Can Mushrooms Be Frozen? Best Ways to Do It Right

Can mushrooms be frozen? Yes, and if you do it right, you can save time, cut down on waste, and keep your food tasty. Fresh mushrooms go bad quickly, but freezing them keeps them good for longer. You can freeze mushrooms that are cooked, sliced, or sautéed, depending on your plans for them.

This guide tells you the right way to freeze mushrooms, what changes will happen, and how to use them in your daily meals.

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Can Mushrooms Be Frozen?

Why Freeze Mushrooms Instead of Tossing Them?

One of the best ways to save money on food, avoid wasting food, and make sure you always have a useful thing to cook with is to freeze mushrooms. Because fresh mushrooms only last a few days in the refrigerator, freezing them helps keep them good for later and preserves most of their nutrients.

• Extend shelf life: Fresh mushrooms last 3–7 days in the fridge, but freeze mushrooms and they can keep for up to 12 months in a sealed container.

• Reduce waste: Freeze fresh mushrooms before they go slimy and inedible.

• Save time: Prep and portion mushrooms ahead for faster meals.

• Preserve nutrients: While freezing may reduce some B vitamins, the majority of minerals and antioxidants are retained.

• Versatile cooking use: Frozen mushrooms are ideal for soups, sauces, casseroles, stews, and warm dishes.

What Happens When You Freeze Mushrooms?

Mushrooms have a lot of water in them, so freezing them breaks down the walls of their cells. When they thaw, they are softer because of this. This is very clear if you freeze raw mushrooms without steaming or sautéing them first.

• Texture changes: Mushrooms become spongy or slightly rubbery if not pre-cooked.

• Taste stays fine: The umami flavor is still there, especially in cooked mushrooms like cremini, baby bella, and portobello mushrooms.

• Color shifts: Frozen mushrooms may darken slightly, this is normal.

• Nutritional changes: Some water-soluble nutrients like folate may be reduced.

• Prep matters: Blanched mushrooms or sautéed mushrooms hold their texture better.

What Is the Best Way to Store Mushrooms in the Freezer?

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare Mushrooms for Freezing

If you want to get the best results, make sure you prepare your mushrooms the right way before you freeze them. This keeps them tasty and prevents them from losing their texture when you put them in your next dish.

• Clean with care: Wipe mushrooms gently using damp paper towels, never soak.

• Slice or leave whole: Slice mushrooms like portobello or cremini for easier reheating. Freeze whole mushrooms only if small.

• Choose your method: You can freeze mushrooms raw, but it’s better to sauté or steam (blanch) first.

• For sautéing: Heat butter or olive oil in a pot or pan, cook sliced mushrooms 4–5 minutes until soft.

• For steaming: Place mushrooms over boiling water, steam 3–5 minutes, then cool in an ice bath.

• Drain well: Cool mushrooms fully, then pat dry to remove excess moisture. This prevents ice crystals from forming.

Flash-Freezing & Storage Best Practices

Proper freezing technique preserves texture and avoids clumping. Don’t skip the flash freeze step, this is where many go wrong.

• Flash freeze first: Arrange cooked mushrooms in a single layer on a baking sheet, not touching. Freeze for a few hours.

• Transfer efficiently: After freezing, transfer mushrooms into a freezer bag or airtight containers.

• Remove air: Squeeze out excess air or use vacuum sealing to prevent freezer burn.

• Label clearly: Always label with freeze date and type (e.g., “sautéed baby bella”).

• Storage time: Use within 6 months for best flavor and texture, though they can last up to 12 months.

• Portion wisely: Store in 1-pint amounts for easy reheating or adding to meals like soups or sauces.

Are Mushrooms Still Good After Being Frozen?

What to Expect: Texture, Taste, Appearance

When frozen mushrooms thaw, they won't look or feel like fresh ones, but they're still good to cook with.

• Texture softens: Expect a tender or slightly chewy texture, especially in whole mushrooms or if you freeze mushrooms raw.

• Best cooked uses: Use frozen mushrooms directly in hot dishes, avoid defrosting if possible.

• Appearance changes: Mushrooms may darken or look slightly shriveled, but this doesn’t affect flavor.

• Avoid cold dishes: Don’t use thawed mushrooms in salads or raw recipes.

Nutritional Losses and Safety

Freezing does lower some nutrients, but frozen mushrooms are still a healthy and low-calorie food that can be added to meals.

• Minimal loss: Most fiber, potassium, and minerals stay intact.

• Vitamin drop: Small reduction in folate, riboflavin, and thiamine, common in frozen vegetables.

• Blanching helps: Steam-blanched mushrooms before freezing are safer and retain better nutritional value.

• Safe reheating: Reheat frozen mushrooms until hot all the way through, no need to defrost.

• Avoid re-freezing: Only freeze mushrooms once for best safety and quality.

Can You Sauté Mushrooms and Then Freeze Them?

Why Sautéing First Is the Superior Method

The best way to keep mushrooms' texture and flavor is to cook them in oil before freezing them. It also helps you get a head start on cooking so you can save time later when you make things like stews, casseroles, or sauces.

• Better texture: Cooked mushrooms hold up better in the freezer than raw mushrooms, which release moisture.

• Enhanced flavor: Sautéing with butter or olive oil boosts umami and keeps them delicious even months later.

• Versatile ingredient: Great for recipes where mushrooms don’t need to be defrosted, just heat and eat.

• Preserve mushrooms for later use: Especially useful when you buy in bulk or have a pint to finish.

• Avoid waste: No need to toss mushrooms that you won’t get to within a few days.

Tips for Perfect Sauté-Freezing

Using the correct method will help you get the most out of sautéing. Do not add too much salt or cook for too long, as salt pulls out moisture and can make frozen mushrooms limp.

• Use olive oil or butter: Heat a bit of oil in a non-stick pan or pot, just enough to coat.

• Add mushrooms in a single layer: This allows moisture to evaporate rather than steam the mushrooms.

• Skip the salt at first: Salt draws out water, add it during reheating, not cooking.

• Cook for a few minutes: 4–5 minutes for sliced mushrooms until slightly golden.

• Cool fully before freezing: Spread mushrooms on a baking sheet to cool for a few hours before you transfer them.

• Store in freezer bag or sealed container: Label with date and portion size. Use within 6 months.

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Mushroom-Based Products Worth Trying

Mushrooms are well-represented at FullyHealthy, especially in meals that emphasize nutrition and ease of use. Two great items to keep in stock:

• Kettle & Fire Organic Mushroom Chicken Bone Broth: A shelf-stable, low-calorie broth made with portobello mushrooms and pasture-raised chicken.

• Wild Zora Harvest Beef Quinoa Meal: A gluten-free, microwave-ready meal with sliced mushrooms, grass-fed beef, and olive oil.

Final Thoughts

Freezing mushrooms is a simple way to save money, cut down on waste, and have your favorite ingredients ready for later. It only takes a few easy steps to freeze fresh mushrooms, sliced mushrooms, cooked mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, or even dried mushrooms. Just wash them gently, take off the stems, and freeze them in a container that is sealed.

It's easy to make, fits any meal, and is low in calories. Your mushrooms will stay tasty for months if you use the right method.

FAQs

What is the best method to freeze mushrooms?

Sautéing or steaming sliced mushrooms before freezing in a freezer bag is the best way to preserve flavor and texture.

Can raw mushrooms be frozen without blanching?

Yes, but raw mushrooms without blanching may become soggy and lose taste and moisture.

Is it better to freeze food in plastic or glass containers?

Glass containers are safer for long-term freezing but plastic freezer bags save space and work fine.

How to freeze fresh mushrooms correctly?

To freeze fresh mushrooms, wash, slice, steam or sauté, then cool and transfer to a sealed container.

Can cooked mushrooms be frozen and reheated?

Yes, cooked mushrooms freeze well and can be reheated directly into soups, sauces, or stews, even with stems.