21 Types of Mushrooms: Buying Guide

Mushrooms are a versatile cooking staple that bring a rich, earthy flavor and satisfying texture to a wide range of dishes while also packing an impressive nutritional punch. Whether you are sautéing mushrooms for a stir-fry, enjoying them raw in a salad, or mincing them to add to hamburger meat, this umami-rich ingredient can elevate just about any dish. Certain types of mushrooms add immune health support to the recipe as well.

Here is everything you need to know about more than 20 types of mushrooms, including their flavor profiles, their best uses, and their nutritional stats.

What type of mushroom is the best?

There is no clear "best" type of mushroom. Some varieties are touted for their specific health benefits, while others are prized for their unique flavor profiles, so "best" is subjective. But all mushrooms provide valuable nutrients, such as essential proteins, dietary fiber, unsaturated fats, minerals, and a variety of vitamins.

Mushrooms are low in both calories and fat, and they contain a modest amount of fiber and protein as well as other key nutrients, such as B vitamins. Though mushrooms are considered a vegetable, they are botanically classified as a fungus.

Interestingly, they also serve as prebiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria to support digestive health.

21 mushroom types

While there are many varieties of mushrooms, these 21 (plus an imposter) are popular for their taste, availability, and wellness benefits.

1. Oyster mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are one of the most cultivated edible mushrooms worldwide. You can find them in many grocery stores, and they are easy for a novice to cultivate as there are many kits available to grow them at home. Oyster mushrooms are a source of various bioactive compounds, including beta glucans, which have been linked to immune health benefits and healthy heart support.

2. King oyster mushrooms

King oyster mushrooms are ranked second among commercially cultivated mushrooms after button mushrooms, and they can be found in many grocery stores. These mushrooms are recognized as a source of antioxidants, plant protein, calcium and iron.

3. Button mushrooms

Button mushrooms, also known as "white mushrooms" and "white button mushrooms," are the most cultivated edible mushrooms worldwide and are found in most grocery stores. White button mushrooms are the same species as cremini mushrooms but are less flavorful. They take on the flavors that you cook them with and are excellent in a simple sauté recipe. Button mushrooms contain niacin and riboflavin—B vitamins that help convert the food we eat into usable energy.

4. Cremini

Cremini mushrooms, also referred to as "baby bellas," are a more mature version of white button mushrooms. When fully mature, these mushrooms are called portabella mushrooms. There are many poisonous lookalikes for white button and cremini mushrooms, so it is best not to try to forage them yourself—especially because they are easy to buy in stores. These mushrooms are a good source of selenium, zinc and B vitamins.

5. Portabella mushrooms

As noted, portabella mushrooms are simply mature cremini mushrooms. Like all mushrooms, portabellas are low in fat and calories. Because of their particularly "meaty" texture, they can be used as a substitute for beef in dishes like tacos, pastas and stir-fries.

6. Turkey tail

Turkey tail mushrooms grow on dead logs and get their name because of their rings of brown and tan that look like turkey tail feathers. They have been particularly touted for their immune-supporting properties. They aren't really edible, but turkey tail mushrooms can be purchased as a supplement or tea.

7. Lion's mane

Lion's mane mushrooms can be foraged, grown at home and found in some grocery stores, particularly health food stores. It is also available in many supplements. This mushroom is touted for its cognition and mood benefits.

8. Puffballs

While fairly easy to identify in the wild because of their spherical shape and lack of gills, puffballs are more difficult to cultivate and are best sourced from an expert forager. With a very mild and bland taste, puffballs can serve as a blank canvas in a variety of dishes, from hummus to bruschetta.

9. Enoki

Enoki mushrooms have long been recognized for their nutritional value and delicious taste. They contain a variety of bioactive compounds that have been shown to benefit cognitive and cardiovascular health. You can find these mushrooms in many Asian grocery stores.

10. Chicken of the woods

Chicken of the woods is named for its flavor, which is often compared to chicken. Because of its meaty texture and taste, these mushrooms can be used as a chicken substitute in recipes like stir-fries, tacos, and pasta dishes or any dish that calls for poultry.

11. Reishi

While reishi mushrooms are not typically eaten, they are widely available as a supplement. Reishi mushrooms are particularly touted for their immune-supporting benefits.

12. Chaga

Chaga mushrooms are another type not eaten but available as a supplement, or made into a tea or a coffee-like beverage called mud water. Chaga mushrooms are also recognized for their support of immune system health.

13. Boletes (and king bolete)

Also referred to as porcini mushrooms, boletes are available in some specialty grocery stores. With their rich, nutty flavor, boletes are a great addition to soups, gnocchi, pastas and sauces.

14. Morels

Morel mushrooms are considered a rare delicacy and can be fairly expensive to buy. They are usually obtained from foraging since they are very difficult to cultivate. Like boletes, they only grow collaboratively with tree roots. When exposed to UV light, this wild mushroom is often a good source of vitamin D2.

15. Maitake

Maitake is also known as "hen of the woods." These mushrooms can be foraged, cultivated and purchased as a supplement. Maitake mushrooms are touted for their immune-supporting properties.

16. Shiitake

Another mushroom famous for immune health, shiitake mushrooms can be found in many grocery stores and in supplements.

17. Chanterelle

Like morel and bolete mushrooms, chanterelle mushrooms grow with tree roots, making them difficult to cultivate. While not found widely in stores, these trumpet-shaped mushrooms can be purchased from an experienced forager. It is important not to confuse chanterelles with their lookalike "jack-o-lantern mushrooms," which are poisonous. The chanterelle is a natural source of vitamin D2 when grown in direct sunlight.

18. Beech

Beech mushrooms look similar to enoki mushrooms and are found in some specialty grocery stores. These mushrooms have a firm and crunchy texture that holds up well in stir-fries and soups.

19. Hedgehog

This mushroom is primarily found by foraging or from a forager. Hedgehog mushrooms have a sweet, nutty taste and pair well with many herbs and spices.

20. Pheasant back

Pheasant back mushrooms can be both foraged and cultivated. Like many mushrooms, they are low in fat and are a source of protein, fiber and B vitamins.

21. Beefsteak mushroom

While the beefsteak mushroom looks like beef, it has an acidic flavor and rubbery texture. This mushroom can be both foraged and cultivated.

Bonus: Truffle

While technically not a type of mushroom since they are grown underground, truffles are a type of fungi prized for their intense, earthy aroma and unique flavor. They can be purchased in some stores and often are available at a high price. These culinary delicacies are often used in small amounts at restaurants as ingredients to elevate recipes, adding a luxurious and umami-rich depth of flavor to everything from pizza to pasta.

Reaping the benefits of mushrooms in your diet

While edible mushrooms add great flavor to a variety of recipes, many people seek them out specifically for their health benefits, particularly their immune-boosting properties. In that case, a mushroom supplement is a good option to give you consistent support for immune health. The best mushroom supplements combine shiitake, maitake, and Chaga mushrooms, along with patented beta-glucans, to help maintain a healthy, balanced immune response.

References

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