Spring has more or less sprung in the Northern Hemisphere, and for mushroom hunters, this time of year is better known as foraging season. While wildcrafting is harvesting plants for tonics, foraging is all about what you can eat.
That’s why the elusive morel mushroom is the star of springtime among all of the favorite mushrooms to collect for delicious meals and dehydrated wellness powders.
What are morel mushrooms?
Chock-full of earthy, nutty flavors, the morel mushroom is the perfect star of fungi-based dishes. Rather than boasting the usual slimy texture of other mushroom varieties, the morel has a meatier feel that’s perfect for substituting meat-based proteins. Knowing how to cook morel mushrooms is to love morel mushrooms.
Despite efforts to cultivate and farm morel mushrooms like other commonly-consumed fungi, this fickle species thrives in the wild, making it the perfect fungi to scavenge for on your next hike.
Morel mushrooms vary and shape and size, ranging from round and stout to more oblong, rod-like appearances. Their true tell, however, is their honeycomb-like exterior and white, hollow interior. Beware of imposters, or false morels, which are yellow or reddish-brown in color and have a lop-sided cap and solid inside. Be sure to forage for mushrooms with an experienced guide or an almanac for identifying your finds.
Dried morels are commonly sold for culinary uses at local farmer’s markets, specialty stores, or online to beat the morel’s short growing season. However you prefer to collect your shrooms, we have a complete list of perfect morel mushroom recipes from around the web.
Sautéed Asparagus and Morels with Gribiche Dressing
Image Source: Bon Appetit
Difficulty: 1/5
This recipe makes cooking morels as easy as 1-2-3 steps. The hardest part about this recipe is making the Gribiche dressing, so if you’re new to morel mushrooms, this one will surely expand your palette just enough.
Sautéed Morel Mushrooms Recipe
Image Source: serious eats
Difficulty: 1/5
Even easier. Beginners should start here to get acquainted with prepping, cooking, and pairing morel mushrooms, and what’s better than garlic, shallots, and butter?
Mushroom Toasts with Watercress and Chives
Image Source: Bon Appetit
Difficulty: 2/5
Because anything goes well on sourdough bread. While this recipe is a bit more technical, cooking your morel mushrooms is as easy as oil in a hot pan.
Fried Morel Mushrooms
Image Source: Hunter Angler Gardener Cook
Difficulty: 2/5
Tastes just like chicken! Or not, but the frying method is just about the same. Try this recipe for your next Meatless Monday.
Fried Morels & Lemon Crema
Image Source: foodworth feed
Difficulty: 2/5
Once you’ve mastered your crispy fried morel mushrooms, add some juj with a lemon crema made with lemon zest and fresh black pepper. This pan-fried recipe might make you kick calamari to the curb for good.
Morel Mushroom Pasta In Parmesan Cream Sauce
Image Source: Burrata and Bubbles
Difficulty: 2/5
Just like your typical Wednesday night pasta night, but better! This simple sauce lets these wild mushrooms shine alongside olive oil and parmesan cheese. This recipe even includes cooking options for fresh and dried morels.
Morel Mushroom and Quinoa Salad
Image Source: The Sophisticated Caveman
Difficulty: 2/5
Plant-based, vegetarian, and easily vegan-friendly, this salad is the perfect side dish to pair with your favorite protein for a well-rounded dinner plate. Hearty and earthy, what more is there to ask for?
Morel Mushroom Quiche with Caramelized Red Onions
Image Source: Nordic Forest Foods
Difficulty: 3/5
Everyone knows that onions over medium heat equals perfection, and this quiche recipe knows it too. Easily adaptable with any veggies you want, this recipe is multi-dimensional, just like morel mushrooms.
Asparagus and Morel Pizza With Garlic Confit
Image Source: Fox and Briar
Difficulty: 3/5
This vegetarian recipe packs a multi-flavored punch with slow-cooked garlic in olive oil to make the perfect pair for your fresh morel mushrooms. Even better, that same garlicky oil serves as the pizza’s base over a typical red sauce.
Psst, not all of us are pizza chefs. Store-bought dough will take this recipe from intimidating to within your reach.
Crab Stuffed Morel Mushrooms
Image Source: Forager Chef
Difficulty: 3/5
Although this recipe makes six total servings, you might want it all to yourself. Only real crab will do, too- trust- because this stuffed morel mushroom recipe is the appetizer bound to blow your dinner guests away.
Creamy Dried Morel Soup (Bisque)
Image Source: Forager Chef
Difficulty: 3/5
This might be one of the pricier recipes on this list, but its high price for high quantities of dried morel mushrooms is undoubtedly overshadowed by its decadence and high payoff. Otherwise, these ingredients may already be in your pantry, like chicken stock, heavy cream, and unsalted butter, and will surely impress in this morel soup.
Chicken and Dumplings from Scratch
Image Source: All Recipes
Difficulty: 4/5
This new twist on a classic comfort dish has a prep time and cook time that might make you want to block out your schedule, but its spoils are delicious. This recipe ramps up a tried and true southern dinner by featuring classic homemade dumplings and juicy chicken breast meat mixed with morel mushrooms.
Asparagus and Morel Risotto
Image Source: All Recipes
Difficulty: 4/5
Any experienced chef should know their way around a risotto, so why not throw some golden brown morel mushrooms in the mix for a hearty addition? With a total time of only 45 minutes, this quick recipe can be deceivingly difficult, but when adorned with white wine, sea salt, and morels, this recipe is bound to impress.
Eric Ripert’s Red Snapper and Morels in Port Reduction
Image Source: Bon Appetit
Difficulty: 5/5
This recipe may be for those who are more experienced, not only with morel mushrooms but in the kitchen. Between cooking with morels, this recipe features red snapper as its star protein and pairs it with a port reduction, a somewhat challenging technique to pick up.
Rye Porridge with Morels
Image Source: Bon Appetit
Difficulty: 5/5
If you’ve made risotto, this technique may feel familiar, but those who haven’t attempted the rice dish may find this recipe morel-ly challenging.
Veal Chops with Asparagus and Morels
Image Source: Bon Appetit
Difficulty: 5/5
This morel recipe features veal as its hero alongside asparagus seasoned with fresh thyme, sage, and chives. Perfectly balanced, decadent, and rather perfect for convincing your date that you know what you’re doing.
More morels
While morel mushrooms may be an intimidating ingredient, its flavor payoff will have you going back for seconds and thirds every time. When using this hearty fungus, ensure your cleaned morels are prepped correctly, just like any other fresh mushroom. Brush away any dirt from the nooks and crannies, but be sure not to dunk them in water to clean them. Your taste buds and immune system will indeed thank you.
When buying and storing fresh morel mushrooms, remember to keep them in a ventilated container in the refrigerator before use. Morels can last up to four days refrigerated, so be sure to cook them as soon as possible or dry them for even more shelf life.
If you’d like to continue exploring recipes like chicken marsala or mushroom risotto with tarragon, reishi mushrooms are the perfect beginner’s delight and mushroom expert’s favorite.
