King oyster mushrooms got their name because of their size compared to other oyster mushrooms, although they are also called king trumpet mushrooms. They are prizes for their tasty, edible stems which are about 2-inches in diameter and 6-inches long.
All oyster mushrooms are in the same Pleurotus genus, but are different species within that group. They do share some similarities on flavor and texture.
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Taste
In general, oyster mushrooms tend to be sweeter and more mild tasting than other varieties with very little earthy-mushroom aroma or bitter flavors.
However, there are a few things that set king oysters apart. They have a very strong umami flavor and a firmer texture than its relatives.
Their legendary savory (umami) flavor isn't just hype - it's real. The savoriness of mushrooms is actually a hot topic for researchers. They are able to measure the specific components responsible for savory flavors.
What has the research found? King oyster mushrooms reign supreme.
King oyster mushrooms are twice or even three times as savory as shiitake mushrooms. This is an important comparison, because shiitake mushrooms are regarded as one of the most savory mushrooms that are widely available. Shiitakes have 2-3 times more umami characteristics than other common varieties like white button mushrooms.
Outside of their umami-packed flavor profile, King oyster mushrooms taste relatively mild. Their flavor is best described as slightly nutty, almost cashew-like. They also have very little detectable mushroom-earthiness once cooked.
Texture
Their texture when cooked is firm and dense in texture, but can be chewy, similar to scallops or octopus. In fact, some people fry them up for vegetarian calamari since the texture is so similar.
The value of most mushrooms is the cap, like Portobello, shiitake, or simple white button mushrooms. King oyster mushrooms are instead valued for their big, meaty stems.
Buying king oyster mushrooms
The majority of king oyster mushrooms are cultivated and commercially grown, giving us year-round access to them. They should be available at specialty markets or Asian grocery markets all year.
The big stems and small caps also make these mushrooms very easy to clean and prepare. Simply wipe them down with a damp paper towel. There aren't many nooks & crannies, making this a quick job. Then slice them up!
Buy king oyster mushrooms with white stems and fresh looking gills on the underside. The underside should not be mushy. In the photo above, the gills are drying out and it's getting old. This is what it looked like after a week in my fridge, but it is still good enough to use.
Store the mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge and they should last up to a week. They store better and longer than most other types of mushrooms.
How to cook with king oyster mushrooms
There are several popular ways to use king oyster mushrooms that take advantage of their flavor and texture.
- Thick slices are cooked in place of scallops
- Thin slices can be cooked up like calamari
- Thick slices can be grilled on a kebab or a vegetarian version of chicken satay
- They shred well with a fork, mimicking pulled pork or chicken
- Sliced in half, lengthwise as a meat substitute
Recipes
King oyster scallops
King oyster mushroom stems can be sliced to the same size as scallops. Their meaty texture and neutral flavor makes them a perfect stand-in.
The recipe from Strength & Sunshine is quick and easy. Sliced king oyster stems are sauteed in a pan with garlic and rice vinegar (or lemon juice).
Add the oyster scallops to fettuccini, like in this recipe from The Simple Veganista.
Vegan calamari
Calamari often has a squidgy texture and not a very distinctive flavor. When king oyster mushrooms take their place, it's almost indistinguishable. The texture is actually very similar and the flavor still has a meaty umami taste to it.
This recipe from The Edgy Veg walks through the process to make fried vegan calamari. After slicing the king oyster mushrooms, she uses a tiny, round cookie cutter to make a hole in the center, so that it even looks just like calamari.
You can also try baked "calamari" with this recipe from Chow Vegan.
Pulled "pork" sandwich
Pulled pork has a distinctive texture, which can actually be mimicked by two types of mushrooms: king oyster and lion's mane. In fact, Nandor Barta from My Pure Plants claims king oyster mushrooms have a better texture than jackfruit as a meat alternative.
His vegan pulled "pork" sandwich recipe uses king oyster mushrooms, which easily turn "tender and juicy with perfectly crisp edges." The mushrooms are shredded with two forks, just like you'd shred pork.
I'm not vegan, so I usually add mushrooms to meat dishes like this, instead of fully replacing the meat. I really enjoy the extra depth of flavor it adds and the texture blends right in.
Mushroom tikka masala
Lamb and chicken are popular meat choices in a tikka masala, but don't overlook mushrooms.
King oyster mushrooms can be shredded or cut in large chunks to resemble the type of meat you want. This vegan masala recipe from Goodness My Kitchen shreds the king oyster mushrooms and adds chickpeas for a protein-packed dinner.
Mushroom "beef" bulgogi
A Korean BBQ dish like beef bulgogi is hard to replicate without beef. King oyster mushrooms will be your best bet, as they are meaty and can soak up the flavor.
While the flavor is half of the draw for beef bulgogi, the other half is the steak itself. In this case, I have to say the beef will be missed. But if you are looking for a meat alternative, try this recipe from Health My Lifestyle.
Tacos
King oyster mushrooms shred well and easily mimic the texture of shredded pork, chicken, and fish. This recipe from Healthy Grocery Girl uses king oyster and shiitake mushrooms for some crispy carnitas.
Grilled
Most mushrooms can be threaded onto a skewer and grilled, but king oyster mushrooms hold up particularly well on a grill. They can be grilled whole and steak-like or cut into rounds and skewered.
These meaty mushrooms also hold up well to a quick marinade and are delicious when brushed with sauce.
- Grilled king oyster mushrooms with bacon & teriyake glaze by Serious Eats - the bacon is placed between mushroom slices so they absorb all of the bacon flavor.
- Bacon-wrapped king oyster mushrooms from BBQ Pit Boys
- Smokey mushroom skewers from Food & Wine
Steaks
The large, thick stems make great vegetable steaks. You won't be fooling anyone that it's beef, instead, you should enjoy it for what it is. A well-seasoned vegetable steak.
If you like thick-sliced zucchini, cauliflower, or butternut squash 'steaks' - you'll probably like these.
- King oyster mushroom steaks over creamy potatoes - by Yuzu Bakes
- King oyster mushroom steaks with pesto and almonds - by Food & Wine
- Grilled king oyster mushrooms steaks - by The Pesky Vegan
Jerky
Several types of mushrooms are popular for a vegan jerky, including shiitake, porcini, and king oyster mushrooms.
Forager Chef has a good recipe that's worth trying out.
King Oyster chips
These mushrooms can be sliced lengthwise or crosswise and turned into umami-bomb chips.
The recipe from Nom Nom Paleo bakes them in the oven for about 45 minutes to get them crispy. They need to crisp up in the oven, unlike some chips which crisp up more after removing them.
They can also be deep fried, but I was unable to find a good recipe online. "Cooking with Mushrooms" by Andrea Gentl has a deep fried chip recipe with a creamy leek and garlic chive dip.
The link to the cookbook is an Amazon affiliate link, so I get a small commission if you buy something at no extra cost to you. I try to only recommend products that I've personally used, including this cookbook.
This cookbook has unique recipes that I'd recommend only for people who love mushrooms. It has the savory classics, but also desserts and cocktails. Yep!
Sauteed & pan fried
A lot of recipes for these mushrooms focus on meat alternatives, often with vegan takes on popular recipes. But that shouldn't be the only thing they are known for. They are delicious in their own right.
Enjoy them as a side or added to other dishes, just because you like them.
- Soy butter glazed king oyster mushrooms by The Woks of Life
- Ginger glazed king oyster mushrooms by Tiffy Cooks
- Gochujang king oyster mushrooms by The Foodie Takes Flight
More resources
If you're wondering what else is currently in season, check out my calendars to see what produce is in season each month (and coming up soon).
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