Delicious Ways To Prepare Frozen Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be frozen and added to a variety of dishes. Freezing mushrooms is a great way to preserve their fresh, woody flavour and prevent food waste. While fresh mushrooms are ideal, they don't last long, so freezing them ensures you always have some on hand. Before freezing, mushrooms should be cleaned, sliced, and cooked by sautéing or steaming to preserve their nutrition, flavour, and texture. Frozen mushrooms can be added directly to hot recipes like soups, casseroles, pasta, and stir-fries without thawing, but they should be cooked for longer to release any excess moisture. With proper preparation and storage, frozen mushrooms can last up to six months in the freezer, making them a convenient and tasty addition to your meals.

How to prepare frozen mushrooms

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Sautéing before freezing

Sautéing mushrooms before freezing is a great way to save money and retain their flavour. This method can be used when you see mushrooms on sale and want to grab a deal but are unsure when you'll use them.

To start, prepare the mushrooms by cleaning and slicing them. It is important to note that mushrooms should never be washed with water as they are porous and will soak up the water. Instead, use a damp paper towel to wipe off any visible dirt before slicing and cooking. You can also use a mushroom brush with very soft bristles to gently brush away the dirt.

Next, heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium to high heat. Add a small amount of butter, olive oil, or neutral oil to the pan. You can also add a small amount of salt, but this may draw moisture from the mushrooms, so it is best to season them lightly after they have browned. Add the mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring often, for 2-4 minutes, depending on the size of the mushrooms.

Once the mushrooms are cooked, remove them from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined surface to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the mushrooms to a freezer bag or vacuum-sealed bag. Flatten the mushrooms into an even layer to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag.

Label the bag with the date, and freeze the mushrooms for up to 6 months. When you are ready to use the mushrooms, thaw them slightly before adding them to cooked dishes. Sautéed mushrooms are perfect for soups, casseroles, stir-fries, pasta sauce, gravy, stroganoff, and blended burgers.

Steam blanching

To blanch mushrooms, use the steam from boiling water and an ice bath. First, clean the mushrooms before blanching them to remove any dirt and debris. You can blanch whole or sliced mushrooms, so slice the mushrooms if desired before placing them in a steamer basket.

Blanching times vary depending on the size of the mushroom, so it is recommended to either sort them by size or cut them into similar-sized chunks before steaming. To prevent discolouration during the blanching process, first soak your fresh mushrooms in a mixture of 2 cups (480 mL) of water and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of lemon juice for 5–10 minutes. Alternatively, you can steam your mushrooms using a mixture of 4 cups (960 mL) of water and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of lemon juice.

Once the water is boiling, add the mushrooms to the steamer basket and place it over the boiling water. Ensure that the basket does not touch the water. With the lid on the pot, steam-blanch for 3 minutes for sliced or button mushrooms and 5 minutes for whole mushrooms. After the steam-blanch, immediately immerse the mushrooms in a very cold or ice water bath. Fill a bowl with ice water and put the steamer basket of mushrooms directly into the ice water. Cool the mushrooms for the same amount of time that you steamed them.

Once the mushrooms have been blanched, drain them well before packaging them tightly in freezer-safe bags. The mushrooms will keep for up to 12 months.

Cooking methods

Frozen mushrooms can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, casseroles, stir-fries, pasta, rice, and quinoa. They can be added directly to recipes that require cooking, such as soups, casseroles, or stews, without the need for prior thawing. For dishes that may not cook long enough to thoroughly cook the frozen mushrooms, such as pasta, rice, or quinoa, it is recommended to thaw the mushrooms overnight in the refrigerator first.

When cooking with frozen mushrooms, it is important to note that they may become mushy due to their high water content. This can be advantageous in blended soups or casseroles, but may not be desirable in other dishes. To prevent mushiness, some preparation methods can be employed before freezing.

One method is steam blanching, which involves quickly cooking the mushrooms to preserve them before freezing. This process destroys enzymes that cause food spoilage and inactivates common foodborne bacteria such as Listeria and Salmonella. To steam blanch mushrooms, soak them in a mixture of water and lemon juice before steaming, or steam them directly in this mixture. Blanching times may vary depending on the size of the mushrooms, so it is recommended to sort them by size or cut them into similar-sized chunks.

Another method is sautéing, which can help retain the flavour of the mushrooms. To sauté mushrooms for freezing, clean and slice the mushrooms, then heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium to high heat. Add the mushrooms in a single layer and cook without stirring for 4-5 minutes. After stirring, cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until browned. Do not add salt during the cooking process as it can affect browning. Once browned, remove the mushrooms to a paper towel-lined surface to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the mushrooms to a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 6 months.

When using frozen mushrooms in cooking, it is recommended to increase the cooking time slightly to ensure that any excess water absorbed during freezing is released.

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Thawing

If you are adding frozen mushrooms to a dish that will not be cooked for long enough to fully cook the mushrooms, you can thaw them first by transferring them to the refrigerator overnight. Mushrooms naturally release water during the thawing process, which can make them soggy, so this method is not recommended unless necessary.

To thaw frozen mushrooms, you can leave them out on the counter at room temperature for a few hours or transfer them to the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, mushrooms should not be refrozen and should be used within a day.

It is important to note that frozen raw mushrooms tend to become mushy when cooked, as they absorb a lot of water. Therefore, it is usually best to cook mushrooms slightly before freezing, through methods such as sautéing or steaming, unless you are only using them in dishes where their texture doesn't matter, such as soups, casseroles, or blended dishes.

Best dishes to use frozen mushrooms in

Frozen mushrooms can be used in a variety of dishes, adding both flavour and nutritional benefits. Mushrooms have a high water content, so it's best to cook them from frozen to avoid sogginess. Here are some ideas for dishes that work well with frozen mushrooms:

Soups

Soups are an excellent way to use frozen mushrooms. Simply add the frozen mushrooms directly to the warm broth and let them heat through. This is a convenient way to add extra nutrients and flavour to your soup.

Casseroles and Stews

Frozen mushrooms are a great addition to casseroles and stews. They can be added straight from the freezer and will cook through in the dish, adding a hearty texture and earthy flavour.

Pasta Dishes

Whether it's a comforting bowl of creamy mushroom pasta or a tomato-based sauce, frozen mushrooms are a versatile ingredient. Add them directly to the pot after cooking the pasta or heating the sauce. You can also add frozen mushrooms to boiling pasta, rice, or quinoa for a quick and easy side dish.

Stir-Fries

Stir-fries are another ideal dish for frozen mushrooms. Simply add the mushrooms to the wok or pan along with the other ingredients and stir-fry until cooked. This is a quick and healthy option that allows the mushrooms to retain their texture and flavour.

Blended Burgers

For a juicy burger with a difference, try blending thawed diced mushrooms with ground meat. This adds moisture and depth of flavour to your burgers, and is a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients.

Side Dish

Frozen mushrooms can also be a tasty side dish. Sauté them in butter or oil until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness, and serve alongside grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

Remember, it's best to cook frozen mushrooms without thawing them first, as this can affect their texture and nutritional value. By adding them directly to your dishes, you'll retain their flavour, texture, and nutritional benefits.

Frequently asked questions