Whether you're looking for a mouthwatering side dish or a delectable topping for steaks, burgers, and more, this simple recipe for Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions delivers. The combination of tender mushrooms and sweet, caramelized onions creates brings rich, savory flavors to your table.
Certain aromas can immediately bring me a sense of joy and comfort. When fresh onions and mushrooms come together in a skillet, I can feel the tension leave my shoulders as I anticipate the delicious meal that is about to be served. As they start to cook, the onions turn golden and caramelized, their natural sweetness blending seamlessly with the earthy mushrooms.
Adding garlic and herbs to the mix takes this dish to a whole new level. Each bite of these sauteed mushrooms and onions is a silky, smooth experience, bursting with rich, well-balanced flavors that make every mouthful a delight.
What I love most about this dish is its versatility. It’s the perfect topping for steaks, pork chops and adding a layer of complexity to every bite. Burgers become gourmet with a generous spoonful of these savory vegetables.Even on their own, served hot as a side dish or cold in a salad, these mushrooms and onions shine. Their rich, buttery taste and satisfying texture make them a hit no matter how you serve them.
If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy sauteed onions and peppers or marinated mixed mushroom salad.
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Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter – Butter is essential for creating a rich and silky texture in this dish. If using salted butter, reduce the amount of added salt later in the recipe. You can also use olive oil or your favorite neutral cooking oil.
- Fresh Mushrooms – Cremini mushrooms(also called baby bella mushrooms) or white button mushrooms are perfect for this recipe because they have a firm texture and earthy flavor. When sautéed, they become tender and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Yellow Onions – Yellow onions have a natural sweetness that intensifies as they caramelize. Thinly slicing them ensures they cook evenly and blend well with the mushrooms.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic adds a punch of savory flavor.
- Thyme – Dried thyme is herby and has a slight lemony flavor.
- Salt – Sea salt enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Pepper – A touch of freshly ground black pepper adds a gentle spiciness.
- Chili Flakes – For a bit of a kick, chili flakes introduce a mild spiciness that complements the savory ingredients without overpowering them. You can omit if you don't want any spiciness.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Saute Mushrooms and Onions
- Step 1: Heat a medium size non-stick skillet on medium-high heat. Melt 2 tablespoons (half) of the butter in the skillet. Saute the sliced mushrooms until tender. About 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add the rest of the butter in the same skillet and let it melt. Cook onion for 1 minute then turn to low medium. Add garlic and thyme.
- Step 3: Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until onions are soft and golden brown in color. Make sure to stir occasionally.
- Step 4: Add mushrooms back to pan along with with salt, pepper and chili flakes. Cook for 3 more minutes.
Hint: Slice the mushrooms and onions to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
Variations/ Substitutions
- Mushrooms – Experiment with different mushrooms. Use portobello mushrooms for a meatier texture and richer flavor. Shiitake mushrooms add a more intense, umami flavor and a slightly chewy texture.
- Onions – We used yellow onions but you can use red onions or even shallots for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Roasted Garlic – Use roasted garlic for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Herbs – Experiment with other herbs. Rosemary and oregano are good choices. Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence will also work well. You can also add some fresh herbs like a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil at the end of cooking.
- Spices – Add a bit of smoked paprika or cumin for more flavor.
- Wine/Vinegar – Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine, red wine or balsamic vinegar. A dash or Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce can also increase the umami flavor.
- Spice – You can omit the chili flakes if desired. For more spice increase the amount.
Storage
Store the cooled mushrooms and onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow the mushrooms and onions to cool completely at room temperature to prevent condensation.
Sauteed mushrooms and onions can be reheated in a skillet until warmed through. Frozen mushrooms should be thawed overnight in the fridge.
Cooking Tips
- Mushrooms and sautéed onions are the star of this recipe so use fresh produce for better flavor and texture.
- Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel rather than using water. This prevents sogginess.
- Slice the onions and mushrooms uniformly to ensure even cooking.
- Preheat the skillet so the butter melts and you get proper caramelization.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet with mushrooms. If necessary, cook them in batches.
- Start with medium heat for sautéing the mushrooms and then reduce to medium-low when cooking the onions.
- Cook the onions slowly so they caramelize and become sweet.
- Stir the onions, but only occasionally. This will prevent them from sticking to the pan and ensure even caramelization.
- Add garlic towards the end of cooking the onions to prevent it from burning. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions are the perfect accompaniment and easy side dish to a variety of dishes, adding depth and flavor to your meals. Pair them with this Perfect Grilled Steak for a savory, mouthwatering combination. Top your Philadelphia Cheesesteak Breakfast Sandwiches with these caramelized vegetables for a hearty and delicious start to your day. They can elevate Grilled Burgers to gourmet status and are perfect for serving alongside Baked Bratwurst Sausages straight from the oven. The possibilities are endless and you can enhance a variety of dishes with their rich, savory taste.
FAQ
While crimini and button mushrooms work great, you can experiment with other varieties like portobello, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms for a different flavor and texture.
Soggy mushrooms can occur when the pan is overcrowded. To avoid soggy mushrooms, ensure your skillet is hot before adding the mushrooms, and do not overcrowd the pan. Use a larger skillet or cook them in batches if necessary. This helps them sauté properly instead of steaming.
If you don't have fresh garlic, you can use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder as a substitute. It will still add a nice garlic flavor to the dish.
If you like this sauteed mushrooms and onions recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter divided use
- 8 ounces mushrooms crimini or button work best
- 2 medium sized yellow onions peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
Instructions
- Heat a medium size non-stick skillet on medium high heat. Melt 2 tablespoons (half) of the butter in the skillet. Saute mushrooms until tender. About 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add the rest of the butter in the same skillet and let it melt. Cook onion for 1 minute then turn heat to medium. Add garlic and thyme. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until onions are soft and golden in color. Make sure to stir occasionally.
- Add mushrooms back to pan along with with salt, pepper and chili flakes. Cook for 3 more minutes. Remove and serve as a side dish or as an appetizer on bread.
Nutrition
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Gloria says
I love the combination of mushrooms and onions together. This makes a great side dish for steak. Using different mushrooms makes a nice change each time.
Veronika says
I could eat sauteed mushroom with anything and everything so I absolutely loved this recipe! The addition of caramelized onions reminded me of Fresh onion soup. So delicious with our steak!
veenaazmanov says
I would surely love to make a batch of this flavorful topping and store in my kitchen. Will help me to make some amazing dishes. Thanks for sharing.
Tammy says
A perfect steak topper! Definitely need to make this for burgers too..looks so delicious!
Juyali says
Yum! I had a bunch of mushrooms that I needed to use, and this recipe was just perfect for that. The flavors melded together beautifully. I simply had them with some rice for a healthy vegetarian meal. Delish!
Jacqueline Debono says
I have never paired mushrooms with onions before. Wow what a lovely flavour combo. Fantastic with steak and burgers!
Erin says
I made this for some steak today and people were eating it straight from the bowl. 😆 We all loved it! Will make again soon. Thanks!
Leslie says
I love your idea of serving this with a philly cheesesteak breakfast sandwich! What a great way to add some flavor to a great recipe!
Molly Kumar says
I love the skillet sautéed mushrooms with onions and these came out soooo delicious!!! The seasoning was perfect and we paired it with grilled lamb.
lisa says
Molly,
Glad you enjoyed!
Lisa
Moop Brown says
These sauteed mushrooms and onions seem very versatile and tasty. I can see these pairing well with a burger or taco recipe.