Learn How to Store Mushrooms in the refrigerator in either a paper towel, paper bag, or their original container. Either way you pick, you’ll extend the mushrooms’ shelf life and prevent them from getting too slimy before cooking!
The Bests Methods to Store Mushrooms
No matter how you want to cook them, storing mushrooms is important for extending their shelf life. The important thing here is that you want them to have air to breathe. If there isn’t any air circulation happening, then you have a higher chance of moldy, slimy, or wrinkly mushrooms.
Whether washed or unwashed, the goal of mushroom storage is to keep them as dry as possible. Just like having air, removing excess moisture ensures they don’t go bad too quickly. Plus, you give them the chance to soak up all the delicious the sauces and liquids during your cooking process. The less moisture, the better!
1. Loosely in Paper Towels
A great option would be to remove the whole mushrooms from the original packaging and wrap them loosely in paper towels. Once you have them all bundled up, place them in plastic bags. Since you have the paper towels inside with the mushrooms, you can completely seal the bags.
This reduces the chance of your mushrooms absorbing other odors in your fridge. You can even do this with an air-tight container, as long as you have paper towels in there too.
2. In a Paper Bag
Placing your raw mushrooms in a brown paper bag might just be the easiest way to store them. The paper soaks up any moisture that would threaten your mushrooms.
3. Original Container
Keeping your mushrooms in the container from the grocery store is another way to store them. They are most likely covered in plastic wrap in their original packaging, so here’s what you can do to increase air flow.
Either poke a few holes in the sealed plastic container, or slice it open at the top and place a paper towel inside so that it soaks up any moisture.
Should mushrooms be refrigerated?
Mushrooms should not be stored at room temperature; they need to be refrigerated for maximum crispiness when you finally cook them. Mushrooms absorb everything, from moisture to strong odors, so don’t place them near onions or especially smelly foods.
If you do have these types of foods in your refrigerator too, it’d be a good idea to go with the plastic bag or air-tight container method, not the brown paper bag. As long as you have paper towels with them, they’ll be safe.
Optionally, you can freeze mushrooms, but you’ll have to cook them before you do. Sautéing or steaming them is a great option after you’ve wiped them down. Before putting them in the freezer, place them on paper towels or a baking sheet for 2 hours.
Then you can place them in your freezer for up to a year in a freezer-friendly airtight container. Freezer burn is likely, so add in a paper towel to help with that.
How long do fresh mushrooms last in the fridge?
Fresh, dry mushrooms can last in your fridge for up to 7-10 days if you carefully follow the above methods. Keeping mushrooms in the vegetable drawer is the best place for maximizing their shelf life.
Should I wash mushrooms before storing in the fridge?
Unwashed mushrooms are okay to store without cleaning because they are usually already clean if they are store-bought. If they are looking a little moist, wipe them down and then store them.
The best way to make sure your mushrooms stay fresh is to buy them closer to the day you’ll be cooking them. But, if you prefer to wash them before storing them, use cold water and a damp paper towel to clean mushrooms. Check out this post for how to clean mushrooms.
