal Plan (Only Easy Recipes!)
    • Quick Vegan Meals
    • Vegan Christmas Dinner
    • Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner
  • Ingredient Guides
    • Eggplant
    • Oyster Mushrooms
    • TVP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Entrees
  • Soups
  • About us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Entrees
    • Soups
    • About us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home > Ingredient Guides

    11 Ways to Cook Oyster Mushrooms

    By My Pure Plants on 06/24/2022 - May contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.

    Don’t have any idea where to start or what to do with a cluster of oyster mushrooms? Don’t worry we give you 11 different cooking methods and plenty of recipes for you to try. We also show you the best way to cook oyster mushrooms, and how to make several out-of-the-ordinary dishes using this versatile ingredient.

    Black cast iron skillet from above full of fresh oyster mushrooms
    Table of Contents hide
    1. What are oyster mushrooms?
    2. Prepare oyster mushrooms for cooking
    3. 11 ways to cook oyster mushrooms
    4. Pan-fried
    5. Steak
    6. Sauteed
    7. Oven-roasted, baked, or broiled
    8. Deep-fried
    9. Air fried
    10. Grilled or barbecued
    11. Braised or added to stew
    12. Steaming
    13. Poaching
    14. Smoking
    15. Fresh vs dried mushrooms
    16. More information on oyster mushrooms

    What are oyster mushrooms?

    Oyster mushrooms (a.k.a Pleurotus ostreatus) are known worldwide for their texture and unique savory flavor. Commonly found growing in overlapping clusters on logs and trees, they are characterized by their broad oyster-like top caps and short, nearly non-existent stems.

    There are more than a few common types of oyster mushroom, whose colors range from light gray to dark brown, with white to cream flesh and decurrent gills. Undoubtedly, the two most popular types are the king oyster mushroom variety and pearl oysters. 

    Since its popularity in the culinary field is growing, you can be sure to find some if you know where to buy them. If they are not available for whatever reason, just check out our list of oyster mushroom substitutes or look into growing your own at home. Some of them are just as good as the original, making them the perfect solution to an oyster mushroom emergency! 

    Prepare oyster mushrooms for cooking

    Once you pick them up in a supermarket or in your local farmer’s market and bring them home, it’s time to figure out what to do with oyster mushrooms! But first things first, read our guide on how to store oyster mushrooms and chose one of the 5 ways described there. This will ensure you that mushrooms are fresh and free from any possible rot or mold, as well as ready for cooking.

    One last thing you need to do before cooking is to prepare your oyster mushrooms. In short, cut off any parts that look wet, dirty, or moist. Avoid washing them as they may rot quicker and damage more easily. Instead, you can gently wipe them clean with a piece of cloth or paper towel. Now, your oyster mushrooms are ready to be turned into delicious meals.  

    11 ways to cook oyster mushrooms 

    When it comes to using oyster mushrooms in your culinary quests, a lot depends on the method you choose to cook them with. Here, we give you all the insider tips on how to cook oyster mushrooms! So you’ll be adding them to soups, ramen, pizza, or any other recipe in no time.

    1. pan-frying until crispy
    2. turning them into a steak
    3. sauteeing
    4. deep frying
    5. air frying
    6. roasting them in the oven or under the broiler
    7. grilling
    8. braising
    9. steaming
    10. poaching
    11. smoking

    Pan-fried

    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.

    The important thing to remember is to use high heat, or else risk them releasing moisture, shrinking, and turning soggy – especially the smaller pearl oysters! For this reason, remember not to shred pearl oyster mushrooms thinner than ¼th of an inch. 

    King oyster mushrooms, on the other hand, are meatier and will need to be cooked longer. Make sure to check for their tenderness before taking them off the heat.

    Black cast iron skillet from above with crispy brown oyster mushroom, sliced red pepper, garlic slices and chopped fresh green herbs.
    Pan-fried Green Herb Oyster Mushroom
    My Pure Plants
    If you are looking for an easy oyster mushroom recipe you can serve as a side dish, this will surely be your favorite. Green herbs like thyme and parsley with a smidgen of chili peppers and a splash of lemon juice will bring out the natural mushroom flavor that can accompany any main course.
    Check out this recipe
    3 small tortillas folded in half on parchment paper filled with mushroom shreds, corn, avocado slices, black beans drizzled with red and white sauce.
    Crispy Oyster Mushroom Tacos (The Best Vegan Taco Recipe)
    Nandor Barta
    If you are looking for a meatless taco alternative, you need to try this flavorful and delicious Oyster Mushroom Tacos recipe. These mushrooms are just the best vegan alternatives to meat strips (both beef and chicken). Fill up your tacos with salsa, avocado, pan-roasted corn, and black beans, and enjoy a Meatless Taco Tuesday!
    Check out this recipe
    Black cast iron skillet from above with a wooden spatula and colorful chopped veggies like red bell pepper, yellow potatoes, brown mushroom, green peas, fresh parsley
    Hearty Vegan Breakfast Hash (Oyster Mushroom Jerky)
    Nandor Barta
    Isn’t a hearty vegan breakfast the best way to start your day? Fire up your skillet and make fried potatoes and crispy oyster mushroom jerky mixed with a rainbow of veggies like green beans, onions, and bell peppers to create a delicious vegan hash.
    Check out this recipe

    Steak

    Who would have thought that you can turn both pearl oysters as well as king oyster mushrooms into a juicy “steak” and serve them with sides like roast vegetables, potatoes, sauces, or gravies?

    Since one of the best things about oyster mushrooms is their ability to absorb flavor like a sponge due to their texture, you can easily season them as a “steak”.

    What do you need to do? Pan-fry a whole cluster of pearl oyster mushrooms like in the below teriyaki oyster mushroom steak recipe or oven-bake king oysters sliced lengthwise (also pictured below).

    For the marinade, you can use staple ingredients you already have in your pantry like salt, pepper, garlic cloves, some herbs, and olive oil, or go all out and get creative with something different like teriyaki sauce, bbq sauce, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce.

    Black grill pan from above with crispy dark brown juicy flattened oyster mushroom clusters
    Teriyaki Oyster Mushroom Steak
    Nandor Barta
    You can turn pearl oyster mushrooms into a deliciously crispy, chewy beef-like steak. Just take a cluster of mushrooms marinated in teriyaki sauce and pan-fry it between two cast iron skillets to make them flat and crispy. In 20 minutes, you will have yourself a flavorful mushroom steak.
    Check out this recipe
    A slice of dark brown grilled king oyster mushrooms on top of a yellow mash served on a black plate.
    King Oyster Mushroom Steak
    It is an oven baked "steak" seasoned with thyme and garlic served with cream potatoes and crispy kale. King oysters are perfect for make "steak"-like dishes with their sturdy, chewy texture.
    Check out this recipe

    Sauteed

    Oyster mushrooms can also be sauteed and deglazed in a liquid to infuse flavor through heat, making them more chewy than crispy. Pearl oyster mushrooms work best for this method because of their spongy texture allowing them to absorb maximum flavor.

    Sauteed mushrooms are great as sides or as additions to sauces like our vegan cajun pasta sauce (pictured below). They’re also perfect for adding to Asian-inspired dishes like our oyster mushroom noodle stir fry (also pictured below). Both of these recipes make for a quick, easy, and satisfying lunch or dinner!

    Penne pasta with yellow bell pepper slices, brown mushroom shreds and spring onion rings in a creamy red sauce in a frying pan from above.
    Creamy Vegan Cajun Pasta Sauce
    My Pure Plants
    If you are craving a rich, spicy, and creamy vegan cajun pasta Sauce this will be the one to make. We added some shredded oyster mushrooms as they are just the best vegan chicken alternative ever and voila here is an absolutely delicious and creamy vegan cajun chicken pasta to enjoy in about 30 minutes
    Check out this recipe

    Oven-roasted, baked, or broiled

    Oyster mushrooms can be made using the age-old, convenient method of oven roasting. Cooking them using this method highlights the mushrooms’ mild umami flavor, makes them crispy on the outside, as well as meaty and juicy on the inside.

    This method is as easy as tossing some oyster mushrooms with salt, pepper, and oil, placing them on a baking sheet in a single layer, and tossing them in a pre-heated oven. Cooking time varies based on the kind of mushroom you’re using and their size as mentioned before. 

    Our pulled king oyster mushroom burger recipe (pictured below) is a great place to start trying this cooking method. But the oven also makes wonderfully crispy and juicy pearl oyster mushrooms as well, that we use as vegan gyro meat (pictured also below).

    Broiled mushrooms can also be added to salads and soups to lift the flavor of the dish by adding some complexity and texture.

    A burger sandwich on a wooden board with white sauce, brown juicy strips and purple cabbage coleslaw. A white bowl is the remaining brown juicy mushroom slices and a wooden bowl with more coleslaw salad and french fries
    BBQ Vegan Pulled Pork Burger (King Oyster Mushroom)
    Nandor Barta
    To make the best vegan pulled pork, you should try shredded king oyster mushrooms. Their meaty texture is perfect to roast, grill, or fry until they get crispy edges. In 40 minutes, you can have this bbq pulled mushroom burger with a vegan coleslaw right on top.
    Check out this recipe
    Several pita pocket on a white serving tray stuffed with crispy brown shredded oyster mushroom, tomato and cucumber slices andwhite-green tzaztziki sauce
    Vegan Gyros (Shredded Mushrooms)
    Nandor Barta
    The best vegan gyros are, without a doubt, shredded oyster mushrooms (not cut, but torn apart). The texture and the taste are just perfect. Fill your pita pockets with the crispiest vegan gyro meat, fresh vegetables, and a homemade tzatziki sauce.
    Check out this recipe
    A hand is holding a closed bread loaf stuffed with brown mushroom shreds and melted cheese wrapped in a white paper
    Perfect Vegan Philly Cheesesteak
    Nandor Barta
    The best vegan alternative to make Philly Cheesesteak is, without a doubt, shredded oyster mushrooms (not cut, but torn apart). You will have the perfect beefy texture and taste. Fill your hoagie roll with mushrooms and a generous amount of vegan melted cheese.
    Check out this recipe

    Deep-fried

    Deep-fried mushrooms are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and perfectly juicy and meaty on the inside. Any type of oyster mushrooms can be marinated, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to make an easy snack. You just have to remember not to cut them too small or they will lose their texture.

    In the below recipes, we just tore off each mushroom cap from the cluster and coated them like that. Since they have a tough meaty texture, they are popular meat substitutes in vegan recipes. So we call them “fried chicken” or “buffalo chicken wings” while in fact, they are just perfect fried oyster mushrooms with a super crispy gluten-free coating mainly since we used crushed corn flakes.

    Brown breaded nuggets in a round plate with a white sauce in the middle with chopped green herbs. French fries on the side and a small bowl of ketchup
    Vegan Fried Chicken (Oyster Mushrooms)
    Emese Maczko
    Oyster mushrooms make the tastiest and easiest vegan fried chicken ever! It is perfectly golden brown and crispy on the outside, but meaty on the inside. The vegan chicken itself is only ONE ingredient!
    Check out this recipe
    Brown breaded wings on a white plate with a yellow sauce in the middle. A hand is holding one piece
    Buffalo Vegan Chicken Wings
    Emese Maczko
    Are you looking for the tastiest and easiest Vegan Buffalo Wings? The "chicken" itself is only ONE ingredient! It is hot and sticky on the outside and meaty on the inside. Just what you would expect from Vegan Hot Wings.
    Check out this recipe
    A large white bowl with white rice and sticky brown battered strips on top sprinkled with sesame seeds, orange peels and chopped spring onion. A hand is holding chopsticks and taking on strip.
    Vegan Orange Chicken (Copycat Panda Express)
    Emese Maczko
    If you would like to make Orange Chicken, the most popular dish in Panda Express vegan at home, this is the recipe you need to try. We used the BEST plant-based alternative to crunchy fried chicken strips and covered them with a citrusy, sticky, spicy sauce.
    Check out this recipe

    Air fried

    Craving a snack but want to avoid the oil and waiting for the oven? Try air frying marinated and crumb-coated oyster mushrooms. They make for a crispy snack while completely avoiding the oil and time spent in front of the hob.

    You can air fry both pearl and king oyster mushrooms, only keeping in mind the cooking time – king oyster shrooms take slightly longer to cook than pearl owing to their meatiness.

    Also, take care not to overlap your pieces of crumbed or marinated mushrooms when you air fry them in order to get uniformly crispy delicious mushrooms.

    This method of cooking makes great shredded mushroom snacks and sides without coating and doesn’t need much apart from some spices and a dab of oil.

    Grilled or barbecued

    Oyster mushrooms can be grilled or barbequed to bring out a smoky flavor that goes so well with their characteristic earthy flavors. This method works best for meatier oyster mushrooms like the king oysters due to their toughness.

    Grill them in lengthwise cut slices or in thick disc-like slices (like in the below yakitori skewers recipe) to achieve crispy and golden outsides, as well as soft and tender insides. They will make the perfect addition to your Sunday Barbeque!

    To add visual contrast to your dish, you can even consider grilling your mushrooms with a crosshatch design. Either way, your friends will be begging you for more! Just remember to grill them on medium heat as oyster mushrooms can be a little delicate and quick to burn. 

    Wooden skewers with mushroom slices grilled to dark brown almost black on the edges. They are sprinkled with green onion rings
    Oyster Mushroom Yakitori Skewers
    The sturdy texture of king oyster mushrooms makes them a perfect candidate for bbq skewers. They are coated with a special Teriyaki sauce and charcoaled to give it a bit of a smoky texture.
    Check out this recipe

    Braised or added to stew

    Oyster mushrooms are fibrous, and hence really good at absorbing flavors from liquids and don’t overcook easily, maintaining their texture. King or pearl oyster mushrooms can be added to a stew or braised in an aromatic liquid with some veggies of your choice to make a great side or main for your bread or rice.

    It is also recommended to use dehydrated mushrooms for this method as they are more concentrated in flavor and will add their savory flavor to your stew. Just remember to rehydrate the mushrooms before using them and they will plump up as well while cooking. Remember to cook them on low heat to let the flavor develop in the stew.  

    A dark brown sauce is served in a shallow black bowl with shredded mushroom, chickpeas and wilted spinach leaves
    Vegan Tikka Masala
    King oyster mushrooms are cooked in a creamy sauce seasoned with garam masala, cardamom, coriander, cumin, paprika, nutmeg, and ginger. It is served with basmati rice and naan bread.
    Check out this recipe

    Steaming

    Steamed oyster mushrooms are light and savory in flavor and mouthfeel, making them perfect for adding to salads or serving as is. Steaming and seasoning them with little more than salt is also a great way to bring the natural flavor and shape of these mushrooms to the forefront of the dish. 

    Steam them until they release their moisture and serve along with the broth that’s left after steaming. This method of cooking is easy and a refreshing change from the usual methods.

    Both king and pearl oyster mushrooms can be steamed, with the only difference being their steaming times. The final product is tender and light; a great appetizer, side, or snack on a busy workday.

    Poaching

    The gentle process of poaching is great for infusing oyster mushrooms with delicate flavors. You can use liquids like butter (dairy-free as well), wine, milk (dairy-free as well), stock, and more, along with spices. All this method needs is a little time and care, and you’ll be left with mushrooms that look and smell the part. 

    Poaching in butter includes steeping the seasoned mushrooms in slowly melted butter for a maximum of 15 minutes. If you cut king oysters in a way that has them resemble scallops, you can use this method to make a vegan or vegetarian version of the classic seafood dish that is just as divine!

    Either serve them directly or sear them in a pan to make the outsides crispy. Oyster mushrooms can also be cooked sous vide in a liquid marinade if you’re looking for a quicker and more flavorful method of prep.

    Smoking

    One way to imbue oyster mushrooms with some smokiness and depth is to smoke them for about half an hour with any kind of wood chips you prefer, like hickory, apple, or pecan chips. Add some fresh thyme, rosemary, chili flakes, or any seasoning that is to your liking while smoking them and you will be left with mushrooms that exhibit hints of these flavors. 

    Oyster mushrooms cooked this way are a great addition to any dish and can be used as a filling when making burgers and sandwiches. To make them even more flavorful, toss them in some sauce (buffalo, hot sauce, or any that you like) after the first smoke and smoke them again for about 15 minutes. This technique helps them retain their moisture and prevents the sauce from drying out. Remember to soak your woodchips for about 30 minutes before smoking your mushrooms.

    Fresh vs dried mushrooms

    Mushrooms are unique in that they can be used and stored fresh or dry. Both options have different flavor profiles and concentrations, as well as different textures, making each one most ideal to use in certain specific ways.

    Now, you’re probably pondering over how to cook oyster mushrooms when they’re dry versus when they’re fresh. Well, don’t worry, because it’s not a whole lot different! 

    • Dried mushrooms have a more concentrated umami flavor and chewy texture, and need to be rehydrated before use. Due to being slightly chewier they make better additions to stews, stocks, and soups, but are also fine to use just as you would use fresh oyster mushrooms.
    • Fresh mushrooms, on the other hand, are lighter on the palette, absorb more flavor, and are more versatile when it comes to texture. They can be made chewy, crispy, or meaty depending on the method you use to cook them.

    More information on oyster mushrooms

    It’s only one part of our oyster mushrooms guide, which teaches you everything from growing, buying, storing, preparing, and, yes, cooking them! There’s a lot to know and just as many dishes to try out so get reading! If you need recipes, browse through these 30+ amazing oyster mushroom recipes.

    • How to store them?
    • How to prepare them?
    • How to grow them?
    • Where to buy them?
    9 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Portrait of Emese and Nandi My Pure Plants

    Hi, we are Emese Maczkó and Nándor Barta, the founders and recipe creators behind My Pure Plants. We are sharing our knowledge and expertise in vegan recipes and encourage you to try home-cooked meals using locally-sourced, organic, whole foods.

    More about us →

    Reader Favorites

    • Crispy Vegan Orange Chicken (Copycat Panda Express)
    • Crispy Rice Paper Spring Rolls
    • Meaty Vegan TVP Burger (Big Mac Style)
    • Copycat IKEA Veggie Balls

    Winter Recipes

    • Portobello Pot Roast (Vegan)
    • Jackfruit Stew (Vegan Beef Stew)
    • Vegan Cabbage Soup with Sausages (Hungarian)
    • Baked Vegan Butternut Squash Risotto

    More vegan winter recipes →

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Contact
    • About
    • Media & Press
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Nutritional disclaimer
    • General Disclaimer

    Categories

    • Vegan Main Dishes
    • Vegan Soups
    • Vegan Desserts
    • Vegan Pasta Sauces
    • Vegan Sides

    Seasonal

    • Vegan Lentil Loaf
    • Vegan Shredded Chicken
    • Chickpea Mushroom Curry
    • Hokkaido Pumpkin Soup
    • Vegan Bechamel

    Quick links

    • TVP Recipes
    • Quick Vegan Meals
    • Creamy Vegan Soups
    • Rice Paper Recipes
    • Oyster Mushroom Recipes

    This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

    Copyright © 2018-2022

    9 shares