How to Store Mushrooms to Keep Them Fresh and Delicious
Updated on March 2, 2023
Mushrooms are a fascinating and delicious ingredient you can enjoy in many different dishes. However, they can be tricky to store properly and keep fresh. Here are our best tips on how to store mushrooms.
Not only are they delicious, but these vegetables also offer a range of health benefits. They’re low in carbs and calories, and they’re a great source of protein.
However, it’s crucial to learn how to store mushrooms correctly. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this topic.
Mushroom Health Benefits
Mushrooms are a great source of nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and may help improve heart health and protect against cancer.
In addition, these vegetables are rich in minerals like selenium, potassium, phosphorus, and niacin, so they can help you meet your daily nutritional needs.
However, you should keep in mind that different mushrooms offer different health benefits. For example:
- Button mushrooms promote glowing skin and strong nails. They also support cardiovascular health and boost your immune system.
- Reishi mushrooms can boost your immune system and slow aging.
- Portobello mushrooms may significantly lower cholesterol levels within just a few weeks. They also contain powerful antioxidants.
- Shiitake mushrooms help regulate blood sugar levels and support weight loss as well as potentially improve heart health.
Different mushrooms have different textures and flavors, so it’s important to try a few varieties. If you’re not sure where to start, three of the most common types are button, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms.
Precautions
Mushrooms have the tendency to attract insects and rodents because of their moist texture. You should keep them in sealed containers to avoid any problems.
Furthermore, mold is a major issue with most mushrooms, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution and discard any veggies with visible patches of mold.
Additionally, check your white button mushroom package for signs of discoloration. If it has turned brown, the mushroom’s edge is turning brown, or it has a slimy texture, get rid of them right away to avoid food poisoning.
How to Store Mushrooms
Check out the following tips for storing mushrooms correctly:
- Place the mushrooms in a brown paper bag and store them in the pantry; this will keep your mushrooms fresh for about 1 week.
- You can also store the mushrooms inside a glass container with holes pierced on its lid; this will allow any excess water to escape while keeping your mushrooms fresh for several days.
- Another good idea is to line a tray with paper towels and place the mushrooms inside the fridge; this should maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
- Move the mushrooms into a resealable plastic bag. Then place the bag inside a bigger container filled with water and move it to the refrigerator. If you replace the water with mineral oil, this will extend the shelf life for up to 10 days.
- Wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel and preserve them inside a plastic container that has been sealed properly. Store the mushrooms inside your refrigerator’s vegetable drawer for several days.
- Don’t wash the mushrooms under running water or by submerging them in water since they will become soggy. If you want to clean the vegetables, it’s best to scrub and brush them.
How to Dehydrate Mushrooms
Dehydrating mushrooms is an excellent long-term storage solution since they will last indefinitely. The only drawback is that the mushrooms will lose some of their flavor and nutritional values. But you can also compensate by adding fresh veggies to the dried mushrooms in your meals.
Here are the correct steps for dehydrating mushrooms:
- Gather fresh, firm white or brown mushrooms with caps measuring between 1/2 inch and 3 inches in diameter.
- Remove the stems by gently pinching them using your thumb and forefinger.
- Place the mushrooms inside a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes. This will help remove any dirt on the outside of the cap.
- Drain the water from the bowl and place the mushrooms on a cutting board.
- Cut off the ends of each cap using a sharp knife, then cut the mushrooms into large strips with 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Blanch the mushroom pieces by setting them inside a pot of boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes or until they turn dark brown.
- Transfer the pieces to a large bowl of ice-cold water, then drain them using a colander.
- Leave the mushroom pieces inside the colander to allow excess moisture to escape for about 10 minutes.
- Place aluminum foil sheets on several baking trays, then arrange some mushroom strips on each sheet.
- Set your oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius) and dehydrate the mushroom pieces for 7 to 8 hours or until they turn brittle and crisp.
- Remove the dehydrated pieces from the aluminum sheets and transfer them into a food processor (or blender).
- Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Process until you obtain fine crumbs.
- Store the mushroom crumbs inside an airtight container and use them as needed in your favorite dishes.
Can You Freeze Mushrooms?
Yes, it’s possible to freeze the mushrooms so that you can enjoy them longer. You can do this in several ways, like steam-blanching or sauteeing them – it’s an excellent way to preserve the nutrients. It’s also possible to freeze the mushrooms raw (uncooked) but you will lose most of their nutrients.
Raw (Uncooked)
Follow these simple steps to freeze raw (uncooked) mushrooms for long-term storage:
- Scrub the mushrooms until they are clean. You can also use a damp towel to deal with tough, dirty spots but avoid placing the mushrooms under running water since they will remain soggy even after drying them with a paper towel.
- You can leave the mushrooms whole or slice them with a sharp knife, depending on your preferences; this won’t affect the freezing process in any way. As a general recommendation, it’s best to slice large mushrooms.
- Move the mushrooms to a tray and store them in a freezer for 2 hours or until they are frozen.
- Transfer the frozen mushrooms to a resealable bag and remove excess air before sealing it.
- Label the bag with a marker and put it back into the freezer.
Steam-Blanching
The following instructions show you how to correctly steam-blanch the mushrooms:
- Fill a plastic bottle with water and place it in the freezer until it’s ice cold.
- Clean the mushrooms by scrubbing them.
- Leave the small mushrooms whole and cut slices out of any larger ones. If you’re trying to prepare mushrooms of different sizes, do your best to bring them to the same size.
- Fill a bowl with the ice-cold water from the freezer.
- Place the mushrooms inside a steam basket and add the juice of a half lemon; it’s possible to replace the lemon juice with a bit of salt or sugar.
- Bring the mushrooms to a boil and steam them for several minutes. It depends on the size of the mushrooms; the sliced ones need less steaming time.
- Quickly transfer the mushrooms to the bowl of iced water and keep them there for a few minutes (same as the steaming time).
- Leave the mushrooms to dry; you can also use paper towels to speed up the process.
- Place the mushrooms on a tray and stick them in the freezer until rock solid.
- Move the frozen mushrooms to a resealable freezer bag, eliminate any excess air, seal the bag, label it, and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Sauteeing
Here’s how you can sautee the mushrooms to preserve them in the freezer in the long run:
- Prepare the mushrooms for sauteeing by gently brushing them to remove any dirt.
- If the mushrooms are too large, feel free to cut them into slices. Otherwise, you can leave them whole.
- Add a bit of butter or olive oil to a large frying pan and set it to medium heat.
- Then, add the mushrooms to the pan and cook them for up to 5 minutes, depending on how large they are and whether or not they are sliced. Be sure to stir often so that mushrooms are cooked evenly and don’t get burned.
- Transfer the mushrooms to a tray lined with paper towels and allow them time to cool.
- Move the mushrooms to another tray and place them in the freezer. Wait until the mushrooms are frozen; it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.
- Place the mushrooms inside resealable freezer bags, remove excess air before sealing, label the bags with a permanent marker, and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Mushrooms Storage FAQ
Discover more useful information about storing mushrooms the right way.
How long do mushrooms last?
If you’re wondering for how long mushrooms are good, keep in mind that the shelf life varies by mushroom type.
It also depends on how you store and prepare the vegetable, the size of the mushrooms, and whether they are whole or sliced. In general, most mushrooms will last for up to 3 months when stored in a freezer.
How long do mushrooms last in the fridge?
Mushrooms can last in the fridge for up to 5 days. Again, the shelf life will vary by type and how you store them (whether or not they are left whole or sliced).
How to clean mushrooms?
You can easily clean mushrooms by wiping them with a damp cloth or paper towel. It’s also a good idea to gently brush the vegetables with a soft brush, such as the ones used for baby bottles and nipples.
It’s best to avoid water since it will make the mushrooms soggy. However, if the situation calls for it (e.g. the mushrooms are extremely dirty), you might be interested in how to wash mushrooms. In this case, place the veggies under running lukewarm water to allow any dirt to run off.
How to clean portobello mushrooms?
- Cut the stem and pull out any dirt inside.
- Slice off the gills and brush the mushroom with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Then, slice the mushroom into quarters and remove excess water from each quarter by patting them dry with a cloth or more towels.
Do mushrooms go bad?
Yes, mushrooms can go bad. If you leave the vegetables at room temperature for too long, they will potentially harbor a colony of mold. The same can happen if you haven’t stored your mushrooms correctly in a pantry or refrigerator.
How to cut mushrooms?
If you’re wondering how to slice mushrooms, keep in mind that the process is fairly easy. For instance, you can slice them in half, depending on their size. Create multiple slices if they’re large. However, if the vegetables are small enough, you can just leave them whole.
Can you freeze fresh mushrooms?
Yes, you can freeze fresh mushrooms. The method is simple: boil the mushrooms, place them in a bowl of iced water, and transfer them to a reusable freezer bag. After eliminating excess air from the bag, seal it properly and label it with a marker.
What’s the best way to store mushrooms?
The best way to store mushrooms is in a cool and dry place (not the fridge), such as a pantry, cabinet, or countertop; they should last for 1 week. A paper bag or brown paper works best for storage since it absorbs any excess moisture.
What can I do with slimy mushrooms?
If the mushrooms you purchased from the market are slimy, there’s no need to worry. It takes a bit of time for certain types of fungi to become overripe and develop a slimy texture. In fact, it might only take a day or two before they get mushy, so don’t be afraid to include slimy mushrooms in your meals.
However, if you find that your fresh veggies have gone bad, throw them out immediately. Don’t try to salvage the slimy mushrooms since they pose a potential health risk, especially if you have any medical conditions or are pregnant.
What are the best mushrooms?
According to a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, button mushrooms have more health benefits than any other type of fungus.
Can I eat the mushroom stem?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to eat the stem. However, it’s best to remove it when cooking since it’s often tough and tastes bitter.
How to store morel mushrooms?
Morel mushrooms are highly sensitive to heat. That’s why it’s recommended to keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days, if possible. If you put morels in a paper bag, make sure to get rid of excess air before sealing the bag tightly.
How to clean oyster mushrooms?
Wipe oyster mushrooms with a damp cloth or paper towel. It’s also recommended to use a brush, preferably one made of soft materials, such as leatherette or rubber.
Can dogs eat mushrooms?
No, it’s not safe to feed your dog mushrooms. They can potentially cause food poisoning, even if it’s the first time you give them to your furry friend.
Can cats eat mushrooms?
No. Although your cat might feel tempted to eat mushrooms, it’s best to avoid this scenario. These veggies can be poisonous to felines since they contain a chemical called agaritine.
Do mushrooms have protein?
Yes, most types of mushrooms contain protein, so it’s safe to include them in vegetarian dishes. However, they don’t provide as much protein as meat does.
Are mushrooms keto?
Yes, mushrooms are low in carbs and typically keto-friendly. They don’t spike blood sugar levels like most types of carbohydrates do, which means you can safely include them in your low-carb meals or snacks.
How many carbs are in mushrooms?
Mushrooms contain carbs, but it’s difficult to count the exact number since they’re mostly water. That said, most types of mushrooms contain less than 1 g of net carbs per 100g serving.
How many calories are in mushrooms?
Most types of mushrooms contain around 22 calories per 100 g serving. However, it’s worth noting that they’re mostly water (90%), so their caloric value is relatively low in comparison to most other types of food.
How to cook morel mushrooms?
To cook morel mushrooms, you need to blanch them first. After that, saute them in a skillet until they’re tender and fragrant. If desired, you can add onion powder and garlic salt for extra flavor.
How to cook shiitake mushrooms?
To cook shiitake mushrooms, you need to boil them for 15-20 minutes before adding them to stir-fries or stews. Since they have a strong flavor, it’s recommended to include additional vegetables in your dish.
How to make mushroom tea?
To make mushroom tea, you need to boil dried shiitake mushrooms in water for at least 15 minutes. The drink contains several antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
How to make stuffed mushrooms?
To make stuffed mushrooms, you need to take fresh mushrooms and remove the stems. Using a spoon, scoop out the fleshy part of the cap until the inside is hollow. Then, add your favorite ingredients to create original recipes that are packed with flavor.
How to grill portobello mushrooms?
To grill portobello mushrooms, you need to brush them with olive oil before placing them on a hot grill. Leftover oil can be used again the next time you grill meat or veggies.
Final Thoughts on Storing Mushrooms
Storing mushrooms correctly is crucial for both taste and health. You can effortlessly preserve them in the pantry or refrigerator. If you opt for freezing, then it will be necessary to prepare the veggies by steam-blanching or sauteeing them.
Another excellent solution is to dehydrate the mushrooms so that they will last indefinitely. If you follow the instructions we described earlier, you will be able to enjoy these incredible vegetables for a long time.
What are your favorite tips and tricks for storing mushrooms? Share your experience with us in the comment section below.