Whip Up This Mushroom Duxelles Recipe for an Elegant Appetizer (2024)

Mushroom duxelles (pronounced duck-SELL) is an intensely flavored combination of finely chopped mushrooms, shallots, and fresh herbs such as thyme or parsley that are slowly cooked to a paste-like consistency. French in origin and named after the marquis d'Uxelles, this mushroom condiment is traditionally used in the preparation of beef Wellington,but it can also be used to flavor soups and sauces as well as to fill omelets and ravioli. It also happens to make for a delectable spread on crostini or toast points. Other creative uses include adding it as a flavor booster for mashed potatoes or mushroom-centric pasta dishes.

The key ingredients in duxelles are mushrooms, butter, salt, and pepper. Any type of mushroom or a combination can be used, including cremini, morel, shiitake, porcini, and white button mushrooms, and ingredient variations can include shallots and/or garlic and chopped fresh parsley.

An important step in making duxelles is to remove as much moisture as possible from the mushrooms, both before cooking and during the process. They need to be cooked long enough so the mushrooms release their moisture and then cook completely until the liquid evaporates. This will prevent any unnecessary sogginess, which is essential to a crisp pastry for beef Wellington.

Whip Up This Mushroom Duxelles Recipe for an Elegant Appetizer (2)

"These were easy and the flavor was great. It took just a few minutes to chop the shallots and pulse the mushrooms in the food processor. If you're using fresh thyme, the leaves make an attractive garnish. I tossed it with some rice and served it with steak." —Diana Rattray

Whip Up This Mushroom Duxelles Recipe for an Elegant Appetizer (6)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces mushrooms

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped shallot

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)

  • Kosher salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1/4 cup dry vermouth, sherry, or white wine

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

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  2. Finely chop the mushrooms in a food processor.

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  3. Scrape the mushrooms onto a clean cotton kitchen towel. (Choose an old towel as the mushrooms will stain it. Do not use terry cloth.)

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  4. Over a sink, twist the towel around the mushrooms to wring out as much liquid as possible.

    Whip Up This Mushroom Duxelles Recipe for an Elegant Appetizer (10)

  5. Heat a large (10-inch) nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat.

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  6. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and swirl to melt and avoid burning.

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  7. Add the mushrooms, shallot, thyme, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper.

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  8. Cook until the mushrooms release their liquid and continue to cook until the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms appear dry and begin to brown, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

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  9. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and, when melted, add the vermouth.

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  10. Cook until the vermouth has evaporated, stirring frequently. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

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How to Store and Freeze

  • You can make the duxelles a day ahead of time so that the assembly of the beef Wellington or other dishes goes more quickly.
  • Duxelles freeze well. This recipe produces more than you need for two Wellingtons, so you can save the remainder for future use. Roll the amount you won't immediately use into a log and wrap in plastic or foil, or spoon portions into an ice cube tray, and freeze. When ready to use, cut a portion from the log or remove a cube.

How to Use Mushroom Duxelles

Mushroom duxelles is commonly used in beef Wellington, but it can also be used in a wide variety of other ways:

  • Topping for crostini, toasts, or even baked potatoes.
  • In omelets.
  • In bread stuffing or used as part of the stuffing mixture for acorn squash.
  • Filling for a tart, savory pie, flaky pastries, or ravioli.
  • Flavorful addition to soups, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
  • Toss with your garlic and butter pasta or cacio e pepe.
  • Assemble a grilled cheese sandwich with a layer of duxelles.
  • Use duxelles as a stuffing for baked sole or flounder.
  • Add mushroom duxelles to your favorite stuffed chicken mixture.
  • Add leftover duxelles to your chicken Marsala sauce.
  • Sprinkle duxelles over a white pizza.

Recipe Variations

  • Add 1 clove of minced garlic along with the finely chopped shallots.
  • Garnish the duxelles with extra fresh thyme leaves or chopped fresh parsley.
  • Spread duxelles on crostini and top with shredded or shaved Gruyère or Parmesan cheese. Place the crostini on a baking sheet and broil just until the cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
98Calories
6g Fat
7g Carbs
2g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories98
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g8%
Saturated Fat 4g18%
Cholesterol 15mg5%
Sodium 83mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 7g2%
Dietary Fiber 2g6%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 5mg23%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 1mg7%
Potassium 258mg5%
*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.)

Whip Up This Mushroom Duxelles Recipe for an Elegant Appetizer (2024)

FAQs

Why is it called duxelle? ›

Duxelles is said to have been created by the 17th-century French chef François Pierre La Varenne (1615–1678) and to have been named after his employer, Nicolas Chalon du Blé, Marquis d'Uxelles, Maréchal de France.

What is mushroom duxelle made of? ›

Mushroom duxelles are a mix of finely chopped mushrooms (use button or cremini mushrooms or get fancy with a mix of wild mushrooms), shallots, and garlic sautéed in butter, then mixed with a little bit of chopped parsley, and cooked until the liquid is removed.

What is a good substitute for mushroom duxelle? ›

Instead of a regular mushroom duxelle, you will make one using chestnuts. Chestnuts go beautifully with red meat, but they're especially delicious in a beef Wellington.

What does duxelle taste like? ›

If you love mushrooms, you'll love Duxelles. It's an earthy flavored umami bomb for your tastebuds. It's a classic French preparation and finely chopped mixture of mushrooms, herbs, garlic, and shallots cooked in butter.

Should Duxelle be dry? ›

An important step in making duxelles is to remove as much moisture as possible from the mushrooms, both before cooking and during the process. They need to be cooked long enough so the mushrooms release their moisture and then cook completely until the liquid evaporates.

Can I freeze mushroom duxelle? ›

You can make and freeze it but it will be wetter when you defrost it, however you can rectify this by heating it in a medium saucepan or frying pan over a medium to high heat, stirring frequently, to evaporate the excess moisture.

What is the nutritional value of mushroom duxelles? ›

Nutritional Info: Per serving: 60 calories (50 from fat), 5g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 10mg cholesterol, 200mg sodium, 2g carbohydrates (0g dietary fiber, 1g sugar), 10g protein.

What mushroom is closest to beef? ›

The portobello mushroom crowns as the superior beef replacement due to their satisfying texture and array of flavours. This mushroom's absorbency can soak up sauces effortlessly, leaving for a fulfilling dish.

How do you know when duxelle is done? ›

Cook over a moderate to moderately-low heat until the mushrooms throw off their liquid and then re-absorb it, leaving no liquid in the pan. Stir occasionally. This process can take up to 20 minutes. When done the mushrooms will resemble a dark brown, mealy, almost paste-like texture.

What is the most popular mushroom to cook with? ›

Button mushrooms, or agaricus bisporus, are among the most common edible mushrooms worldwide. Thanks to their ease of cultivation and rich nutritional profile, they hold over 60% of the global mushroom market.

What is the meaning of duxelles in English? ›

Duxelles (French: [dyksɛl]) is a French cuisine term that refers to a mince of mushrooms, onions, herbs (such as thyme or parsley), and black pepper, sautéed in butter and reduced to a paste.

How long will duxelle last in the fridge? ›

As long as the Duxelles stay covered in the oil it should keep for several months in the fridge. Although at the rate it has been making its way into various recipes, that won't be a concern. This jar will be empty in a few weeks.

Is Beef Wellington a fancy dish? ›

Beef Wellington is a luxurious dish where puff pastry is wrapped around beef tenderloin then sliced into portions to serve. But it is more than that. There are different layers of flavor within the Wellington that make it truly spectacular. Make no mistake though, it's a fabulous to dish to make year round.

What do the French call Beef Wellington? ›

However, the Beef Wellington most closely resembles the French filet de boeuf en croute and may well have been renamed the Beef Wellington after the Battle of Waterloo – rather than being a dish specifically created for the Duke of Wellington.

Why is Beef Wellington so special? ›

It Consistently Combines Multiple Ingredients

For example, it's quite common to wrap the pâté and duxelles coated steak with parma ham to retain the meat's inner moisture. What's more striking is that all these ingredients combine in every slice and bite of beef wellington.

What is the mushroom layer in Beef Wellington called? ›

A traditional Beef Wellington consists of a beef tenderloin wrapped in layers of pâté, duxelles (a finely chopped mushroom mixture), parma ham, and puff pastry, then baked.

Why is there a crepe in Beef Wellington? ›

2) The crepes protect the pastry from excess moisture as the beef cooks, and also helps the beef stay joicy and tender once cooked. 3) Be very careful to tightly wrap your beef – the tighter the wrapping, the better the shape, which will result in more even cooking.

References

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