Learn How to Make the Base Recipe
Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms with Balsamic
This recipe is a variation of our Sautéed Mushrooms Base Recipe—a flexible formula designed to help you cook with confidence. Mushrooms are a nutrition powerhouse, and when sautéed with garlic, shallots, and balsamic vinegar, they become a deeply flavorful side dish you’ll want to serve again and again. Add these sauteed baby bella mushrooms to your next meal!
Must-Know Skills
To make this recipe even easier, check out these videos to learn how to:
Learn how to slice and dice like a pro in our Knife Skills 101 course!
Culinary Tips for the Best BalsamicMushrooms
Wash and dry mushrooms well. This helps them crisp instead of turning mushy.
How to clean mushrooms: Give them a quick rinse, then wipe with a towel if dirt remains. Don’t soak in water—they’ll absorb it and steam instead of sauté.
Yes, you can eat mushroom stems! Just trim any dry ends.
Fire, fat, food! Heat your pan, add butter and oil, then the mushrooms for max flavor.
Don’t stir right away. Let mushrooms caramelize before moving them around.
Avoid overcrowding. Spread mushrooms out so they sauté instead of steam.
Salt at the end. Adding salt too early pulls out moisture and prevents browning.
Add balsamic at the right time. Once mushrooms are golden brown, stir in balsamic to deglaze the pan and coat them evenly.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Mushrooms: use any mushroom of your choice! Cremini, button, and/or shiitake are all good choices!
- Unsalted butter: use salted butter (reduce added salt) or swap for oil.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: substitute canola or avocado oil. If you are looking for some quality extra virgin olive oil, head over to Enzo’s Table. Not only are their oils delicious, but their company name is the same as Chef V’s oldest son!
- Garlic: substitute 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Balsamic vinegar: try red wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, or a splash of dry red wine.
Recipe Variations
Try these flavorful add-ins:
● Add heat: sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes.
● Add greens: stir in baby spinach or kale at the end of cooking.
● Add cheese: top with Parmesan, goat cheese, or feta.
We like to buy our spices from the Spice House. They have great quality, variety, and flavor!
Check out our base recipe and other variations for more ideas and inspiration!
Equipment Recommendations
For recipe success, use the following pieces of equipment:
- Cutting Board & Chef’s Knife – for easing slicing and dicing
- Large Saute Pan – no steaming allowed
- Measuring Spoons – precision counts
- Mixing Spoon – to keep things moving, after the mushrooms brown of course
Check out our essential equipment guide to stock your kitchen with ALL the tools you need to prepare anything and everything!
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
This recipe features mushrooms, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a good source of prebiotic fiber, Vitamin D, and phytonutrients. They contain the amino acid glutamate, giving them a distinct umami taste. Umami is the savory taste sensation often found in meat.
Garlic
Garlic has strong medicinal properties – it may reduce blood pressure, boost the immune system, and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a key component of the Mediterranean Diet. It contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols. These nutrients may reduce inflammation, helping prevent cancer, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes.
Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that support cardiovascular health. Aged versions can add sweetness without adding sugar to recipes.
Explore our Ingredient Guide for more tips on choosing the freshest, most flavorful picks for your recipes. Because great ingredients = great food! 🌟🍴
How to Serve Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms
These balsamic sautéed mushrooms are incredibly versatile:
- As a side dish with chicken or fish
- Tossed in a grain bowl
- Stirred into pasta
- Served on crostini with goat cheese as an appetizer
- Added to sandwiches or wraps
Learn how to build a healthy balanced meal with our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book!
Storage Tips
Allow sauteed baby bella mushrooms to cool, then store in an airtight container. Leftovers will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Wondering how to freeze mushrooms? They can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. We found that you can reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop, either frozen or thawed.
Want more healthy mushroom recipes?
Try out these flavorful favorites!
Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms with Balsamic
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby bella mushrooms
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small shallot diced small
- 4 small garlic cloves minced
- 0.25 teaspoon kosher salt to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- Clean mushrooms by wiping off dirt with a damp paper towel. Cut into ¼” slices.
- Heat a large sauté pan (12”) over medium heat. Add butter and oil. Once butter melts, add mushrooms, shallot, and garlic. Spread the mushrooms out as evenly as possible - don’t worry they will shrink!
- Sauté for ~3-4 minutes without stirring. Then cook for ~7-9 minutes more until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
- Add balsamic vinegar to the pan, stirring to scrape up brown bits, while liquid evaporates.
- Turn off heat and garnish with fresh thyme. Enjoy!
This Post Has 2 Comments
Thank you – know nothing and learning how to cook inch by inch!
You found the right website to help!