It is hard to believe that mushrooms are the fleshy fruit bodies of several species of fungi. While some people find it eerie to eat these fungi, many others consider them an absolute treat.
The most common types available in the market are portobello, shiitake, chanterelle, crimini and button mushrooms, among others. They are easy and quick to prepare and serve as a great stand-alone snack, side dish or added to cooked veggies or stir-fries.
And how could you make white sauce pasta without adding some sautéed mushrooms to it? Yummy!!
As delicious as they are, the problem with mushrooms is they spoil pretty quickly.
To help you savor more of these tasty fungi, here are three ways to store fresh mushrooms – from a week to a year – without them turning bad.
Contents
Method 1: Raw Mushrooms in the Refrigerator
Packing raw, whole mushrooms in a paper bag, a paper towel or a zippered baggie and refrigerating them are widely popular and highly effective storage methods. If you plan to use them within a week, these quick and easy options are perfect for you.
Paper bags, paper towels or zippered baggies maintain the moisture inside the mushrooms and protect them from excess outside moisture (from the refrigerator).
Things you’ll need:
- Mushrooms
- Water
- Paper towels
- Paper bag
- Zippered baggie
Step 1. Put mushrooms in a strainer and wash them
- Drop the mushrooms into a strainer, and pour water on them in order to wash them thoroughly.
- Use your fingers to clean any dirt off them.
Step 2. Use paper towels to soak up the excess water
- Spread out a sheet of paper towel and place the mushrooms on it to soak away the excess water.
- Dry them entirely using another paper towel.
Step 3. Pack up the mushrooms for storing
- Wrap a few mushrooms in a paper towel to store them for future use.
- Alternatively, drop the mushrooms into a paper bag, and fold the top down to keep it closed.
- Another way to store mushrooms is zipping them up in a zippered baggie.
Step 4. Refrigerate for future use
- Refrigerate the mushrooms wrapped in the paper towel, in the paper bag or in the zippered baggie (whichever method you are using).
- Raw, whole mushrooms will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.
Method 2: Raw Mushrooms in the Freezer
Raw mushrooms can also be stored safely in the freezer for up to 5 to 6 months without turning bad.
Things you’ll need:
- Mushrooms
- Knife
- Chopping board (optional)
Follow Steps 1 and 2 of Method 1 to clean and dry the mushrooms. Dry the mushrooms thoroughly, as they soak up water pretty easily. Water left on the mushrooms will cause them to become mushy in the freezer in further steps.
Step 1. Cut the mushrooms into four pieces
- Cut the mushrooms into four pieces. Cut them in half first, followed by halving the halves.
Step 2. Place them on a tray and freeze for 2 hours
- Arrange the mushrooms on a plate or tray, maintaining a little distance between each piece so that they don’t overlap and every piece freezes evenly.
- Put the tray in the freezer for 2 hours.
Step 3. Put mushrooms in a container & freeze again
- Take the mushrooms out of the freezer and transfer them to an airtight container. Airtight glass containers work best.
- Do this step fairly quickly so the mushrooms don’t start to thaw.
- The mushrooms may turn a little brown when you take them out of the freezer. But don’t worry, they are not spoiled. It’s just a layer of frost around them.
- Raw mushrooms kept in an airtight container in the freezer are safe to consume for up to 5 to 6 months.
Method 3: Blanched Mushrooms in the Freezer
Blanching is the process of cooking something in boiling water for some time, then dipping it into cold water to stop it from cooking further. Blanching and then freezing mushrooms will keep them from spoiling, while also maintaining their flavor for up to one year.
Things you’ll need:
- Mushrooms
- Water (to be boiled)
- Iced water
Step 1. Cut the mushrooms into four pieces
- Cut the mushrooms in half, followed by halving them again, so they are cut into four pieces. It isn’t necessary to wash the mushrooms since you’ll be boiling them in the step ahead.
Step 2. Bring the water to a boil
- Place the boiling pot on the stove burner.
- Pour water into it and heat it until it’s boiling.
Step 3. Drop the mushrooms into the boiling water
- Drop the cut mushroom pieces into the boiling water.
- Wait for the water to reach a boiling point again. Then, let the mushrooms cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 4. Strain the mushrooms & put them in iced water
- Empty the boiling pot of mushrooms into a strainer to drain away the hot water.
- Place the strainer with the mushrooms in it into a bowl filled with iced water.
- Let them sit in it for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are cold to the touch.
Step 5. Put the mushrooms in a container and freeze
- Transfer the cold mushroom pieces from the strainer into a freezer-safe container.
- Don’t wait too long. Get them immediately into the freezer.
- Blanched mushrooms can be stored in the freezer for up to 10 to 12 months.
Tips
- Buy fresh, clear mushrooms from the market so that they last even longer when stored. Mushrooms close to spoiling may not last long even when stored properly. Choose mushrooms that are puffy, wrinkle-free and do not have brown spots on them.