What are Cremini Mushrooms?

Cremini mushrooms, also called baby bella mushrooms, are an immature mushroom.  When left to mature, this mushroom turns into a portobello mushroom.  Cremini mushrooms have short white stems, rounded brown caps, and white interiors.  The mushroom caps typically have a slight texture which may be a lighter or darker brown.  Quality cremini mushrooms feel firm, spongy, and dry to the touch.  If the brown gills on the underside of the cap are exposed, the mushroom may not be fresh.

What Do Cremini Mushrooms Taste Like?

Cremini mushrooms have an earthy, meaty flavor.

How Do You Eat Cremini Mushrooms?

Eat all parts of cremini mushrooms raw or cooked.  Make sure to clean mushrooms with a damp cloth before using them.  One common way people enjoy cremini mushrooms includes tossing them into salads.  People use a variety of methods to cook cremini mushrooms, including sauteing, roasting, and grilling.  Serve cremini mushrooms stuffed, with pasta, in sauces, or in soup recipes.  Cremini mushrooms pair well with garlic, beef, chicken, or rice.  For a more intense flavor in dishes using button mushrooms, use cremini mushrooms instead.

Where Can You Buy Cremini Mushrooms?

Look for cremini mushrooms in the produce section of the grocery store.  They may come in shrink-wrapped packaging.

How Do You Store Cremini Mushrooms?

Do not wash cremini mushrooms before storing them.  Wrap cremini mushrooms in dry paper towels and place them in a paper bag.  Store the paper bag in the refrigerator.

Fun Facts About Cremini Mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms have roots in medicinal practices in different countries.

Did You Know?

Button mushrooms and cremini mushrooms come from the same mushroom family!  Button mushrooms have white caps while cremini mushrooms have brown caps.  Cremini mushrooms also have a more intense flavor than button mushrooms.

Recipes Using Cremini Mushrooms

Stuffed Cremini Mushrooms

Stuff cremini mushrooms to create a delicious appetizer. Begin by removing the stems from the cremini mushrooms. Create a filling for the mushrooms. Common fillings include jalapeño and parmesan cheese, bacon and cheddar cheese, or sausage and cream cheese. Stuff the mushroom caps with the filling and bake.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Serve cremini mushrooms alongside creamy alfredo. Add raw or cooked cremini mushrooms to alfredo sauce and stir. Serve the sauce over fettuccine pasta and top with parmesan cheese and parsley.

Sauteed Cremini Mushrooms with Garlic

Start by heating olive oil and butter in a saute pan. Brown the cremini mushrooms on one side, then add the garlic. Cook together, then serve topped with fresh rosemary, salt, and pepper.

Mushroom Pizza

Make a tasty pizza loaded with cremini mushrooms. Use a rolling pin to roll out your pizza dough and place the dough on a pizza pan. Top with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, cremini mushrooms, and garlic. Bake until the dough is cooked and the cheese melts.

Our related cooking video about how to make homemade pizza from scratch.

Mushroom Rice

Rice dishes benefit from cremini mushrooms. Cook long-grain white rice in chicken broth and garlic. Stir in cremini mushrooms and fresh thyme before serving.