Easy Slow Cooker Garlic Mushrooms Recipe

Recipe From Paleohacks

You can always count on the earthy richness of mushrooms to make any dish taste extra savory. But did you know these chewy goodies are technically not vegetables? Mushrooms are actually members of kingdom fungi. Don’t let that throw you off, though, since they’re still bursting with nutrition. In fact, they may even be better than some veggies since they contain nutrients found in different food groups.1

If you want to enjoy the simple flavor of mushrooms, then this Easy Slow Cooker Garlic Mushrooms recipe from Paleohacks is something that you should try. It’s a fantastic side dish that’s absolutely effortless to make. Pair it with your lunch or dinner for a tasty and hearty meal.

Easy Slow Cooker Garlic Mushrooms Recipe

Cook Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms
  • 2/3 cup organic vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons grass fed butter
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Procedure

  1. Set slow cooker to low. Rinse and dry mushrooms. Add mushrooms, vegetable broth, grass fed butter, garlic, thyme, sea salt and black pepper. Stir. Cover with lid and cook for 1 hour.
  2. Stir mushrooms and cook an additional hour or until mushrooms are tender. Remove thyme and serve hot.

A Few Tips for Preparing Mushrooms

You’ve probably heard that mushrooms shouldn’t be washed since they’ll soak up water and lose their flavor. Some people prefer to clean mushrooms by wiping them with a damp paper cloth or a mushroom brush. However, this can be a painstaking and time-consuming task. So the question is: Is it really bad to wash mushrooms?

While it’s true that mushrooms soak in water, the amount that they absorb after a quick wash is actually small. Therefore, it’s okay to clean mushrooms with water, as long as you only give them a quick rinse and pat them dry right away. Remember not to leave them soaking for a long period of time.2 If you have some leftover mushrooms, put them in a perforated plastic container. They should last up to five days if stored properly.3

Why Cremini Mushroom Is a Great Addition to Your Diet

Cremini mushroom, also known as baby portobello, is a more mature version of the famous white button mushroom. It has a firm texture and a deep flavor, making it a great addition to stews, soups, salads and main dishes.4 Eating cremini mushroom is also great for your health since it’s full of vitamins and nutrients, which include:5

B Vitamins

Cremini contains a variety of B vitamins, including vitamin B12, vitamin B6, riboflavin and niacin. B vitamins are essential for maintaining proper brain, cardiovascular and nervous system functions.

Potassium

One hundred grams of cremini mushroom contain 13 percent of your daily recommended intake of potassium.

This mineral is essential for promoting cardiovascular health, maintaining proper nerve function, reducing blood sugar and blood pressure and regulating body fluids.

Selenium

Cremini mushroom is also rich in selenium, a mineral that helps lower the risk of cancer and improve the immune system by stimulating the production of T cells.

Fiber

A hundred grams of cremini mushroom have 0.6 grams of dietary fiber, which is known to promote a healthy gut microbiome, effectively strengthening the immune system and lowering the risk of inflammatory diseases.

 Protein

Cremini mushroom is a good source of protein. One hundred grams of it contain 2.5 grams of protein.

The right amount of protein intake is beneficial for your muscles, bones, enzymes and hormones. Be careful, though, as excessive consumption of protein may also wreak havoc on your health.

Zinc

One hundred grams of cremini mushrooms also contain 7 percent of your daily recommended intake of zinc.

Zinc is an essential mineral that protects the DNA strands from breakage, strengthens the immune system, prevents diabetes complications and maintains proper sensory organ function.

Make Sure That You’re Only Using Grass Fed Butter in Your Meals

Grass fed dairy products not only are rich and creamy, but are also more beneficial to your health. They are produced by cows that are fed their natural diet of grass and are allowed to forage freely.

Unfortunately, most dairy products available in the supermarkets come from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). These animals are raised in poor living conditions and given low doses of antibiotics from time to time, which results in a growing threat of antibiotic-resistant illnesses. They’re also fed grains, which alter their gut bacteria and predispose them to diseases. All of these factors negatively affect the nutritional composition of dairy products from CAFOs, which is why you should opt for farm-fresh products instead.

When shopping for butter or other dairy products, look for grass fed labels. Some of the grass fed labels that you may encounter include Food Alliance Certified, Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) Certified and Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) grass fed. You may also get your grass fed butter from local organic farms or co-ops near you. By consuming farm-fresh products, you’re not only promoting your health but also supporting the environment.

+ Sources and References