FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Creamy Mushroom Sauce
• Tips For Adjusting Sauce Thickeness
• Ways To Use It
• More Sauces For Steak And Chicken
• My Favorite Skillet
• Creamy Mushroom Sauce (For Steak, Chicken & More) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

After I created my creamy mushroom chicken , I decided to experiment with the sauce on its own. I made a few tweaks to make it more versatile for a variety of recipes, and (after 5 tests) this is the result! You can use this creamy mushroom sauce for top sirloin steak recipes , chicken , pasta, or just about any savory dinner you like. With rich umami flavor, every bite of this mushroom cream sauce tastes hearty and satisfying. It’s the perfect way to make a meal more interesting.

This mushroom sauce recipe takes the savory taste of sauteed mushrooms (cooked in garlic butter ) and turns them into a sauce. Whether you’re looking to add a punch of flavor to your favorite dishes or just want a clean recipe with no fillers, this mushroom cream sauce is the one you’ll want to save.

Why You Need My Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe

• Savory umami flavor
• Rich, creamy texture
• Just 7 simple ingredients
• Done in 30 minutes
• Easy to adjust the thickness
• Versatile — you can use this in so many ways!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my mushroom cream sauce recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Olive Oil – Used for sauteing. You can use avocado oil, or any neutral cooking oil you prefer.
• Cremini Mushrooms – You can buy them pre-sliced or slice them yourself. If you don’t have cremini mushrooms on hand, white button or chopped portobello mushrooms are great substitutions. You could even use shiitake mushrooms or wild mushrooms if you like.
• Unsalted Butter – Adds a rich, creamy texture to the sauce.
• Garlic – I recommend using fresh garlic for the best flavor, but you could use 2 teaspoons of jarred minced garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for convenience.
• Fresh Thyme Leaves – You can also add or substitute other fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano. If you want to use dried herbs instead of fresh, use 1 teaspoon dried to replace 1 tablespoon fresh, or just use a teaspoon of Italian seasoning .
• Chicken Broth – I used reduced-sodium because I always have it on hand, but you can use regular broth, vegetable broth, homemade chicken broth or bone broth if you prefer. You might need to adjust the amount of salt depending on how salty your broth is. You can also replace half of the chicken broth with white wine, which delivers more depth of flavor.
• Heavy Cream – This is the key ingredient for creamy mushroom sauce. It thickens nicely when simmered. Don’t substitute milk here, as the sauce will be too thin (unless you also add cornstarch or a cornstarch substitute ). You can probably use coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk instead though, if you need to.
• Salt & Pepper – As needed to taste.

VARIATION: Add onions!

I made this creamy mushroom sauce recipe with minimal ingredients, but diced onions are a common addition you can make. Simply dice 1/2 an onion and saute until browned before adding the mushrooms. (You can also throw in some leftover caramelized onions if you have them on hand — delicious!)

How To Make Creamy Mushroom Sauce

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Saute mushrooms. Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and saute until they are browned and the juices evaporate.

Tip: Adjust heat as needed.

Medium-high heat will help the liquid evaporate, but you can reduce to medium heat if mushrooms start to brown too much.

1. Saute garlic and thyme. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push the mushrooms away from the center of the pan to make a well and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and thyme. Saute until fragrant, then stir together with the mushrooms.

1. Deglaze the pan. Add broth to the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom. Increase heat to bring to a gentle boil, then simmer until liquid volume reduces by half.
2. Thicken the sauce. Add heavy cream. Simmer until the mushroom cream sauce thickens to your liking. (See tips on this below!)
3. Garnish. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with more fresh thyme or fresh parsley if desired. You can use creamy mushroom sauce for steak, chicken, and many other kinds of dishes — see ideas below!

Tips For Adjusting Sauce Thickeness

The beauty of this creamy mushroom sauce is you can adjust the thickness to your liking. Here are some tips for doing that:

• Sauce too thin? Simmer it for longer! The mushroom cream sauce will cook down to get thicker, so just play with the cooking time to get the consistency you like.
• Sauce too thick? If the sauce reduces too much and becomes too thick, you can add more broth and cream in a 1:2 ratio, then simmer to thicken just enough.
• You can also thicken with parmesan. If you like the flavor, add 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese at the end and let it melt over low heat to make your sauce thicker.
• Sauce thickens as it cools. Keep this in mind, as it will get thicker when it goes from piping hot to warm.
• Consider how you’ll use it. A very thick creamy mushroom sauce for steak is ideal, but for chicken or pasta, a thinner one works better.

Below are a couple pictures from two different times I made this recipe, showing different thickness levels you can achieve — and you can also do something in between.

Ways To Use It

You can use mushroom sauce to create all kinds of flavorful dishes! Here are some ideas to enjoy these rich, comforting flavors:

• Chicken – I created this creamy mushroom sauce for chicken above all else, and it works with just about any prep method. Try it on pan seared chicken , crispy air fryer chicken thighs , or even mixed in with some shredded chicken . You could also use it on top of or as a stuffing idea for spinach stuffed chicken breasts .
• Steak – Mushroom sauce for steak is one of the best ways to use it! Try it over a classic reverse sear steak , a tender London broil , or an impressive ribeye steak . It’s also delicious over a roast, such as a juicy beef tenderloin or tri tip .
• Pork – I like to drizzle it over mushroom stuffed pork chops for the ultimate meal. Or, add the perfect finishing touch to pork steaks in the oven , a hands-off Crock Pot pork tenderloin , or simple air fryer pork chops .
• Potatoes – Add flavor and moisture to mashed potatoes (or cauliflower mashed potatoes for a lighter spin).
• Noodles – Serve mushroom sauce over your favorite pasta, or choose healthier noodle options like zucchini noodles and roasted spaghetti squash in the oven .

More Sauces For Steak And Chicken

Looking for other ways to amp up your chicken or steak! Try these zesty, herby, sweet, or savory options:

My Favorite Skillet

I love my cast iron skillet and have it in every size and a variety of colors. It creates the perfect caramelized mushrooms for sauce.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 lb Cremini mushrooms (sliced; ~6 cups) ▢
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter ▢
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 tbsp Fresh thyme (plus more for garnish, if desired) ▢
• 1 cup Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option) ▢
• 1 1/2 cup Heavy cream ▢
• Sea salt (optional, to taste) ▢
• Black pepper (optional, to taste) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Heat the olive oil in a large (at least 10-inch) cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes , until the oil shimmers and slides around the pan easily when tilted. (You can make this recipe in a different skillet, but cook times will usually take longer.)
2. Add the mushrooms to the pan. Saute for 5-6 minutes , stirring occasionally but not constantly, until mushrooms are browned and liquid evaporates. Medium-high heat will help the liquid evaporate, but you can reduce heat to medium if mushrooms start to brown too much.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push the mushrooms away from the center of the pan to make a well and add the butter. Wait for it to melt, then add the minced garlic and thyme. Saute for about 1 minute , until fragrant. Once the garlic has cooked a bit, stir together with the mushrooms.
4. Add the broth to the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom (this is called deglazing). Increase heat to bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 4-5 minutes , until the liquid volume reduces by half.
5. Add the heavy cream. Bring to a boil again, then simmer for 10-15 minutes , until the sauce thinly coats the back of a spoon and is slightly thinner than you want it – it will thicken a bit more as it cools.
6. Turn off the heat. Let the creamy mushroom sauce cool for 5 minutes . If needed, season with salt and pepper to taste. (I didn’t find it necessary, as the broth already made the sauce salty enough.) Garnish with more fresh thyme if desired.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size : 1/2 cup

• Store: Cool completely, then keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over medium-low—microwaving can make it separate.
• Freeze: Not ideal since it may separate, but you can try freezing for up to 3 months.

Entire recipe makes 2 1/2 cups.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Creamy Mushroom Sauce For Steak Or Chicken

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Creamy Mushroom Sauce (For Steak, Chicken & More)

Use this creamy mushroom sauce for chicken, steak, pasta & more! It’s so easy to make, with simple staples like mushrooms, cream, and garlic.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/creamy-mushroom-sauce/

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 lb Cremini mushrooms (sliced; ~6 cups)
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp Fresh thyme (plus more for garnish, if desired)
• 1 cup Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• 1 1/2 cup Heavy cream
• Sea salt (optional, to taste)
• Black pepper (optional, to taste)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large (at least 10-inch) cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes , until the oil shimmers and slides around the pan easily when tilted. (You can make this recipe in a different skillet, but cook times will usually take longer.)
2. Add the mushrooms to the pan. Saute for 5-6 minutes , stirring occasionally but not constantly, until mushrooms are browned and liquid evaporates. Medium-high heat will help the liquid evaporate, but you can reduce heat to medium if mushrooms start to brown too much.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push the mushrooms away from the center of the pan to make a well and add the butter. Wait for it to melt, then add the minced garlic and thyme. Saute for about 1 minute , until fragrant. Once the garlic has cooked a bit, stir together with the mushrooms.
4. Add the broth to the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom (this is called deglazing). Increase heat to bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 4-5 minutes , until the liquid volume reduces by half.
5. Add the heavy cream. Bring to a boil again, then simmer for 10-15 minutes , until the sauce thinly coats the back of a spoon and is slightly thinner than you want it – it will thicken a bit more as it cools.
6. Turn off the heat. Let the creamy mushroom sauce cool for 5 minutes . If needed, season with salt and pepper to taste. (I didn’t find it necessary, as the broth already made the sauce salty enough.) Garnish with more fresh thyme if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size : 1/2 cup

• Store: Cool completely, then keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over medium-low—microwaving can make it separate.
• Freeze: Not ideal since it may separate, but you can try freezing for up to 3 months.

Entire recipe makes 2 1/2 cups.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)