The Best Mushrooms for Pizza That Will Give You Maximum Flavor (+Tips on How to Make Them)

Do you love mushrooms as much as we do?

Do you know which are the best mushrooms for pizza?

Everyone agrees that delicious mushrooms give food a distinct rich flavor, aroma, and appearance. Pairing mushrooms is an absolute joy as they go well with other toppings, such as onions, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and olives, to name a few.

Which is your favorite mushroom?

We think the cremini mushroom is the best mushroom for pizza. Here’s why.

Let’s see if you agree.

Did You Know?

For all your mushroom lovers out there. Did you know that mushrooms are one of the healthiest pizza toppings?

Mushrooms are low in calories but high in vitamins, protein, fiber, minerals, iron, and fiber.

Best Mushrooms for Pizza

Types Of Mushrooms

Sourcing mushrooms shouldn’t be difficult; you can find a wide variety and types of mushrooms at your closest supermarket or local farmers’ market.

One of the most challenging questions a mushroom lover would have to answer for a ten-year-old boy is, “If you could only eat one type of mushroom for the rest of your life, what would it be?”

To help you, we will mention some of the best mushrooms for pizza and why they are people’s favorites.

White Button Mushrooms

When you think of fresh mushrooms, the first thing that comes to mind is the image of white button mushrooms, also known as white mushrooms.

White Button Mushrooms

They are the most commonly used mushrooms in all dishes, including pineapple topping. It’s popular because it’s high in protein, fiber, and low-calorie.

Portabella Mushrooms

Do you need a meatier flavor on your pizza? Portobello mushrooms are great for people looking to substitute meat for pizza.

Portobello Mushrooms

Once you bite into the Portobello on your mushroom pizza, you will notice it is thicker than any other pizza. You can make grilled portabella mushrooms and then add them to your pizza.

 Cremini Mushrooms

Are you looking for a milder substitute for the Portobello mushroom? Cremini mushrooms are also known as “Baby Bellas” because they are just portobello mushrooms that are not fully grown.

They are harvested when they are about 1 1/2 inches wide.

Cremini Mushrooms

This brown cremini mushroom has a warm earthy taste, a meaty texture, and a subtle meaty flavor. Maximum flavor!

Then you should try Cremini mushrooms (Baby Bella Mushrooms), which perfectly balance button mushrooms and Portobello.

You can intensify their flavor by marinating, grilling, or sauteing at high heat without losing their integrity and firm texture. They absorb any flavor you add and maintain their meaty taste and texture.

You may use lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and black pepper.

Oyster Mushrooms

You should try Oyster mushrooms if you crave a warm, spring-like mushroom pizza.

Oyster Mushrooms

Pizza with oyster mushrooms gives you an earthy, warm flavor, and this mushroom is a perfect pizza topping regardless of the season.

 Chanterelle Mushrooms

If you want to incorporate a great source of vitamins and minerals, you should try Chanterelle.

Chanterelle Mushrooms

You will fall in love with the fruity and subtly spicy flavor when it comes to flavor and taste. Also, this mushroom cooks faster and can bake perfectly when adding it to your mushroom pizza.

Shiitake Mushrooms

The buttery fresh shitake flavor on your mushroom pizza will make you return for the same pizza topping.

Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms

Many people love that this mushroom has a vibrant, smoky taste, and chewy texture, especially when baking it at a higher temperature.

If you use dried shiitake mushrooms, don’t forget to rehydrate them in water or chicken stock.

 Porcini Mushrooms

If you are a mushroom lover, then you should try this mushroom. Porcini has a unique woody and earthy flavor.

Maybe that’s why they say that you will never return to the subtly flavored mushrooms once you try porcini.

Okay, nobody said that, but once you know that the mushroom is rich in protein, you will question the nutritional value of other toppings.

Morel Mushrooms

Morel is another type of mushroom that combines the best things in life, like an earthy, deep, and nutty flavor.

Morel Mushrooms

You must pay more because the mushrooms are too exclusive and rare to find at your favorite shopping mall next door.

Truffles

Eating upscale meals like pasta on the menu is common when entering a fancy restaurant. Pizza can also be served as a cuisine because of the truffle toppings.

Black Truffles

The truffle speaks class, exclusivity, and elegance and is the most expensive mushroom in the world. Truffles have a unique pungent flavor and aroma, making them one of a kind.

You can also find white truffles. Truffles also contain high fiber content, perfect for you and your friends to enjoy.

Adding truffles may be tricky because they have a strong flavor.

Other Mushroom Types

You can also find other varieties of mushrooms, such as enoki mushrooms, straw mushrooms, black mushrooms, and pink oyster mushrooms.

Other Mushroom Varieties

You may also use any of them for your pizza if you like; however, they can be expensive and hard to find.

If you have a special occasion, you may use any of the other types of mushrooms as a garnish; this will bring your pizza to another level.

Here’s Where the PROs at Homemade Pizza PRO Buy Gourmet Mushrooms and Truffles

Which Mushroom Is Best For Your Pizza Topping?

Undoubtedly, cremini mushrooms are the best mushrooms for pizza and are what many people love, including meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans.

The Cremini mushroom is like a two-for-one special because it combines the Portabella mushroom and the button mushroom.

It is an immature version of the Portobello, but what makes it different is the perfect balance of its taste. This mushroom has a subtle meaty flavor and an earthy and brothy taste.

 Creminis are the same size as the white button mushroom but are browner and more expensive. Their small mushroom size is perfect for the pizza toppings.

The white button mushrooms absorb water and get squishy because you need to cook them for a long time.

However, cremini mushrooms are less watery and absorb less water than other mushrooms, so cooking takes less time.

Note that you don’t have to use only one kind of mushroom on your pizza necessarily. You may have a mushroom mixture, combining different varieties and making it a mushroom lovers’ pizza.

Fresh or Canned Mushrooms for Pizza

If you are trying to decide which mushrooms to use for your pizza, here is our take on both options. Canned mushrooms are a great option because they are already cooked, sliced, and ready to go. Canned mushrooms are easier to store; they last longer and look good when they come out of the oven.

However, they add a lot of weight to the pizza because these pre-cut mushrooms are usually too thick, causing the slice to be too heavy and bend the crust.

Another drawback is that you can’t add flavor profiles since they are already cooked. They already contain salt and oil; adding additional seasonings would be overkill.

On the other hand, with fresh mushrooms, you cut to the desired thickness, add salt to your desired level, and any other flavor profile you like. For example, you can add garlic, thyme, and parsley. The mushrooms will absorb any seasoning you add.

The cons of using fresh mushrooms are that they last long; you must pre-cook them before using them on your pizza to prevent the crust from getting soggy. They can be time-consuming if you rush, as you must also clean them.

We think fresh mushrooms might be a little more involved than canned mushrooms in prep and cooking times. But you have control over how you want them cooked, how thick, and what flavor profile you want for your pizza.

For us, fresh mushrooms are a winner!

How Do You Properly Cook Pizza with Mushroom Toppings?

Here are the steps for making mushroom pizza:

Cooking the best mushroom pizza can seem complicated, but it is straightforward when using a suitable method.

Today, we will make a homemade pizza with mushroom pizza toppings. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

 Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough

This step is the only complicated step, and you can skip it by getting a ready-made pizza crust from your local store.

However, we do not do that here; we mix the dough and let it rise the old-fashioned way. You may check out our pizza doughball recipe to learn how to make your own.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

Ensure to preheat the oven to 500 degrees for a minimum of 45 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce and the Toppings

Start by cleaning and cutting your vegetables and mushrooms. Your prep time should not be more than 5 minutes.

Saute in a pan or a large skillet with olive oil, butter, or a combination of the two. You may also add white wine, garlic, and black pepper to give it a little kick.

Add your other vegetable and mushrooms at medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms soften. Take your cooked vegetables and set them aside to cool.

Mushroom pizza goes well with a tomato sauce with fresh herbs or a wine white sauce if you make a white pizza. The sky is the limit.

 Step 4: Prepare the Pizza Crust

Sprinkle cornmeal or semolina on the countertop and your pizza peel. Stretch your dough into a circle and place it on the pizza peel. The cornmeal will serve as tiny wheels on your crust, helping it slide easier from the peel.

Step 5: Add The Toppings

Brush your flat dough with olive oil before placing the mozzarella cheese. Add your cooked mushroom toppings and any other seasoning or garnish you want. You should also include goat cheese at the top.

Step 6: Cook Your Mushroom Pizza

Transfer your pizza to the oven and bake it for 6-10 minutes. You will know the pizza is done when the dough turns brown.

Step 7: Serve Immediately

Garnish your pizza, sprinkle some parmesan cheese, and make it look delicious. Cut your pizza into slices before enjoying your home-cooked meal with family or friends.

Tips to Properly Make Mushroom Pizza

You might not cook your pizza like a professional, but you will prepare a better meal than your local eatery with the proper methods and tips. These few tips include:

• Don’t use cold pizza dough. Preheat your dough to loosen the gluten if it is in the fridge. In turn, it will be easier to shape the dough.
• Use a pizza peel: The pizza peel or sheet pan makes transferring the pizza to the pan or hot pizza stone easier.
• Stretch the dough instead of rolling it. The pizza crust doesn’t need to be perfect, so you can use your hands to stretch it with the help of gravity, leaving it bubbly and elastic.
• Add a thin layer of tomato sauce. Tomatoes contain water, which can leave your crust feeling soggy.
• Use a little mozzarella, preferably low-moisture mozzarella, because otherwise, it has a lot of water, or you can skip it if you don’t need it.

Should Mushrooms be Cooked Before Being Put on Pizza?

Yes! Before adding mushrooms to the pizza, they should be precooked. By cooking them, you intensify the taste of the mushrooms, as they are cooked thoroughly.

This is standard procedure for any mushroom pizza recipe. Mushrooms have a lot of water; the same goes for onions and peppers, which can take time to break down and get juicy.

Also, crusts can absorb the water in the mushroom, leaving it too wet. In addition, this excess liquid may fall on your pizza oven, causing the stone to crack.

What Goes Well with Mushroom Pizza?

Typically, mushrooms go well with any seasoning, fresh herbs, meat toppings, or mozzarella cheese.

However, to give you some tips, you can choose mozzarella, caramelized onions, goat cheese, ham, olives, basil, oregano, spinach, chicken, and beef.

Any of these toppings will only increase the delicious flavors. You can experiment with any topping you like and create your mushroom pizza recipe.

Answering Some of the Common Mushroom for Pizza FAQS

Can You Use Raw Mushrooms on Pizza?

Not at all. It would be best not to add raw mushrooms to the pizza because they wilt and become tasteless when put in the oven, and Stir-frying mushrooms leaves them tasty and juicy.

Can You Use Wild Mushrooms on Pizza?

Yes. You can use wild mushrooms as toppings on pizzas and other cuisines.

However, don’t pick mushrooms from the forest or your garden; 3% of the mushroom varieties are poisonous.

Therefore, you can poison yourself if you don’t know how to tell mushrooms apart or are unprofessional.

Can You Use Canned Mushrooms on Pizza?

Yes, canned mushrooms are better than placing fresh, uncooked mushrooms on pizza. That is because canned mushrooms are sauteed with oil and salt before packaging.

Best Canned Mushrooms for Pizza

Here are the best-canned mushrooms for pizza. These mushrooms are the ones that we use and recommend. It can’t get any better cremini mushrooms in a can. Easy to store, last longer, and looks good when coming out of the oven.

FAQs

The Last Slice 

We’ve seen various mushroom types and found that cremini are the best mushrooms for pizza, ideal for delicious pizza toppings, and you’re probably familiar with how they taste and look.

With all this information and pizza and mushroom cooking tips, nothing stops you from making your pizza recipe or competing in a pizza cooking competition; we are sure you will be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Begin by checking out our mushroom pizza recipe or any of the latest pizza recipes online so you can prepare a light meal for your family today.

If you love pizza and learned something from this article, please share it so others can benefit. Spread the love for pizza!

Enjoy!

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