Trumpet mushrooms—the tall, tree-like fungi—fall in line with the rest of the oyster mushroom family, but are noticeably different in appearance than a cartoon rendering of the same variety. These tall, thick fungi are worthy of featuring as a main meal, as well as a striking side dish.

What Are Trumpet Mushrooms? Plus Gordon Ramsay’s Seared Trumpet Mushroom Recipe

Pleurotus eryngii—commonly known by the names king trumpet mushroom, French horn mushroom, and king oyster mushroom—is an edible oyster mushroom with a thick white stem and a flat brown cap. When cooked, the meaty texture is comparable to seafood such as [calamari](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-calamari-ingredient-information-techniques-and-easy-recipe), abalone, or [scallops](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-scallops-easy-pan-seared-scallops-recipe), with a hearty base flavor that makes it an appealing stand-in for meat for many vegetarians.
King trumpet mushrooms naturally grow in cooler climates throughout the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. The fungi feeds on stems of herbaceous plants. It is possible to grow trumpet mushrooms at home with proper humidity and ventilation using a spawn mixed with a substrate, like straw or sawdust. 

These days, trumpet mushrooms can be bought at most supermarkets, but if you’re struggling to track them down, Asian markets will almost always carry them. When selecting, look for firm stalks and minimal damage or discoloration on the caps.
Trumpet mushrooms have been called the “cheap [porcini](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-porcini-mushrooms-a-guide-to-buying-and-using-porcini-mushrooms)”—full of flavor, but not as expensive. King trumpet mushrooms a good substitute for their similar size and texture to porcinis. If needed, cremini mushrooms can be substituted for trumpet mushrooms.

Trumpet mushrooms taste like a cross between a portobello mushroom and a maitake—with a distinct juicy nuttiness when cooked. 

Trumpet mushrooms can be eaten in their entirety. The cylindrical stem is hearty and can imitate meat in vegetarian and vegan recipes. The caps are not usually separated from the stem, but sometimes the whole mushroom is sliced in half lengthwise. 

Trumpet mushrooms can be eaten either raw or cooked. Cooking enhances their umami flavors, and, because trumpet mushrooms are more dense than other mushroom varieties, they hold up well to slow cooking and high heat.

1. __Seared__: Half mushrooms lengthwise, then using a crosshatch pattern, make small incisions into the exposed flesh. Sear the cut sides down in oil or unsalted butter over medium high heat until golden brown and crisp, then flip and allow a little color to develop on the backside. Season to taste, and pair with something bright and herby, like [chimichurri](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/healthy-quick-and-easy-chimichurri-recipe).
2. __Grilled__. You might catch trumpet mushrooms on the menu of most yakitori joints, and with good reason: when [grilled](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-grill-grilled-steak-with-herb-butter-recipe), halved trumpets take on all the smoky flavor of the Japanese charcoals, melt into a soft texture while still retaining all their moisture. Toss with a drizzle of oil before you grill, and finish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt and togarashi.
3. __Pulled__. Pulled, shredded trumpet mushrooms make great sandwich fodder. Sear or grill mushrooms, then when cool enough to handle, using your hands or two forks, pull the mushrooms apart into strings. Toss with lemon, minced garlic, or a teaspoon of sambal oelek and season to taste; rewarm in the pan if you like, then layer with pickled carrots, red onion, and herbs between two slices of sourdough toast. 
4. __Raw__. Raw trumpet mushrooms are mild enough that they make a subtle textural addition to most salads, and they also soak up dressing like nobody’s business. 

Scoring the cut side of trumpet mushrooms allows them to cook much faster and evenly, as well as soak up all the flavor from the cooking oil or butter. Smaller mushrooms will still sear just fine if you don’t, but be sure to give the larger ones a little boost.

Trumpet mushrooms—the tall, tree-like fungi—fall in line with the rest of the oyster mushroom family, but are noticeably different in appearance than a cartoon rendering of the same variety. These tall, thick fungi are worthy of featuring as a main meal, as well as a striking side dish.

Pleurotus eryngii—commonly known by the names king trumpet mushroom, French horn mushroom, and king oyster mushroom—is an edible oyster mushroom with a thick white stem and a flat brown cap. When cooked, the meaty texture is comparable to seafood such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-calamari-ingredient-information-techniques-and-easy-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-calamari-ingredient-information-techniques-and-easy-recipe","linkCopy":"calamari","category":null}'>calamari</a>, abalone, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-scallops-easy-pan-seared-scallops-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-scallops-easy-pan-seared-scallops-recipe","linkCopy":"scallops","category":null}'>scallops</a>, with a hearty base flavor that makes it an appealing stand-in for meat for many vegetarians.

What Are Trumpet Mushrooms?

King trumpet mushrooms naturally grow in cooler climates throughout the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. The fungi feeds on stems of herbaceous plants. It is possible to grow trumpet mushrooms at home with proper humidity and ventilation using a spawn mixed with a substrate, like straw or sawdust.

Where Do Trumpet Mushrooms Grow? 

These days, trumpet mushrooms can be bought at most supermarkets, but if you’re struggling to track them down, Asian markets will almost always carry them. When selecting, look for firm stalks and minimal damage or discoloration on the caps.

How to Buy Trumpet Mushrooms 

Trumpet mushrooms have been called the “cheap <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-porcini-mushrooms-a-guide-to-buying-and-using-porcini-mushrooms' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-porcini-mushrooms-a-guide-to-buying-and-using-porcini-mushrooms","linkCopy":"porcini","category":null}'>porcini</a>”—full of flavor, but not as expensive. King trumpet mushrooms a good substitute for their similar size and texture to porcinis. If needed, cremini mushrooms can be substituted for trumpet mushrooms.

Are Trumpet Mushrooms Expensive?

Trumpet mushrooms taste like a cross between a portobello mushroom and a maitake—with a distinct juicy nuttiness when cooked.

What Do Trumpet Mushrooms Taste Like?

Trumpet mushrooms can be eaten in their entirety. The cylindrical stem is hearty and can imitate meat in vegetarian and vegan recipes. The caps are not usually separated from the stem, but sometimes the whole mushroom is sliced in half lengthwise.

Can You Eat the Stems of Trumpet Mushrooms?

Trumpet mushrooms can be eaten either raw or cooked. Cooking enhances their umami flavors, and, because trumpet mushrooms are more dense than other mushroom varieties, they hold up well to slow cooking and high heat.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Seared: Half mushrooms lengthwise, then using a crosshatch pattern, make small incisions into the exposed flesh. Sear the cut sides down in oil or unsalted butter over medium high heat until golden brown and crisp, then flip and allow a little color to develop on the backside. Season to taste, and pair with something bright and herby, like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/healthy-quick-and-easy-chimichurri-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/healthy-quick-and-easy-chimichurri-recipe","linkCopy":"chimichurri","category":null}'>chimichurri</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Grilled. You might catch trumpet mushrooms on the menu of most yakitori joints, and with good reason: when <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-grill-grilled-steak-with-herb-butter-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-grill-grilled-steak-with-herb-butter-recipe","linkCopy":"grilled","category":null}'>grilled</a>, halved trumpets take on all the smoky flavor of the Japanese charcoals, melt into a soft texture while still retaining all their moisture. Toss with a drizzle of oil before you grill, and finish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt and togarashi. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Pulled. Pulled, shredded trumpet mushrooms make great sandwich fodder. Sear or grill mushrooms, then when cool enough to handle, using your hands or two forks, pull the mushrooms apart into strings. Toss with lemon, minced garlic, or a teaspoon of sambal oelek and season to taste; rewarm in the pan if you like, then layer with pickled carrots, red onion, and herbs between two slices of sourdough toast. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Raw. Raw trumpet mushrooms are mild enough that they make a subtle textural addition to most salads, and they also soak up dressing like nobody’s business. </li></ol>

4 Ways to Cook Trumpet Mushrooms 

Scoring the cut side of trumpet mushrooms allows them to cook much faster and evenly, as well as soak up all the flavor from the cooking oil or butter. Smaller mushrooms will still sear just fine if you don’t, but be sure to give the larger ones a little boost.

The 1 Tip to Remember When Cooking Trumpet Mushrooms

Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Seared King Trumpet Mushrooms With Garlic and Thyme Recipe

Trumpet mushrooms—the tall, tree-like fungi—fall in line with the rest of the oyster mushroom family, but are noticeably different in appearance than a cartoon rendering of the same variety. These tall, thick fungi are worthy of featuring as a main meal, as well as a striking side dish.

Trumpet mushrooms—the tall, tree-like fungi—fall in line with the rest of the oyster mushroom family, but are noticeably different in appearance than a cartoon rendering of the same variety. These tall, thick fungi are worthy of featuring as a main meal, as well as a striking side dish.


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What Are Trumpet Mushrooms? Plus Gordon Ramsay’s Seared Trumpet Mushroom Recipe