Ontario Mushrooms 101: Easy, Versatile, and Meat-Free

In Ontario we’re lucky to have access to fresh, locally grown mushrooms all year round. Since they grow indoors, the weather doesn’t affect their growing season. Ontario mushroom farms offer fresh, high quality produce throughout every season. But Ontario grown mushrooms are not only local and sustainable, they’re also easy to prepare, incredibly versatile and make the ideal meat substitute.

Mushrooms are incredibly versatile when it comes to how they can be eaten. They can be grilled, sauteed, microwaved, butter steamed, stir-fried or enjoyed raw. They can be enjoyed in all types of meals from breakfast to dinner, from quick and easy weeknight dinners to fine dining dishes.

Mushrooms are a great way to impart depth of flavour to your meals. Some mushrooms, such as cremini, portobello, and shiitake, offer a bold earthy, umami flavour. Where others, including oyster, white “button”, king oyster, and enoki mushrooms, have more mild flavours. 

The texture of mushrooms also differs based on the variety. Portobello, shiitake, and king oysters are known for their meaty texture. Oyster mushrooms have a softer, velvety texture, and enoki mushrooms add a bit of a crunch.

If you’re looking to get into mushrooms, the most popular mushroom in Ontario, and likely the most versatile is the white “button” mushroom. You can add them to soups, salads, omelettes, stir frys, vegetable skewers, or anything else you can think of.

Try experimenting with different mushrooms, cooking techniques and flavour combinations to see what you like best. Here are some delicious recipes that highlight the versatility of mushrooms:

In addition to mushrooms being versatile and a great meat substitute, they’re also very easy to use and add to your everyday cooking. They require minimal prep; simply wash, chop (or grate, slice, puree, tear, or enjoy whole), cook, and enjoy. As mentioned above, mushrooms can be prepared in many different ways, and they pair well with an infinite number of flavours, seasonings, and ingredients, making them one of the most versatile foods.

Mushrooms typically have quick cooking times making them an easy addition to any weeknight meal. White “button” and cremini mushrooms can even be enjoyed raw, perfect for snacking on or adding to a salad. You can elevate the flavour and boost the nutrition of a simple dish just by adding some mushrooms. 

They are a budget and meal prep friendly food. Save money on groceries by buying mushrooms instead of meat (or using mushrooms to stretch certain meat dishes), and meal prepping dishes to enjoy throughout the week instead of eating out or ordering in. Dried and canned mushrooms are other alternatives to fresh mushrooms.

Due to their umami flavour and meaty texture, certain mushrooms make a great substitute for meat. If you’re looking to add more meatless dishes into your diet, mushrooms make a delicious alternative. Here are some ways to use mushrooms as meat substitutes: 

If you’re not ready to cut out meat completely, you can use crimini mushrooms in meat dishes as a way to transition to a meatless option. Adding mushrooms also works to stretch the number of portions a dish may typically make. Try adding grated mushrooms to meatballs, burgers, or a meat sauce.

Mushrooms are low in calories, packed with vitamins and minerals, and are naturally cholesterol free, fat free, and low in sodium, making them a nutritious choice for everyone. Ontario mushrooms are a flavourful, versatile, and sustainable ingredient to add to any meal. Try different varieties of mushrooms, and experiment with different mushroom recipes to find out which ones you love, and what you can add to your weekly meal routine. Visit a local store, farmer or farmers market to find fresh Ontario mushrooms and start enjoying more of this culinary powerhouse.