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    Home » By Diet » Low Carb

    Outstanding Oyster Mushroom Salad with Spinach

    Filed Under: Autumn Salads, Dinner Salads, Low Carb, Vegetarian

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    A smoky Oyster Mushroom Salad that will liven up your barbecue and win the hearts of mushroom lovers everywhere with smoky paprika and a wonderful smoked cheddar added.

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    A close up Oyster Mushroom salad on a ceramic plate.
    OYSTER MUSHROOM SALAD

    The "smoky" in this Oyster Mushroom Salad comes from cooking them with smoked paprika and from the wonderful smoked cheddar that we have crumbled into the salad.

    We have also added some tender baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes for a pop of colour and tomatoey sweetness.

    BUT, if you are looking for some Asian flavour instead, then try our Wild Rice Salad with Asian Sautéed Mushrooms. A fan of balsamic, then you can't go wrong with our Balsamic Mushroom Salad.

    Table of contents

    • What are Oyster Mushrooms?
    • Let's Talk Ingredients & Substitutions
    • Some Variations to try
    • You Will Need
    • How to Prepare Oyster Mushrooms
    • Top Tips
    • How to Make this Salad
    • Some Serving Suggestions
    • Common Questions (FAQs) & Tips
    • More Mushroom Salad Recipes to Try
    • Pin Me Now & Save for Later

    What do I love about this Mushroom Salad?
    Two things, first of all, the mushrooms (one of my favourite veggies) which have been sautéed until crisp and delicious.
    Second, the intense smoky flavour from the smoked paprika and smoky cheddar - ahhh heaven!


    What are Oyster Mushrooms?

    Oyster mushrooms are of course edible fungi and are also known as Pleurotus in Europe and are one of the worlds most popular grilling mushrooms.

    They have a fluted, oyster-shell shape with numerous varieties ranging from pearly-white to yellow, pink, grey-brown and purplish-brown. They have a delicate, subtle flavour and velvety texture which rapidly absorbs other flavours during cooking.

    If you want to find out about even more mushroom varieties then check out our post on different types of mushrooms it covers pretty much all of them!

    Let's Talk Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Oyster Mushrooms - we used the pleurotas style variety which looks like a fan and is flat. This salad is also great with king oyster mushrooms, portobellos or flat mushrooms as they are meatier than the white ones.
    • Smoked Paprika - one of the smoky elements in this salad, you should be able to find this in the spice section of most supermarkets nowadays. But, for superior flavour I strongly suggest going to your favourite spice shop for this. If you can't find it then try some cayenne pepper or plain paprika will do in a pinch.
    • Baby Spinach - added to bulk up the salad, you could try some arugula/rocket, or mixed salad leaves or even some massaged kale would work well in this salad.
    • Sun-dried tomatoes - added for a pop of colour and for some tomatoey sweetness. Some fresh cherry or mini tomatoes would also suit this salad.
    • Smoked Cheddar - another one of our smoky elements, it is readily available in the cheese section of most supermarkets. But, you can swap for some shaved parmesan if you prefer or a good quality cheddar.
    • Pine nuts - for a delightful crunch and piney, nutty flavour. Try some slivered almonds or some seeds such as sunflower or pepitas as an alternative.
    • Dressing - we have kept it super simple with a simple sherry vinegar and extra virgin olive oil dressing. Try a balsamic or a red wine vinegar if you don't have any sherry vinegar to hand.

    Some Variations to try

    • Different mushrooms – can’t find oyster mushrooms use king oyster, Portobello, chanterelles, or field mushrooms instead. Or a mixed mushroom medley for something a bit more exotic.
    • Carnivore – add some grilled chorizo or chicken. Also great with some Spanish Jamon or Italian prosciutto.
    • Pescatarian – add some firm white-fleshed fish fillets, such as striped bass, cod, perch or barramundi.
    • Carb lovers – add some grains such as pearl barley, farro or brown rice.
    • Vegan – omit the smoked cheddar and replace with some smoked almonds instead or try making your own smoked vegan cheese.
    • Wrap it – makes a great filling for wraps with some added cheese, spicy salami, or grilled chicken or rare beef slices.

    You Will Need

    Labelled ingredients needed to make Oyster Mushroom Salad.

    How to Prepare Oyster Mushrooms

    When choosing these mushrooms make sure to look for clusters without signs of wilting or dark spots, this can mean that they have too much moisture and are starting to spoil.

    The great thing about oyster mushrooms is that they grow on wood, which means that they don't touch the dirt as much - so easy to clean guys!

    All you really need to do is to cut off the hard part of the stem, then wipe off any dirt you may find with a damp paper towel.

    Personally, I don't rinse these mushrooms at all, because they have a tendency to become waterlogged which makes them difficult to brown. If you absolutely feel that you have to, then a quick rinse under cold water should do the trick BUT make sure you pat them thoroughly dry.  

    Top Tips

    • Make sure your frying pan is hot before adding your mushrooms this ensures that you get a gorgeous flavourful sear.
    • Add your mushrooms in batches to the hot pan, so that they cook and brown quickly otherwise they will stew and become mushy. 
    • With mushrooms it is always best to err on the side of overdone and not underdone otherwise they become a bit chewy.
    • Use a salad spinner to dry your baby spinach as it will eliminate the excess water and won't dilute your vinaigrette. 

    How to Make this Salad

    Step 1 - Prepare Mushrooms

    Heat a large non-stick frypan on medium-to-high heat then add some oil.

    If you find that your mushrooms have some dirt then give them a gentle wipe with some kitchen paper or a clean towel.

    Then cut off the hard part of the stems, as they are hard to chew. For the really large ones cut them in half or quarters for bite-size pieces.

    Add the mushrooms a few at a time to your hot pan, overcrowding the pan will cause the mushrooms to release their juices and they will not be able to brown.

    Sauté them until they are a nice golden-brown colour, this should take approximately 5 mins per batch.

    When all the batches of mushrooms have been browned, add them all back to the pan, add the minced garlic and smoked paprika.

    Stir everything to combine and the garlic has been warmed through, then add 2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar, careful here as the vinegar will sizzle and steam.

    Give everything a good mix then remove the pan from the stove to stop the cooking process.

    • CUTTING THE STEMS OFF YOUR OYSTER MUSHROOMS
      CUT OFF THE STEMS
    • SLICing mushrooms IN HALF OR QUARTERS
      SLICE IN HALF OR QUARTERS
    • ADDING SHERY VINEGAR AND SMOKED PARIKA TO SAUTED OYSTER MUSHROOMS
      ADD SHERRY VINEGAR AND SMOKED PAPRIKA
    • Sauté until golden brown
      SAUTÉ UNTIL GOLDEN

    Step 2 - Prepare Remaining Ingredients

    While your mushrooms are happily sizzling in the pan we can get on with preparing everything else, I love multi-tasking!

    First of all, wash your baby spinach, removing any damaged or wilted leaves. Then, either pat dry or spin dry in a salad spinner to remove excess water.

    Next, crumble your smoked cheddar and cut your sun-dried tomatoes into strips so you get a pop of tomatoey goodness in your mouth with each bite and not one huge chunk of dried tomato.

    • WASHING-BABY-SPINACH
      WASH BABY SPINACH
    • BABY-SPINACH-IN-SALAD-SPINNER
      PAT OR SPIN SPINACH DRY
    • CRUMBLED SMOKED CHEDDAR
      CRUMBLE YOUR SMOKED CHEDDAR
    • CUT YOUR SUN DRIED TOMATOES IN STRIPS
      CUT SUN-DRIED TOMATOES INTO STRIPS

    Step 3 - Assemble your Salad

    Get out a large mixing bowl, place your baby spinach, your mushroom mix, the sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled cheese, sherry vinegar and olive oil into the bowl.

    Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper and toss the salad until everything is well combined, taste and adjust the seasonings according to your liking.

    Arrange your Oyster Mushroom Salad in a bowl, scatter the pine nuts on top to garnish – serve and enjoy!

    • 09-INGREDIENTS-IN-BOWL-FOR-SMOKy-MUSHROOM SALAD
      ADD ALL INGREDIENTS TO A BOWL
    • MIXING-SMOKY-MUSHROOM SALAD
      TOSS WELL TO COMBINE
    • Oyster Mushroom Salad on a ceramic plate with spinach leaves scattered on the left and sundried tomatoes in a bowl on the top right.
      SCATTER THE PINE NUTS ON TOP. SERVE & ENJOY!

    Some Serving Suggestions

    This wonderful Oyster Mushroom salad is another good all-around salad that is wonderful served with any meat, poultry or even seafood dishes. We paired ours with some lemony barbecued lamb cutlets. Try it with…

    • Grilled cod
    • Lemony Lamb cutlets
    • Seared rib-eye
    • Rosemary chicken wings
    • Italian Meatballs

    Common Questions (FAQs) & Tips

    Can I make it ahead?

    The mushrooms can be cooked the day before and kept in an airtight container in the fridge, you will need to bring them to room temperature before assembling the salad.
    The sun-dried tomatoes can also be cut into strips the day before and stored covered in the fridge.
    Crumble the smoked cheddar the day before and keep it covered in the fridge.
    You can make up the salad without the dressing several hours in advance, provided that your mushrooms are cool before adding to the spinach.
    Simply, add the vinaigrette and toss the salad just before serving.

    How to meal prep for packed lunches.

    Make sure the mushroom mix is cool before adding to the spinach.
    Toss the salad together (without the dressing) and portion into 4 containers.
    Shake up the dressing in a glass jar and then divide it into small sauce containers, to shake up and add to your salad just before eating.
    For some additional protein, try some grilled chicken breasts, meatballs or as a vegetarian option add some cooked grain or white beans.

    How to store oyster mushroom salad.

    Put any leftover salad in an airtight container, without the excess dressing, and store in the fridge for a couple of days. Any longer and the spinach will become too soggy.

    What else can I do with the leftovers?

    I love using the leftovers in a frittata, or as a filling for an easy omelette.
    It is also wonderful to stir through some cooked pasta, I like to keep some of the pasta water to add to the sauce and then grate some fresh parmesan for some wonderful creaminess.
    If you warm it through it also makes a great filling for a tart.

    Dietary Information

    This recipe for oyster mushroom salad is suitable for vegetarian, low carb and keto diets.
    To make it vegan choose a vegan cheddar, for a nut-free version replace the pine nuts with either sunflower seeds or pepitas and for paleo, whole30 and dairy-free diets leave out the cheese altogether and try some smoked almonds instead.
    Each of our serves contains approximately 326 kcals and 7 grams of net carbs (calculated using a nutritional database so only estimates).

    More Mushroom Salad Recipes to Try

    SPINACH MUSHROOM SALAD PORT IN WHITE BOWL WITH RED TEA TOWEL
    SPINACH & MUSHROOM SALAD
    CLOSE UP OF MUSHROOM SALAD
    RAW MUSHROOM SALAD

    Recipe Card

    Oyster Mushroom Salad on a ceramic plate with spinach leaves scattered on the left and sundried tomatoes in a bowl on the top right.

    Outstanding Oyster Mushroom Salad with Spinach

    A smoky Oyster Mushroom Salad that will liven up your barbecue and win the hearts of mushroom lovers everywhere.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    * Times are an estimate and will depend on your skill level
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Australian
    Keyword: oyster mushrooms, smoked cheddar, spinach
    Difficulty: Capable Cooks
    Diet: Keto, Low Carb, Vegetarian,
    Servings: 4 serves
    Calories: 326kcal
    Equipment
    • 1 Salad Spinner
    Ingredients
    For the smoky mushrooms
    • 200 grams oyster mushrooms (look for the small oyster mushrooms as they are tastier, should be approximately 10 ounces)
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéeing)
    • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (or balsamic or red wine vinegar)
    For the salad
    • 80 grams baby spinach (3 cups or approximately 2.8 ounces)
    • ½ cup smoked cheddar
    • ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar (or balsamic or red wine vinegar)
    Metric - Imperial
    Instructions
    • Heat a large non-stick frypan on medium-to-high heat add some oil. Wipe your mushrooms and trim the stems, add your mushrooms in batches to your pan and sauté until golden brown (approximately 5-minutes per batch).
    • When all the batches of mushrooms have been browned, add them all back to the pan, add the minced garlic and smoked paprika.
    • Stir everything to combine and the garlic has been warmed through, then add 2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar, careful here as the vinegar will sizzle and steam. Mix well and remove from the stove.
    • In the meantime, wash and dry your baby spinach, crumble the smoked cheddar and cut the sun-dried tomatoes into strips.
    • Place everything (except the pine nuts) in a large mixing bowl, season and toss until combined.
    • Arrange in a salad bowl, scatter the pine nuts on top to garnish – serve and enjoy!

    Video

    Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
    Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 137mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2367IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @salads_with_anastasia or tag #salads_with_anastasia!

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    pinterest - SMOKY MUSHROOM SALAD WITH SEMI DRIED TOMATOES
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    About Anastasia

    Anastasia is a home cook introduced to cooking at a young age (8 years old) and hasn’t gotten out of the kitchen since! She had her own coffee shop and ran her own catering business for over a decade. Her love of salads developed as she was always the one responsible for making the salads for family get-togethers and friends functions.

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    Comments

    1. Bonita C Morlang says

      March 20, 2022 at 9:01 am

      I love these oyster mushrooms. I make mushroom tacos with them. So delicious. I top it with a mix of sliced red onions, cilantro, chopped tomatoes, and feta cheese. Yummy for my tummy.

      I'll definitely be trying this salad. Smoked paprika is the bomb.

      Reply

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