5 Tasty Ways to Add Mushrooms to Your Sizzle King Burger

When it comes to mushrooms, you either completely love them or they are ‘not your thing’.  But if you love mushrooms (and we do) then you already know how delicious the combination tastes, when you pair them with a satisfying and thick ¼ pound beef burger.

It’s easy to open your bag of Sizzle King burgers, separate and then place some burgers on the grill.  And if you are in a rush, the typical toppings and condiments such as ketchup, mustard, relish or mayonnaise will do.  But when you have the extra time and you are hankering for a really amazing restaurant quality burger at home, you can explore some of the tasty varieties of mushrooms and seasonings, to create something gourmet for dinner!

Not sure what kind of mushrooms are best with burgers, or how to prepare them? No problem!  We’re going to share some of the insider secrets we’ve learned about pairing mushrooms with a thick and juicy beef burger.

1. White Button Mushrooms

These are the firm and white mushrooms you see in every grocery store.  They are economical, and you can save time if you are in a rush by purchasing them already pre-sliced.   Remember to always wash any produce thoroughly before cooking.  Remember that mushrooms are grown in fertilizer rich soil, so it’s really important to trim and then soak your mushrooms for at least thirty minutes, drain and then rinse them again, to make sure they have no residual dirt or debris on them.

White mushrooms are firm, but they don’t have a lot of flavor.  What they are good for, is seasoning because they will rapidly absorb any spices and herbs that you sauté them with.  So, if you are planning to add some Cajun seasoning, or perhaps heat them up with some butter and a jalapeno pepper first, you get a blank palette that you can build your custom flavors on.

Instructions: Soak to wash white button mushrooms (they are harder and more resistant to absorbing water or getting soggy). Sautee on medium-high heat on the stovetop with butter, wine or seasonings for about five minutes until they are a medium brown color.  Drain and top your Sizzle King burger with a generous helping.

2. Cremini (Crimino) Mushrooms

Did you know that the Cremini mushroom is really a baby portobello? In fact, you may see them in your grocery store labeled as “baby bellas” which is more accurate. Still, many consumers bypass this brown mushroom because they think it doesn’t look as fresh as the bright white Button mushroom; but here is a little secret – it is a powerhouse of delicious meaty flavors, and really good for your health.

Just like the full-size version of the portobello, the Cremini is darker and firmer, but they are an excellent nutritional resource, containing high levels of potassium, zinc, vitamin B-1 and manganese.  Because they are a denser and more nutrient rich mushroom, they do take a little longer to sauté and prepare compared to the Button mushroom, but they are worth the effort.

Instructions: Wash thoroughly and sauté on medium-high heat on the stovetop.  Try a small amount of olive oil and fresh oregano for a Mediterranean flavor.  You can also add a couple tablespoons of high-quality balsamic vinegar for a mouth-watering bite that tastes delicious with your Sizzle King unflavored Beef Patties.

3. Black Trumpet Mushroom

This one might be for the culinary expert in your family, or someone who really wants to create a five-star gourmet burger.  The Black Trumpet mushroom can be a little hard to find in grocery stores (your best bet might be to start looking at Asian grocery outlets), but it is worth the extra effort because you have never tasted a mushroom this good!

Black trumpet mushrooms have a very pronounced and distinctly rich smoky flavor, with a light black truffle note.  For these mushrooms you want to preserve the original flavor without altering it too much, and that means a different preparation method.

Instructions:  Wash the trumpet mushrooms thoroughly and soak only briefly (they absorb water rapidly and you do not want them to be spongey when you grill them or dilute the flavor).  Try placing them directly on the grill for 1-3 minutes (turning once).  We suggest pairing the delicious black trumpet mushroom with our Sizzle King Sweet Onion burger.

4. Chanterelle Mushrooms

Now you are getting fancy!  Again, these mushrooms are not the average variety and it may take some time to find a fresh grocer that carries them, but like the black trumpet mushroom they are worth the extra effort.   The Chanterelle is also known as the Golden mushroom, egg mushroom, girolle, and pfifferling mushroom.

Chanterelles look like exotic trumpet like shaped mushrooms, with a small depression in the center of the cap, which looks about thumbprint sized.  The are more expensive because this specialty mushroom is almost impossible to cultivate agriculturally; most of them are harvested in the wild from areas like the West and Pacific Northwest in America.  

The Chanterelle mushroom has a tender and golden hued flesh color, with delicious apricot scent, and a unique woodsy natural flavor. 

Instructions: After rinsing thoroughly in a colander (do not soak), cut the base of the stem of the Chanterelle mushroom to trim off the dry portion. It is best to keep these mushrooms whole for cooking.  Sautee with butter for only 2-3 minutes in a frying pan until the Chanterelles become tender.  Season with a small amount of kosher salt.

5. Beech Mushroom

Want something crunchy and delicious that you can stack on top of your Sizzle King burger?  The Beech mushroom looks like a bunch of small and tiny mushrooms branching out from a shared stem.  They also go by the names Buna Shimeji, beech brown mushroom and clamshell mushroom.

The beech mushroom has a nutty flavor, and it’s delicious on any beef or turkey patty.  Because of the strong flavor profile, you probably want to avoid adding too many seasonings that can drown out the natural peppery and nutty flavors.

Instructions: Separating the beech mushroom would result in small pieces that might fall out of your burger.  Instead of dicing them, simply break off quartered portions and sauté, or consider deep frying them quickly (no batter required) if you want that satisfying meaty crunch.

Create your own burger ‘bucket list’ and start innovating some celebrity-style burger creations at home, with Sizzle King.  Add some healthy and exotic mushrooms to your burger and make every grill out a chance to impress family and friends with your culinary creativity.