Can you freeze mushrooms? Steam or saute first
Can you freeze mushrooms? Yes. Steaming times for whole, quartered and sliced mushrooms, the saute method, storage time and how to cook them from frozen.
Yes, you can freeze mushrooms, and they hold up best when you steam or sauté them first. The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) gives steaming times of 5 minutes for whole mushrooms, 3 1/2 for quarters and 3 for slices. Frozen mushrooms keep about 8 to 12 months and go straight into cooked dishes.
Can you freeze mushrooms?
Yes. NCHFP's mushroom instructions give two ways to do it: steam them, or heat them in fat in a fry pan. Oregon State Extension says most mushrooms freeze better when heat-treated, and calls sautéing the preferred method for many varieties.
NCHFP doesn't give a method for freezing mushrooms raw. If you have a pack that's about to turn, cook it down first and freeze the result.
How can you freeze mushrooms?
- Choose mushrooms free from spots and decay. Wash them in cold water and trim the stem ends.
- If any are larger than 1 inch across, slice them or cut them into quarters.
- Pick a method: steam or sauté.
For steaming, NCHFP says mushrooms keep better color with an anti-darkening dip first: 5 minutes in a pint of water with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or 1 1/2 teaspoons of citric acid. Then steam:
| Cut | Steam time |
|---|---|
| Whole | 5 minutes |
| Buttons or quarters | 3 1/2 minutes |
| Slices | 3 minutes |
Cool promptly, drain, pack with 1/2 inch of headspace, then seal and freeze.
For sautéing, heat small batches in butter or margarine in an open fry pan until almost done. Cool them (setting the pan in cold water speeds it up), pack with 1/2 inch of headspace, then seal and freeze. NCHFP notes that steamed mushrooms keep longer than those heated in fat.
How long do mushrooms keep in the freezer, and how do you thaw them?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Best quality | NCHFP gives vegetables 8 to 12 months at 0°F and says to use the shorter end for best quality (NCHFP); steamed ones keep longer than sautéed |
| Safe to eat after that? | Yes. Food held at 0°F stays safe indefinitely, so the limit is quality |
| Thawing | Cook straight from frozen, or thaw in the refrigerator (NCHFP) |
Our mushroom storage page shows about 300 days in the freezer, roughly ten months, which sits within that range. It also notes you should cook mushrooms before freezing, which matches the steps above. If you sautéed in butter, lean toward the short end of the range.
When in doubt, throw it out. USDA guidance is that frozen food kept at 0°F stays safe, so the time limits here are about quality. If something smells off, looks slimy or was thawed on the counter, don't taste-test it.
What changes when you freeze mushrooms, and what are they good for?
Frozen mushrooms lose their firm bite and release water when they thaw. That's why they belong in cooked dishes: pasta sauce, risotto, soup, stroganoff, pizza topping, omelets and stir-fries. Drop them in frozen, and let the water cook off before you add other ingredients, or the pan will steam instead of brown.
They won't be great raw in a salad, and they won't brown like a fresh slice in a hot skillet. If browning matters, thaw a handful, pat dry and cook them in a hot pan.
Wondering how to keep fresh mushrooms in the fridge until you decide? See how long mushrooms keep in the fridge.
Other foods you can freeze like mushrooms
The can-you-freeze-it guide covers the basics. Related pages:
- Can you freeze zucchini?
- Can you freeze bell peppers?
- Can you freeze spinach?
- Printable freezer storage chart
Mushroom freezing FAQ
Can you freeze raw mushrooms?
NCHFP only gives steaming and sautéing methods, and Oregon State says mushrooms freeze better after heat treatment. So cook them first.
Can you freeze cooked mushrooms?
Yes. Sautéed mushrooms are one of the two NCHFP methods. Cool them quickly and pack them with 1/2 inch of headspace.
How long can you freeze mushrooms?
NCHFP gives 8 to 12 months at 0°F and says the shorter end gives the best quality. They stay safe longer, but texture and flavor decline.
Want to keep track of what's in your freezer?
Frozen food gets forgotten fast. Add what you have to Well Stockd and it estimates an expiration date for fridge and pantry food from typical shelf life, with the food closest to expiring at the top of your list. Freezer items don't get an estimated date, so write the freeze date on the package. Try it free and add three foods from your kitchen to see what you can cook. Our guide to the best apps for tracking expiration dates compares the options if you want to shop around.
Sources: NCHFP, Freezing Mushrooms, NCHFP, How Long Can I Store Frozen Foods, NCHFP, Thawing and Preparing Foods for Serving, Oregon State Extension, Preserving Mushrooms, FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart.