- Keeping mushrooms in a brown paper bag can make them stay fresh for 2-3 days more compared to plastic.
- Putting mushrooms in the freezer after a quick boil or light fry keeps their texture and taste good for as long as 12 months.
- Good air flow is key—never keep mushrooms in closed plastic bags, as these trap wetness and make them spoil faster.
- Mushrooms that are dried last the longest, staying good for 6-12 months when kept in closed containers.
- Pickling or canning mushrooms is another way to keep them, making them usable for many months.
How to Keep Mushrooms: What’s the Top Way?
It's very annoying to buy nice mushrooms only to see them get slimy and bad after only a few days. Good keeping is important if you want to make mushrooms fresh for as long as you can. Whether you are putting them in the fridge, freezer, drying, or pickling, using the correct way can really make them last longer. This guide will take you through the top mushroom keeping methods so you can waste less and get the most flavor.
How to Pick the Best Fresh Mushrooms
Keeping mushrooms right starts with buying the freshest ones. When picking fresh mushrooms, look for these things
- Solid and dry feel – Mushrooms should feel firm, not soft or mushy at all.
- Smooth, clean caps – Stay away from mushrooms with dark spots, cracks, or signs of rot.
- Not too wet – Mushrooms should not be too damp or slimy to touch.
- Light, earthy smell – A strong or smell like ammonia means they might be bad.
A good tip is to buy whole mushrooms instead of pre-cut ones since they stay good longer because there is less of the inside part open to the air.
Signs That Mushrooms Have Gone Wrong
Mushrooms don't stay good for very long, so knowing bad signs is very important
- Slippery or sticky feel – A sign of germs growing and too much wetness.
- Dark spots or color change – Brown or black spots show they are going bad.
- Strong, bad smell – If mushrooms smell sour or bad, throw them away.
- Wrinkled or dried look – Too much water loss makes mushrooms hard and like leather.
- Mold growing – Any mold you can see means they are not safe to eat any more.
If you see any of these signs, it's safer to throw the mushrooms away to stay away from getting sick from bad food.
How Long Do Mushrooms Stay Good?
How long they last changes based on how you keep them. According to the U.S. Section of Agriculture (USDA), here’s how long you can guess mushrooms will last
| Mushroom Type | Where to Keep | How Long They Last |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh whole | Fridge | 7-10 days |
| Sliced fresh | Fridge | 5-7 days |
| Cooked | Fridge | 3-5 days |
| Dried | Pantry | 6-12 months |
| Frozen | Freezer | 9-12 months |
Wild mushrooms might go bad quicker because they have more water in them, making good keeping even more key.
Top Short-Time Keeping Ways to Make Mushrooms Fresh
Keep Them in How They Came
If your mushrooms are in a plastic wrap box with holes, keep them just how they came. The box is made to be just right for air and wetness level.
Keep in a Brown Paper Bag
A brown paper bag is one of the better mushroom keeping ways, as it takes away extra wetness while letting air in. Study in the Journal of Food Protection (2019) showed that mushrooms kept in paper bags stayed good 2-3 days longer than those in plastic.
Wrap in Paper Towels Inside a Partly Open Plastic Bag
Another way that works is wrapping mushrooms in dry paper towels to take up wetness before putting them in a partly open plastic bag in the fridge. This makes the wetness just right while letting some air in.
Use Containers That Let Air In
Containers made of cardboard or pulp fiber let air move around right. If you only have plastic containers, poke small holes to make them let more air in.
Stay Away from Closed Plastic Containers
Never keep mushrooms in closed plastic containers or bags, as they trap wet air, making germs grow faster and making them bad quicker.
How to Keep Mushrooms in the Fridge
Putting in the fridge is the top short-time keeping choice. Do these steps
- Set the fridge temp between 34-38°F (1-3°C).
- Keep mushrooms in the fridge’s main part, not the crisper drawers that trap too much wetness.
- Put mushrooms away from fruits that make ethylene gas (apples, bananas, and tomatoes) to make them spoil slower.
- Check for water build-up inside where they are kept and change wet paper towels if you need to.
Can You Freeze Mushrooms?
Yes, but freezing mushrooms raw is not best because they have a lot of water, which can make them mushy when you thaw them. The National Center for Home Food Protection (2020) says that frozen mushrooms that are done right stay good for 9-12 months.
How to Freeze Mushrooms
- Clean them softly – Use a soft brush or paper towel instead of washing them with water.
-
Cook the mushrooms a bit before – This helps keep texture when thawed:
- Blanching: Boil in water for 1-2 minutes, then right away cool in ice water.
- Sautéing: Cook lightly in butter or oil until just soft to touch.
- Cool mushrooms all the way before freezing.
- Keep in freezer-safe bags or containers, taking out extra air.
- Write the freeze date to know how fresh they are.
Frozen mushrooms are best in soups, casseroles, and stir-fries, where texture changes are not as seen as much.
How to Dry Mushrooms for Long-Time Keeping
Drying mushrooms lets them be kept for 6-12 months and makes their umami taste stronger.
Ways for Drying Mushrooms
- Food Dryer (Best Way) – Use a food dryer at 125°F (52°C) for 6-8 hours.
- Oven Drying – Put cut mushrooms on a baking sheet at 170°F (75°C), leaving the oven door a little open. Dry for 2-3 hours, turning them over now and then.
- Air Drying – Put mushrooms on a rack in a warm spot with good air for many days.
Keeping and Putting Water Back In
- Keep dried mushrooms in a closed container away from wetness and light.
- Put water back in by soaking in warm water for 20-30 minutes before cooking.
Other Long-Time Keeping Ways
Pickling Mushrooms
Pickling makes them last for many months while adding a tangy taste. Put mushrooms in vinegar, salt, and spices, then keep in the fridge in clean jars.
Canning Mushrooms
Canning needs a pressure canner to keep mushrooms safe. Always do what home canning guides say to stay away from bad stuff.
Special Things to Think About for Different Mushroom Kinds
| Mushroom Type | Keeping Things to Think About |
|---|---|
| Soft Kinds (Shiitake, Oyster) | More likely to spoil; keep in paper bags. |
| Wild Mushrooms | Shorter time good; eat within a few days. |
| Pre-Cut Mushrooms | Spoils quicker; buy whole mushrooms when you can. |
Last Tips for Keeping and Using Fresh Mushrooms
- Don’t wash mushrooms before keeping—wetness makes them spoil faster.
- Use a soft brush or damp cloth instead of soaking mushrooms in water before cooking.
- Keep mushrooms right and check every day to waste less food.
By using the better mushroom keeping methods, you can make them stay fresh longer and enjoy them more. Try out refrigeration, freezing, drying, or pickling to see what works best for your kitchen!
Citations
- U.S. Section of Agriculture (USDA). (2021). Keeping times for foods in the fridge. Got from https://www.usda.gov/
- National Center for Home Food Protection. (2020). Freezing mushrooms for long-time keeping. Got from https://nchfp.uga.edu/
- McGee, H. (2004). On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen. Scribner.
- Journal of Food Protection. (2019). What keeping conditions do to mushroom keeping.
