John Miller
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient, available in many forms: whole, sliced, chopped, dried, canned, and powdered. This can be confusing when a recipe calls for a specific type of mushroom that you don't have. Luckily, there are some simple conversions to swap out one kind of mushroom for another. For example, if a recipe calls for fresh mushrooms, you can use dried mushrooms, but you'll need to know how to substitute them correctly. Dried mushrooms are typically reconstituted with water, broth, juice, beer, or wine, and they expand during this process, so a little goes a long way.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fresh mushrooms to dried mushrooms ratio | 10:1 or 9:1 |
| Dried mushrooms to fresh mushrooms ratio | 1:9 or 1:16 |
| 1.5 ounces of dried mushrooms equal | 8 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms |
| 1 ounce of dried mushrooms equal | 4.5 ounces of fresh mushrooms |
| 3 ounces of dried mushrooms equal | 1 pound of fresh mushrooms |
| 2.5-3 ounces of dried mushrooms equal | 1 pound of fresh mushrooms |
| 450 grams of fresh mushrooms yield | 70-85 grams of dried mushrooms |
| Reconstitution method | Soak in warm or hot water, broth, juice, beer, or wine |
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What You'll Learn
Dried mushrooms are more flavourful
Dried mushrooms are a great alternative to fresh mushrooms and can be used in a variety of ways. They are made by removing the water content from fresh mushrooms, resulting in a highly concentrated product with an intense flavour.
Dried mushrooms are shelf-stable and take up little space, making them easy to store in an airtight container in your pantry. They also have an almost unlimited shelf life, so you can always have mushrooms on hand when you need them. This makes them a more affordable option than fresh mushrooms, which have a shorter shelf life and need to be stored in the refrigerator.
Dried mushrooms have a stronger and earthier flavour than fresh mushrooms due to the dehydration process, which concentrates their taste. They are also moister and some might describe them as slimy. This texture can be off-putting to some, so it is recommended to chop them into small pieces after rehydrating to avoid having large slimy pieces in your mouth.
When substituting dried mushrooms for fresh, it is important to note that the two have different flavour and texture profiles. As a general rule, use three ounces of dried mushrooms for every pound of fresh mushrooms in a recipe. However, this will depend on the type of mushroom and the specific recipe. For example, when using dried shiitake mushrooms, five ounces of fresh mushrooms may be equivalent to five dried shiitake mushrooms rehydrated in three cups of water.
To use dried mushrooms in cooking, you can rehydrate them by simmering them for 15 minutes or soaking them in warm or hot water for about 30 minutes. The leftover liquid from rehydrating the mushrooms can be used as a flavourful broth in various recipes. Alternatively, you can crush dried mushrooms into a powder and use them as a seasoning or in spice blends, meat rubs, and brines.
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Fresh mushrooms are sold whole, sliced or chopped
Fresh mushrooms are sold whole, sliced, or chopped, and they can be purchased fresh or dried. When dried, mushrooms are significantly lighter, so the conversion rate is roughly 10:1, with 10 pounds of fresh mushrooms equalling 1 pound of dried. This means that 1 pound of fresh mushrooms is equivalent to 3 ounces of dried mushrooms.
Fresh mushrooms are versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to stir-fries. They can also be purchased pre-sliced or chopped, which is convenient if a recipe calls for a specific amount of sliced or chopped mushrooms. However, buying whole mushrooms is generally more affordable than buying them pre-cut.
When substituting dried mushrooms for fresh, it is important to rehydrate them first. The default method is to soak them in warm or hot water, but broth, juice, beer, or wine can also be used. Soaking in hot liquid pulls more flavour out of the mushrooms, so it is recommended to use some of the resulting broth in your recipe. If you are adding the mushrooms to a soup, you can skip the reconstitution process and simply add them directly to the pot, but this may result in a grittier texture.
It is also possible to grind dried mushrooms into a seasoning powder, which can be used to add mushroom flavour to dishes without the chewy texture of fresh mushrooms. This powder can be purchased or made at home using dried or fresh mushrooms. When using powdered mushroom, 1 tablespoon is equivalent to 3 tablespoons of whole dried mushrooms or 4 ounces of fresh mushrooms.
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Dried mushrooms can be reconstituted with water
Dried mushrooms are a convenient alternative to fresh mushrooms, as they have a longer shelf life and can be used in various dishes. To use dried mushrooms in place of fresh ones, they need to be reconstituted or rehydrated with water.
The process of reconstituting dried mushrooms is simple and only requires soaking the mushrooms in warm or hot water. The mushrooms will absorb the water and plump up, resembling fresh mushrooms in texture and appearance. The amount of water needed may vary depending on the quantity of mushrooms, but generally, hot water is recommended for faster reconstitution. It is important to note that hot water will extract more flavor from the mushrooms, so using some of the resulting mushroom broth in your recipe can enhance the dish's overall taste.
In addition to water, other liquids such as broth, juice, beer, or wine can also be used for reconstitution. This allows for added flavor and creativity in your dishes. For example, reconstituting dried mushrooms in wine can contribute a unique flavor profile to your recipe.
The ratio of dried to fresh mushrooms is essential when substituting. Generally, three ounces of dried mushrooms are equivalent to one pound of fresh mushrooms. This means that the dried mushrooms will expand during reconstitution to match the quantity of fresh mushrooms required in a recipe. It is worth mentioning that this ratio may vary slightly depending on the type of mushroom and its moisture content.
After reconstituting dried mushrooms, they can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days or frozen for extended use. The leftover mushroom broth can also be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to three months, providing a flavorful addition to future recipes.
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Fresh mushrooms are cheaper than dried
Fresh mushrooms are more affordable than dried mushrooms. When drying fresh mushrooms, the ratio is 10:1; that is, 10 pounds of fresh mushrooms are equivalent to 1 pound of dried mushrooms. This means that dried mushrooms are more expensive per gram than fresh mushrooms.
Fresh mushrooms are also more readily available than dried mushrooms. They can be purchased whole or sliced, and sometimes chopped, and are often sold by the pound. In contrast, dried mushrooms are typically sold in packages, which may contain a single type of mushroom or a mix of varieties.
Additionally, fresh mushrooms offer more versatility in terms of preparation. They can be used directly in recipes without any additional preparation, whereas dried mushrooms need to be reconstituted or rehydrated before use. This involves soaking them in warm or hot water to restore their texture and make them resemble fresh mushrooms.
However, dried mushrooms have a longer shelf life than fresh mushrooms. They can be stored in a dry, cool place for up to six months and even longer if stored in a freezer. Fresh mushrooms, on the other hand, have a shorter refrigerator life, typically lasting for about a week.
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Fresh mushrooms last one week in the fridge
Fresh mushrooms will typically last between five and seven days in the fridge, depending on the variety. Some sources suggest they can last up to two weeks. However, it's important to note that mushrooms are highly perishable due to their sponge-like quality and high water content. Therefore, they should be stored correctly to maximise their lifespan.
When purchasing mushrooms, it is best to buy them whole and with the stems intact to reduce the surface area exposed to air. Before storing, wipe the mushrooms with a dry paper towel or dish towel, as washing them with water can cause them to spoil more quickly. Then, wrap the mushrooms in dry paper towels and place them in a brown paper bag. Paper bags allow for air circulation, which is necessary to extend the mushrooms' freshness. If you don't have a paper bag, you can store the mushrooms wrapped in paper towels in an unsealed plastic bag or glass bowl.
It is also important to regularly inspect your mushrooms for any signs of spoilage. Mushrooms that have gone bad will develop dark spots on the surface, feel slimy or mushy, or have a pungent odour. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to discard the mushrooms.
Now, let's discuss the conversion between fresh and dried mushrooms. If a recipe calls for dried mushrooms, and you only have fresh mushrooms or vice versa, you can use some simple conversions. Here are some common conversions:
- 8 ounces of sliced fresh button mushrooms are equivalent to 1 1/2 ounces of dried mushrooms plus 3/4 cup of boiling water.
- 1 1/2 ounces of dried mushrooms are equal to 8 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms.
- To convert pounds of fresh mushrooms to ounces of dried mushrooms, multiply the number of pounds by 16 and then divide by 9.
By using these conversions, you can easily substitute fresh mushrooms for dried mushrooms or vice versa in your recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
16 pounds of fresh mushrooms are equal to approximately 1/9th of an ounce of dried mushrooms.
4.5 ounces of fresh mushrooms are equal to 0.5 ounces of dried mushrooms.
8 ounces of fresh sliced button mushrooms are equal to 1.5 ounces of dried mushrooms.
450 grams of fresh mushrooms are equal to 70 to 85 grams of dried mushrooms.
1 pound of fresh mushrooms is equal to 2.5 to 3 ounces of dried mushrooms.
