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Mushroom Pâté

Mushroom pâté is a perfect choice for a cocktail party if you are vegetarian or are having vegetarian guests. Use oil instead of butter and it’s vegan!

Mushroom Pate overhead shot

Originally published December 26, 2015.

I’ll admit, this mushroom pâté isn’t the prettiest thing I’ve made, but looks aren’t everything, especially when it comes to food, right?

Mushroom Pate (Vegetarian)

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I’m not saying that it doesn’t matter what the food looks like, because I believe we first eat with our eyes. Ultimately though, there are some super tasty things we just don’t have that much control over, like clams, lentils, minestra or this mushroom pâté.

Minestra, healthy greens and beans

If you’re a fan of fungi, you’ll want to start sautéing them immediately, as you’re going to love this pate with mushrooms. I’ve made it many times, and it never lasts. Besides being so tasty, it’s also vegetarian, egg-free, nut-free, nutritious and gluten-free! Tip: it makes a great spread for Passover as long as you omit the butter (I used capers in salt, but if you are concerned about the capers, you can omit them.)

Mushroom Pate on a cracker

You may also enjoy this vintage cheese ball recipe made with sautéed mushrooms.

cheese ball with crackers

What is Mushroom Pâté?

Mushroom pâté is simply a mushroom paste, much like more popular French pâtés made of meat such as liver or fish. It’s meant to be enjoyed as a spread, normally on bread or crackers. This vegetarian version makes use of white, brown or Cremini mushrooms instead, but can also make vegan mushroom pate by omitting the butter.

spreading the pate

Don’t save this recipe just for holiday parties as it’s just too good not to have on a regular basis. Serve this mushroom pate recipes as a spread, or make appetizers with it; either way, everyone will be craving more.

Mushroom Pate on a baguette slice.

You can easily make this mushroom pâté vegan, but omitting the butter and adding more olive oil; easy peasy.

pate with crackers on plate

Mushroom Pâté

slightly adapted from Sunset Fresh ways with Italian Cooking               serves 6

FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW

Ingredients

  • butter
  • extra virgin olive oilmushrooms
  • shallots
  • carrot
  • garlic
  • capers
  • sea salt
  • black pepper

Special equipment: food processor, ramekin or serving bowl

Directions

mushrooms and veg

Chop the mushrooms, shallots, carrot and garlic.

sauteeing mushroom and veg

Put one tablespoon of the butter and olive oil in a saute pan on medium heat then add the chopped ingredients.

Sauteed mushrooms and veg for pate.

Sauté for about 15 minutes, add salt and pepper. Add more oil if needed, until the mushrooms are slightly browned.

adding capers

Stir in the capers, and remove from the heat.

blending mixture in food processor

Place the mushroom mixture into a food processor and blend until homogenous. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and continue to process until relatively smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve the Mushroom Pâté

Use a spatula to put into a serving bowl, and serve with fresh or toasted bread (preferably), or crackers.

Mushroom Pate

Chill if desired. Keep leftovers refrigerated.

Lined bowl

NOTE: if you want to serve it unmolded, line the ramekin with cling wrap.

adding spread

Fill with the mushroom spread.

ready for fridge

Close the cling wrap over the top and refrigerate for at least two hours, preferably longer.

mushroom pate ready to be served

Serving the Mushroom Pâté

When ready to serve, open the wrap, turn upside down onto serving plate and remove plate and cling film.

pate with crackers on plate

Can I Make This in Advance and How Long Does Mushroom Pâté keep?

You can make this pate up to 3 days in advance, but I recommend making it the day before, then you have a couple of days for leftovers (if there are any) in the fridge afterwards.

pate on cracker with bite taken

Perfect for cocktail parties to picnics in the park! Let me know how you like it if you give it a go!

Here’s a super unique mushroom recipe from Jill at Mad About Macarons for mushroom macarons!

mushroom macaron
Courtesy of Mad About Macarons

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pate with crackers on plate

Mushroom Pâté

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
A vegetarian mushroom "pâté" that's full of flavor!
4.9 from 23 votes

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp butter (good quality – omit for vegan, and add 1 Tbsp more olive oil)
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (use truffle oil, if desired)
  • 1 lb mushrooms (fresh)
  • 3 shallots
  • 1 small carrot
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp parsley (optional) chopped
  • 2 Tbsp capers
  • tsp Kosher salt (or sea salt, to taste)
  • tsp pepper

Instructions

  • Chop the mushrooms, shallots, carrot, garlic and parsley (if using.)
  • Put one tablespoon of the butter and/or olive oil in a saute pan on medium heat then add the chopped ingredients. Saute for about 15 minutes, until the mushrooms are slightly browned.
  • Stir in the capers, and remove from the heat.
  • Place the mixture into a food processor and blend until homogenous. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and continue to process until relatively smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Use a spatula to put into a serving bowl, and serve with fresh or toasted bread (preferably), or crackers. Keep leftovers refrigerated.

Notes

  • Omit the butter to make this vegan.
  • NOTE: if you want to serve it unmolded, line the ramekin with cling wrap before placing the spread into it, then chill for at least 2 hours before releasing onto a serving plate.
  • You can make this pate up to 3 days in advance, but I recommend making it the day before, then you have a couple of days for leftovers (if there are any) in the fridge afterwards.
  • Measurements are not critical in this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 163mg | Potassium: 314mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1515IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

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4.87 from 23 votes (20 ratings without comment)

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45 Comments

  1. Wanted to let you know your recipe for mushroom pate is fantastic – made and served it twice in the past week with rave results!