Crab boils are a delicious, fun way to enjoy fresh seafood with family and friends. The seasoned, spicy boiling broth packs a flavor punch, infusing everything cooked in it with its addicting taste. While crab and shrimp are usually the stars of the show, don’t overlook humbler ingredients like mushrooms, which transform into their best selves after a bath in crab boil. But cooking mushrooms just right in a crab boil does require some finesse. Undercook them and they’ll be bland and rubbery. Boil them too long and you’ll end up with mushy, waterlogged fungi. So what’s the perfect boil time to get tender, flavorful mushrooms without compromising texture? Read on to find out.
Key Factors in Determining Boil Time
The ideal boil time can vary quite a bit depending on a couple key factors:
Type of mushroom – Heartier mushrooms like portobello and shiitake can withstand longer boiling times than delicate ones like oyster or enoki.
Size of mushrooms – Small buttons and mini ‘shrooms will obviously cook faster than their larger counterparts. Quarter or halve bigger caps to expedite cooking.
Quantity of mushrooms – The more mushrooms you add, the longer they’ll take to cook through. Boil in smaller batches to ensure even cooking.
Spiciness of boil – The more cayenne and other fiery spices in the mix, the faster the boiling liquid will penetrate the mushrooms. Milder boils require longer cook times.
Personal taste – Ultimately it comes down to the texture you find most appealing. Some like mushrooms on the firmer side while others prefer them super soft and melty.
Now let’s look at estimated cook times for common mushroom varieties
Button Mushrooms
The little white mushrooms you find prepackaged at every grocery store are button mushrooms. They’re small, mild in flavor, and hold their shape nicely when boiled.
Quartered buttons: 5-7 minutes
Whole mini buttons: 7-10 minutes
Whole regular buttons: 10-12 minutes
Check for tenderness by piercing the caps with a fork. Remove promptly when done to avoid overcooking.
Cremini Mushrooms
Similar to buttons but with more earthy, woodsy flavor, creminis need slightly longer to boil fully.
Quartered creminis: 8-10 minutes
Halved or whole: 10-13 minutes
Creminis should feel just slightly firmer when pierced than buttons at the same doneness point.
Portobello Mushrooms
The large, meaty portobellos are ideal for throwing into crab boils. Remove the tough stems and slice or quarter the caps for faster cooking.
Quartered caps: 10-12 minutes
Whole caps: 15-18 minutes
Portobellos will never get quite as soft as smaller mushrooms. Take them out when fork tender but still with some bite.
Oyster Mushrooms
Treat these delicate oyster mushrooms gently so they don’t fall apart in the boil.
Small oyster pieces: 4-7 minutes
Whole small caps: 5-8 minutes
Whole large caps: 7-10 minutes
Check oysters frequently and remove as soon as they lose their raw snap but before they go limp.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Known for their rich, woodsy umami flavor, shiitakes add great depth to crab boils. Remove stems and cut caps into strips.
Shiitake strips: 8-12 minutes
Quartered caps: 10-14 minutes
Shiitakes should be tender with a pleasant, slightly chewy bite when done.
Enoki Mushrooms
These long, skinny mushrooms cook lightning fast. Separate bunches into smaller groups for even cooking.
Small bunches: 2-4 minutes
Individual mushrooms: 30 seconds – 1 minute
Enokis are extremely delicate, so watch diligently and take out just before they appear limp.
Pro Tips
Follow these tips for flawlessly boiled mushrooms every time:
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Clean mushrooms just before boiling by wiping with a damp towel or quickly rinsing. Never soak, as they’ll absorb water.
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Add mushrooms halfway through crab boil if including other veggies. This prevents overcooking.
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Toss in a test piece shortly before adding the rest. This gauges ideal doneness.
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Stir mushrooms occasionally while boiling for even exposure to seasoning.
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Immediately plunge into an ice bath upon removing from boil to stop cooking.
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Save and reuse boil liquid for a super savory seafood stock.
With the boil times above as a starting point, monitoring closely, and making any needed adjustments, you’ll be boiling mushrooms like a pro in your next crab feast. Just be prepared to fight off fellow guests angling for those perfect ‘shrooms!
Crawfish and Pepperjack Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
Boiled Crawfish are a favorite in the South, especially down in Louisiana. Many people have different techniques and views on the perfect way to boil these little mud bugs. We made a step-by-step video that shows you how to make the best crawfish that you and your guests will love! Is there such a thing as the perfect boil?
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Serving Size. 10 – 12 servings (3-4 pounds per serving)
1 sack (about 35-40 pounds) live crawfish 1 4. 5-pound container of shrimp and crawfish 3.25 pounds of smoked pork sausage, cut into 3″ pieces. ½ pound of butter (two sticks). 2 small bags of ice (10 lbs). An 80-quart pot for boiling water.
Purging Crawfish (See our purging video)
Pour sacks of crawfish into large tub or ice chest. Fill with water to cover crawfish and let soak for 15 minutes. With gloves, remove any debris and all dead crawfish. Drain and repeat process until water stays mostly clear after soaking. (Usually 3 – 4 rounds of soaking).
Directions
Fill crawfish pot halfway with water and bring to rolling boil. Add lemon halves, salt, liquid crab boil, dry crab boil and half bottle of hot sauce into water. Add potatoes and sausage to basket and drop into boiling water and let cook for 5-8 minutes. Remove basket and add crawfish in with potatoes and sausage filling basket about ¾ of the way. Add the corn, onions, and mushrooms on top. Put the basket back into the boiling water, cover it, and turn the heat up to high. Let water come back to rolling boil and cook for 4-5 minutes and shut fire off. Let it sit for five minutes, then add the butter and ice bags and stir. The water will still be warm. The ice will make the crawfish sink and slow down the cooking process. This also helps the crawfish to absorb the seasoning. Taste crawfish every 10 minutes until seasoned to your taste. If not seasoned enough, continue soaking longer – 30 minutes maximum. Pull the basket, let drain and serve. Store in ice chest to keep warm.
- Putting ice on the crawfish after it has been boiled makes it sink, and the quick cooling helps the seasoning stick to the fish. This also slows the cooking process. We season it enough while it’s boiling so that the small amount of ice doesn’t make it taste bland.
- If crawfish aren’t seasoned enough, let them soak longer.
- Cover the pot to speed up the boiling process. Seems simple but some people don’t know this.
- Using salt when purging crawfish is a common myth. The best way to clean is to soak in clean, highly oxygenated water for a long time. The crawfish will purge themselves.
- The crawfish will slide out of the shell easier if you add oil or butter at the end. It also makes the dish taste better. (This is an optional step).
- You can add things like garlic, asparagus, Brussel sprouts, artichokes, beans, and more. to your crawfish boil for your guests to enjoy.
- Most importantly, don’t forget to store the Poppa Earles in your kitchen!
POPPA EARLES BOILED CRAWFISH VIDEO RECIPE
Boiled Mushrooms in Crab boil.
FAQ
How long does it take to cook mushrooms to boil?
Should we boil mushrooms before cooking?
How long to boil crab?
How long to leave crawfish in boiling water?
How long do you boil a crab?
Gather all ingredients. Fill a very large pot about 1/3 full with water. Add garlic, bay leaves, dry and liquid crab boil seasonings, salt, pepper, potatoes, oranges, lemons, and artichokes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes.
How long does it take to boil a mushroom?
Bring to boil for about 5 minutes on medium-high heat, reduce the heat, let it simmer for another 10 minutes or until the mushroom is fully cooked, and fork-tender. Remove the boiled mushroom with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a plate or bowl. Season with black pepper and chopped parsley if desired. That’s it!
How do you make a crab boil sauce?
In a small saucepan, make a crab boil sauce by melting the butter over medium heat. Add the crab seasoning and chopped onion to the pan, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic to the pan, and cook for another minute or until fragrant. Then, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.
How long do you boil crawfish?
Return the pot to a boil after adding the crawfish and boil for about 3-5 minutes. The crawfish will turn a bright red and float to the top of the pot. Turn the heat off and allow the crawfish to soak for an additional 15-45 minutes. (Rick typically lets them soak for the full 45 minutes.)