How to Store White Mushrooms

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How to Store White Mushrooms

Sometimes you see white mushrooms available at a bargain price, but you know that they will spoil before you’ve had a chance to use them all.

But you don’t need to pass up on these deals anymore because you can now snag those discounts, buy in bulk, and I’m going to show you a variety of ways that you can store all of those white mushrooms!

White mushrooms, or button mushrooms, are the most common mushrooms that you find in stores. They have a short shelf life, so it is best to know how to store them properly otherwise you’ll just end up throwing them away.

If you decide to grow your own mushrooms at home, you can also prepare them so that you can build up an amazing, healthy stash in your food pantry.

This also helps when mushrooms are available at a really good price, and you want to buy in bulk. Now you can, because you have a variety of ways in which you can store them.

And if you’re looking for a really good gluten-free stuffed mushroom recipe, have a look at this recipe. Yummmm!

If you are keeping mushrooms for no longer than a week, the following is the best way to prepare mushrooms for storage:

1. Wash the mushrooms using cool water and a soft brush. Do not soak them as this can make them absorb too much water and become mushy.
2. Remove any damaged or browned parts of the mushrooms, as these will spoil faster than the rest of the mushroom.
3. Place the mushrooms in a brown paper bag or container with a lid that has holes punched in it for ventilation.
4. Store the mushrooms in the refrigerator, where they will keep fresh for up to one week.

TIP: Mushrooms need good airflow, so be sure to store them in a container with plenty of ventilation. Avoid using plastic for storing mushrooms.

If you want to store mushrooms for a longer period of time, then dehydrating them or canning them are other alternate options.

How to Freeze-Store White Mushrooms

Freezing white mushrooms for storage isn’t a good idea because mushrooms naturally have a high water content.

When you freeze them, the water turns into mini-icicles and changes the structure of the mushroom. When you defrost them again, the structure changes again and they become mushy.

So how do you do it? Here are a couple of ways to safely store white mushrooms..

The best way is to cook them first, and sauteing is the best method. Sauteing your mushrooms will draw the moisture out of them and concentrate the earthy flavor of these tasty fungi!

1. Slice them to less than an inch in size.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter or heat 1 tablespoon of oil and saute the mushrooms without disturbing them, for at least 2 minutes.
3. Stir occasionally until brown all over.
4. Remove from heat, spread them out on a baking sheet, and allow to cool.
5. Repeat until all mushrooms have been cooked.
6. Label and date freezer resealable bags and fill them with your cooled, cooked mushrooms.
7. Freeze for a maximum of 9 months

When you are ready to use them, there is no need to thaw them. Just add them to your dish such as a casserole, stir fry, stew or soup, and they will heat through as your meal cooks.

How to Freeze Dry Mushrooms

For family members who might be a little texture sensitive, freeze-drying mushrooms is an awesome way to solve that problem.

1. Clean your white mushrooms and then towel dry them with paper towels. Again, don’t soak them in water as they are like little sponges and will completely absorb the water.
2. Slice the mushrooms if they are big and lay them out on a tray. If they are small, you can just leave them whole. Dry and have them all roughly the same size.
3. Layer a tray with clean, sliced mushrooms into one freeze-dry bag.
4. Place the bag into the chamber of your freeze-dry machine. Check your instruction manual for the length of time required for mushrooms.

How to Dehydrate Mushrooms

Use a dehydrator to remove the excess liquid from the mushrooms with a heat provided from a fan.

1. Once you have cleaned the mushrooms, slice them into equal-sized pieces.
2. Spead them out on a single layer on a tray.
3. Depending on the make and size of your dehydrating machine, you can dehydrate several trays at the same time.

 

How to Make Mushroom Powder

Mushroom powder is an amazing staple to have in your storage area. Not only is it healthy and packed with great goodness for your body, but mushroom powder will also add an incredible flavorant to add to other dishes.

So if you do grow your own mushrooms at home, know that they will not go to waste if you cannot cook them all in time before they start to go slimy.

Mushroom powder for the win!

This is so, so easy, but first, let’s talk about the various ways that you can use mushroom powder.

• • If you don’t enjoy the texture of mushrooms but want the flavor and goodness in your dish, then powdered mushrooms are a brilliant option.
  • Use them in dry mixes.
  • Add them to soups and sauces to boost the mushroom flavors.
  • Sprinkle over omelettes and fritattas
  • Mix mushroom powder with salt in a grinder for a tasty different flavor
  • Add them to dishes such as beef stroganoff, or chicken a la king

 

Method to Make Mushroom Powder

 

1. Firstly you will need to dehydrate your white mushrooms (or any mushrooms actually) until they are really crisp.
2. Use a blender or a coffee grinder to grind the mushrooms into a fine powder. Once finished, let it sit for a couple of minutes before you remove the lid otherwise the mushroom powder will just poof out the top.
3. When the dust has settled, pot the mushroom powder into a clean, sterile, and dry jar that is moisture-proof and air-proof.
4. Store your mushroom powder in a cool, dark, dry location.
5. Store with moisture absorbers/ silica gel packs – these will absorb dampness and are safe for your dehydrated products

 

Are you looking for more information on mushrooms?

Find out the best mushrooms to grow at home yourself!
Here are 15 of the best stuffed mushroom recipes