Dear Heloise: I love fresh mushrooms, but they seem to go bad too quickly sometimes. So my question is whether fresh, raw mushrooms can be frozen for use later on?
A Reader, via email
Reader: Fresh mushrooms technically can be frozen. However, when thawed, they will be very mushy and nothing like fresh mushrooms — think frozen food. If you want to freeze them, clean and saute them first. They are best used in a heated dish or soup.
Dear Heloise: I have a vacuum sealer. It works especially well when freezing foods. If the foods have too much liquid, the liquid is sucked out along with the air, and it makes a horrible mess. I thought I could not use it with soups or stews. It occurred to me to freeze them first!
I put a portion into a container and pop it into the freezer. The next day, I remove the frozen soup, put it into a sealer bag and vacuum away. I do not have to worry about freezer burn or frost forming on top of the food as it would in a plastic container.
Sherrill M., via email
Sherrill M.: Brilliant, and saves money, too! Plus a great way to use leftovers. Soup or stew, some bread or crackers and greens — perfect! Having some in the freezer makes dinner easy on busy weeknights. For some of my family-favorite soup recipes, order my Heloise's Spectacular Soups pamphlet by going online to Heloise.com, or by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (71 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Soups, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Soup too hot to eat? Put an ice cube or two in it for a quick cool-down. Or add a little vegetable or tomato juice.
Dear Heloise: We always think of the salted side of a cracker as its top. That’s where we put the cheese or peanut butter, or whatever. Try putting the topping on the unsalted side so that the salt touches the tongue and enhances the flavor of whatever you are serving!
Janet S., Ventura, Calif.
Janet S.: Have you been peeking into my kitchen? My mother taught me this, and I do it today. My snack? A little yellow (or Dijon) mustard, a piece of cheese and a cherry tomato.
Dear Heloise: This hint works for my husband and me (our children are on their own) when using recipes. I often cut them in half. There is less waste, since there are only two of us, and it saves on ingredients for cooking. This is especially true if I am trying a new recipe and am not really happy with the results. I don’t feel I have wasted as many ingredients and time.
Brenda W., Sherwood, Ark.
Dear Heloise: Don’t throw away that wooden cup (Heloise here: coffee cup or mug) holder. It makes a great banana holder/keeper. I discovered this by mistake!
LJT, via email
Heloise’s column appears six days a week at
. Send a hint to
, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, or email it to
.
, King Features Syndicate
FAQs
The short answer is yes, you can freeze mushrooms.
Can mushrooms go bad in the freezer? ›
Most frozen mushrooms will last in your freezer for 9–12 months. Frozen mushrooms are most suitable for dishes that will be cooked, such as soups, casseroles, or stews, or as a pizza topping.
Can mushrooms be frozen successfully? ›
You can certainly freeze mushrooms fresh, but cook them beforehand for the best texture and flavor. Mushrooms are full of water and when they're frozen from fresh, they can end up soggy, mushy and all around unpleasant. Cooking them beforehand, though, removes some of that moisture and results in better mushrooms.
How long can mushrooms be frozen without cooking? ›
If you do decide to freeze raw mushrooms, however, be sure to evenly slice and flash-freeze them before you pack them into bags so they'll freeze evenly. Plan to use them within six months.
What happens if you accidentally freeze mushrooms? ›
Reader: Fresh mushrooms technically can be frozen. However, when thawed, they will be very mushy and nothing like fresh mushrooms — think frozen food. If you want to freeze them, clean and saute them first. They are best used in a heated dish or soup.
How do you unfreeze mushrooms? ›
You can thaw frozen mushrooms overnight in the fridge or just toss them in the pan.
Can cooked mushrooms be frozen and reheated? ›
Remember, if you sautéed your mushrooms prior to freezing, they don't need to be “recooked.” Simply warm up your mushrooms by mixing them in as you approach your meal's finish.
How long will mushrooms last in the fridge? ›
Avoid plastic bags and sealed containers when storing mushrooms as the lack of air flow will speed spoilage. Whole, raw mushrooms will keep from 4-7 days in the refrigerator, while sliced mushrooms (stored the same way), will last 1-2 days. Do not wash until ready to use.
How do you keep frozen mushrooms from getting soggy? ›
Defrost them, I use hot water, get them dry, then either pan fry them in oil using high heat or bake them. Nothing that gets cooked in water / microwave is going to be crisp.
What to do with old mushrooms? ›
Use up leftover mushrooms with these 42 recipes
- Mushroom-stuffed roast chicken. ...
- Leek, cheese and mushroom pithivier. ...
- Matt Moran's stuffed mushrooms. ...
- Mushroom knish. ...
- Proper pot noodle. ...
- Easy mushroom pie. ...
- Mushroom strudel. ...
- All day pan-cooked breakfast.
Mushrooms are a low-calorie food and pack a nutritional punch. Loaded with many health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, they've long been recognized as an important part of any diet. Mushrooms exposed to ultraviolet light are a good source of vitamin D, an important component for bone and immune health.
How to store mushrooms after opening a can? ›
Keeping them in the dry, cool fridge is the best way to prolong their life, along with avoiding water (aka washing them) until the last possible second. A paper bag or paper towel-lined zip-top plastic bag will absorb the moisture mushrooms naturally release, preventing them from getting slimy.
Is it OK to freeze canned foods in their original can? ›
The liquid inside canned goods expands when frozen, causing cans to crack or explode. Transfer canned goods to airtight, freezer-safe containers if you need to freeze whatever is inside.
How long do cooked canned mushrooms last in the fridge? ›
Refrigerating Cooked Mushrooms
Cooked mushrooms should be promptly stored in the refrigerator to maintain their quality. They should be kept in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing other flavors and moisture. Shelf life of cooked mushrooms in the refrigerator typically ranges from 3 to 5 days.
Can you reheat canned mushrooms? ›
Mushrooms
If they are not stored properly, mushrooms can deteriorate quickly and cause an upset stomach after reheating. However, says the council: "If they are stored in a fridge and for not more 24 hours, it is in general no problem to reheat mushrooms again at recommended temperatures of 70 C."
