Mushrooms are earthy and delicious when sautéed in butter and wine and seasoned with thyme. Make this easy low carb side dish to accompany almost any protein.
Many people don’t appreciate mushrooms the way I do. I love their earthiness and somewhat nutty flavor when they’re sautéed and browned in a pan – especially when browned in butter or ghee. I like how their rich umami flavor compliments a variety of meats, vegetables, and even cheeses.
The meaty texture of mushrooms is perfect in vegetarian dishes where they often stand-in for traditional protein, and they taste great served hot or cold. Mushrooms are also a great low carb option for low carb and keto diets.
While there are millions of varieties of mushrooms through out the world, I most often cook with Italian brown mushrooms (crimini mushrooms) or white button mushrooms simply because they are affordable and widely available. I appreciate many of the gourmet varieties also, but my family does not share my enthusiasm.
There are millions of varieties of mushrooms and fungus throughout the world, but only a fraction are edible and a much smaller portion of those are cultivated.
If you are an avid forest-hiker, you may encounter many edible varieties, but don’t pick unless you know what you are doing. Here are some photos and descriptions of some common edible mushrooms, but make sure to go out with a guide the first time you go mushroom hunting. For kicks, check out this link for some really cool (and creepy) mushroom varieties, some of which are NOT edible.
Although humble in appearance, mushrooms are a healthful low carb option in the grocery aisle. They contain b vitamins, minerals (copper, potassium and Selenium), and beta-glucans which are thought to stimulate the immune system.
Some mushroom compounds are being explored in cancer research due to their ability to shrink tumors or suppress cancer cell growth. With 5 million known species of mushrooms/fungus and more being discovered every year, who knows what exciting compounds may be discovered in the near future.
What I like about an easy side like sautéed mushrooms is that it’s easy to vary. Some things I like to add are shallots, garlic, rosemary, tarragon, white wine, or balsamic vinegar. Simple additions keep the dish easy and earthy. But, it’s just as nice to add heavy cream and a few extra ingredients to make something elegant.
If you want a sauce to really impress guests, check out what I did with mushrooms and cream in my recipe for tarragon chicken thighs. It is delicious!
Serve these sauteed mushrooms with any grilled or sautéed meat.
This Easy Sauteed Mushrooms in White Wine Sauce With Thyme is 4 net carbs per serving.
Easy Sauteed Mushrooms in White Wine Sauce With Thyme
Ingredients
- 1 pound mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter or ghee
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- 1-2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Variations:
- 1 tablespoon of minced shallot or
- 1 clove minced garlic or
- chopped rosemary or
- balsamic vinegar
- two pieces bacon use rendered fat instead of butter and olive oil
Instructions
- Wash the mushrooms in a colander and dry well on a tea towel. Cut off the dried part of the stem end and then quarter each mushroom.
- Heat a 10 inch saute pan over medium heat. When hot, add 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the surface of the oil shimmers, add the mushrooms. Stir the mushrooms around until they are coated with the butter or oil. (They will absorb the oil.) Cook the mushrooms for 3 minutes and then stir. Cook another 2-3 minutes. Turn down the heat and add the butter, wine and thyme, cooking until the thyme is fragrant.
- Remove the mushrooms from a pan and add 1-2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar. The vinegar helps balance the richness of the butter. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Tarragon Chicken Thighs (low carb, keto)
Mmmmushrooms. Love them
there is no number in per serving amoumts
Hi Dean. The recipe serves 4. I divide visually rather than weighing portions. You should be able to see how many the recipe serves up near the top of the recipe card. -Kim
OMG….excellent and so easy
Awesome Amanda! So glad you liked the recipe. Enjoy your day. -Kim
My husband would love this – he loves anything mushroom!
Thanks, Sarah! -Kim
I love the photos on this post! But I’m really not a mushroom fan lol. My stepdad would love this though!
Lisa, My brother and my SIL both HATE mushrooms, so I’m not offended! ;) I think mushrooms are a love them or hate them thing. Thanks for the compliment and the comments. Have a great weekend. -Kim
These mushrooms look delicious!
Thanks Taryn. :) -Kim
Love, love, love simple sides and this looks like a winner! Your photos are always so gorgeous.
Thank you Tasha! Enjoy your day. -Kim
Sounds like a winning side to a grilled steak!
It sure would be Lisa. Yum! -Kim
I have a LOT of thyme in my garden right now, so this is a super helpful recipe!
Thanks, Georgina. My thyme is going crazy at the moment, too. Our cool-evening-inversions have begun in Southern California and my container garden is taking advantage of the respite. Thanks for commenting and have a nice week. -Kim
I looove mushrooms. We used to pick them when i was little, but these days I wouldn’t trust myself any more to know which one are edible and which aren’t! Soft goat’s cheese is also super nice with mushrooms…
Katrin, what a nice memory to have. Kids are so intuitive, I bet you spotted those mushrooms very quickly. Oh, you are so right…. mushrooms and goat cheese are amazing. Thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful day. -Kim
This would awesome over chicken or steak! Yum.
Yeah, it would, Stacey! Have an awesome week. -Kim