
Whenever Tony makes his pan-fried mushrooms, it feels like instant comfort food. They turn regular mushrooms into something lux—great for jazzing up a burger, tossing on toast, or putting next to steak. Anytime I'm after something trust-worthy and fast that still feels like a treat, mushrooms with garlic always do the job.
The first time I whipped these up was a panic move when pals dropped by. They went nuts for them, and honestly, now they always hope Tony's mushrooms are on the table.
Ingredients
- Kosher salt: Big flakes help you nail the seasoning without going overboard
- Flour: Thickens up your sauce so it's nice and silky—skip if gluten's not your thing, and use a splash more wine
- Wine: Marsala, white vermouth, or red—grab whatever you’d want to sip, it just adds lovely depth
- Lemon juice: Squeezes in brightness at the end and wakes up the whole plate—fresh is best
- Black pepper: For a little warmth and an edge—crack some fresh if you can
- Fresh garlic: Four plump cloves bring that bold punch—just mince ‘em fine so they melt right in
- Fresh mushrooms: Pick white buttons, creminis, or baby bellas. Slice about a quarter-inch wide for perfect cooking. Look for mushrooms that aren’t wet, mushy, or spotty
- Extra virgin olive oil: Helps everything sizzle and turn golden brown—go with a bottle you trust
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Create the wine sauce:
- Pour in your wine and let it bubble—watch the mushrooms get slick and shiny, then cook for another couple of minutes. The flavors will blend together and the sauce will grip every mushroom.
- Thicken the sauce:
- Shake flour over the mushrooms and stir it in for a minute or so. Soon, the liquid gets caught up by the flour and coats each slice. You'll notice a shiny coating form—this is how you get a lush sauce.
- Season and brighten:
- Lemon juice and plenty of salt and pepper go in now. Mix it up and notice how the citrus wakes everything up—even if it seems dry, just wait. The mushrooms will start sharing their tasty juices soon.
- Sauté the mushrooms:
- Drop in all your sliced mushrooms. Stir it well so everything gets hugged by that oil and starts softening, usually in a couple minutes. Every mushroom grabs those garlic flavors if you toss them well.
- Warm the aromatics:
- Get your skillet hot, add olive oil and minced garlic. Keep stirring as the garlic starts sizzling—don’t walk away or it’ll stick and burn. That first smack of garlic always smells amazing.

I love pouring the wine and letting that lovely aroma drift through the kitchen. My son learned to make these as his first solo dish, and now he always tosses in extra garlic just like I do.
Storage Tips
Leftovers? Stash them in the fridge in a sealed container for up to three days—they'll still taste awesome. When it's time to reheat, get a skillet warm, splash in some broth or water, and gently heat. Skip the microwave—mushrooms will get watery that way.
Ingredient Substitutes
If you’re out of Marsala or vermouth, any dry white or a splash of veggie broth will do. Chopped fresh parsley or thyme at the end is a nice herbal touch. Want it dairy free? Use vegan butter instead of some oil—it stays just as rich.
Serving Ideas
Spoon them over creamy polenta or pile on grilled steak. They’re also awesome dropped onto crusty sourdough or tucked inside a fluffy omelet. You can serve them on the side with roast chicken, too.

Cultural Background
Pan-seared mushrooms have old-school roots in both France and Italy. They’re basic but versatile—use them for appetizers or in sauces. Cooking them quickly with olive oil and finishing with wine really lets the earthiness of mushrooms pop.
Common Questions
- → Which mushrooms should I pick?
Creamy baby bellas, regular white buttons, or creminis soak up flavor and cook up super tasty here.
- → Do I have to put flour in?
You don’t need it. The flour thickens things up, but skip it if you want the sauce lighter or need it gluten-free.
- → What kind of wine is best?
Dry red, white Vermouth, or Marsala all bring different things to the party—use whatever you’ve got or like best.
- → How should I use these mushrooms?
Try them on steak or chicken, or scoop them over toast, rice, or a pile of mashed potatoes—they’re really flexible.
- → Is it OK to make them early?
Definitely! Cook them a few hours before, store them, and gently warm them up when you’re ready—they stay tasty and keep that good bite.