You can’t go wrong with sautéing chanterelles in butter, but trust me there are so many other MORE DELICIOUS options to try! I’ve put together The Best Chanterelle Mushroom Recipes to help you get creative in the kitchen and enjoy one of the best summer mushrooms!
What are Chanterelle Mushrooms?
Chanterelles(Cantharellus cibarius) are one the most well known wild mushrooms.They’re sought after by chefs and foodies due to their delicious flavor – in our home these are Ray’s favorite wild mushrooms that we forage for.
‘Chants’ range in color from yellow to deep orange, golden chanterelles are easy to spot in the summer forest floor.The cap is wavy and generally funnel shaped.Their ridges (they don’t have ‘gills’) appear as wrinkles that are wavy with blunt edges and run down the stem and are the same color as the rest of the chanterelle.Chanterelles also have a distinct fruity apricot-like aroma with a mild taste.
Here in Pennsylvania (aka the Mid-Atlantic Region) our chanterelle mushrooms season can start as early as June and last into September, with ideal conditions. With the peak picking season being July.
And speaking of ideal growing conditions, when the chanterelles come on they can be plentiful which means you’ll need all the Chanterelle Mushroom Recipes that you can find to use them up!
How to find Chanterelle Mushrooms?
One of the highlights of summer (July-August) are the abundance of Chanterelle Mushrooms that explode into bight gold on the forest floors here in Pennsylvania (and through out the mid-atlantic region).
They most often grow under mature hard wood trees, like maple, beech, poplar, birch and oak trees. Chants prefer moist environments so adequate rainfall will play a large part in a bountiful harvest.
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It’s common to pick several baskets full of chanterelle’s in a good season. They will range in size from 1/2 inch button chants to large 4 inch vases.
If foraging isn’t your thing or can’t find them, you can always check with better grocery stores, farmers markets and online.
Can Chanterelle Mushrooms make you sick?
Chanterelle mushrooms are a wildly popular, easy to identify and safe edible mushroom. However, I can’t stress enough that there is always a possibility that you may have an intolerance or allergy to a new food. Try just 1-2 mushrooms the first time you enjoy them, keep the preparation simple, and avoid alcohol.
Understanding proper identification of both Chanterelles and their non-edible look alike is essential for any newbie.
When it comes to poisonous look-a-likes, be mindful to not excitedly confuse chanterelle with Jack O’ Lantern mushrooms. They are poisonous but not known to be lethal (aka belly-ache and lots of bathroom time). The Jack O’ Lantern usually grows in clumps on wood (not from soillike chanterelles)and has true gills. (see below for Jack photo)
How do you Clean Chanterelle Mushrooms?
Talk about a controversial subject! Ask 10 mushroom-cooking experts and each one may give you a different answer to Do you wash chanterelle mushroom?
Never, ever just toss a dirty mushroom into your skillet! Especially when you’re making one of these 10 Delicious Chanterelle Mushroom Recipes (below). The dirt and bugs will definitely ruin any dish, right?!?
Without a doubt the best answer is to pick only the best, cleanest chanterelle mushrooms, then just give them a quick dry brush to remove any dirt.
However, most will agree it’s not idea to submerge or soak mushrooms in water but sometimes it’s necessary. If it’s been a very rainy season, dirt often splashes up all over the mushroom. In that case a quick dip or swish in cool water, or even a short soak in water with a few pinches of kosher salt, then brushing away dirt is still better than no chanterelles!
Anytime you need to wash or rinse any mushrooms, I always high recommend using a SALAD SPINNER to drain while remove excess water, moisture & debris.
Once your chants are cleaned, it’s time to get cooking! But we still have a few more things to talk about before we get to the Top 10 Chanterelle Mushroom Recipes!
How to Store Chanterelle Mushrooms?
Now that you found chanterelle mushrooms (either store bought or wild foraged) and got them cleaned up. You’re probably wondering what is the best way to store chanterelle mushrooms?
We think that keeping them in a breathable container, like a paper bag works best. You can also keep them in an uncovered bowl or in a container made specifically for storing vegetables.
How long can you keep chanterelles will greatly depend on how fresh they were when you got them and how they were stored. In the best conditions, expect 3 weeks, on average Chanterelles will keep for a week in the refrigerator.
For long-term storage, chanterelles can be sautéed and frozen, dehydrated, pickled or canned but the best way to preserve chanterelle mushrooms is by freeze drying to retain all the nutrition, flavor and texture for all wild mushrooms.
Tips for Cooking Chanterelle Mushrooms
What Herbs pair with Chanterelle Mushrooms?
I enjoy fresh parsley and fresh thyme the most with chanterelle mushrooms.
How can you prevent Chanterelle Mushrooms from Turning Brown when cooking?
Using a squeeze of fresh lemon juice when you are sautéing or cooking your mushrooms will help retain their fresh coloring and avoid turning brown. Keeping chanterelle mushrooms orange, button mushrooms white, etc.
What is the easiest way to prepare Chanterelle Mushrooms without a Recipe?
When it comes to cooking mushrooms, you can’t go wrong with a quick sautee in butter. Over medium-high heat (or medium-heat) , in a large skillet pr pan, sauté your cleaned mushrooms in butter or olive oil, with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. You can leave them whole or cut into slices, stirring often to ensure they cook fully but don’t burn. For most mushrooms it’s better to cook them longer to ensure they are cooked fully, since some can cause digestive upset if undercooked. The little bits of fat and mushroom left in the bottom of the pan can be used along with flour to make a quick pan sauce or gravy, too!
What wine pairs best with Chanterelle mushrooms?
The best wine to pair with any food is a wine that you like. However, it’s most widely acceptable to pair a dry white wine with chanterelle mushrooms and to use in chanterelle mushroom recipes. I keep my wine rack stocked with Dry Farm wines for the most affordable and sustainable wines.
What are the Best Chanterelle Recipes?
I’ve gathered the Best Chanterelle Mushroom recipes from around the web to help you enjoy one of the best mushrooms of the summer season. Below you will find Chanterelle Soup, Chanterelle Pasta and everything in-between!
Whipped Cottage Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Boats topped with Chanterelle Mushrooms
What grows together, goes together. My Whipped Cottage Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Boats topped with Chanterelle Mushrooms is a celebration of how delicious fresh summer foods can be! And they are Keto, Low-Carb and Vegetarian friendly, too.
Vegetarian Summer Wild Mushroom Paella with Chanterelles and Black Trumpets
All the fluffy yellow rice deliciousness of traditional paella, spiked with summer's best wild mushrooms for an easy vegetarian meal, myVegetarian Summer Wild Mushroom Paella with Chanterelles and Black Trumpets is a fun modern adaptation of a traditional dish.
Chanterelle Mushroom Chowder
This Chanterelle Mushroom Chowder with Crab & Corn, is so easy to make and is a creative way to enjoy Chanterelles! This delicious gluten-free soup features healthy, real food that's seasonally fresh at the same time you're picking those beautiful chants; onion, celery, garlic, thyme, corn and potatoes!
Linguine with White Clam Sauce and Chanterelles
Classic linguine and clams with chanterelle mushrooms in a white wine-clam sauce
Chanterelle Herb Biscuits with Pine Nuts
TheseChanterelle Herb Biscuits with Pine Nuts are so perfectly delicious and you don't need a big basket full of Chanterelles, just a couple hand fulls will do. You can even add (or use) other summer mushrooms like Chicken of the Woods or Oyster mushrooms in this recipe, too.
Venison Pot Roast with Chanterelle Stuffing
A roulade of venison stuffed with chanterelle duxelles, served with chanterelle cream sauce
Savory Chanterelle Mushroom Pancakes
These Savory Chanterelle Mushrooms Pancakes are a great side dish or snack. Eaten plain, or smeared with butter. Filled with chanterelles, cheese and fresh chives, trust me you'll want to make multiple bathes. And they can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months and reheated in the oven.
Chanterelle Mushroom Baked Fondue
Creamy, melted cheese and freshly foraged wild chanterelles, are the perfect combination. My Chanterelle Mushroom Fondue is a delicious appetizer or light meal for a warm summer evening!
Instant Pot Wild Mushroom Broth Recipe
Step aside bone broth, you've got some healthy competition! One of the most affordable and delicious ways to get all the health benefits of mushrooms is in my homemade Pressure Cooker Wild Mushroom Broth!
Magical Mushroom Seasoned Salt
If you like these Chanterelle Mushroom Recipes, try these next:
- Breaded Maitake Mushrooms
- The Best Fried Morel Mushroom Recipe
- Keto Hungarian Mushroom Soup
- Honey Mustard Pork Chop Kale Bowl with Apples, Mushrooms and Cauliflower Rice
What is your favorite Chanterelle Mushroom Recipe? Want to add yours to my list, comment below!
Yours in Health,
