Gravy at Thanksgiving is as essential as turkey. No matter how much you make, it never seems enough.
Shiitake Mushroom Gravy has been our favorite and constant dinner companion for the past few years.
It blends well and gives a complementary flavor to our Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing.
I make mine with shiitake mushrooms. I love the consistency and texture.
However, what I love is that it can be prepared to a certain point the night before and put the finishing touches at the last minute. How great is that?
In this Article
- What are shiitake mushrooms?
- What is shiitake mushroom good for?
- Is shiitake mushroom the same as oyster mushrooms?
- Can shiitake be eaten raw?
- Shiitake mushroom substitute
- Fresh herbs
- What is the taste of tarragon?
- What can you cook with tarragon?
- What to use as a tarragon substitute?
- Tips on how to prepare this easy recipe
- Extra added flavor by roasting vegetables.
- And here is how:
- If you enjoy this dish, check out these recipes:
- Shiitake Mushrooms Gravy
What are shiitake mushrooms?
They are edible mushrooms or fungi. A native of Japan and China. They can also be found in the United States, Canada, and Singapore.
Tan to dark brown with caps that grow between 2 to four inches wide.
Enjoyed as a vegetable, shiitake are fungi that grow naturally on decaying hardwood trees.
You can find them fresh or dried. I do prefer the fresh one overall.
What is shiitake mushroom good for?
They are excellent as they support your immune system. Rich in polysaccharides such as lentinan and beta-glucans. These compounds protect against cell damage, help your immune system, and boost cell production.
Very low in calorie content as well.
Is shiitake mushroom the same as oyster mushrooms?
Oyster mushrooms have a milder flavor, and their texture resembles and feels like a sea oyster.
On the other hand, shiitake mushrooms have a more robust and meaty flavor. The fibrous stems are generally discarded or used to flavor broths.
Can shiitake be eaten raw?
Yes, you can. However, their flavor is more pronounced and enjoyable when they are cooked. The cooked mushroom tastes richer, meather, and super tender when cooked.
Shiitake mushroom substitute
Of course, you can always use dried shiitakes if fresh are not available.
You have a few to select if the shiitake mushrooms are unavailable in your area.
The best substitutes are Porcini mushrooms, Oyster, Crimini, and Portobello Mushrooms.
Fresh herbs
Nothing beats the fresh flavor of fresh herbs. In this recipe, I used thyme, rosemary, and tarragon.
Thyme and rosemary are easy to grow anywhere. Meanwhile, not as much the tarragon, thus being forced to purchase them at the store.
Combining the three with this dish balances the mushrooms and cream well.
What is the taste of tarragon?
Often compared to licorice, anise, and fennel thanks to the aromatic and bittersweet minty flavor. Fresh is when the flavor is more intensified.
If you have some leftovers, clean the leaves, dry them out well and let them dry out in the open air.
Store in an airtight container, and you can use it any time.
What can you cook with tarragon?
Perfect with any egg dish as well. However, quite versatile in your culinary arsenal as you can add it to chicken salads, pot pies, and duck.
Let’s not forget that it gives a subtle uplift to any sauce, Bernaise being a big one. However, you can add it to pesto, aioli, and any green dressing or herb combination dishes.
What to use as a tarragon substitute?
Due to the anise-licorice flavor of the tarragon, fresh basil is the best substitute.
You can simulate the thin tarragon leaves in green and by julienning the basil leaves.
Tips on how to prepare this easy recipe
- Pick the best mushrooms you can. Make sure the underneath caps are fresh, smooth, and not bruised.
- Clean the mushrooms with a light cloth. Do not immerse in water.
- Part of this recipe can be prepared a couple of hours beforehand: The flour sherry paste and the sauteed mushrooms with the rosemary. Do leave them at room temperature.
- Using fresh herbs does accentuate and intensify the flavor of your gravy. Do not skip this critical step.
- Make sure the mushrooms do not burn and stick to the bottom of your pot.
- Do not season mushrooms with salt during the sauteeing process, as they will become mushy and not acquire a golden color.
- When adding the sherry flour paste to the mushrooms and stock, ensure that you are vigorously whisking it in to avoid clumps forming.
I make this recipe mainly prepared during the holiday season with my turkey, so I use pan juices rendered and chicken stock as described in the recipe card.
Most importantly, I create extra flavor by enriching my store-bought stock with roasting vegetables.
Extra added flavor by roasting vegetables.
I never have enough pan juices with my turkey; therefore, either I make chicken stock or, for time-saving, use store-bought chicken stock. Make sure that it is sodium-free to make the gravy.
One step I love is making roasted vegetables that I add to the chicken stock for extra added rich flavor.
And here is how:
- I take some fresh vegetables: carrots, celery stalks, onions, garlic, and leeks, all cut up in large chunks.
- Place them on a large cookie sheet, and season with salt and pepper and fresh herbs that you may have on hand.
- Generously add olive oil and roast at 350F for about 15 minutes.
- Therefore, I add all the roasted vegetables, with the juices rendered, into the chicken stock.
- Warm for about 10 to 15 minutes to a gentle simmer.
- However, remove the vegetables before adding the stock to the mushroom gravy.
Enjoy one of my favorite gravy. Easy and always loved by everyone.
If you enjoy this dish, check out these recipes:
Tarragon Chicken – A French Classic
Equipment and ingredients needed and that I used to create this recipe
Shiitake Mushrooms Gravy
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix flour and Sherry in a small bowl until smooth paste forms. Cover flour paste lightly.
- Melt butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and rosemary: sauté until mushrooms begin to soften, about 3 minutes. (Can be prepared 3 hours ahead.) Let paste and mushrooms stand at room temp.
- Transfer pan juices to an 8-cup glass measuring cup. Spoon off fat and discard. Add enough chicken broth to pan juices to measure 5 cups; add to saucepan with mushrooms.
- Add flour paste and whisk to combine. Bring mixture to boil, stirring frequently. Boil until thickened to a light gravy, about 10 minutes.
- Mix in cream, thyme, and tarragon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with turkey.
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
Did you make this?
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Originally released on November 10, 2020. Updated on September 11, 2022.
Lynne
This dressing added some much flavor to my turkey! No one could believe it was homemade! Thank you for a delicious recipe!
Bianca
I love trying new ways to cook shitake and this gravy recipe was absolutely delicious
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, Bianca. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Fede
I loved this gravy! I made it last weekend to severe it with the roast chicken and was so good! The fresh herbs builds an amazing flavour.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! I am so pleased you like it.
Angela
I love mushrooms cooked in any way! And this recipe has become one of my favorites!
Giangi Townsend
I am glad you enjoy it.
Angela
Such an easy gravy to make and it goes well with just about anything.
Giangi Townsend
Enjoy!
Liz
So delicious! The tarragon was a marvelous addition!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! I am happy you like it.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
A simple and flavorful gravy.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!
Jere Cassidy
Sigh, no one in my family likes mushrooms so I rarely make anything with them. I did make this gravy just for me, and it is just so good, love the tarragon too!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you for your feedback and I am glad you enjoyed it.
Colleen
I love mushrooms, so this gravy is perfect!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!
Swathi
This shitake Mushrooms gravy looks delicious perfect treat for any day.
Giangi Townsend
I make it often with chicken too
Addie
So creamy and delicious!
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!
Leslie
I love your idea of adding roasted veggies to the chicken stock! Great idea!
Giangi Townsend
You are most welcome.
Enjoy!