Learn how to freeze mushrooms in three easy steps. Buy mushrooms on sale, freeze them and enjoy them whenever you like (and even if your spouse doesn’t like them!).
For a long time, I was married to a man who didn’t like mushrooms. I, on the other hand, LOVE mushrooms. This was a tough time for me, and it took a bit of a toll on our relationship (the one I have with mushrooms, that is). Once in a while I would buy a package, only to lose half of it in the back of the fridge and find it once the mushrooms were covered in slime. Other times, I would buy mushrooms and pile the entire package on my personal pizza. Yes, it was delicious. But even I can admit it may have been slightly over the top.
By some miracle, Laurier now likes mushrooms. Hooray! But before he saw the error of his ways, I devised a scheme that allowed me to have my mushrooms, and eat them too. Heh heh. I still use this system, even though now we both eat mushrooms on a pretty regular basis. It’s a great way to buy mushrooms when they’re on super sale and eat them whenever you want them. And it’s simple. And I ❤ simple.
How to Freeze Mushrooms – the Super Easy Way
Step 1: Buy mushrooms, preferably when they’re on sale for a great price.
Step 2: Brush your mushrooms off with a paper towel and slice them. You don’t have to be overly picky about the slicing. I just roughly slice. Place them on a large cookie sheet and freeze.
Step 3: Once mushrooms are frozen, transfer them from the cookie sheet to large ziplock bags. Store in your freezer. Anytime you want to use some you can remove just the amount you’d like. I wouldn’t use these for a salad, but pretty much any recipe that involves frying them first is perfect (spaghetti sauce, pasta, pizza, etc).
Voila! Mushrooms only ever bought on sale and not a slimy one to be found!
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Why freeze to freeze, can’t I just put in my food saver and vacuum seal? Judy
Hi Judy! I like to freeze mushrooms when I can find a great sale on them and want to stock up at a fantastic price. So, while a half pound of mushrooms where I live might normally cost $3, sometimes I can find them for $1.50 and will buy a bunch at that price. I have used a food saver from time to time, but actually only to prep food for freezing (must be a thing for me, haha!). I’m not sure what would happen if you sealed mushrooms and refrigerated them – I’m assuming they would still get slimy with time, but perhaps I’m wrong?
If you freeze them individually it’s easier to scoop out how many you need/want without defrosting the whole bag.
Absolutely! I find, though, that mushrooms are so dry that as long as they’re in a fairly thin layer on the pan, you can kind of break them up once they’re frozen and just pull out what you need. It’s great! 🙂
I believe this would cause the mushrooms to becoe one big lump. if you freeze on a cookie sheet, they will be more individualized and that makes it easier to grab only what you need!
Loved your info on how to freeze mushrooms, love them, and would lose them in refrigerator also, would forget, now can freeze them for cooking later. I love freezing my herbs, although not basil, so now I can have my mushrooms. Thank you.
You’re welcome Janice! I’m so happy this information helped you out (from one mushroom-lover to another 🙂 )