Baby Bella Mushrooms are divine in this recipe, especially sauteed and served with steak but can be eaten as a quick meal with a salad and breadsticks.
I will admit that, until today, I didn’t realize there was a difference. Mom always buys the sliced Baby Bellas at the store. It’s a regular in our grocery list. Our only question is whether to buy the 8 ounce package or the 16 ounce package.
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What’s the difference between Portabella and Portobello mushrooms?
Neither of us knew that there was a difference between Portabella Mushrooms and Portobello Mushrooms other than the obvious.
I’ve been using the term Portobello throughout my recipes, never realizing that there was a reason for the A in the smaller ones.
As it turns out, my favorite little Baby Bellas are actually Cremini mushrooms and are simply the new, tender baby portobello mushroom. The same mushroom except the baby version.
I could have figured that out on my own, of course. What I didn’t know is that the baby mushroom is distinguished by the A in Portabella. It’s not a cute marketing name like I thought.
Portobello (with the O) is the name for the same mushroom when it has fully grown.
Can I eat the stem of a portobello mushroom?
Although we always buy the Baby Bellas, it’s good to know that, when using the larger, mature Portobello mushrooms, you should cut off the stem and scrape out the inside ribs. Good tip!
Oh, don’t worry. They’re still edible. Apparently the stem isn’t all that tender, though, and cooking with the ribs turns your food black. Yikes!
For the Baby Bella mushroom, feel free to eat the entire thing. The stems are just as soft and tender as the rest of the mushroom.
Can I use white button mushrooms?
Yes! Be aware that sauteed white button mushrooms are from the same family of mushrooms, but the flavor isn’t as complex as Cremini (Baby Bella) mushrooms. Use either white button or Baby Bella. Your choice.
Cook’s Illustrated did a side-by-side comparison of white button and Cremini mushrooms.
Sauteeing the Baby Bellas
In this recipe, these flavor-packed little morsels of goodness are sauteed in butter first. Melt the butter and then turn the heat to low so you don’t burn the butter or the mushrooms.
Note that I’m using an 8-ounce package of sliced Baby Bella mushrooms for this recipe. You may know 8 ounces to be a cup but that’s a liquid measurement and doesn’t apply here. The 8-ounce package of Baby Bellas is actually about two cups of sliced mushrooms.
Once you have the mushrooms coated in butter, cover and saute for about 5-7 minutes. They’re going to soak up all the butter but, because you have the lid, the moisture isn’t going to escape much.
Once they’ve sauteed, you can add your seasonings, wine and Worcestershire.
Mushrooms are like potatoes. They absorb all the flavors you add. You can taste all the flavors in every delicious bite.
With the liquid added, stir until well coated and increase the heat as necessary so it gets bubbly. Allow to cook until there is almost no liquid remaining. There will be very little sauce since it turns into a nice carmelized glaze on the mushrooms. Yum!
I don’t mind telling you that I ate every single one of these mushrooms right after these photos. I didn’t wait for anything else to go with them. I just ate them, just like this. Incredible and so easy!
What pairs with sauteed mushrooms?
These Baby Bella Mushrooms would be an excellent side dish for my Tuscan Chicken for Two. An 8-ounce package of sliced Baby Bellas turns out to be the perfect amount for two (or three) people.
If you have more will power than me, you could use these mushrooms to top a pizza as well. There is no way I could have waited, though.
These would be incredible served with a juicy steak or on top of a hamburger with some melty cheese. My mouth is watering!
Reducing the salt
If you feel like the sodium (salt) content is too much, try using a low sodium Worcestershire which should help significantly. You can also reduce or omit the salt itself.
My personal favorite way to reduce the salt, though, would be to simply double the mushrooms. You can never have too many, right? Instead of buying the 8-ounce package of sliced mushrooms (which is about two cups), try getting the 16-ounce package or buy two of the 8-ounce packages.
Sliced Baby Portabella Mushrooms in Wine
Equipment
- Medium skillet with lid
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 8 ounces Baby Portobello Mushrooms sliced, yields about 2 cups
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/4 cup White Wine
Instructions
- Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Swirl to distribute. Reduce heat.
- Add sliced mushrooms to butter, stir to coat. Cover and cook on low 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Increase heat to medium
- Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire and wine. Stir. Leave uncovered and cook until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
Notes
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. All amounts are estimates and 24Bite™ takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier. Please calculate the amounts yourself based on package labeling if you have specific dietary requirements. 24Bite™, Kim Guzman or Christian Guzman shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on this website or actions you take as a result.
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Holly says
Too much salt for 8 oz. Mushrooms Good Luck !
Christian Guzman says
Thanks for visiting! You might want to try one of the bigger containers of baby bellas. I think it’s 16 ounces or maybe two of the 8 ounce containers. Or, perhaps cut all the sodium down as you prefer. Enjoy!