The Ultimate Spring Morel Mushrooms Foraging Guide: Tips for Finding and Cooking Morels

As a turkey hunter, spring is the season when all my focus is on one thing: turkeys. It’s tough enough to bag a Tom when all your attention is on him. But as someone who loves cooking with whatever I can find in the woods, spring also brings the chance to stumble upon one of nature’s tastiest treats—morels. Every spring, I walk miles in search of turkeys, deer antlers, and, of course, these elusive fungi. While I’m no expert, I’ve picked up a few tips that might help you track down these flavorful gems.

What Are Morels?

Morels are wild mushrooms that emerge from the forest floor each spring. What makes them so special is that they can't be farmed—so they’re only available to those who know where to find them. Luckily, they’re pretty easy to identify, making them perfect for first-time foragers. That said, it’s always important to follow some basic foraging ethics before you start hunting for anything to eat in the woods. Be sure to check out foraging guidelines before heading out in search of morels.

Morel Mushrooms vary in shape. Some are long and pointy, while others are shorter and more stout, but they all share that signature honeycomb-like exterior, usually in shades of yellow or beige.

Inside, a true morel is white and, importantly, hollow. This hollow center is the key feature that separates them from the toxic false morel, which tends to be reddish-brown and solid inside.

When to Start Looking for Morel Mushrooms

Morels start to appear when the soil temperature hits the 50s. In Tennessee, I usually begin finding them in late March, especially after a good rain, and they’ll keep popping up through April—sometimes into early May. Further north, you can expect to start your search in April, with morels still appearing into June, especially in the far northern regions.

Where to Find Morels

These little (sometimes big) gems can be tricky to spot, but knowing what to look for helps. Morel Mushrooms tend to grow near certain trees, so getting familiar with a few key species will boost your chances. They also thrive in well-drained areas that get plenty of rain.

In my experience, morels often associate with elm, ash, oak, aspen, and yellow poplar trees. If you find these trees, check around their base or, if the trees are dead, look under any rotting wood nearby.

Other great spots to search include old fruit orchards, field edges, areas that have been burned in the past, and along damp creek beds or pond sides. If you can find an area where any of these conditions overlap, you might just stumble upon a hot spot for morels!

A Simple and Delicious Morel Mushroom Appetizer

Cooking mushrooms can be tricky because they shrink quite a bit as they cook, so unless you’ve got pounds of these little treasures, I love to serve them as a light appetizer. Picture this: a slice of warm sourdough or a crispy baguette, topped with sautéed morels. It’s simple, yet tasty—perfect for cooks of all levels!

What You'll Need:

• Fresh morel mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• Fresh thyme
• Chopped chives (both the green and white parts)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Lemon juice
• Sourdough or baguette (for serving)
• Goat cheese
• Olive oil (a drizzle for extra flavor)

Instructions:

• **Prepare the Morels: **After harvesting your morels, brush off any Then, slice them lengthwise to prepare them for cooking.
• **Sauté the Morels: **Heat a pan over medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter melts, toss in a few sprigs of fresh thyme and a handful of chopped chives (both the green and white parts). When the herbs start sizzling, add your sliced morels to the pan.
• **Season: **Sprinkle the morels with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of lemon Give everything a good stir.
• **Cook: **Let the morels cook for about 4 minutes, or until they turn golden You want them to be crispy, but not overdone.
• **Assemble the Toast: **While the morels are cooking, grab a slice of sourdough or a piece of Smear some creamy goat cheese on top and drizzle with a little olive oil for added flavor.
• **Top and Serve: **Once the morels are done, spoon them generously onto the toast. The earthy flavor of the morels combined with the fresh herbs and creamy cheese makes for a perfect bite!