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.
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 soil like 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 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, 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 remove excess water & 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
I enjoy fresh parsley and fresh thyme the most with chanterelle mushrooms.
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.
When it comes to cooking mushrooms, you can’t go wrong with a quick sautee in butter. Over medium high heat, in a large skillet, sauté your cleaned mushrooms in butter, with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of salt. 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 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!
Want more mushroom deliciousness?? CLICK HERE For more of my wild foraged recipes.
Yours in Health,
Thank you ! I have so many and i ran out of ideas !
Another fabulous recipe! Followed it exactly and it was a real winner! My whole family loved it. Keep em coming! 🙂
Wonderful recipes ! Chants are my top choices after morels but I love them equally. can’t wait to try the Chant chowder . Just got back from picking Chants last week when I was up north Ontario .