Recipe guide on how to cook dried shiitake mushrooms

5 from 4 votes

This guide shows you how to cook with dried shiitake mushrooms from selecting/ buying, to soaking and cooking dry shiitake mushrooms.

Prep Time3

Soaking time8

Total Time8 3

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese, Taiwanese

Keyword: Dried shiitake mushrooms, How to cook dried shiitake mushrooms, shiitake dry mushrooms

Servings: medium-large pieces

Soaking the Mushrooms: Place the dried shiitake mushrooms in the bowl. Pour enough room temperature water over the mushrooms to completely submerge them. The general guideline is about 1 cup of water for 4 medium-sized or 3 large shiitake caps.
Arrange the mushrooms with stems facing downwards as they take longer to rehydrate.
Soaking Time: Cover the bowl lightly and soak the mushrooms overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours. If soaking in warmer weather, place the bowl in the refrigerator; otherwise, leave it in a cool, shaded area of your kitchen.
After Soaking: Once the mushrooms are fully rehydrated, they will be plump and have a spongy texture. Gently squeeze the mushrooms to remove excess water.
Save the broth: Use a sieve or strainer to drain the mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid for cooking.
Slice shiitake: Trim off the stem ends and slice the caps to your desired thickness and shred the stems into thin strips. Both parts are edible and delicious.

Method of Cooking: The cooking time for rehydrated shiitake mushrooms varies depending on the method used (e.g., sautéing, simmering, roasting).
Sautéing: For sautéing thinly sliced mushrooms, cook for about 8-10 minutes on medium heat until they are tender and slightly browned.
Simmering or soup: When simmering whole caps in soups or stews, allow about 30 minutes of cooking time.
Checking for Doneness: The mushrooms should turn slightly translucent with small beads of liquid on the surface.
Texture: They should have a spongy, juicy texture without any hard or dry spots. Taste testing is always a good way to check for the right texture.

Do you need to clean dried shiitake mushrooms? If you've chosen good quality mushrooms, they're likely packed in vacuum-sealed packages, keeping them clean and dust-free. So, no need to rinse or wash them before soaking.
Where to buy good quality dried shiitake? Your local Chinese, Japanese, or Korean grocery stores will be the best place to go. Good quality shiitake mushrooms are typically vacuum-sealed. This keeps them fresh and clean.
How to select good-quality dried shiitake? Go for Whole Dried Shiitake. Look for mushrooms with lots of cracks (known as fissures) on the caps. More fissures mean the mushrooms will be extra thick, meaty, and juicy once they're rehydrated. For everyday home cooking, look for mid-range priced dried shiitake mushrooms, about $15-20 per pound. This price range usually offers good quality without costing a fortune.