Mushroom Facts

Learn fun mushroom facts and general information about mushrooms. This page includes how mushrooms grow, how to choose and store them, mushroom safety tips, nutrition facts, and easy mushroom recipe ideas.

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Fun Mushroom Facts
How Mushrooms Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage
How to Cook with Mushrooms
Mushroom Texture and Cooking Ideas
Food Science: Mushrooms Are Fungi
Mini Activity
Mushroom Nutrition Facts
Mushroom Recipes
More Mushroom Ideas
Kids Cooking Video: Mushroom Cheese Sandwich
Kids Cooking Video: Stuffed Mushrooms
FAQ

Fun Mushroom Facts

Mushrooms are available year round.
Mushrooms are fungi, not plants.
Only buy mushrooms from the grocery store or a trusted market.
Never eat wild mushrooms.
Mushrooms can be sauteed, stuffed, added to soups, or used in sandwiches and burgers.

How Mushrooms Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Mushrooms Are Available

Mushrooms are available year round.

How Do Mushrooms Grow?

Mushrooms are a type of fungi that grows in soil or other growing material. Because some wild mushrooms are unsafe, it is important to only buy mushrooms from the grocery store or another reputable market.

What to Look for When Buying Mushrooms

Choose mushrooms that are dry and firm. Avoid mushrooms that are damp, dark, or soft.

Mushroom Storage Tips

Store mushrooms on a shelf in the refrigerator and use them while they are still fresh.

Safety Tip: Never pick and eat wild mushrooms. Only use mushrooms from a trusted store or market.

How to Cook with Mushrooms

How to Use Mushrooms

Wipe mushrooms gently clean and trim the stems if needed.
Saute mushrooms with butter or oil until tender.
Use mushrooms in soups, stuffed mushroom recipes, sandwiches, side dishes, and main dishes.

Cooking Tip: Mushrooms shrink as they cook because they release moisture, so a pan of mushrooms will become smaller after sauteing.

Mushroom Texture and Cooking Ideas

Fresh mushrooms should feel firm and dry.

Sauteed mushrooms become softer and more flavorful.

Large mushrooms like Portobellos work well for stuffing.

Smaller mushrooms are easy to slice into soups, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.

Food Science: Mushrooms Are Fungi

What Makes a Mushroom Different?

Mushrooms are fungi, which means they are different from fruits and vegetables. They do not grow the same way plants do.

When mushrooms cook, they release water and become softer, which changes both their texture and flavor.

Mini Activity

Observe a Mushroom

Look at the cap, stem, and underside of a mushroom.
Describe the color, shape, and texture.
Smell the mushroom before cooking.
Cook a few slices and compare how the mushroom changes after heating.

Mushroom Nutrition Facts

Mushrooms are low in calories. They provide B vitamins including riboflavin and niacin, along with selenium.

Mushrooms are low in calories.
They contain riboflavin, which supports healthy skin and vision.
They contain niacin, which supports the nervous and digestive systems.
They contain selenium, which supports the immune system.

More Food Fact Resources

Mushroom Recipes

Mushroom Bacon Burgers

These burgers combine bacon, mushrooms, onion, hamburger, sausage, and Parmesan cheese for a flavorful main dish.

Category: Main Dish
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: About 15 minutes
Yield: Varies

Ingredients

4 slices bacon
1 onion, chopped or pureed
1 small can mushrooms, drained and chopped
1 lb. ground hamburger
1 lb. pork sausage
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Black pepper
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Cook bacon and drain on paper towel.
Cook onion and mushrooms in the bacon grease.
In a mixing bowl, combine hamburger and sausage.
Add cheese, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, onion, bacon, and mushrooms.
Mix well, form into patties, and grill until fully cooked.

Cooking Tip: Chopped mushrooms add flavor and moisture to burgers.

Turkey Stuffed Mushrooms

Baked Portobello mushrooms filled with turkey sausage and goat cheese make a hearty mushroom recipe.

Category: Appetizer
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 to 12 minutes
Yield: Varies

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 lb. bulk turkey sausage
4 oz. goat cheese, room temperature, cut into small chunks
16 oz. medium Portobello mushrooms, rinsed, stems removed, and patted dry
Sea salt and black pepper, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a large roasting pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook turkey sausage until no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces.
Add goat cheese to the skillet and cover for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir until melted and combined.
Fill each mushroom cap with the turkey mixture.
Drizzle mushrooms with remaining olive oil and season if desired.
Roast for 10 to 12 minutes, until slightly browned around the edges, then serve.

Serving Idea: Serve these as an appetizer, side dish, or party food.