Mouthwatering butter and ponzu deliciousness doused in each bite! Our super easy, 3-minute sautéed shiitake mushroom recipe is a must-try!
Shiitake mushroom is a commonly used ingredient in many East Asian cuisines. It’s a very flavorful mushroom that is extremely versatile and has been used in a variety of forms.
Although shiitake is commonly used, there are still many who don’t know how to cook shiitake mushrooms, or what ingredients to cook it with, as it’s less common in North America.
We’re here to show you just one of the ways it can be prepared. A simple sauté, using only butter and ponzu for flavoring, will have you a side dish bursting with umami goodness!
What is Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms?
Shiitake is cooked in a variety of ways, but an easy one is sautéed shiitake mushrooms. You don’t need many ingredients because shiitake itself has a very powerful flavor that will likely end up being the main attraction.
For this recipe, it is simply sliced shiitake mushroom caps, cooked in oil and butter, and sprinkled with green onions and ponzu. Super easy, but the flavor that cooked shiitake brings out is remarkable – deep, rich, and full of umami.
This can be enjoyed as a side dish on its own, or to enhance a protein such as steak or chicken. It can also be enjoyed with a simple fresh bowl of rice of choice!
What are shiitake mushrooms?
Shiitake mushroom is a staple ingredient found in many Asian dishes.
It has a rich, woodsy, earthy flavor that is intensified when cooked, resulting in a deep, savory umami flavor. For this reason, shiitake is also commonly used as a soup base/broth (‘dashi’ in Japanese).
The earliest written record of shiitake cultivation was found in China but was eventually adapted into a book by a Japanese horticulturist. This is the reason why the name of the mushroom is in Japanese – ‘shi’ (for the family of trees in which the mushrooms were cultivated) and ‘take’ (which means mushroom in Japanese).
It is also known for its diverse health benefits. They are considered to have medicinal properties, which could help fight cancer and other diseases. It also contains one of the highest amounts of natural copper, a mineral that supports healthy blood vessels, heart health, bones, and boosts immunity.
Fun fact – shiitake contributes to about 25% of the total yearly production of all mushrooms worldwide!
What does sauteed shiitake mushrooms with butter ponzu taste like?
The shiitake is earthy and full of umami flavoring. The butter helps to deepen the taste profile and brings a little saltiness and richness to the dish.
The ponzu cuts right through this richness by bringing in a fresh, citrusy soy sauce element, helping to balance out the flavors. The green onions also help to break up any heaviness, by adding a bit of tang and spiciness to each bite.
How to prepare shiitake mushrooms for cooking?
To start, make sure you wash and clean the mushrooms thoroughly to get rid of any dirt, and dry completely with a paper towel. De-stem, cut in slices, or use whole depending on the recipe.
If using whole, as is typically found in Asian hot pot recipes, there have been many creative ways that shiitake has been prepared/presented. One common style you may have seen is the star shape (as shown in this picture).
This method of cutting is not only for presentation. It also has a purpose – to help the shiitake absorb more of the juice/soup!
Note – there are two types of shiitake mushrooms: fresh and dried. Fresh shiitake is the same as your typical mushroom found in the produce section of the supermarket. Dried shiitake are usually found in clear plastic packages in the dried goods section. The latter has a more concentrated flavor and is traditionally used to make broth or as a flavoring base.
How long should shiitake mushrooms be cooked?
This is an area of debate.
It is said that raw or undercooked shiitake may cause an allergic reaction, known as “shiitake dermatitis”, resulting in a skin rash.
However, this is known to be rare and is not commonly heard of in Eastern Asia.
Our recipe calls for a 2-3 minute cooking time, or until tender. Feel free to adjust the cooking time based on your level of comfort.
What ingredients do I need to make this shiitake mushroom recipe?
- Shittake Mushroom – make sure to buy fresh shiitake mushrooms (not dried). Look for those with thicker caps. Avoid those that look wet, slimy, or shriveled.
- Neutral Cooking Oil – high temp neutral cooking oil such as vegetable oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil.
- Butter – 100 percent butter made from cow’s milk.
- Ponzu – a citrus-based soy sauce commonly used in Japanese cooking.
- Green Onion – chopped.
How to saute shiitake mushrooms with butter ponzu sauce?
First, clean, de-stem, and slice mushrooms into thin slices. Then, chop green onions and set aside.
Add cooking oil to a pan or skillet. After the oil is heated, lower the temperature to medium heat, and add in the sliced shiitake mushrooms. Cook for about 1 minute.
Add in the butter, and cook for about another minute. The mushrooms will start to have a brown glaze. Mix in the green onions and turn off the heat.
Pour ponzu on top before serving and enjoy hot.
What other ways can you cook shiitake mushrooms?
Shiitake is versatile in the sense that it can be used as an ingredient in itself, or as a flavoring base.
As a base, it’s used to make broths for soups, noodles, sauces, vegetables, etc. They can also be used as a base for steaming and poaching fish.
As far as the mushroom itself, you can find shiitake floating in soups, such as hot pots, or slow-cooked in a Japanese simmered dish called ‘nimono’. Shiitake mushroom stir fry is also another popular way it’s prepared.
Shiitake are even delicious by simply grilling over a fire with some salt and pepper, yakitori-style.
More modern takes have found shiitake in dishes like pasta, burger-style (Japanese ‘hambagu’), stuffed mushrooms, and even pizza!
There are so many shiitake mushroom recipes that it’s no wonder it’s a staple in Asian cuisine!
What is the nutrition information for this shiitake mushroom stir fry recipe?
- 258 Calories
- 6g Carbohydrates
- 2g Fiber
- 2g Protein
- 26g Fat
- 30mg Cholesterol
- 156mg Sodium
- 295mg Potassium
- 14mg Calcium
- 1mg Iron
- 470ui Vitamin A
- 2mg Vitamin C
Looking for other mushroom recipes?
- Garlic Butter Enoki Mushrooms
- Baked Miso Portobello Mushrooms
- Miso Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
- Bacon Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Now, let’s get making this Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms with Butter Ponzu recipe!
- Prepping Time 1M
- Cooking Time 2M
- Total Time 3M
- Net Carb/Serv ~4g
- Servings 2
Ingredients
- 3 oz Fresh Shiitake Mushroom (about 3 pieces)
- 1 tbsp Neutral Cooking Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 tsp Ponzu
- 1 Stalk Green Onion
Directions
1) Gather all the ingredients.
2) Cleaned, de-stem, and slice shiitake mushroom into thin slices as shown below.
3) Chop green onions and set aside.
4) Add cooking oil to a large frying pan or wok. Once the oil is up to temp, adjust temp to medium, add in sliced shiitake mushroom and cook for 1 minute.
5) Add in butter and until mushrooms have a brown glaze to them, about 1 minute. Mix in green onions and transfer to a serving plate. Pour ponzu sauce on top and enjoy hot.
Hope you enjoy your Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms with Butter Ponzu!
If you’re looking for other recipe ideas, be sure to check out our growing Recipe Index full of healthy Asian inspired recipes!
Join us on Facebook to be part of our interactive discussions & recipe requests and follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, or subscribe to our New Recipe Notification and be the first to know when we post a new recipe!
Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms with Butter Ponzu
Ingredients
- 3 oz Fresh Shiitake Mushroom about 3 pieces
- 1 tbsp Neutral Cooking Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 tsp Ponzu
- 1 Stalk Green Onion
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Cleaned, de-stem, and slice shiitake mushroom into thin slices as shown below.
- Chop green onions and set aside.
- Add cooking oil to a large frying pan or wok. Once the oil is up to temp, adjust temp to medium, add in sliced shiitake mushroom and cook for 1 minute.
- Add in butter and until mushrooms have a brown glaze to them, about 1 minute. Mix in green onions and transfer to a serving plate. Pour ponzu sauce on top and enjoy hot.
Video
Nutrition
*This page contains affiliate marketing links*
