Whether you find a good sale or just buy too many at the store, you can freeze mushrooms to use for later. It’s a great way to extend their shelf life and still enjoy their umami goodness for weeks to come.
Later you can tuck them into Brie and Bacon Panini, stir them into Mushroom and Onion Gravy or fold them into Creamy Mushroom Pilaf. There’s no end to the goodness you can cook up when you’ve got mushrooms in the freezer.
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Mushrooms are a delight – stuffed, sauteed or tossed on a pizza, they bring flavor, fiber, and a handful of vitamins to the party. And thankfully, they’re very freezer-friendly, allowing you to stock up when you find a sale and enjoy them for weeks to come.
Why Do This
It helps you avoid food waste. If you’ll use it eventually but can’t just right now, why not freeze it to use later and buy yourself some time?
It will save you money. Wasting food is akin to wasting money. The bigger the package of mushrooms you buy, the lower the unit price (typically). Freeze the extras and pay less all the way around.
It can be more convenient. Frozen chopped, sliced, or cooked mushrooms are often more convenient than fresh ones as they are recipe-ready.
Ingredients
mushrooms – All you need are mushrooms! That said, these methods work best with button or brown mushrooms, typically the more affordable mushrooms anyway.
You’ll want to wash them first: Rinse them under cool water and wipe them with a paper towel. Trim the stem ends and discard stems that have gone woody or mushy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
There are three basics ways you can freeze mushrooms:
To freeze uncooked sliced mushrooms
Slice the washed mushrooms thinly and place them on a lined tray. Freeze until firm and then place in a ziptop freezer bag or plastic container with a lid.
Be sure to label the package with the date so you know how soon to use them up.
To freeze uncooked chopped mushrooms
If you use a lot of chopped mushrooms in your recipes, it can be super handy to have them chopped and ready to go in the freezer.
Dry the mushrooms well, and chop them. Measure them out to what you normally use in recipes and place in ziptop freezer bags.
If you’re not sure what quantities you’ll use, you can lay them out on a lined tray like the sliced mushrooms and freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a ziptop freezer bag or airtight container.
To freeze cooked mushrooms
Cook the mushrooms according to your favorite recipe or simply saute them in oil or butter. Place them in an airtight container and chill them completely. Label with the date and contents and store in the freezer.
To Use Frozen Mushrooms
When you’re ready to use the mushrooms, you can cook them from frozen. Pull out the bag and add to your recipe.
FAQs
Mushrooms should maintain good quality frozen for 10 to 12 months if stored at less than 0 degrees. Since home freezers are often inconsistent, try to use them up within a few months.
You can freeze mushrooms in your recipes without a problem. You can also freeze them on their own, uncooked or cooked.
Great Mushroom Recipes
How to Freeze Mushrooms
Equipment
Instructions
To freeze uncooked mushrooms
- Wash the mushrooms and wipe them well. Chop or slice according to your preferences. Package in recipe-size portions in ziptop freezer bags or freezer-friendly containers OR to freeze them loose, place them on a lined sheet pan and freeze until firm. Once solid, transfer the frozen mushrooms to packaging and return to the freezer.
- To use: add to recipe from frozen.
To freeze cooked mushrooms
- Wash the mushrooms and wipe them well. Chop or slice and cook according to your preferences. Package in recipe-size portions in ziptop freezer bags or freezer-friendly containers. Chill completely prior to storing in the freezer.
- To use: reheat and serve.
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