Mushrooms, whether cooked or uncooked need to be stored the right way in order to extend their shelf life. Below are a few guidelines on how to store cooked mushrooms just in case you have leftovers. They will really help to extend the shelf life of your cooked mushrooms while preserving their flavours.
Contents
Store cooked mushrooms in the freezer
NB: this is the best method for storing cooked mushrooms. This is because it really extends the shelf life of the cooked mushrooms for 6 to 8 months.
Step 1
In order to store leftover cooked mushrooms in the freezer start by letting them cool down at room temperature. This is because you cannot store cooked mushrooms in the freezer while hot.
Step 2
Once the cooked mushrooms have cooled down, divide them into portions and place them into baking sheets. Place the baking sheets into the freezer and let the cooked mushrooms pre-freeze for 1 to 2 hours.
Step 3
Once the mushrooms have frozen take them out and transfer them into freezer bags. Before sealing the freezer bags take out as much air as possible from the freezer bag. This helps to prevent freezer burn and premature spoilage.
Step 4
The next step is to label the freezer bags with the date in which you are storing leftover cooked mushroom in the freezer. Also indicate how many people each portion serves. This will help you to remember just in case you forget. Once you have followed all the steps, store leftover cooked mushrooms in the freezer. They will last for 6 to 8 months.
Store cooked mushrooms in the fridge
NB: this method only preserves cooked mushrooms for 1 week. Therefore, only use this method when you are certain that you will eat your mushrooms within that time frame.
Step 1
When storing leftover cooked mushrooms in the fridge start by letting them cool down at room temperature.
Step 2
Place the cooked mushrooms in an air tight container. Alternatively you can place them in a freezer bag and take out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
Step 3
The last step is to store cooked mushrooms in the fridge. They will last for approximately 1 week.
Can you thaw mushrooms?
It is advisable not to thaw mushrooms. This is because they release a lot of water during the thawing stage. This water will then cause the mushrooms to turn soggy. However, if you are afraid that the mushrooms might not reheat well unless thawed then simply thaw them in the fridge for a few hours. Avoid thawing cooked mushrooms on the counter as they will definitely turn soggy.
How to use frozen cooked mushrooms
Frozen cooked mushrooms can be incorporated into other hot dishes. So you can always take them out of the freezer and add them to things like soups, pasta and stir fry’s. The heat from these dishes will help to warm up the cooked mushrooms. If you want to eat mushrooms separately from other dishes then simply reheat them individually. To do this you need to place butter in a pan. When the butter has heated up add the cooked mushrooms and reheat them for a few minutes until they are warm enough to eat.
Tips for dealing with cooked mushrooms
- Store cooked mushrooms within 2 hours after preparation. This is because if you keep them for exposed for more than 2 hours they might start to turn bad.
- Never reheat cooked mushrooms and then put them back in the freezer. This is because you will be exposing them to bacteria. Furthermore, it affects their flavour and texture.
- Avoid thawing cooked mushrooms as they tend to turn soggy. This is because they naturally contain a lot of water.
- When storing cooked mushrooms in the freezer make sure that the freezer is at 0 degrees. This will help the cooked mushrooms to last longer. If you are using the fridge then make sure that its temperature is below 40F. This will help to ensure that cooked mushrooms don’t turn bad fast.
How to tell when cooked mushrooms have turned bad
Texture changes
When cooked mushrooms have turned bad the texture changes. You will start noticing that it achieves a slimy texture. When you realise this then it’s definitely time to throw away it away. This is because eating cooked mushrooms that have turned bad can lead to sickness.
Smell changes
When leftover cooked mushrooms have turned bad the smell changes. They will develop an unpleasant odour. If you notice that cooked mushrooms have an unpleasant smell then it’s best to throw them away in order to avoid getting sick.
Appearance changes
Cooked mushrooms change their appearance when they have turned bad. They become too darker and you might start noticing moulds on the cooked mushrooms. They might also start appearing wrinkled and too soggy. When this happens you need to get rid of them.
How to store uncooked mushrooms
Store uncooked mushrooms in the fridge
NB: this method only stores uncooked mushrooms for a week. Therefore, you need to use them within that time frame.
In order to store uncooked mushrooms in the fridge simply place them the mushrooms in zip-lock plastic bags and store in the fridge. You can always place them in the crisp drawer of your fridge. This will help to ensure that they are not contaminated by other foods in your fridge.
NB: mushrooms cannot be stored in the freezer unless they are cooked. So in order to store mushrooms in the freezer you need to cook them. This will help to preserve their flavour.
Conclusion
Cooked mushrooms can be stored in the freezer or the fridge. The freezer helps to ensure that cooked mushrooms last for up to 6 or 8 months while the fridge only stores them for a week. Remember to always store cooked mushrooms within 2 hours after preparation. This is because they easily turn bad when exposed to room temperature for a long time.
