Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe | Steak, Chicken & Pasta

Quick and easy, this savory mushroom sauce is rich, creamy, and finger-licking good. Ready in just 20 minutes, it goes with just about everything! Pour it over steak, chicken, or pasta to take your meal to the next level!

The tastiest mushroom sauce ever

Ready in just 20 minutes, this easy mushroom sauce tastes like something out of a gourmet French restaurant and yet is made with just a skillet, requiring no special skills or exotic ingredients.  It's hands down one of the best sauces we have ever tasted and is super versatile. Pour some over your breakfast omelet, on a sandwich, on steamed vegetables or go fancy with steak or lobster and see for yourself!

Ingredients

All the ingredients for this simple sauce are easily available at a local grocery store.

• We use unsalted butter for the flavor and to control the amount of salt in the sauce. While like olive oil or avocado oil can be substituted for butter in this dish, opting for them will result in losing one of the main flavors—the rich, buttery taste.
• Fresh garlic, fresh thyme, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and freshly ground black pepper are used to add to the depth of flavor. You can also experiment with other flavorings, like tomato paste, white wine (try sauvignon blanc or pinot gris) or soy sauce in this recipe.
• Thinly sliced baby bella mushrooms are used because this brown mushroom is easily available in our local area and retains its shape beautifully when cooked. Other types of meaty mushrooms like white button mushrooms, large Portobello mushrooms, shitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, cremini mushrooms can also be used in this mushroom recipe.
• Heavy cream is used as the base of this creamy mushroom sauce recipe. For a dairy-free alternative you can use coconut milk.  If you prefer to use milk with a lower fat content, the sauce will be thinner. To compensate, you can use a little cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
• If the sauce is too thick use some chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth (preferably mushroom broth!), milk or water to dilute the sauce.  
• Some ideas for garnishes include fresh thyme, parmesan cheese, minced parsley and freshly ground black pepper.

How to make this creamy mushroom sauce

This sauce comes together in 3 simple steps and takes about 20 minutes. It is also a great make-ahead recipe.

Step 1: Melt the butter

• Pre-heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter. Once the butter has melted add the garlic. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Step #2: Brown the mushrooms

• Add the baby bellas mushrooms and sauté until golden brown - about 7-8 minutes.

Step #3:  Make the sauce

• Add the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, thyme, and heavy cream one at a time, stirring in between, to make sure all the ingredients are combines smoothly in the hot pan. Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer until the sauce is thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. If a thinner sauce is desired add a little milk, chicken broth or water until the sauce is the desired consistency. Taste and adjust the creamy sauce for seasoning. Remove from the heat and serve hot,immediately. Note that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Tips to make the best mushroom sauce

• Deglazing the pan with liquid is the best way to dissolve and incorporate all the flavor at the bottom of the pan.
• If making sauce for steak or chicken use the leftover chicken/steak oil in the pan along with a little bit of butter, if needed, to make this sauce into a mushroom gravy.
• For the smoothest and creamiest sauce, thoroughly combine the ingredients one at a time.
• Thicken the sauce by simmering a little longer.
• Dilute the sauce by adding more cream, water, milk, or broth.
• Sauté the mushrooms the day before to shorten the time needed to make this recipe. This is especially important when serving this recipe with steak.

Nutrition

A typical serving of this mushroom cream sauce has about 137 calories, 4.6 grams of protein, 8.5 grams of fat, and 14.7 grams of carbohydrates. 

This homemade mushroom sauce recipe yields approximately four servings.  The nutritional information is intended as a general guideline. If the nutrition information is important to you, you should independently verify it using your preferred tool.

Storage

Refrigerator.  Once cooled, this wonderful sauce can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer.  This white sauce can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. To thaw, allow the sauce to sit in the fridge overnight.

Make Ahead.  Make a large batch of this mushroom sauce and freeze the cooled sauce in an airtight container. It's perfect for easy weeknight dinners.

What to serve with this creamy mushroom sauce

Mushroom sauce pairs well with a variety of dishes and makes incredible leftovers. It's a fantastic menu addition for special occasions as it easily transforms everyday dishes into a fine dining experience. Here are some suggestions:

• On steak, chicken, or pork: Mushroom sauce is a classic accompaniment to juicy steak.  Grilled or roasted skinless chicken breasts like chicken tikka  also pairs really well with it. You can also spoon it over various pork dishes like pork chops or pork tenderloin.
• Pasta & Other Starches: Serve mushroom sauce over pasta, such as fettuccine or linguine, for a comforting vegetarian option. Other options include polenta, risotto, and gnocchi.
• On a sandwich: Pour a little mushroom sauce on a sandwich instead of your regular condiments and taste the difference.
• Grains: Its delicious when poured oven grains like rice or quinoa.
• Vegetarian Burgers: Top your vegetarian burgers or falafel balls with mushroom sauce for added flavor.
• Any type of potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes make a great base for mushroom sauce. 
• Roasted Vegetables: Serve mushroom sauce alongside or drizzled over roasted vegetables like asparagus and carrots, Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower.
• Green Beans: Sautéed or steamed green beans with mushroom sauce can be a tasty side dish.
• Crusty Bread: Serve mushroom sauce over slices of crusty bread or alongside a baguette to mop up the delicious sauce.
• Mixed Greens & Salads: A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette can be a refreshing accompaniment to balance the richness of the mushroom sauce.

FAQs

Looking for more recipes?

Search

Other Sauces & Side Recipes