To Fry or Not to Fry: The Mushroom Dilemma

Should you fry your mushrooms before adding them to a sauce or ragu? Reddit users debate the best method for flavor and texture.

Jewels1327 prefers pan-frying mushrooms before adding to a sauce to avoid excess water. Some users agree, while others offer alternative methods. Find out their thoughts below!

Summary

  • Users debate whether to fry mushrooms before adding to a sauce for better texture
  • Dry frying mushrooms can help concentrate flavor
  • Some users suggest sauteeing mushrooms with other ingredients
  • Alternatives include cooking half mushrooms raw and half fried

fakesaucisse

I do the same as you and I don’t think they really rehydrate to the same state they would have been in if I had just added them raw to the sauce. Also, sauteeing them first browns them a bit and makes them taste better to me.

UnkleRinkus

Fresh mushrooms are about 90% water. For many mushrooms (chanterelles are a good example) dry sauting them first is helpful to get a good texture. I use a skillet, with no oil or butter, on medium heat. Saute them for about 3 to 5 minutes, and you’ll see a lot of liquid expressed from the shroom bits. You can reserve this and use later, as it is pretty flavorful. Once the liquid comes out, I proceed to saute further with butter and whatever.