Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient, but they are delicate and perishable, so storing them correctly is essential. One way to preserve them for longer is to freeze them. Freezing mushrooms can be done in several ways, including raw or cooked, and they can be frozen whole, sliced, or diced. The key to successful freezing is to ensure they are fresh, clean, and dry before freezing, and to prevent them from getting bruised, squashed, or exposed to strong odours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to store mushrooms | In the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling food |
| How to store sliced mushrooms | In an air-tight container in the refrigerator |
| How long do sliced mushrooms last? | 3 days |
| How long do whole mushrooms last? | 1 week |
| How to store freeze mushrooms | In a freezer-safe bag |
| How long do frozen mushrooms last? | 9-12 months |
| How to improve the colour of mushrooms post-freezing | Dip in a solution of 1 pint water and 1 teaspoon lemon juice |
| How to dry mushrooms | Dehydrator or air-drying |
| How to store dried mushrooms | Airtight glass jar |
| How to prevent freezer burn | Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag |
| How to store mushrooms in the freezer | Lay the bag horizontally |
| How to use frozen mushrooms | Add to dishes that will be cooked or allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge |
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What You'll Learn
Choose fresh mushrooms
Mushrooms are delicate and perishable, so it's important to choose fresh mushrooms to freeze. When selecting mushrooms, look for those that appear dry, firm, and have an earthy smell. Avoid mushrooms that are shrivelled, darkened, or mouldy, as these are signs of spoilage. Mushrooms with bad spots or an unpleasant odour should also be avoided.
Fresh mushrooms can be purchased from local farmer's markets or grocery stores. When buying, ensure they are free of mushy or dark spots, which indicate that they are starting to spoil. Fresh mushrooms should be stored in the refrigerator and used within a week to maintain their quality.
Before freezing, clean the mushrooms by brushing off any visible dirt or gently wiping them with a damp paper towel. Avoid washing the mushrooms, as this can make them soggy and more susceptible to freezer burn. Trim the stems and slice or chop the mushrooms to your desired size, especially if they are larger than one inch across.
It is recommended to cook mushrooms before freezing to preserve their quality and flavour. Sautéing or steaming are effective methods to prepare mushrooms for freezing. Sautéing involves cooking the mushrooms in a skillet with butter or oil over medium-high heat for about five minutes until they are almost fully cooked. Steaming involves soaking the mushrooms in a lemon juice solution to minimise discolouration and then steaming them for 3-5 minutes.
By choosing fresh mushrooms and properly preparing them for freezing, you can extend their shelf life and enjoy their flavour and texture in various dishes.
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Clean and prepare them
To prepare mushrooms for freezing, start by cleaning them. Use a paper towel to brush off any visible dirt, or gently wipe them down. You can also lightly rinse them in cold water, but make sure to pat them dry with a paper towel afterwards. Avoid washing or soaking the mushrooms, as this can make them soggy and lead to freezer burn.
Once your mushrooms are clean, trim the stems and slice or chop them into your desired size. Mushrooms that are larger than one inch across should be sliced or quartered. If you plan to freeze your mushrooms raw, this step is especially important, as it will ensure they freeze evenly and can be easily portioned out later.
Before freezing, you can steam blanch your mushrooms to help preserve their texture and flavour. To do this, place a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water and add the mushrooms. Steam for 3-5 minutes, then immediately place them in ice water for the same amount of time. Alternatively, you can sauté your mushrooms before freezing. To do this, heat a small amount of butter or oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until they are almost fully cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated.
After preparing your mushrooms through one of the above methods, allow them to cool completely. Then, flash freeze them by spreading them out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and placing them in the freezer for about an hour, or until they are hard. Finally, transfer the frozen mushrooms to a freezer-safe bag or container, leaving about a 1/2-inch of space for expansion. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn, and label the bag with the date.
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Cook them
Mushrooms can be cooked in a variety of ways before freezing, including steaming, sautéing, or roasting. Cooking mushrooms before freezing helps to preserve their quality and flavour and nutritional value. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking mushrooms before freezing:
Steaming Mushrooms:
- Clean the mushrooms by scrubbing them with a damp paper towel or brush to remove dirt. Avoid washing the mushrooms, as this can make them soggy.
- You can slice the mushrooms or leave them whole, depending on your preference and the size of the mushrooms. Smaller mushrooms are typically left whole, while larger mushrooms may benefit from slicing.
- Bring an inch of water to a boil in a pot. Place a vegetable steamer basket into the pot and add the mushrooms. Cover and steam for 3 to 5 minutes.
- For the best colour, you can add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water before steaming.
- Immediately plunge the steamed mushrooms into a bowl of iced water for the same amount of time they were steamed. Then, drain and pat them dry.
Sautéing Mushrooms:
- Clean and prepare the mushrooms as mentioned above.
- Slice the mushrooms or leave them whole, depending on their size.
- Heat a small amount of butter or olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Roasting Mushrooms:
Although there are no explicit instructions for roasting mushrooms, it is mentioned as a method that has worked for some people. Roasting typically involves placing seasoned mushrooms in an oven at a high temperature until they are cooked to your desired level.
Once the mushrooms are cooked, allow them to cool completely. Then, spread them out on a lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Finally, transfer the frozen mushrooms to freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bags and store them in the freezer for up to 6 to 9 months.
Cooked mushrooms can be added directly to recipes such as soups, casseroles, pasta, risotto, stir-fries, and stews. They do not need to be thawed before use, but you may need to increase the cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked and any excess moisture is released.
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Cool them
Mushrooms should be cooled before being placed in the freezer. If you are flash-freezing, place the mushrooms on a parchment-lined baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about an hour, or until the pieces feel hard. If you have cooked the mushrooms, place them on a paper towel or plate to cool. Once they are thoroughly cooled, place them in an airtight, freezer-safe bag or container.
If you are freezing raw mushrooms, it is important to slice them evenly and flash-freeze them before packing them into bags. This will ensure that they freeze evenly. You can also freeze raw mushrooms without flash-freezing, but they should be placed loose in a freezer bag so that they freeze separately.
When cooling cooked mushrooms, it is important to let them cool completely before placing them in a container or bag. If you are freezing cooked mushrooms, it is also important to label the container or bag with the date. This will help you keep track of how long the mushrooms have been in the freezer.
It is important to note that mushrooms should not be stacked or placed near strong-smelling items as they will absorb scents and can be bruised.
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Store them in the freezer
Mushrooms can be frozen raw or cooked. However, freezing them cooked is better as it preserves qualities like nutrition, flavour, and texture. Freezing cooked mushrooms also helps to avoid mushiness and an unpleasant consistency in soups, pastas, and other dishes.
To freeze raw mushrooms, start by cleaning them. You can either brush off any visible dirt or lightly rinse them in cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Avoid soaking the mushrooms, as this will make them mushy once cooked. Next, slice or dice the mushrooms, depending on how you intend to use them. Then, flash-freeze them by placing them in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and putting them in the freezer for about an hour, or until they are hard. Finally, transfer the frozen mushrooms to a freezer bag, seal it tightly, and store them in the freezer.
To freeze cooked mushrooms, you can first cook them by sautéing or steaming. To sauté, heat the mushrooms in a frying pan with a small amount of butter or oil over high heat for about five minutes, or until they are fully cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated. To steam, place a steamer basket inside a pot of boiling water, add the mushrooms, and let them steam for 3-5 minutes. After cooking, let the mushrooms cool completely, then flash-freeze them by placing them on a baking sheet and putting them in the freezer until they are hard. Once frozen, transfer the mushrooms to a freezer bag, seal tightly, and store in the freezer.
Regardless of the method chosen, it is important to note that mushrooms should be fresh when frozen, as this will help them keep better in the freezer. Additionally, squeeze out as much air as possible from the freezer bags before sealing to prevent freezer burn, and be sure to label the bags with the date. Frozen mushrooms will last up to a year in the freezer but are best used within six to nine months.
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Frequently asked questions
Frozen mushrooms can be stored for up to 12 months.
Mushrooms can be frozen raw or cooked. If freezing raw, brush off any visible dirt and trim the stems. Then, flash freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. If freezing cooked mushrooms, allow them to cool completely before placing them in a freezer bag and storing them horizontally in the freezer.
Frozen mushrooms can be added directly to dishes that will be cooked, or they can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
