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Crispy Pan-Fried Morel Mushrooms in Butter

crispy pan-fried morel mushrooms - featured image

A simple and nostalgic recipe for crispy pan-fried morel mushrooms cooked in butter, delivering a rich, earthy flavor and perfect crunch. Ideal for beginners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces fresh morel mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 small garlic cloves, minced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Gently rinse 8 ounces of fresh morel mushrooms under cold water to remove dirt. Pat dry carefully with paper towels and trim the stems if tough.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Toss the morels gently in this mixture until lightly coated. Set aside for a minute.
  3. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter. Let it melt slowly until bubbling but not browned, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme to the skillet. Sauté gently for 30 seconds to infuse the butter without burning the garlic.
  5. Add the coated morels to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, turning carefully until each side is crisp and golden.
  6. The total frying time is about 8-10 minutes. The morels should be deeply golden and crisp on the outside but tender inside.
  7. Transfer the mushrooms onto a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess butter. Serve immediately for peak crispiness.

Notes

If butter starts to brown too quickly, lower the heat. Do not overcrowd the pan; fry in batches if necessary to keep mushrooms crispy. Season with flaky sea salt right before serving. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free flour. Vegan option: use vegan butter or coconut oil and add smoked paprika for flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: morel mushrooms, pan-fried mushrooms, crispy mushrooms, butter mushrooms, easy mushroom recipe, mushroom side dish, beginner recipe