Sautéed Morel Mushrooms in Butter Easy Gourmet Side Dish Recipe
A simple and elegant sautéed morel mushrooms in butter recipe that highlights the mushrooms’ earthy flavor. Perfect as a quick gourmet side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225g) fresh morel mushrooms or 1 ounce (28g) dried morels
- 3 tablespoons (45g) unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 small shallot, finely diced (about 1/4 cup) – optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Morels (10 minutes): If using dried morels, soak them in warm water or vegetable broth for 20–30 minutes until plump. Drain through a fine mesh sieve and gently pat dry with paper towels to remove excess water. For fresh morels, gently rinse under cold water to remove dirt and grit, then slice in half lengthwise if large.
- Sauté Shallots and Garlic (3-4 minutes): Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and cook until translucent and soft, about 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Morels and Cook (6-8 minutes): Add the prepared morels to the skillet in a single layer if possible. Cook undisturbed for 3 minutes to get a slight golden sear, then stir gently and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes until tender and browned.
- Finish with Butter and Thyme (1-2 minutes): Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and fresh thyme leaves. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cook for another minute until the butter is melted and everything is glossy.
Notes
Use unsalted butter for best flavor and control of salt. Soak dried morels thoroughly to remove grit and rehydrate. Cook morels undisturbed initially to develop a golden crust. Salt at the end to avoid sogginess. Fresh thyme is preferred over dried. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup per se
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
Keywords: morel mushrooms, sautéed mushrooms, butter mushrooms, gourmet side dish, easy mushroom recipe, mushroom side dish, fresh morels, dried morels