How to Spot a Morel Mushroom (and Their Fake Lookalikes)

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This is a reminder that morel mushrooms are great, but their toxic cousins can fool you.

When it comes time to find morel mushrooms, outdoorsmen across the country tend to get a little excited. They've been cooped up all winter, and it's a sure sign of impending spring when the first morel mushrooms poke out of the ground.

If you're just getting started, or even if you've been at it for a while and want to learn more, this quick video will help you distinguish true morels from their false relatives.

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Watch closely and learn the differences, and you can rest assured you'll be cooking up some of nature's finest edibles.

Here are a few recipes to get your creative juices flowing:

VENISON RAVIOLI WITH MOREL MUSHROOM SAUCE

PUT THIS ON YOUR SPRING MENU: FRIED TURKEY AND MOREL MUSHROOMS

SPRINGTIME RECIPE: SPICY FIDDLEHEAD AND MOREL MUSHROOM PASTA

And when it comes time to set up your outdoor kitchen, check out the cooking section at Walmart.com.

NEXT: TIPS AND TRICKS: HOW TO FIND MOREL MUSHROOMS