Shaved Mushroom Salad with Sherry Vinegar
Raw cremini mushrooms sliced paper-thin and dressed in sherry vinegar, olive oil, and shallot, finished with parsley and shaved parmesan.
Why you'll love Shaved Mushroom Salad with Sherry Vinegar
Raw mushrooms, sliced very thin, are one of the great quiet salads. They taste earthy, nutty, and a little like the forest, and in a sharp dressing they soften in minutes into something tender and silky. Sherry vinegar brings a nutty, mellow acidity that suits mushrooms better than anything else in the pantry.
The key is to dress them just before serving and slice them thin. Mushrooms act like sponges, so thin slices soak up the dressing quickly and evenly, and a short rest of five minutes is enough to soften them. Any longer and they release their liquid and go limp. Shallot, parsley, and shaved parmesan finish the plate.
It is elegant enough for a dinner party and fast enough for a Tuesday. Serve it with steak, roast chicken, or fish.
Quick overview: This Shaved Mushroom Salad with Sherry Vinegar comes together in 15 min and makes 4 servings, each about 1 cup.
Ingredients
- 12 oz firm cremini mushrooms, wiped clean
- 1 small shallot, very thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup parsley leaves
- a small wedge of parmesan, shaved with a vegetable peeler
- Make it from scratch: Sherry Vinaigrette
Instructions
- Soak the shallot: Put the sliced shallot in a small bowl with the sherry vinegar, lemon juice, and salt and let it sit for 10 minutes. This softens its raw bite.
- Slice the mushrooms: Slice the mushrooms as thinly as you can, about 1/16 inch, with a sharp knife or a mandoline. Thin slices soften quickly and soak up the dressing.
- Make the dressing: Whisk the olive oil into the shallot and vinegar mixture and season with pepper.
- Dress and rest: Spread the mushrooms on a platter, spoon the dressing and shallots over them, and let them sit for 5 minutes to soften.
- Finish: Scatter the parsley leaves and parmesan shavings over the top and serve right away.
Storage and leftovers
This salad is best within 30 minutes of dressing. The mushrooms release liquid and soften as they sit.
Slice the mushrooms and make the dressing up to 2 hours ahead and keep them separate in the refrigerator.
Variations
- With arugula: Toss the mushrooms with a few handfuls of arugula for a peppery salad.
- Lemon only: Skip the sherry vinegar and use 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and a little zest.
- Celery: Add 2 thinly sliced celery stalks and their leaves for crunch.
- Hazelnuts: Scatter toasted, chopped hazelnuts over the top.
Notes and tips
- Choose firm mushrooms: Look for tightly closed caps with no slime or dark spots. Fresh mushrooms are essential for a raw salad.
- Wipe, do not wash: Rinsing waterlogs mushrooms. Wipe them with a damp towel instead.
- Slice thin: The thinner the slices, the more tender the salad.
- Serve soon: Dress it right before you sit down.
Nutrition and mindful eating
- Mushrooms are non-starchy, low in carbohydrate, and bring B vitamins, potassium, and selenium.
- They carry natural glutamates, the same savory compounds in parmesan, which is why a mushroom salad tastes deeply satisfying.
- Olive oil is the real fat here, and sherry vinegar brings acidity with a gentle, nutty flavor.
- Shaved parmesan adds salt and depth, so the salad needs very little added salt.
- As you eat, notice the earthy, savory flavor of the raw mushrooms, and pay attention to how satisfying a light salad can be when it is full of flavor.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this Shaved Mushroom Salad with Sherry Vinegar? Start here, with the questions people ask most.
Is it safe to eat raw mushrooms?
Cultivated cremini and white button mushrooms are commonly eaten raw. Choose fresh, firm mushrooms and wipe them clean.
Can I use white button mushrooms?
Yes. Cremini have a deeper flavor, and white mushrooms are milder.
What is sherry vinegar?
A vinegar aged from sherry wine in Spain. It is nutty and mellow. Red wine vinegar works if you cannot find it.
What can I serve it with?
Steak, roast chicken, grilled fish, or a frittata.
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