Do you find yourself unable to get through a packet of mushrooms before they go out of date? Perhaps you have wondered whether you can freeze mushrooms or not to extend their lifespan?
Or maybe you are looking to meal prep and want to know if mushrooms can survive a trip in the freezer? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answers for you!
We know how tricky it can be to freeze fresh food. There are always so many rules about what can or can’t be frozen, often with information on packets changing from store to store.
You go online to find your answers and walk away more confused than before! No matter what you do or where you look, you just can’t find the quick and easy answer that you need.
Well, no more! Today we are here with the answers you need. Keep reading to find out if you can freeze mushrooms and how to do it successfully. Get ready to become a mushroom expert!
Can You Freeze Mushrooms?
Let’s get straight into it! You can indeed freeze mushrooms. This is wonderful news for those that struggle to eat their mushrooms before they go out of date.
You can also preserve the nutrients when freezing mushrooms, meaning they will still be just as good for you fresh as out of the freezer!
One thing to note about freezing mushrooms though is that mushrooms can be a little soggy when you defrost them. As mushrooms have a high water content, they can become quite soggy or mushy if you defrost them and then cook with them.
Thankfully, we have some excellent tips coming up that will help you enjoy frozen mushrooms without needing to eat a soggy shroom!
It’s best to freeze mushrooms at the peak of their freshness. If you know that you can’t eat the entire packet of mushrooms, then freeze them once you get home rather than waiting until just before they go bad.
This ensures that the mushroom you freeze will taste good once you cook it from frozen. After all, what’s the point in freezing bad mushrooms?
Now that we have covered that mushrooms can be frozen, let’s take a look at how to do this!
How To Freeze Mushrooms
Freezing mushrooms is super easy to do and can be done in a few simple steps. As we mentioned earlier, it’s best to start with fresh mushrooms. This will ensure the best results and great-tasting mushrooms!
You will also want to cook the mushrooms beforehand. This helps to preserve their nutrients and can help prevent some of the sogginess too that we can experience with frozen mushrooms!
So, How Can You Do This? Well, You Have Two Options:
- Steam-blanching mushrooms
- Sauteeing mushrooms
You could also freeze your mushrooms raw if you would like, but you tend to lose the nutritional value if you do this. You can also encounter soggy mushrooms when you defrost these raw frozen mushrooms.
However, if you don’t have the time to cook them, then this is the quickest way to freeze mushrooms.
To Freeze Them Without Cooking Them, Simply Do The Following:
- Scrub and brush your mushrooms to remove any dirt (avoid washing them as this can make them soggy).
- Slice larger mushrooms or leave smaller mushrooms whole and put them on a tray.
- Place the tray in the freezer and freeze until solid.
- Once frozen, transfer the mushrooms into a resealable freezer bag and label it with the contents and date.
- It’s best to use these mushrooms within a few months.
And for those that want to cook their mushrooms (and maintain their nutritional value), you can use either of the two methods below.
1.Steam-Blanching Mushrooms
To Steam-Blanch Your Mushrooms And Freeze Them, Use The Following Steps As A Guide.
- Scrub and brush your mushrooms to remove the dirt.
- Slice larger mushrooms or leave smaller mushrooms whole.
- Prepare a bowl with ice water and a tray with kitchen paper over it.
- Place your mushrooms in a steam basket and add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water (this helps prevent discoloration).
- Bring the water and lemon juice to boil and steam the mushrooms for 2 to 4 minutes.
- Next, plunge mushrooms into the bowl of iced water for the same time.
- Then, drain the mushrooms and arrange them on a tray lined with kitchen paper.
- Drain and pat your mushrooms dry before laying them on the tray and freezing until solid.
- Once frozen, transfer your mushrooms into a resealable freezer bag, labeling it with the contents and date.
- It’s best to use these within 3 months of freezing.
2.Sauteing Mushrooms
If you don’t want to steam-blanch your mushrooms, you can sautee them before freezing them. To do so, follow these simple steps below:
- Scrub mushrooms to remove the dirt.
- Slice larger mushrooms and leave smaller mushrooms whole.
- Place a large frying pan on medium heat and add a small knob of butter to the pan.
- Next, add the mushrooms and cook them. Be sure to stir often for 2 to 4 minutes depending on the size of the mushrooms and if they are whole or sliced.
- Once cooked, set them aside to cool.
- Then, lay the mushrooms on a tray and freeze until solid.
- Transfer these mushrooms to a resealable freezer bag and label the bag. Place this into the freezer and consume it within three months.
And there you have it, three simple ways you can freeze your mushrooms. We think sauteeing them is the easiest method, but it is up to you which way you freeze them!
Although you can freeze your mushrooms raw, we think it’s best to cook them first to preserve the nutrients and have the best results.
How To Defrost Mushrooms
Now that we have looked at how to freeze mushrooms, let’s look at how to defrost them and cook with them. For best results, we recommend cooking with your mushrooms straight from frozen!
As you leave your mushrooms to thaw and defrost, they can become incredibly soggy and mushy when you cook them. No one wants that from their mushrooms!
To cook with frozen mushrooms, simply remove the desired amount from your freezer, and add them to your dish. Frozen mushrooms work wonderfully in stews, pasta bakes, stir-fries, and casseroles.
You can even cook them in the oven and roast them with other vegetables to make a wonderful side dish.
Once cooked, the mushrooms should retain most of their shape and texture unless they have suffered freezer burn in the freezer.
While they might have a slightly different texture to fresh mushrooms, you are unlikely to notice this if the mushrooms are added to a dish.
Can You Refreeze Mushrooms?
While you could refreeze mushrooms, we think it’s best to avoid that. Defrosting or cooking a frozen mushroom and then returning it to the freezer can impact its nutritional value.
It can also change the texture of the mushroom, making it soggier or giving it a gritty texture. No one wants that in their food!
To avoid this, it’s best to only pull out the frozen mushrooms that you need for your dish and consume them that day. That way, you don’t need to worry about your mushrooms going bad.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, you can indeed freeze mushrooms! It’s best to freeze mushrooms when they are fresh and cook them beforehand to ensure that their nutritional value and texture are preserved.
When cooking with your frozen mushrooms, add them to your dish from frozen to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Now you can easily have mushrooms whenever you want and reduce waste in your home. It couldn’t be easier!
