This Mushroom Thyme Crostini is a deliciously easy appetizer to make for your next party or get-together! I love that it's vegan friendly but still super filling and packed with immense flavor! I guarantee no one will even know it's a VEGAN appetizer!
If you love crostini appetizers, make sure to try my Steak & Crab Crostini, Goat Cheese & Fig Crostini or my Crostini with Ricotta.
Did you know that bruschetta and crostini are very similar? They are both made using slices of toast bread and a topping. The size and kind of bread is the differentiator.
Ingredients Tips
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious mushroom crostini with thyme:
- Cremini or mixed mushrooms: Any mushrooms will work. Cremini are a go-to but any blend of cremini, oyster, shiitake, and portobello mushrooms would be even more elegant.
- Shallots: These are mild and sweeter than onions.
- Fresh thyme: The star herb! Adds a woodsy, savory aroma and goes so well with mushrooms.
- Sherry wine: This ingredient adds a TON of flavor and brightness. *TIP! You can purchase Sherry Cooking Wine in your grocery store.
- Veggie stock: Helps create a flavorful, moist mushroom topping. You can use chicken or beef if you prefer.
- Bread: Use whatever bread you prefer. For crostini, it's recommended that you use a longer wider baguette but I use whatever bread I can find in the store.
How To Make This Appetizer
Step 1: Add your mushrooms, thyme, and shallots in butter or oil over medium-high heat until slightly browned. Once browned, add in a teaspoon of flour and mix. Add sherry and stock and allow for it to thicken.
2. Prepare your bread by brushing your sliced bread with oil and toasting it in the oven at 425 degrees F for about 8 minutes or until crispy and browned.
Pro Tip! Grill marks make for a more appealing and tastier crostini. Use a grill pan if you can't grill outdoors.
3. Serve with the mushroom mixture in a bowl alongside of your toasted bread with a serving spoon OR scoop the mixture onto the toasted breads.
Flavor Variations
This recipe is endlessly customizable! Try these ideas:
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes while sautéing.
- Cheesy: Top with shaved Parmesan, gruyere, or vegan feta.
- Crunchy: Add crispy fried onions or toasted pine nuts on top.
- Herby: Swap thyme for parsley, oregano, or tarragon. Garlic is also a great add-in!
Hosting Tip
When entertaining, offer at least one vegan and one gluten-free appetizer. This way, everyone has something to enjoy and you don’t have to stress about dietary restrictions last minute.
More Crostini Ideas
- Goat Cheese & Fig Crostini
- Whipped Goat Cheese & Blackberry Crostini
- Ricotta Cheese Crostini Appetizer
- How To Make The Best Crostini
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Mushroom Thyme Crostini
Ingredients
- ½ crusty baguette *see note (about 14 slices)
- ¼ cup olive oil (or butter if not vegan!)
- 16 oz. cremini mushroom, cleaned (any mushrooms would work)
- 1 bunch fresh thyme leaves
- 1 shallot, minced (or small onion)
- ¼ cup sherry vinegar
- 2 teaspoon flour
- ¼ cup veggie stock, broth or water
- salt & pepper to taste*
Instructions
- Your bread slices should be about ¼" thick. Brush 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil onto each slice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Grill: Grill your crostini over high heat on both sides using a grill pan or outdoor grill until you get desired grill marks.Bake: Bake your crostini at 450°F on the middle rack for about 7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.Set crostini aside and assemble mushroom topping.
- Slice your mushrooms no more than ¼" thick. Add 3-4 tablespoons of butter or olive oil to a hot skillet and toss in the mushrooms, minced shallot, and thyme. Saute for 2 minutes.
- Deglaze pan with sherry vinegar and let simmer for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the flour and after 30 seconds, add in the stock (or water). This will help to thicken up the juices in the pan to create a pan sauce for your crostini. If it is too dry, add a bit more stock. Salt to taste!
- Remove thyme leaves and spoon a couple tablespoons onto each crostini. Garnish with more thyme leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- Add minced garlic for more flavor!
- The yield will differ depending upon the size of your crostini.
- Make sure to season the mushrooms with salt and pepper to your liking. Mushrooms need seasoning!
- Sherry vinegar adds a delicious acidic flavor to your mushrooms without that vinegar taste. You can substitute marsala wine or wine if needed.
- You can remove the thyme leaves ahead if you feel like.
- The crostini should stay crispy for up to an hour.
- Keep crostini warm in the oven at 200 degrees F.
Nancy
Great recipe, thoroughly enjoyed by all! I used chicken broth because it’s all I had, portobello, shitaki and oyster mushrooms sautéed in butter, Sherry vinegar. It gave a nice zing, one shallot.
Aleka Shunk
Thanks for your review! 🙂