Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are highly perishable, but freezing them can be a great way to extend their shelf life and reduce food waste. Frozen mushrooms can be used in cooked dishes such as soups, sauces, casseroles, and burgers, but they are not suitable for raw preparations due to changes in texture and taste. To freeze mushrooms, it is recommended to clean, slice, and cook them before freezing, as this improves their flavour and texture. Freezing cooked mushrooms allows for quick meal preparation, as they can be added directly to dishes without requiring additional cooking, preserving their nutritional value and flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Freezing Mushrooms | Extends shelf life, reduces food waste, and preserves flavor |
| Freezing Process | Clean, trim, and cut mushrooms; cook by steaming or sautéing; soak in lemon water to prevent discoloration; pat dry; freeze on a tray; transfer to a sealed container |
| Defrosting Process | Avoid room temperature; use the fridge or microwave defrost setting; use within 24 hours |
| Usage | Frozen mushrooms should be cooked and not consumed raw; suitable for soups, sauces, casseroles, and blended burgers |
| Limitations | Freezing changes the structure and texture of mushrooms, making them soggy and mushy |
| Storage | Mushrooms can last up to six months in the freezer if properly stored |
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What You'll Learn
Freezing cooked vs raw mushrooms
Mushrooms can be frozen raw or cooked. However, freezing changes the structure and texture of mushrooms, and they won't be pleasant to eat raw after being frozen. Therefore, it is better to cook the mushrooms before freezing them. Cooking them also draws out the internal moisture, ensuring a nicer texture and a more intact mushroom for use post-freeze. It also concentrates their earthy flavour a bit.
To freeze cooked mushrooms, first, wash the mushrooms thoroughly and trim them of any woody bits or stems you don't want. Dry the mushrooms well. Then, cut the mushrooms into uniform pieces like quarters or slices. You can leave them whole if they're small enough (less than one inch in diameter). Sauté the mushrooms in a bit of neutral oil until the pan is dry and the mushrooms are tender (mushrooms will release their inner moisture, so the pan will look like it gains moisture before it loses it). Allow the mushrooms to cool. Transfer the mushrooms to a freezer bag. Lay the cooked mushrooms into a freezer bag and store the bag horizontally. Remove as much air as possible, seal, and label. Frozen mushrooms will last up to a year in the freezer.
To freeze raw mushrooms, first, clean the mushrooms. Either use a paper towel to brush any visible dirt off the mushrooms or lightly rinse them in cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Don't soak the mushrooms because this will make them mushy once cooked. Then, chop the mushrooms into slices or dice them, depending on how you intend to use them. Flash freeze the mushrooms. Place the mushrooms on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure the pieces do not overlap. Transfer the mushrooms to a freezer bag. The mushrooms should stay loose since they were frozen in a single layer. Add the date to the bag and freeze for up to a year.
It is important to note that not all types of mushrooms should be frozen the same way. Hen of the woods mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, and wild mushrooms in the slimy-capped Suillus genus are best frozen raw because their high moisture content makes them difficult to dehydrate. Most store-bought mushrooms (like button mushrooms, creminis, and portobello) can be frozen raw or cooked.
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Preparing mushrooms for freezing
Mushrooms can be frozen raw or cooked. However, freezing changes the structure and texture of mushrooms, and they won't be pleasant to eat raw after being frozen. Therefore, it is recommended to cook the mushrooms before freezing them. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing mushrooms for freezing:
Scrub and slice the mushrooms:
Start by cleaning the mushrooms. You can gently wipe them with a damp cloth or scrub them with water to remove any dirt. Then, slice the mushrooms into similar-sized pieces, such as quarters, slices, or cubes. Smaller pieces will cook and freeze more evenly.
Soak the mushrooms (optional):
To prevent discolouration during freezing, you can soak the mushrooms in a mixture of water and lemon juice before cooking them. Use a ratio of 2 cups of water to 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and soak the mushrooms for 5-10 minutes.
Cook the mushrooms:
There are several methods you can use to cook the mushrooms before freezing:
- Sautéing: Heat a small amount of oil or butter in a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushroom pieces and cook for about 5 minutes, until they are fork-tender but not squishy.
- Steaming: Place a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Put the mushrooms in the basket and steam for 3-5 minutes, until tender but not mushy.
- Steam blanching: This method involves soaking the mushrooms in a mixture of water and lemon juice, as mentioned above, and then steaming them. Steam blanching helps preserve the mushrooms by destroying enzymes that can cause spoilage and inactivating common foodborne bacteria.
Cool the mushrooms:
After cooking, remove the mushrooms from the heat and let them cool completely. Spread them out on a plate or tray lined with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture.
Flash-freeze the mushrooms:
Once the mushrooms are cooled, spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, or until the mushrooms are frozen solid.
Transfer to freezer bags:
Remove the mushrooms from the freezer and carefully place them into freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible from the bags before sealing. Label the bags with the date and return them to the freezer.
Frozen cooked mushrooms can last up to nine months in the freezer, although some sources suggest they may even last up to twelve months. It is recommended to use them within three months for the best quality.
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Freezing methods
Freezing mushrooms is a helpful technique to extend the time you have to use them and reduce food waste. It is especially useful if you have over-purchased or have leftovers. However, freezing changes the structure, colour, and texture of mushrooms, and they won't be pleasant to eat raw. Therefore, frozen mushrooms should always be used in cooked dishes.
Freezing Raw Mushrooms
To freeze raw mushrooms, start by choosing mushrooms that look and smell fresh. Avoid mushrooms that are dry, shrivelled, darkened, mouldy, or have bad spots. Wash the mushrooms in cold water and trim off the ends of the stems. Cut the mushrooms into similar-sized pieces, such as quarters or slices. If you plan to freeze the mushrooms whole, ensure they are small, less than one inch in diameter. Soaking the mushroom pieces in a solution of lemon juice or citric acid and water for about 10 minutes can help discourage discolouration. After soaking, spread the mushrooms on a tray or cookie sheet in a single layer and place them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the mushrooms to a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing and labelling.
Freezing Cooked Mushrooms
Cooking mushrooms before freezing can help improve their flavour and texture. To cook mushrooms before freezing, you can sauté them in a frying pan with butter or oil over high heat for about five minutes, or until fully cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated. Alternatively, you can steam the mushrooms. Before steaming, soak them in a solution of lemon juice or citric acid and water to minimise discolouration. Steam the mushrooms for 3-5 minutes, then transfer them to an ice water bath for a couple of minutes. Spread the cooked mushrooms on a cookie sheet and flash-freeze them. Once frozen, pack them into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a bit of space for expansion, and return them to the freezer.
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Defrosting frozen mushrooms
Freezing mushrooms is a great way to reduce waste, save money, and add nutrients to your meals. However, freezing changes the structure and texture of mushrooms, so they should always be cooked after thawing and never consumed raw.
When defrosting frozen mushrooms, it is important to follow food safety guidelines. Do not defrost mushrooms at room temperature. Instead, place them in the refrigerator and allow them to thaw slowly over several hours or overnight. You can also use a microwave with a defrost setting to thaw the mushrooms directly before cooking or reheating them.
If you are using the mushrooms in a stir-fry, you can treat them as dried mushrooms and soak them in water or your cooking sauce. However, avoid using hot water, as this can affect the flavour.
Once the mushrooms are thawed, they can be cooked and added to various dishes such as soups, sauces, casseroles, and pizzas. Cooking the mushrooms before freezing is also an option to improve their flavour and texture. Sautéed mushrooms can be added directly to recipes without recooking, as long as they are warmed up before serving.
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Uses for frozen mushrooms
Mushrooms can be frozen raw or cooked. However, freezing changes the structure and texture of mushrooms, and they are not pleasant to eat raw after being frozen. Frozen mushrooms are best suited for cooked dishes. Here are some ideas for using frozen mushrooms:
Soups
Frozen mushrooms can be added directly to a warm broth when making soup. They can also be used in stews, curries, and casseroles.
Pasta and Pizza
Mushrooms can be added to pasta sauces after cooking the other ingredients. They can also be used as a pizza topping.
Blended Dishes
Frozen mushrooms can be mixed with ground meat for juicy blended burgers. They can also be blended into a nutritious mushroom powder and added to smoothies, lattes, and yogurt.
Other Dishes
Frozen mushrooms can be used in stir-fries, stroganoff, risottos, and pasta bakes. They can also be sautéed and used as a salad topping.
It is important to note that frozen mushrooms should be thawed and reheated properly to ensure optimal taste and nutritional value. Additionally, preparing the mushrooms properly before freezing is crucial to prevent them from becoming slimy or rubbery.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can freeze raw mushrooms, but they will have a different texture when thawed and are best used in cooked dishes.
Clean the mushrooms and cut them into similar-sized pieces. You can steam or sauté them before freezing, which will help to preserve their texture. Place the mushrooms on a tray in the freezer, then transfer them to a sealed container or bag once frozen.
Frozen mushrooms can last up to six months in the freezer if they are correctly prepared and stored.
