How to Cook Turkey Tail Mushrooms: A Complete Guide

Some mushrooms are highly sought-after for their use in cooking. Others get used for their medicinal benefits.

Turkey tail mushrooms fall into the second category. They contain a number of beneficial compounds that make them worth consuming.

The problem is that you can’t simply eat turkey tail mushrooms like portobellos or oyster mushrooms. Their thick and woody structure makes them basically inedible to humans.

These mushrooms need to get prepared in specific ways if you want to benefit from them.

The good news is that preparing turkey tail mushrooms as a tea or supplement isn’t difficult.

In this article we’ll explain how you can use turkey tails for medicinal use. We’ll also go over how to find and identify them, what their benefits are and more. Keep reading to see if turkey tail mushrooms are something you might want to add to your daily health regimen.

And if you’re in the UK I’d love you to have a look at our MycoTonics range of medicinal extracts which includes Turkey Tail.

Turkey tail mushrooms are a unique culinary ingredient with impressive health benefits. Also known as Trametes Versicolor, these mushrooms have been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Modern research shows they contain antioxidants, polysaccharides and other compounds that boost immunity, support gut health and more.

This complete guide covers everything you need to know about cooking with turkey tail mushrooms. You’ll learn how to buy, store, prepare and cook them, along with delicious recipe ideas. Read on to discover the versatility and flair these medicinal mushrooms can add to both sweet and savory dishes.

Turkey tail mushrooms grow on decaying logs in forests around the world. The mushroom caps have a leathery texture and display beautiful concentric rings of color. Underneath are tiny pores rather than gills. Their common name comes from their fan shape, resembling the tail of a turkey.

In the wild, always confirm identification with an expert before consuming When buying, look for certified organic mushrooms from reputable sources Dried turkey tails can be stored up to a year while fresh ones last around 5 days refrigerated.

Health Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine have used turkey tail mushrooms for thousands of years Modern research is now confirming many of their touted health benefits

May stimulate immune system due to polysaccharides
Antioxidants fight free radicals and inflammation
Prebiotics feed beneficial gut bacteria
Anti-cancer effects shown in early research
Contains vitamin D, B vitamins, potassium and other nutrients

While studies are preliminary, adding turkey tail mushrooms to your diet may provide whole body wellness advantages.

Buying and Storing Turkey Tail Mushrooms

You can find fresh or dried turkey tail mushrooms at natural grocers, specialty stores and online shops. Always look for organic, sustainably sourced mushrooms.

Store fresh turkey tails in the fridge in a paper bag for under 5 days. Don’t wash until ready to use. Dried ones keep for up to a year in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot. Rehydrate by soaking in warm water for 30 minutes before cooking.

Preparing Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Proper preparation helps bring out the best flavor and texture. For fresh mushrooms:

Clean by trimming any dried edges with a paring knife.
Rinse caps under cool water, rubbing gently to remove debris.
Pat dry thoroughly with a paper towel.

For dried:

Soak in warm water 30 minutes until softened.
Drain then pat dry with a paper towel.

Chop mushrooms thinly or mince into small pieces. Grinding into powder also works well.

Cooking Methods for Turkey Tail Mushrooms

The mild umami flavor and chewy texture of turkey tails work well with various cooking methods:

Sauté: Slice mushrooms and sauté in olive oil over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Add garlic, shallots or onions.
Soups: Dried or fresh turkey tails add nutrients and flavor to soups. Add during last 10 minutes of simmering.
Teas: Simmer turkey tail pieces or powder to extract beneficial compounds. Steep 10-15 minutes.
Roasted: Toss sliced mushrooms in olive oil then roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
Baked goods: Finely chop and add to muffins, breads or cookies for moisture and nutrition.

Healthy and Delicious Turkey Tail Mushroom Recipes

From breakfast to dinner and everything between, turkey tail mushrooms enhance the nutrition and taste of sweet and savory recipes:

Turkey tail breakfast hash: Sauté turkey tails, potatoes, peppers and onions. Top with a fried egg.
Immune-boosting turkey tail tea: Simmer turkey tails with ginger and lemon, then strain and sip.
Creamy mushroom soup: Sauté turkey tails and blend with broth, cream and herbs.
Stir fry: Turkey tails pair nicely with snap peas, bok choy, carrots and tamari sauce over cauliflower rice.
Chocolate protein smoothie: Blend cacao powder, turkey tail powder, banana, nut butter and milk of choice.
Savory gravy: Simmer turkey tails in broth with garlic and thyme then thicken.

Tips for Cooking with Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Follow these tips to safely enjoy turkey tails:

Always cook thoroughly before eating to maximize digestibility and benefits.
Start with small amounts to assess tolerance. Some people may experience mild digestive upset.
Buy from reputable sources and confirm quality and purity. Avoid contaminated products.
May interact with certain medications so check with your doctor if taking prescription drugs.

The Benefits of Cooking with Turkey Tail Mushrooms

With their unique taste, texture and impressive nutrient profile, turkey tail mushrooms make a smart addition to many recipes. They provide a flavor boost while supporting wellness in many ways:

Contains antioxidants that fight free radicals
May stimulate immune function
Promotes a healthy gut microbiome
Aids digestion as a prebiotic
Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential

Cooking also helps improve the bioavailability of beneficial compounds like polysaccharides. Overall, adding turkey tail mushrooms to your diet is an easy way to potentially support whole body health.

Turkey tail mushrooms offer culinary flair and functional food benefits. With their woodsy flavor and chewy texture, they enhance the taste of soups, teas, baked goods and more. Turkey tails also provide antioxidants, immune and gut supporting compounds based on an impressive nutritional profile. Follow this guide for tips on buying, storing, preparing and cooking turkey tail mushrooms. Then get creative with recipes both sweet and savory to enjoy their versatile flavor. With a little creativity in the kitchen, these medicinal mushrooms can upgrade both nutrition and taste.

how to cook turkey tail mushroom

How To Clean Turkey Tail

Turkey tail mushrooms grow on living or dead trees. So generally they’re up off the ground and don’t get as dirty as other varieties of mushrooms that grow directly in the soil.

First inspect your turkey tails to make sure there are no signs of insects, mold or other serious problems.

If everything looks okay, you can give your mushrooms a quick brush with something like a toothbrush. That will usually get off the majority of any dirt or debris that is clinging to them.

The edge where turkey tail mushrooms connect to a log may have a lot of debris attached to it. It’s easiest to just cut this area of the mushroom off with a pair of kitchen shears.

For especially dirty mushrooms, you can give them a quick rinse off under a running faucet. However like most mushrooms, you don’t want to submerge them in water for any length of time as they will absorb a lot of it.

Once your mushrooms get cleaned off, they’re ready for the food dehydrator.

How To Store Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Fresh turkey tail mushrooms should get dried as soon as possible. Use the methods discussed above to dry out your mushrooms to ensure they will store well.

Dried or powdered turkey tail mushrooms can be stored indefinitely as long as they’re stored in an airtight container that’s kept in a cool dark place.

If you are planning on storing your mushrooms for more than a few months, we recommend adding an oxygen absorber or food-safe silica desiccant packet. This will help to absorb any residual moisture and keep them fresh.