Vegan Garlic Butter Mushrooms

These vegan garlic butter mushrooms are rich, savory, and packed with garlic flavor. They make an excellent side dish, appetizer, topping for pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even toasted bread.

Servings

4 servings

Preparation Time

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 500 g (1 lb) cremini mushrooms, button mushrooms, or a mix, cleaned and halved
• 3 tablespoons vegan butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Fresh Herbs

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)

Optional Flavor Enhancers

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Equipment

• Large skillet or frying pan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Small knife and cutting board

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Mushrooms

1. Wipe mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel.
2. Avoid soaking them in water, as mushrooms absorb moisture easily.
3. Trim tough stem ends if necessary.
4. Leave small mushrooms whole; halve or quarter larger ones.

Step 2: Heat the Pan

1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the vegan butter.
3. Allow the butter to melt completely.

Step 3: Sauté the Mushrooms

1. Add mushrooms in a single layer.
2. Let them cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes to develop a golden-brown color.
3. Stir and continue cooking for another 4–5 minutes.
4. The mushrooms will release moisture and then begin to caramelize.

Step 4: Add Garlic Butter

1. Reduce heat to medium.
2. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons vegan butter.
3. Stir until melted.
4. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes.
5. Cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.

Step 5: Season

1. Stir in:
   • Soy sauce or tamari
   • Salt
   • Black pepper
   • Thyme
2. Cook for another 1–2 minutes.

Step 6: Finish

1. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in lemon juice and nutritional yeast if using.
3. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the mushrooms:

• Over mashed potatoes
• With steamed rice
• Alongside grilled vegetables
• Tossed with pasta
• On toasted sourdough bread
• As a filling for wraps or sandwiches
• On top of baked potatoes

Storage

Refrigerator

• Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating

• Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes.
• Add a small splash of water or vegetable broth if needed.

Freezing

• Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 140–170
• Protein: 4–5 g
• Carbohydrates: 7–9 g
• Fat: 11–13 g
• Fiber: 2–3 g