Garlic Butter Mushrooms (15 minutes) | Get Inspired Everyday!

Name: Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 3 tbsp unsalted butter (ghee, olive oil, or avocado oil); 10 ounces Crimini mushroom (thoroughly cleaned and sliced 1/4" thick, 14 mushrooms, or 4 cups sliced); 1 large clove garlic (peeled and thinly sliced); 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary (thyme, or sage, options); 1/4 tsp ground sea salt (or to taste)

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These Garlic Butter Mushrooms are a super easy and versatile side dish that can make an ordinary dinner seem special. They’re naturally gluten-free with dairy-free and vegan options as well. Try adding them to everything from freshly cooked pasta, or to your next steak night.

Straight down view of Garlic Butter Mushrooms in a white skillet with a wood spatula scooping some out.

These Garlic Butter Mushrooms are definitely not another boring side dish. In fact, they quickly become the star of the show, they’re just so flavorful. They’re also one of my favorite ways to add another veggie to a meal in just minutes.

The garlic-butter flavor is also super versatile and can be paired with so many things. I’ve used them as an omelet filling, as a topping for my Creme Fraiche Risotto, and tossed into a salad for lunch.

So… you might want to make an extra batch just to have it on hand in the refrigerator. I think you’re easily going to be able to find all sorts of ways to use these!

And speaking of which, our favorite way to serve these is with steak for special dinners, (see inspiration below). But they’re also great with everyday kinds of meals too.

Side view of garlic butter mushrooms in a white skillet with a wood spatula scooping some out.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Crimini mushrooms, butter, garlic, sea salt, and rosemary sprigs on a wood cutting board.

Mushrooms – I like to use Crimini mushrooms here because they’re a bit more flavorful than regular white button mushrooms. But you can use any mushrooms you have available. And if you should ever get your hands on some morel mushrooms, well… you’re definitely in for a treat!
Butter – for the ‘garlic-butter’ flavor, but ghee, avocado oil, and olive oil all work. So feel free to choose whichever one is best for you. Also as I mentioned above using olive or avocado oil is a more neutral flavor and makes these mushrooms even more versatile.
Garlic – fresh minced garlic is a must here! This is a very simple dish and jarred garlic isn’t going to give great results. In a pinch, I would use a touch of garlic powder over anything from a jar.
Herbs – These are optional, but I love using rosemary, sage, or thyme here. In the summer months chives or a sprinkling of freshly chopped parsley is nice as well.

How to make this recipe step by step

Two hands mincing up the fresh rosemary on a wood cutting board.

Step 1: Start by mincing up the fresh rosemary or thyme. Be sure to remove the tough woody stems before chopping.

Two hands using a pairing knife to slice up the Crimini mushrooms.

Step 2: Clean away any dirt from the mushrooms with a damp paper towel.

Then slice the mushrooms into 1/4″ thick slices.

Sautéing the minced garlic and rosemary in melted butter in a large skillet with a wood spoon.

Step 3: Preheat a large (9″) skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot but not smoking add the butter.

When the butter has just melted, add the garlic and chopped rosemary. Cook briefly just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Sautéing the mushrooms in a large cast iron skillet with a wood spoon.

Step 4: Add the mushrooms and toss together with the garlic herb butter. Cook the mushrooms stirring only as they brown.

Don’t stir them too often and maintain the heat at a level that they are browning without excess water in the pan. But not so hot that the pan smokes and the mushrooms burn.

Sprinkling sea salt over the sautéed garlic butter mushrooms in a large cast iron skillet.

Step 5: When the mushrooms are just about done, season them to taste with sea salt and pepper if desired.

Finished Garlic Butter Mushrooms in a white skillet with rosemary sprigs on the side.

Ways to serve these Garlic Butter Mushrooms

These sauteed mushrooms are wonderful paired with steak, chicken, or pork chops. Try them with my Tuscan Steak or Air Fryer Ribeye.
They also pair well with larger roasts: Roast Chicken, Beef Tenderloin, Pork Sirloin Roast, and Pork Tenderloin.
Toss them in with your favorite pasta dishes. They’re great mixed into my Gluten Free Mac and Cheese. Or toss freshly cooked pasta together with the mushrooms and my Garlic Parmesan Sauce or Tomato Cream Sauce.

FAQ’s

What is the best way to sauté mushrooms?

A combination of high heat and not overcrowding the pan is the best way to sauté mushrooms. You want the mushrooms to sear and brown on the edges without shedding so much liquid that they simmer. This is why it’s so important not to add to many mushrooms to 1 pan. Use a large pan or cook the mushrooms in batches if you have a small pan.

Should I sauté mushrooms in oil or butter?

You can use either oil or butter to sauté mushrooms. The benefit of using oil is it has a higher smoke point so you can sauté over higher heat and it’s dairy-free as well. Butter needs a slightly lower heat so it doesn’t burn, but it adds incredible flavor.

Storing leftovers

To store – place any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Make ahead – these are best made fresh if you want to serve them with something like steak. But they can be made ahead and reheated. We’ve found they are best added to other dishes like soups, pasta dishes, or scrambled eggs.
Reheating – place any leftovers into a skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly adding a bit of water to keep them from sticking until they’re heated through.
To freeze – these mushrooms can be frozen for up to 6 months in an airtight container. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating. The thawed mushrooms will be a bit softer.

Close macro view of sliced Garlic Butter Mushrooms with a wood spatula scooping them up.

Tips & Tricks

Don’t overcrowd the pan! This is super important because your mushrooms will ‘steam’ rather than sauté. It won’t ‘ruin’ them or anything, you just won’t have that lovely caramelized flavor or great texture you’re looking for. When you first add mushrooms to a hot pan, they suck up all the butter/oil and it seems like it might be too dry. But don’t worry, they start shedding water soon. And in no time they’re browned like the pictured below.
Don’t walk away! These come together in just a few minutes over high heat. It’s too easy to burn things at high heat, so it’s best to give them your full attention for the few minutes they’re cooking. You won’t be sorry after one bite of pure good flavor!
No more rubbery mushrooms! Rubbery mushrooms happen when mushrooms ‘steam’ rather than sauté. So along with not crowding the pan, you want to make sure your mushrooms are thoroughly dried before cooking.
How to clean mushrooms? A damp cloth works well for mostly clean mushrooms. But when I get a batch with a lot of visible dirt, I do go ahead and wash them under running water, despite all the controversy about this. If I wash them under running water, I spread them out and allow them to dry for at least an hour before cooking. As mentioned above, water is the enemy here because you don’t want your mushrooms ‘steaming’!

Dietary Options & Substitutions

Dairy-free – use dairy-free butter or olive oil.
Paleo & Whole30 – use ghee or olive oil.
Vegan or Vegetarian – use vegan butter or olive oil.

Straight down view of garlic butter mushrooms in a white skillet with a wood spatula and rosemary sprigs on the side.

Everything you need for an Italian Dinner Party

This is a dinner I have made over the years for special occasions, birthdays, and date nights! If you’re really going ‘all out’, start with my Antipasto Platter. For the 1st course or ‘pasta’ course try my Creamy Butternut Risotto.
Then follow that with my Tuscan Style Steak paired with these mushrooms and Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus.
And finally, for dessert, I would lean towards the Healthy Chocolate Tart or the Chocolate Hazelnut Pudding. They’re both equally delicious, and even better they’re made ahead, and so easy!

Inspiration for Easy Veggie Side Dish Recipes

And you can head on over to see all our best side dishes recipes in one place. I really hope you enjoy these sautéed Garlic Butter Mushrooms! If you do get a chance to make this recipe, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.