Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
-Ingredients:
- 2 cups mushrooms (button, cremini, or portobello) sliced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion or shallot, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional for thickening)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for umami
Instructions:
1. Cook the Mushrooms:
- Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add mushrooms in a single layer (cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
2. Saute Aromatics:
- In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp butter. Reduce heat to medium.
- Add chopped onion/shallot and cook until soft (2-3 minutes). Stir in garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Create the Base:
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook off raw taste (skip for gluten-free; use cornstarch slurry later if needed).
- Optional Wine: Pour in white wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer until reduced by half (2-3 minutes).
4. Build the Sauce:
- Gradually whisk in broth, ensuring no lumps. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in cream, thyme, and cooked mushrooms. Season with salt, pepper, and optional Worcestershire/soy sauce.
- Simmer 5-7 minutes until thickened. Adjust consistency: add broth if too thick, or simmer longer/cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) if too thin.
5. Finish and Serve:
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in parsley.
- Serve over steak, chicken, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with extra herbs or Parmesan.
Tips:
- Browning Mushrooms: Avoid crowding the pan to ensure caramelization.
- Herbs: Substitute thyme with rosemary or tarragon for variation.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and vegan butter.
- Extra Flavor: Add a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Variations:
- Vegan Mushroom Sauce: Use plant-based butter, cream, and omit Worcestershire (or use vegan version).
- Mushroom & Bacon: Add crispy bacon bits with mushrooms.
- Tomato Twist: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste with aromatics.
Enjoy your rich, versatile mushroom sauce! 🌿🍄
