11 Ways to Cook Oyster Mushrooms
This guide gives you the best 11 cooking methods when it comes to oyster mushrooms. Learn how to sauté, grill, roast, and fry them, along with other unique methods that will transform this versatile ingredient into something special. What are...
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By Nandor Barta on 03/24/2025 - May contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.
This guide gives you the best 11 cooking methods when it comes to oyster mushrooms. Learn how to sauté, grill, roast, and fry them, along with other unique methods that will transform this versatile ingredient into something special.
Jump to:What are oyster mushrooms?How to prepare oyster mushrooms for cookingPan-frying until crispySteakSauteedOven-roasted, baked or broiledDeep-friedAir friedGrilled or barbecuedBraised or added to stewSteamingPoachingSmokingHow to cook dried mushrooms?What are oyster mushrooms?
Oyster mushrooms (a.k.a Pleurotus ostreatus) are known worldwide for their texture and unique savory flavor. There are more than a few common types of oyster mushroom, but undoubtedly, the two most popular types are the king oyster mushroom variety and pearl oysters.
Since its popularity in the culinary field is growing, you can be sure to find some if you know where to buy them. If they are not available for whatever reason, just check out our list of oyster mushroom substitutes or look into growing your own at home. Some of them are just as good as the original, making them the perfect solution to an oyster mushroom emergency!
How to prepare oyster mushrooms for cooking
One last thing you need to do before cooking is to prepare your oyster mushrooms. In short, cut off any parts that look wet, dirty, or moist. Avoid washing them as they may rot quicker and damage more easily. I list you 6 ways to cut them, but I usually opt for shredding the caps with my hands. Now, your oyster mushrooms are ready to be turned into delicious meals.
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Pan-frying until crispy
Whether it be king or pearl oyster mushrooms, pan-frying them is the best way to cook them because these mushrooms marinate easily and cook fast. The important thing to remember is to use high heat.
King oyster mushrooms are meatier and will need to be cooked longer. Make sure to check for their tenderness before taking them off the heat.
Pan-fried Green Herb Oyster Mushroom
This oyster mushroom recipe with a twist of green herbs and chili peppers is a must-try for all mushroom lovers. The splash of lemon juice adds a tangy kick, making this dish a flavorful accompaniment to your favorite main course.
Crispy Oyster Mushroom Tacos
These oyster mushroom tacos are the best vegan alternative to meat strips. They are easy, meatless, and packed with flavor, making them the perfect choice for a meatless Taco Tuesday.
Vegan Breakfast Hash
Fire up your skillet and make fried potatoes and crispy oyster mushrooms, mixed with a rainbow of veggies like green peas, onions, and bell peppers. I promise you that this vegan breakfast hash is the best way to start your day.
Steak
Pan-fry a whole cluster of pearl oyster mushrooms like in the below teriyaki oyster mushroom steak recipe or oven-bake king oysters sliced lengthwise.
For the marinade, you can use staple ingredients you already have in your pantry like salt, pepper, garlic cloves, some herbs, and olive oil, or go all out and get creative with something different like teriyaki sauce, bbq sauce, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce.
Teriyaki Oyster Mushroom Steak
Take a cluster of oyster mushrooms and marinate it in teriyaki sauce. Next, pan-fry it between two cast iron skillets to make them flat and crispy. In 20 minutes you will have yourself a flavorful oyster mushroom steak.
King Oyster Mushroom Steak
It is an oven baked “steak” seasoned with thyme and garlic served with cream potatoes and crispy kale. King oysters are perfect for make “steak”-like dishes with their sturdy, chewy texture.
Sauteed
Oyster mushrooms can also be sauteed and deglazed in a liquid to infuse flavor through heat, making them more chewy than crispy. Pearl oyster mushrooms work best for this method because of their spongy texture allowing them to absorb maximum flavor.
Sauteed mushrooms are great as sides or as additions to sauces like our vegan cajun pasta sauce. They’re also perfect for adding to Asian-inspired dishes like our oyster mushroom noodle stir fry. Both of these recipes make for a quick, easy, and satisfying lunch or dinner!
Creamy Cajun Oyster Mushroom Pasta
This oyster mushroom pasta is a flavor-packed delight that you won’t be able to resist. The recipe has crispy oyster mushrooms, vibrant bell peppers, sweet onions, and juicy chopped tomatoes, all tossed in a blend of aromatic Cajun seasonings and rich coconut cream. The best part is that you can enjoy it in 30 minutes!
Thai Oyster Mushroom Noodle Stir Fry
This oyster mushroom noodle stir fry is the perfect recipe for a quick and easy vegan meal. It is ready in just 30 minutes and is packed with flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more.
Oven-roasted, baked or broiled
Toss some oyster mushrooms with salt, pepper, and oil, and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place them in a pre-heated oven. Cooking time varies based on the kind of mushroom you’re using and how small did you cut them.
Our pulled king oyster mushroom burger recipe is a great place to start trying this cooking method. But the oven also makes wonderfully crispy and juicy pearl oyster mushrooms. I love them with Greek seasoning.
Broiled mushrooms can also be added to salads and soups to lift the flavor of the dish by adding some complexity and texture.
BBQ Vegan Pulled Pork Burger (Mushroom)
Shredded king oyster mushrooms make the best vegan pulled pork. Their meaty texture is way better to roast, grill, or fry than jackfruit. In 40 minutes, you can have this BBQ pulled mushroom burger with a vegan coleslaw.
Vegan Gyros (Shredded Mushrooms)
This vegan gyros recipe transforms ordinary oyster mushrooms into an extraordinary meat substitute. The mushrooms, paired with fresh vegetables and a homemade tzatziki sauce, make for a pita pocket that is as healthy as it is delicious.
Perfect Vegan Philly Cheesesteak
This vegan Philly cheesesteak recipe features pan-fried shredded oyster mushrooms. They have a perfect beefy texture and a delicious meaty flavor that will make you forget you are not eating beef.
Deep-fried
Deep-fried mushrooms are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and perfectly juicy and meaty on the inside. Any type of oyster mushrooms can be marinated, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to make an easy snack. You just have to remember not to cut them too small or they will lose their texture.
Tore off each mushroom cap from the cluster and coated them with a breading. Deep fry in hot oil, but be cautious and follow my steps in any of the below recipes.
Deep-fried Breaded Oyster Mushrooms
They are perfectly golden brown and crispy on the outside and meaty on the inside. This is the best plant-based take on a classic Southern dish!
Buffalo Breaded Oyster Mushrooms
They are hot and sticky outside and meaty on the inside. Made using oyster mushrooms, they will taste like meatless vegan chicken wings.
Vegan Orange Chicken (Copycat Panda Express)
If you would like to make Orange Chicken, the most popular dish in Panda Express vegan at home, this is the recipe you need to try. We used the BEST plant-based alternative to crunchy fried chicken strips and covered them with a citrusy, sticky, spicy sauce.
Air fried
Craving a snack but want to avoid the oil and waiting for the oven? Try air frying marinated and crumb-coated oyster mushrooms. They make for a crispy snack while completely avoiding the oil and time spent in front of the hob.
You can air fry both pearl and king oyster mushrooms, only keeping in mind the cooking time – king oyster shrooms take slightly longer to cook than pearl owing to their meatiness.
Also, take care not to overlap your pieces of crumbed or marinated mushrooms when you air fry them in order to get uniformly crispy delicious mushrooms.
This method of cooking makes great shredded mushroom snacks and sides without coating and doesn’t need much apart from some spices and a dab of oil.
Grilled or barbecued
Oyster mushrooms can be grilled or barbequed to bring out a smoky flavor that goes so well with their characteristic earthy flavors. This method works best for meatier oyster mushrooms like the king oysters due to their toughness.
Grill them in lengthwise cut slices or in thick disc-like slices (like in the below yakitori skewers recipe) to achieve crispy and golden outsides, as well as soft and tender insides. They will make the perfect addition to your Sunday Barbeque!
To add visual contrast to your dish, you can even consider grilling your mushrooms with a crosshatch design. Either way, your friends will be begging you for more! Just remember to grill them on medium heat as oyster mushrooms can be a little delicate and quick to burn.
Oyster Mushroom Yakitori Skewers
The sturdy texture of king oyster mushrooms makes them a perfect candidate for bbq skewers. They are coated with a special Teriyaki sauce and charcoaled to give it a bit of a smoky texture.
Braised or added to stew
Oyster mushrooms are fibrous, and hence really good at absorbing flavors from liquids and don’t overcook easily, maintaining their texture. King or pearl oyster mushrooms can be added to a stew or braised in an aromatic liquid with some veggies of your choice to make a great side or main for your bread or rice.
It is also recommended to use dehydrated mushrooms for this method as they are more concentrated in flavor and will add their savory flavor to your stew. Just remember to rehydrate the mushrooms before using them and they will plump up as well while cooking. Remember to cook them on low heat to let the flavor develop in the stew.
Vegan Tikka Masala (4 Variations!)
This vegan tikka masala recipe features a rich, creamy, tomato-based curry sauce that is ready in less than 20 minutes. Learn how to make it with mushrooms, cauliflower, tofu, or chickpeas.
Steaming
Steamed oyster mushrooms are light and savory in flavor and mouthfeel, making them perfect for adding to salads or serving as is. Steaming and seasoning them with little more than salt is also a great way to bring the natural flavor and shape of these mushrooms to the forefront of the dish.
Steam them until they release their moisture and serve along with the broth that’s left after steaming. This method of cooking is easy and a refreshing change from the usual methods.
Both king and pearl oyster mushrooms can be steamed, with the only difference being their steaming times. The final product is tender and light; a great appetizer, side, or snack on a busy workday.
Poaching
The gentle process of poaching is great for infusing oyster mushrooms with delicate flavors. You can use liquids like butter (dairy-free as well), wine, milk (dairy-free as well), stock, and more, along with spices. All this method needs is a little time and care, and you’ll be left with mushrooms that look and smell the part.
Poaching in butter includes steeping the seasoned mushrooms in slowly melted butter for a maximum of 15 minutes. If you cut king oysters in a way that has them resemble scallops, you can use this method to make a vegan or vegetarian version of the classic seafood dish that is just as divine!
Either serve them directly or sear them in a pan to make the outsides crispy. Oyster mushrooms can also be cooked sous vide in a liquid marinade if you’re looking for a quicker and more flavorful method of prep.
Smoking
One way to imbue oyster mushrooms with some smokiness and depth is to smoke them for about half an hour with any kind of wood chips you prefer, like hickory, apple, or pecan chips. Add some fresh thyme, rosemary, chili flakes, or any seasoning that is to your liking while smoking them and you will be left with mushrooms that exhibit hints of these flavors.
Oyster mushrooms cooked this way are a great addition to any dish and can be used as a filling when making burgers and sandwiches. To make them even more flavorful, toss them in some sauce (buffalo, hot sauce, or any that you like) after the first smoke and smoke them again for about 15 minutes. This technique helps them retain their moisture and prevents the sauce from drying out. Remember to soak your woodchips for about 30 minutes before smoking your mushrooms.
How to cook dried mushrooms?
Mushrooms are unique in that they can be used and stored fresh or dry. Both options have different flavor profiles and concentrations, as well as different textures, making each one most ideal to use in certain specific ways.
Dried mushrooms have a more concentrated umami flavor and chewy texture, and need to be rehydrated before use. Soaking them in water for 20-30 minutes. Discard the water and add them to the recipe when you would add fresh ones.
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