Smoked Mushrooms can be made on your stovetop in just 15 minutes! A simple EASY way to add depth, flavor, complexity and intrigue to vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Here’s another catering technique I used in my previous life that added that extra “wow” to dishes we were already making – Smoked Mushrooms! Now before you start thinking that it’s too hard or too complicated- or even wonder why anyone would want to smoke mushrooms- and no I ‘m not getting psychedelic on you friends- just hear me out. 🙂
Many of you converting to the vegan lifestyle, miss the depth, smokiness and “meatiness”, of meat or grilled meats. This technique helps. Smoking mushrooms gives them a delicious depth and complexity. I love adding smoked mushrooms to pasta dishes, ramen, lasagna, enchiladas, or a whole portobello for the tastiest veggie burger ever!
Of course, you can also grill them with wood chips or use a smoker, but that can be a chore, especially in winter.
This technique is ridiculously easy, and requires no special equipment and only takes 10-15 minutes on your stovetop! I can’t wait to show you how to do this!
What you need for SmokeD Mushrooms!
- Medium pot with a tight-fitting lid.
- Strainer basket to fit inside the pot.
- Wood chips (or loose leaf tea) I’ve found that milder varieties work best here, especially for delicately flavored mushrooms like chanterelles, but feel free to play around and use what you want. You can also use loose-leaf tea! Green or Black! If smoking whole portobellos (for burgers) you could try a deeper flavor like mesquite.
- Alder
- Apple
- Almond
- Cherry
- A piece of foil.
- Mushrooms: use wild or tame mushrooms or a combo of both! Shiitakes, portobello, morels, chanterelles, button or cremini, maitake or oyster!
How make Smoked Mushrooms
Place a double layer of foil on the bottom of your pot.
Top with your wood chips or pellets. Use 1/8 cup to 1/4 cup depending on the amount of mushrooms. Start conservatively.
Place the steamer basket over the wood chips.
Toss mushrooms with very lightly with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Place mushrooms in the steamer basket and place it on the stove.
Turn your hood on and turn the heat to med-high.
Wait, until you see smoke. This may take 5 minutes or longer. Be patient.
Once you see smoke, cover tightly. Lower heat to medium.
Smoke them lightly, perhaps 4-6 minutes.
You can test one at 4 minutes, and continue adding time if you like.
Once the mushrooms are smoked, continue cooking like you normally would. Saute in a little olive oil, roast or drop them into soup or ramen just like this.
So simple.
Take this and run friends! Next thing ya know, you’ll be smoking beets, butternut, fish, potatoes, tofu… YUMMMM! The sky is the limit.
I’m already so proud of you. xoxoxo
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Smoked Mushrooms (on your stovetop!)
- Prep Time: 8
- Cook Time: 8
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 cups 1x
- Category: vegan, vegetables, dyi,
- Method: smoked
- Cuisine: Pnw
Description
How to smoke mushrooms on your stove top! Elevate your vegan and vegetarian mains with Smoked Mushrooms! This simple easy technique requires no special equipment and can be made on your stovetop. Add flavor, complexity and depth to dishes you are already making, in 15-20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 3–4 tablespoons finely shredded wood chips (or pellets) -Alder, Apple, Almond, Cherry etc. Or try tea! 2–3 tablespoons. (see notes)
- 1/2 – 1 lb mushrooms, cleaned. (leave whole, or cut, up to you) Shiitakes, Button, Cremini, Portobellos, Chanterelles, Porcini, Maitake, any sturdy mushroom.
- drizzle of olive oil (or use spray olive oil)
- pinch salt and pepper
Instructions
- Clean and place mushrooms in a bowl. Lightly coat in olive oil (too much oil will interfere with smoke) so go light here, tossing gently. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place a double layer of foil in the bottom of a medium pot. Place wood chips on top, in a little mound. Place strainer basket over top. Place mushrooms in the strainer basket.
- Place the pot on the stove and turn to medium high or high heat. Leave uncovered until you see smoke. TURN HOOD ON! Once you see smoke, then tightly cover. Wait 30 seconds, then turn heat to medium.
- Be conservative and don’t “over smoke”! Smoke for 3-4 minutes for a mild smoke flavor- or go longer 5-7 minutes for a more intense smoke flavor (great for broths, vegan ramen, etc.). It is easy to over smoke them so perhaps be conservative the first time. If not sure, pull out a tester at 3-4 minutes, replacing the lid.
- As they smoke they will steam slightly, but most likely not cook fully- especially if only smoking for 5 minutes.
- Then cook the mushrooms as you normally would- either sauteeing in olive oil or butter, or roasting. If adding to soups, or broth-based soups, just drop them in as they are.
- Enjoy!
Notes
It is easy to over smoke these- so go lightly your first time! You want to still be able to taste the mushroom itself!
If your wood chips are large chunks, try to cut them down a bit. I just use a sharp chefs knife. Or try a meat tenderizer ( or hammer), to break them apart. You want small pieces of wood here for a faster smoke point.
I find subtler wood flavors are better with mushrooms.
2-4 tablespoons of loose leaf black tea or green tea is also nice to smoke mushrooms.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 2.2 g
- Sodium: 595.7 mg
- Fat: 1.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.7 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
So easy and delicious! I smoked two pounds of shiitake, white and oyster mushrooms (in two batches) for four minutes and then roasted them.
Excellent Ami!
I’ve just made these and they are absolutely delicious. I used oolong tea to smoke and the smoking really does just add another layer to the mushrooms.
I was just wondering, how is best to store them if you’re not using immediately?
Wrap tightly and store in the fridge up to 4 days.
What do you do if you over smoked your mushroom
Oh no! Sorry about that… I’ve done that before too. I usually just add sparingly to soups/broths or stews. You could try soaking in water to rmove some of the smoke flavors, but it seems once it in there, it’s in there.
Tried this last night to go with the vegan ramen recipe. Followed instructions to the letter, only replacing wood chips for pellets. Unfortunately it utterly destroyed my strainer basket. Took the pot off after about 2 minutes covered because the smoke smell was so strong it was stinging my eyes. Realised the pellets caught fire, and the smell on the mushrooms was awful. Totally inedible. Ramen was fine, but bland without extra mushrooms.
Hi Chris, are you using a gas or electric burner? Sounds like the heat was too high. Sorry about that.
So Easy! Thank you for the info!
Am I reding this right, that you don’t soak the wood chips before smoking?
Right, use them dry.
What a terrific idea. I will have to try this.
Thank you Sylvia for sharing your recipes. Who would have thought our paths would cross again in this unexpected way…all because of food! LOL
Really want to try this how long could you keep the smoked mushrooms for or would you use them immediately?
They would keep 3 days, refrigerated.
What an interesting recipe! What kind of tea works best? I’m guessing unflavored and you mentioned green or black. Any particular favourite you’d recommend?
I used just basic green tea leaves and English breakfast tea- both work great!
Love this idea… however, I’m a little afraid to heat a dry pan on the stove. Will it damage the pot?
No, it shouldn’t hurt the pan. You like the inside with foil. You can also use a wok and cover with foil.