What Herbs Go with Mushrooms? (14 Best Herbs)

The most popular herbs to use with mushrooms are parsley and rosemary. However, basil and tarragon are also great choices to pair with mushrooms. For a really flavorful dish, you can add garlic to your mushroom dishes.

We all love mushrooms, and for good reason. They add a great umami flavor and texture to our dishes.

It is for this reason that mushrooms are considered as a staple ingredient in cooking. And, when you combine mushrooms with other ingredients, you are able to create a delicious combination of flavors.

What are some of the best herbs to go with mushrooms? Mushrooms go well with garlic and onions, and many varieties of mushrooms also work well with sage. If you are planning on making mushroom soup, you can try adding some thyme or marjoram to it.

In this article, we will discuss a variety of mushrooms and herbs and their flavor pairings to give you some ideas on what to cook up.

What Herbs Go with Mushrooms? 14 Best Herbs

The combination of mushrooms and herbs is a common one, especially in European countries.

Most of the time, we tend to think of it as a combination of the two, but in reality, it is possible for you to use just one or the other.

Some good combinations are:

1. Rosemary

When you think about herbs, rosemary always comes to mind. And for good reason. It’s the best herb to go with mushrooms!

It has a strong, pungent flavor that helps enhance the earthiness of mushrooms. It complements them in ways that other herbs just can’t.

2. Parsley

Whether you’re making mushroom soup or a mushroom pie, there are so many wonderful ingredients to choose from.

Parsley goes wonderfully with mushrooms of all kinds. It adds a beautiful brightness to any dish.

Not only does it complement them perfectly, it’s also one of the healthiest herbs you can add to your dish.

It contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and even iron.

And to top it all off, it’s very aromatic – just what you want when making a dish with mushrooms.

3. Basil

Fresh basil brings a delicious taste to the dish, and it’s perfect for the classic pairing with mushrooms.

While a great pairing for mushrooms is almost always basil, there’s no rule.

Herbs are an essential part of cooking. They add a wonderful depth of flavor to your dishes, without being overpowering.

If you’re a fan of a mushroom dish, but not one that’s super rich, then try adding basil to the mix.

4. Tarragon

The most important rule of thumb when it comes to cooking is this: The herbs you choose should be complementary to the other ingredients in the dish.

When it comes to mushrooms, I like to use whatever fresh herbs are available in my garden.

That way, I can be sure that the fresh flavor of the herbs shines through.

So tarragon is perfect for mushroom dishes – they complement each other in every way.

5. Sage

Mushrooms are some of the most versatile and widely used ingredients in the kitchen.

Their versatility is one of their best qualities. They can be cooked simply or with any number of different spices.

But one of the most popular and classic pairings is with sage.

Not only does this pair bring out the nuttiness and earthy flavor of the mushrooms, but the aroma of the sage also complements the flavor profile of mushrooms.

6. Marjoram

When you think of mushrooms, you probably don’t think of herbs. That’s a shame, because they really go together well.

A simple marjoram and mushroom combo makes for an excellent vegetarian side dish, but when paired with other flavors, you can create some amazing combinations.

7. Thyme

I love mushrooms! They are one of the best side dishes to any meal.

Mushrooms are just so good on their own. But they also pair well with herbs and spices.

The combination of thyme and mushrooms goes great together. They have a similar flavor profile, and they also complement each other well when it comes to cooking.

You can pair them up with many other ingredients – you can even serve them as a main dish.

8. Coriander

It’s time to get cooking. You’re going to be roasting mushrooms all day long, so what better way to flavor them than with some good ol’ coriander?

Just a little bit goes a long way. It adds a nice flavor, and a hint of freshness.

9. Caraway Seeds

Mushrooms are great. But they’re even better when served with something delicious on the side. That’s why mushrooms are perfect with caraway seeds.

The seeds add a unique flavor that works great with mushrooms and their earthy, spicy notes.

And as a bonus, they make the dish very easy to digest.

10. Garlic

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient. They can be sautéed, grilled, roasted, steamed, even raw.

That’s why I love to pair them with other ingredients that give the mushrooms a little extra punch.

In this case, it’s garlic!

11. Ginger

I love mushrooms, especially in the fall when they’re available at their best.

It’s no secret that ginger complements them very well. I like to serve them with lots of ginger in a dish called Shiitake Mushroom Soup.

It’s a simple soup but it’s a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies!

12. Dill

If you want to make something a little more elegant than plain old mushrooms, try making them with dill.

There are so many ways to serve them, from pan searing them, to grilling them, to just sauteing them.

The fresh dill is the perfect complement to the earthy, nutty flavor of the mushrooms.

13. Oregano

Herbs and mushrooms make a delicious pair, especially in the winter when you want something that warms you up from the inside out.

Oregano is one of the best herbs for this because it pairs very well with both chicken and mushroom dishes.

And it’s pretty tasty in a lot of savory dishes, too.

14. Mint

Mushrooms and mint are a classic flavor combination, and a great way to use fresh herbs is in a salad.

When combined with creamy goat cheese, the two flavors create a unique and delicious appetizer.

Tips for Choosing the Right Herbs to Go with Mushrooms

You can use herbs as seasoning for many food items. Whether you choose to use them for seasoning or garnishing purposes, there are certain herbs that are versatile in the kitchen and are a must-have in every household.

Mushrooms are one of those ingredients that are usually used in combination with a wide variety of herbs. And while mushrooms may not be the first ingredient on your mind, the humble mushrooms are a versatile and useful ingredient in your cooking repertoire.

To make sure that you are pairing mushrooms with the best herbs to go along with them, below are tips for choosing the right herbs to go with mushrooms:

Tip 1: Look for Fresh Herbs

The best way to determine the quality of a fresh herb is to look at the leaves. The color should be bright and vibrant, not limp. The stems should be flexible and should snap when broken. If the leaves are wilted, then the herb is past its prime.

Tip 2: Look for Fresh Garlic

Fresh garlic is at its best right after harvest. Look for bulbs that are firm and heavy for their size. The tops should be closed and tight. The cloves should be tight and should not have any green sprouts.

Tip 3: Look For Whole Spices

Whole spices are at their best when they are still whole. Look for them in a glass container, preferably one that has a lid. If they are in a plastic bag or container, the spices may have lost some of their flavor by absorbing the plastic’s aroma.

Tip 4: Buy Smaller Quantities

The more herbs you buy, the better the quality. So if you can only buy one or two bunches of an herb, go for it. But if you’re buying a full bag of rosemary or a whole bunch of oregano, don’t be surprised if they’re not as fresh as the smaller quantities.

Tip 5: Don’t Overdo It

When using herbs to flavor a dish, go easy on the amount of herbs you use. When the herb is already present in the food, adding more can make the dish taste overpowering.

Tip 6: Keep It Simple

A good basic combination is just mushrooms and herbs. Don’t go crazy with all kinds of stuff. If you do, you’ll end up with a dish that’s too complicated.

Tip 7: Get the Right Amount of Salt

The key to getting the perfect amount of salt is to taste as you cook. You’ll want to season the mushrooms and herbs, and then you’ll want to taste the sauce again. If it’s too salty, you can add more herbs or mushrooms. If it’s not salty enough, add more salt. It takes practice to get the perfect balance.

Conclusion

There are so many delicious mushrooms out there, and they’re easy to pair with side dishes that go well with them.

However, we want to make sure you don’t forget about the herbs you can add to any meal.

Some of the options above are classic combinations, but others are more experimental.

Try adding some of these to your next meal, and let us know how you like them in the comments below.

So, what herbs go well with mushrooms?

While you’re pairing mushrooms with herbs, you should choose an herb that complements the flavor of the mushroom. For example, if you’re using cremini mushrooms, choose a minty herb like basil. If you’re using white button mushrooms, choose a sweet herb like thyme or rosemary.

Related:

35 Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Recipes I Can’t Resist

23 Morel Mushroom Recipes I Can’t Resist

What to Serve with Mushroom Stroganoff (10 Sides & More)

What Herbs Go Well with Mushroom Soup? (10 Herbs)

What to Serve with Stuffed Mushrooms: 33 Easy Side Dishes

15 Italian Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Recipes