Button Mushroom

What Is a Button Mushroom?

The button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is the world’s most widely consumed edible mushroom and is grown in controlled environments. It has a white cap when young, which turns brown as it matures (the brown button mushroom, or cremini).

It has an earthy, mildly nutty flavor; as it cooks, it releases water, shrinks, and becomes more flavorful. One of its biggest advantages is being available fresh in the produce section year-round.

Button Mushroom Nutrition Facts

Button mushrooms are low in calories and high in water; 100 grams contain about 22 kcal and 3.1 g of protein. They are notable for their potassium and B vitamins, especially riboflavin.

What Are the Benefits of Button Mushrooms?

With their low calorie content and B vitamins, button mushrooms can be part of a balanced diet. Research is ongoing into mushrooms as a potential plant-based source of vitamin D; this generally applies to mushrooms exposed to UV light.

This is general information; button mushrooms are a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Button Mushrooms

Fresh button mushrooms are firm, dry, and free of spots; the color of the gills under the cap is an indicator of freshness.

• The cap should be firm and dry; slimy or softened areas indicate that the mushrooms are past their prime.
• The gills should be pale pinkish beige; dark brown gills indicate that the mushroom has matured.
• The cut surface at the base of the stem should look moist and fresh, not dried out or darkened.

How to Store Button Mushrooms

Button mushrooms stay fresh for 4–5 days in the refrigerator in a paper bag or perforated container; a plastic bag traps moisture, causing them to sweat and turn slimy quickly. Wash them just before cooking; because of their porous structure, soaking them in water for a long time makes them absorb too much.

How to Use Button Mushrooms in the Kitchen

Button mushrooms can be sautéed, baked, grilled, or used in soup. Cooking them quickly over high heat lets their own moisture evaporate and helps them brown without becoming rubbery.

How Do You Sauté Mushrooms?

Place the sliced mushrooms in a single layer in hot oil and leave them undisturbed for 2–3 minutes so the undersides brown; then turn them and cook for a few more minutes. Salt them at the end of cooking, since salting too early can make them release their moisture too soon.

How Do You Make Mushroom Soup?

After sautéing chopped mushrooms with onion and butter, simmer them in chicken or vegetable stock, then thicken the soup with cream or a flour-and-milk mixture.

What Recipes Use Button Mushrooms?

Mushroom sauté, mushroom soup, stuffed baked mushrooms, and mushroom pasta are among the most popular dishes. Thinly sliced raw mushrooms can also be added to salads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are button mushrooms good for?

Button mushrooms are low in calories and contain potassium and B vitamins, so they can be part of a balanced diet. They are not claimed to cure any disease.

Should mushrooms be washed?

Mushrooms absorb water easily because of their spongy structure; wipe them with a damp cloth or give them a quick rinse instead. Avoid soaking them for a long time.

Can you eat the stem of a mushroom?

Button mushroom stems are edible; just cut off and discard the very end that touched the soil. The stem can be chopped and cooked with the cap.

Can mushrooms be eaten raw?

Yes, button mushrooms that have been cleaned thoroughly can be thinly sliced and eaten raw in salads; people enjoy their crisp texture and mild flavor.

Why do mushrooms turn brown?

After a mushroom is cut, enzymes in it cause it to brown over time when exposed to air. This is not a safety issue; adding lemon juice may slow the browning.