Mushroom Caviar

Mushroom caviar! Quick EASY appetizer with finely chopped fresh mushrooms sautéed in butter with shallots, garlic, and white wine, then mixed with sour cream, pine nuts, lemon juice and parsley.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated January 20, 2023
Elise Bauer
Mushroom Caviar on a plate with crackers

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Whoever came up with the term "mushroom caviar" must have been in marketing!

Mushroom caviar just sounds so much more catchy than "mushroom spread" or "minced mushrooms and shallots sautéed in butter," doesn't it? Even though that's basically what it is—a vegetarian version of the real thing.

The good news is that this mushroom caviar is terrific! Especially for those of us who love mushrooms.

It's a quick and easy spread for crackers, perfect for a gathering.

Mushroom Caviar

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 servings
Yield 1 1/2 cups
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, wiped clean and finely chopped (or pulsed a few times in a food processor)

  • 1/2 cup minced shallots

  • Salt and pepper

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc), optional

  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts

  • 2 tablespoons sour cream

  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoons chopped parsley

  • 2 dashes cayenne pepper, or to taste

Method

  1. Sauté the mushrooms, shallots, and garlic:

    Melt the butter in a large skillet on high heat. Add the mushrooms and shallots. Sauté for 5 minutes stirring frequently. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper while cooking.

    Once the mushrooms have cooked for about 5 minutes, add the garlic and a tablespoon of dry white wine (if using). Cook for an additional minute and remove from heat.

  2. Toast the pine nuts:

    While the mushrooms are cooking, heat a small skillet on high heat. Add the pine nuts. Cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to get a little toasted. (Keep your eyes on the nuts, they can burn pretty quickly.)

    As soon as they begin to toast, remove the pan from the heat and put the pine nuts into a small bowl. Set aside.

  3. Add the remaining ingredients:

    Once the mushrooms have cooled down a bit, mix in the toasted pine nuts, sour cream, lemon juice, and parsley. Add more salt and pepper, if needed, to taste. Sprinkle on cayenne pepper, to taste. Chill before serving.

    Spoon onto a large butter lettuce leaf and serve with crackers. (Use rice crackers for a gluten-free option.)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
146 Calories
13g Fat
7g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 146
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 16%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 26mg 9%
Sodium 151mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 4mg 18%
Calcium 30mg 2%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 370mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.