Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient, adding an earthy flavour to a variety of dishes. However, their short shelf life means they can quickly go slimy, wrinkly, or mouldy. Freezing mushrooms is a great way to reduce food waste and keep them on hand for your favourite recipes. While you can freeze mushrooms raw, cooking them first helps to preserve their texture and flavour. Mushrooms are full of water, so freezing them raw can result in a soggy, mushy mess. To freeze mushrooms, start by cleaning and slicing them into uniform pieces. Then, sauté or steam the mushrooms before flash-freezing them on a tray and transferring them to a resealable freezer bag. Frozen mushrooms can be added straight to cooked dishes like soups, stews, casseroles, pasta, and stir-fries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can mushrooms be frozen? | Yes |
| How to freeze | Cooking them first to preserve their flavor and texture. Mushrooms can be frozen raw, but they will have a soggy, mushy texture after being defrosted. |
| How long do frozen mushrooms last? | 3-9 months |
| How to use frozen mushrooms | Frozen mushrooms should be used in cooked dishes and not raw preparations. Frozen mushrooms can be used in soups, stews, casseroles, pasta bakes, stir-fries, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Freezing cooked mushrooms
Mushrooms can be frozen cooked or raw, but cooking them first is generally recommended as it preserves their flavour and texture. Freezing cooked mushrooms can extend their shelf life by up to nine months.
Preparing Mushrooms for Freezing
Before cooking, clean the mushrooms by washing them thoroughly or gently wiping them with a damp cloth. Remove any woody bits and cut the mushrooms into uniformly sized pieces. Smaller mushrooms can be left whole, but larger ones should be sliced into quarters or smaller pieces.
Cooking Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be cooked by sautéing or steaming before freezing.
Sautéing Mushrooms
To sauté mushrooms, heat a small amount of neutral oil or butter in a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for about five minutes, or until the pan is dry and the mushrooms are tender and fork-tender.
Steaming Mushrooms
To minimise discolouration, soak the mushroom pieces in a bowl with a solution of one teaspoon of lemon juice or 1.5 teaspoons of citric acid to two cups of water for five to ten minutes. After soaking, place the mushrooms in a steamer basket over boiling water for three to four minutes, or until tender but not mushy. Remove the mushrooms from the steamer and plunge them into an ice bath before allowing them to come to room temperature.
Once the cooked mushrooms have cooled completely, spread them out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer for about an hour, or until they are frozen solid. Then, use a spatula to transfer the frozen mushrooms into freezer bags or containers, leaving about half an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.
Using Frozen Cooked Mushrooms
Frozen cooked mushrooms should be used within a year. They can be added directly to recipes that will be cooked, such as soups, sauces, stir-fries, curries, or pasta dishes. If desired, thaw the mushrooms in the refrigerator before use.
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Freezing raw mushrooms
If you do decide to freeze raw mushrooms, it is important to clean, slice, and flash-freeze them before packing them into bags. They should be sliced evenly so that they freeze evenly. It is best to use them within six months. Frozen mushrooms can be used directly in recipes without defrosting, and they are easy to chop into smaller pieces.
To prepare raw mushrooms for freezing, start by washing the mushrooms and trimming off any woody bits or stems. Dry the mushrooms, then cut them into uniform pieces, such as slices or quarters. Small mushrooms can be left whole if they are less than one inch in diameter. Place the mushrooms on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about an hour, or until they are hard. Finally, transfer the frozen mushrooms to a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing and labelling the bag.
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How to prepare mushrooms for freezing
Mushrooms can be frozen, but they lose their texture and become soggy and mushy. Freezing cooked mushrooms is better than freezing raw mushrooms as cooking removes excess moisture. Frozen mushrooms are best used in cooked dishes, never raw.
To prepare mushrooms for freezing, start by choosing fresh mushrooms that are free from spots and decay. Wash the mushrooms thoroughly and trim off the ends of the stems. If the mushrooms are larger than 1 inch across, slice them into uniform pieces. You can leave them whole if they are small enough (less than 1 inch in diameter).
Next, decide whether you want to steam or cook the mushrooms in a fry pan. Steaming the mushrooms will help them retain their colour and they will last longer in the freezer. To steam the mushrooms, first soak the pieces in a bowl with one teaspoon of lemon juice or citric acid to two cups of water for five to ten minutes to prevent discolouration. After they have soaked, put them in a steamer basket over boiling water for three to four minutes, or until they feel tender but not mushy. Remove the steamer basket from the pan, douse the mushrooms in an ice bath, and then let them come to room temperature.
If you decide to cook the mushrooms in a fry pan, heat small quantities in margarine or butter in an open fry pan until almost done. Then, cool the pan in the air or by placing it in cold water.
Whether you have sautéed or steamed the mushrooms, the next step is to flash-freeze them. Place the pieces onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about an hour, or until the pieces feel hard. Use a spatula to carefully remove and put them into freezer bags. Remember that mushrooms will expand slightly in the freezer, so give them about a 1/2-inch of breathing room in the bags.
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How long frozen mushrooms last
Mushrooms can be frozen raw or cooked. However, freezing them raw may negatively affect their texture and flavour. Frozen raw mushrooms will likely turn soggy and mushy, and they may not be suitable for soups, pastas, and other similar dishes. They are best used in cooked dishes, but even then, they may not taste the same.
To freeze raw mushrooms, slice them evenly and flash-freeze them before packing them into bags. They should be used within six months.
Cooked mushrooms, on the other hand, retain their flavour and texture better. They can be frozen for up to nine to twelve months. To freeze cooked mushrooms, let them cool down, then place them in freezer bags or containers and store them in the freezer.
Some methods recommend steaming or blanching the mushrooms before freezing. This helps preserve their colour and texture. After steaming or blanching, the mushrooms should be flash-frozen to prevent clumping.
It is important to note that frozen mushrooms should always be used in cooked dishes and never eaten raw, even if they were only steamed or blanched before freezing. Freezing changes the structure and texture of mushrooms, and they may not be pleasant to eat raw.
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What to cook with frozen mushrooms
Frozen mushrooms are best suited for cooked dishes, as freezing changes their structure and texture, making them less pleasant to eat raw. Here are some ideas for what to cook with frozen mushrooms:
Soups
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be added to many types of soup. Simply add frozen mushrooms directly to a warm broth and let them cook in the soup. This can be a great way to add extra flavour and nutrition to your soup.
Pasta and Sauce
Frozen mushrooms can be added directly to your pasta pot after cooking. They will thaw and warm up along with the rest of the pasta. Mushrooms can also be added to tomato-based pasta sauces to provide a savoury boost of flavour.
Stir-Fries
Stir-fries are a quick and easy way to cook frozen mushrooms. Simply add the mushrooms to the pan after cooking the other ingredients and heat gently until everything is warmed through.
Blended Burgers
Frozen mushrooms can be diced into small pieces and mixed with ground meat for juicy, umami-rich burgers. It is recommended to thaw the mushrooms before blending them into the meat.
Omelettes, Pizzas, and Quesadillas
Mushrooms can be a tasty addition to egg dishes like omelettes. They can also be used as a topping for pizzas and quesadillas, providing a savoury flavour boost.
Stews and Curries
Frozen mushrooms can be added directly to stews and curries, where they will thaw and cook along with the other ingredients. This is a simple way to add extra flavour and texture to your dish.
When cooking with frozen mushrooms, there is no need to defrost them first. However, if you are using them in a blended dish, such as burgers, it is recommended to thaw them first by placing them in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can freeze mushrooms. Freezing mushrooms is a great way to reduce food waste and save money.
There are two ways to freeze mushrooms: cooked or raw. Cooking them first is the best way to preserve their flavour and texture. Mushrooms are full of water, so freezing them raw can make them soggy and mushy. However, cooking them first draws out the internal moisture, ensuring a nicer texture and more intact mushroom for use post-freeze.
First, clean the mushrooms and trim off any woody bits or stems. You can leave small mushrooms whole, but larger ones should be cut into uniform pieces. Then, cook the mushrooms by sautéing or steaming them. To sauté, heat a small amount of oil or butter in a pan over medium heat and cook the mushrooms until the pan is dry. To steam, soak the mushrooms in lemon juice and water for 5-10 minutes, then put them in a steamer basket over boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Allow the mushrooms to cool, then place them on a tray and freeze until solid before transferring to a resealable freezer bag.
