Foraging was always huge in Scandinavia, way before it became a trend with Michelin starred chefs across the globe. Most Nordic kids grow up searching for plump blueberries, picking tart lingonberries, or looking for the gloriously sweet wild strawberries. We all know that the forests, streams, beaches and fields hide immeasurable delicious treasures, and we learn early on to appreciate them.
One of the most beloved treasures we (and many other regions across the globe) have are the chanterelles. Enchantingly shaped, they are considered foraging royalty in the north, and the locations of good picking spots are guarded more carefully than some state secrets.
Chanterelles are incredible, and they have their entirely own characteristic among mushrooms. Fruity, nutty, slightly peppery and with a fabulously meaty texture, I find them almost irresistible. I often sauté them with a dash of heavy cream and some fresh parsley, served on a butter fried toast – but just a little bit of garlic, thyme, rosemary, and butter is probably my favorite preparation. Place on a large plate in the middle of the table, and serve with some grilled garlic bread on the side. A favorite fall appetizer.
How to Make Pan Roasted Chanterelles with Garlic Bread
1. Prepare the Garlic Bread
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, finely chopped garlic, and salt until well combined.
- Butter the Bread: Spread a generous layer of the garlic butter over each slice of rustic bread.
- Bake the Bread: Arrange the buttered bread slices on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden and crispy. Remove from oven and set aside.
2. Clean the Chanterelles
- Rinse and Dry: Rinse the chanterelle mushrooms gently under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Be careful not to soak them. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
3. Cook the Chanterelles
- Preheat Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Add the chanterelles to the skillet in a single layer, ensuring they have enough space to cook evenly. Sprinkle with flake salt and cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to release their natural juices.
- Evaporate Liquid: Continue cooking the mushrooms for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until all the liquid has evaporated and the chanterelles have started to brown slightly.
4. Add Butter and Herbs
- Lower Heat and Add Ingredients: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add butter, chopped garlic, fresh thyme, and a few sprigs of rosemary to the skillet.
- Flavor the Mushrooms: Stir occasionally and allow the mushrooms to cook in the butter and absorb the flavors. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until fragrant and slightly crispy around the edges.
5. Finish and Serve
- Season: Add freshly ground black pepper and adjust salt to taste.
- Serve: Arrange the chanterelles on a serving plate. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for an aromatic presentation and serve with the warm garlic bread.
Recipe Notes
- Choose the Right Mushrooms: If chanterelles aren’t available, you can substitute with other wild mushrooms, like shiitake or cremini, though the flavor will vary.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Ensure the mushrooms are spread in a single layer in the skillet to allow even browning. Overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than roasting.
- Herb Substitutions: If you don’t have fresh thyme or rosemary, dried versions can be used in smaller amounts, but fresh herbs provide the best flavor.
- Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
Buy the NORTH – Scandinvianish cookbook here.
NØRTH Cookbook Recipe – Pan Roasted Chanterelles
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Omnivore
Description
Earthy chanterelles, roasted to perfection with garlic and herbs. Served with crispy garlic bread – a taste of the Scandinavian forest.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) chanterelle mushrooms
- 3/4 tsp flake salt
- 2 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 slices rustic bread
- 1/4 cup (60 g) unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, chopped garlic, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
- Spread a generous layer of garlic butter on each slice of rustic bread.
- Place the bread on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crispy around the edges. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Gently rinse the chanterelle mushrooms under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris. Carefully pat them dry with paper towels.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chanterelles in a single layer, giving them enough space to cook evenly.
- Sprinkle the mushrooms with flake salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms start to release their natural juices, about 5 minutes.
- Allow the liquid to evaporate completely, stirring occasionally, for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the chanterelles start to brown slightly.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter, chopped garlic, fresh thyme, and a few sprigs of rosemary to the skillet.
- Stir occasionally, allowing the mushrooms to absorb the butter and herbs, cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes until they are golden and fragrant.
- Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and adjust salt to taste, if needed.
- Arrange the pan-roasted chanterelles on a serving plate and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs. Serve with garlic bread on the side.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, sauté the chanterelles in stages, allowing the liquid to evaporate between additions.
- Substitute cremini or shiitake mushrooms for chanterelles if unavailable, but note the flavor profile will differ.
- Store leftover mushrooms in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Scandinavian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 25
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of bread should I use for the garlic bread?
You can use any type of crusty bread, such as a baguette or ciabatta, as they hold up well when buttered and toasted.
Can I use dried chanterelles instead of fresh ones?
While dried chanterelles can be used, they should be rehydrated in warm water before cooking, and the texture will differ from fresh ones.
How do I know when the chanterelles are cooked properly?
Cook the chanterelles until they are tender and have released their moisture, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes, ensuring they retain their meaty texture.

Half-Scandinavian here, living in the northeast and loving chanterelles. This was great, I just happened to have about two pounds and the recipe was just super-good!!!
I was in Sweden once and got the creamy mushroom toast that you write about and it was so good, I am definitely into this version too.
Just bought the book, and it looks incredible. So many recipes I want to cook!!
I have been picking chanterelles here in Canada since I was a kid too, they are just wonderful. Great recipe and the book looks great too.
I am a Swede, and I can attest to all of this. Chanterelles are sacred in Sweden, and they are so delicious. Great recipe, perfect not to doo too much to them.
Bought the book! It is so pretty and so many fantatsic recipes!
I just downloaded the cookbook, and it is STUNNING!!
Love Nordic cooking and I love this recipe. So simple, and so pretty. We have a lot of chanterelles her in NY state too, and they are absolutely beautiful. Bought the cookbook, and it is fabulous!
This recipe is officially FIRE. I love chanterelles but the dry roasting was a technique I had never tried before, but it was just fantastic. The mushrooms were a littl crispy, which is just the way you want them! Thank you! Now on to buying the book!
If anyone rates this less than five stars, I will hunt them down, and… well… cook them this mouthwatering dish!
Looking forward to reading the cookbook because if this recipe is any indication it will be fantastic!
Thanks for a beautiful recipe and a wonderful cookbook!