Pan-Fried Oyster Mushrooms

5 from 5 votes

Dec 07, 2021, Updated Oct 14, 2023

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A rustic and beautiful side dish, these easy Pan-Fried Oyster Mushrooms taste meaty, garlicky, and yet delicate. They’re ready in minutes, and all you need are four simple ingredients!

cooking oyster mushrooms in a heavy skillet

Easy Oyster Mushrooms Recipe

When cold weather comes around, I think a lot of us start thinking of soup, casserole, mashed potatoes… all of those kinds of comforting dishes. But let’s not forget other fall and winter favorites! Did you know that oyster mushrooms are a cold-weather classic? Yes, delicately scented and flavored, they are a perfect side dish for a crisp night, maybe alongside some skillet olive bread and a fried egg or with any of your other favorite dishes.

What Do Oyster Mushrooms Taste Like?

Delicate oyster mushrooms have a mild and almost sweet flavor that is sort of the plant kingdom’s answer to oysters. Some even go so far as to describe the taste as “fishy,” but that is a stretch in most cases. Also, these mushrooms have a meaty, slightly seafood-y taste that stands up well to frying.

raw oyster mushrooms arranged on a black background

Ingredients For Pan-Fried Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster Mushrooms: Clean 1 pound of oyster mushrooms, and cut them into evenly sized pieces.
Butter and Olive Oil: A mixture of butter and olive oil is perfect for sautéing! The butter is creamy, while the oil is full-flavored and robust.
Garlic: Smash a couple of garlic cloves with the flat side of a chef’s knife, and peel off the papery skin (if desired; some cooks leave it on if they are not planning on eating the garlic).
Salt and Pepper

How to Clean Oyster Mushrooms

Getting oyster mushrooms ready for the pan is so easy. All you have to do is pull the large central stem out of the cluster, and all of the individual mushrooms will fall away. From there, trim any excess tough stems off of the individual mushrooms. If any are dirty, wipe them with a damp tea towel or paper towel.

up close shot of cooked oyster mushrooms with a spoon mixing through them.

How to Cook Oyster Mushrooms

Cook Mushrooms on One Side. Place the butter in a heavy skillet set over medium-high heat, and add a swirl of good olive oil. Once the butter melts, sprinkle the mushrooms into the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes, until golden.
Cook Mushrooms on the Other Side. Flip the mushrooms over using a spatula. Add the smashed garlic cloves to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking the mushrooms for a few minutes until they start to brown. Occasionally, baste them with spoonfuls of the butter and oil in the pan.
Finish the Dish. Take the skillet off the heat. Taste for salt and pepper, adjust as needed, and then serve.

up close photo of cooking oyster mushrooms in a heavy skillet

Tips for Success

Wash with Caution: If your oyster mushrooms require a wash, gently wipe them with a damp paper towel. Avoid washing them, as they can soak up water and become slimy.
Avoid Crowding: Don’t overcrowd the pan; give them space to cook evenly and get crispy edges.
Watch the Heat: Cooking mushrooms involves cooking out the mushroom liquid and then getting a good sear. So you don’t want to cook too low because the mushrooms will simmer away in their own juice. But you also don’t want to cook too hot because they’ll burn. Adjust the heat as needed to keep your pan at a good medium temperature.
Save the Stems: While oyster mushroom stems are too tough to bother cooking, they are great for adding some oomph to homemade vegetable stock, so go ahead and throw together your oyster mushroom stems and other veggie scraps and make some homemade broth.
Where to Find: If your local grocery store doesn’t carry oyster mushrooms, try an Asian grocery store or market or a natural foods store.

dinner plate with cooked oyster mushrooms served over mashed potatoes.

Serving Suggestions

Vegetarian: For a vegetarian meal, combine the mushrooms with sides like mashed sweet potatoes, salad, or quinoa stuffed tomatoes for a delicious plant-based dinner.
Steak: Mushrooms are great with juicy steak! For a simple preparation method, try this Oven Grilled Steak or my Ribeye Steak.
Eggs: Simple Sheet Pan Eggs go perfectly with oyster mushrooms, or you can make a frittata! Easy Bacon and Spinach Frittata is a great recipe to get you started!
Chicken: Specifically, Garlic Butter Chicken and Rice! This meal goes beautifully with pan-fried mushrooms.
Pork: A tender Roasted Pork Tenderloin or Juicy Pork Chops would be phenomenal with these mushrooms.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

To store leftover mushrooms, place them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. They will keep for 3 to 5 days.
To freeze leftover mushrooms, cool them completely and then pack into freezer bags, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat, place mushrooms in a skillet over low heat. Allow to cook until heated through, turning and stirring occasionally.

More Mushroom Recipes to Try

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5 from 5 votes