Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with a meaty texture and umami flavor. However, they are delicate and perishable, with a high water content, so they can be challenging to store. The best storage method will keep them fresh and tasty, preventing slime and mold. So, how should you keep mushrooms in the fridge?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container | Paper bag, paper towels, bowl, airtight container |
| Plastic wrap | Poke holes in the wrap to let air in |
| Placement in the fridge | Middle shelf, not the crisper |
| Sliced mushrooms | Use within 3-7 days |
| Whole mushrooms | Use within 7-10 days |
| Freezing | Wash and freeze immediately, or cook before freezing |
| Dried mushrooms | Store at room temperature |
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What You'll Learn
Use paper bags to absorb moisture
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with a meaty texture and umami flavour. However, they are delicate and perishable. They have a high water content, and their spongy texture means they can quickly become slimy and spoil. The refrigerator is the best place to keep them, but which spot you choose impacts preservation.
Paper bags are a great way to store mushrooms in the fridge. The paper bag will absorb any excess moisture, keeping the mushroom's surface slime-free. This is important because fungi often thrive in damp, sealed environments. If you don't have a brown paper bag, you can wrap the mushrooms in a paper towel and place them in a bowl in the refrigerator. The paper towel will also absorb moisture, helping the mushrooms stay fresh.
If you buy loose mushrooms, the best way to keep them fresh for as long as possible is to stash them in a paper bag. As mushrooms age, they may begin to release water, so the paper bag will absorb this moisture, keeping the mushrooms fresh for longer.
If you buy mushrooms pre-packaged, the package's perforation will let in air to dry out any moisture the mushrooms release, so simply pop them in the fridge. If you don't use all the mushrooms at once, cover them back up with plastic wrap punched with a couple of holes.
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Avoid plastic containers
When it comes to storing mushrooms in the fridge, it is best to avoid plastic containers. Mushrooms have a high water content, and their shelf life is impacted by the amount of moisture present in their environment. Plastic containers, especially those without holes, can trap moisture and speed up spoilage. This can cause the mushrooms to become slimy, develop dark spots and mould, and emit a bad odour.
Instead of plastic containers, it is recommended to use paper bags or paper towels to store mushrooms. Paper bags absorb excess moisture, keeping the mushrooms dry and fresh. If using a paper towel, wrap the mushrooms loosely and place them in a bowl or open bag in the refrigerator. This allows for air circulation and helps maintain the freshness of the mushrooms.
It is also important to note that whole mushrooms have a longer shelf life than sliced mushrooms. Sliced mushrooms should be consumed within three to seven days, while whole mushrooms can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Therefore, it is advisable to buy whole mushrooms and slice them just before cooking to ensure maximum freshness.
Additionally, it is recommended to store mushrooms in the main compartment of the fridge, rather than in the crisper. The crisper tends to have a high-humidity setting, which is not ideal for mushrooms as they thrive in dry conditions. By avoiding plastic containers and following these storage tips, you can extend the shelf life of mushrooms and maintain their quality.
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Place on a shelf, not in the crisper
When storing mushrooms in the fridge, it is best to place them on a shelf and not in the crisper. This is because mushrooms have a high water content, and their spongy texture makes them susceptible to spoilage. The crisper is often set to a high-humidity setting, which is not ideal for storing mushrooms. Instead, the middle shelf of the fridge is a good option.
To further extend the shelf life of mushrooms, it is recommended to use a paper bag or paper towel to absorb excess moisture. If using a paper bag, it is important to ensure it is porous to promote air circulation. Paper towels can be used to wrap the mushrooms before placing them in a bowl or an open plastic bag in the fridge. This helps to keep the mushrooms dry and prevents the growth of slime and mould.
It is also important to avoid storing mushrooms in plastic containers or bags without holes, as these can trap moisture and speed up spoilage. Mushrooms should also be kept away from strong-smelling foods, as they can absorb those odours.
Additionally, it is recommended to buy whole mushrooms instead of pre-sliced ones, as they tend to stay fresh longer. Sliced mushrooms should be consumed within three to seven days, while whole mushrooms can last up to two weeks in the fridge.
By following these storage guidelines, mushrooms can be kept fresh and slime-free for an extended period.
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Freeze them for long-term storage
If you're unable to use mushrooms within a week, consider freezing them for long-term storage. Fresher mushrooms tend to freeze better, so it's best to freeze them sooner rather than later.
Before freezing, lightly cook the mushrooms to preserve their quality and flavour. You can do this by sautéing them in butter until just cooked, or steaming them whole for 5 minutes (3 minutes if sliced or quartered). For improved colour post-freezing, the National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends dipping mushrooms in a solution of 1 pint of water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice before cooking. Once cooked, allow the mushrooms to cool, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months.
You can also freeze dried mushrooms, which can be rehydrated in warm water before use.
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Buy loose, not pre-packaged mushrooms to reduce storage time
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient, but they are delicate and perishable. They have a high water content, so they can quickly become slimy and spoil. To extend their shelf life, it is recommended to buy loose mushrooms instead of pre-packaged ones.
Firstly, buying loose mushrooms allows you to select the best-looking ones and choose the exact amount you need. This reduces the storage time as you are less likely to have leftovers. Pre-packaged mushrooms are often already sliced, which further reduces their shelf life. Whole mushrooms stay fresh longer than pre-sliced mushrooms.
Secondly, loose mushrooms can be stored in a paper bag to absorb excess moisture, keeping them fresh for longer. Paper bags are porous and promote air circulation, which is essential as fungi thrive in damp, sealed environments. In contrast, pre-packaged mushrooms are often sealed in plastic, trapping moisture and speeding up spoilage.
By buying loose mushrooms, you can implement storage methods that reduce the overall storage time and keep your mushrooms fresh for longer.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms should be stored in a brown paper bag in the fridge. The paper bag absorbs any moisture, keeping the mushrooms dry and fresh.
Mushrooms should be used within a week of purchase. If you need to keep them for longer, consider freezing them.
Fresh mushrooms tend to freeze better, so it's best to freeze them sooner rather than later. Lightly sauté them in butter or steam them whole before placing them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen mushrooms will keep for up to 12 months.
Avoid storing mushrooms in plastic containers or plastic bags. Plastic traps moisture, which can cause mushrooms to become slimy or mouldy.
Mushrooms should be stored on a shelf in the fridge. Avoid placing them in the crisper, as this tends to have a high-humidity setting, which is not ideal for mushrooms.
