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.
Related –> How to Make Homemade Freezer Pizzas
Finally, I had to ask myself the age-old question: Can mushrooms be frozen?
Yes, and it’s easy!
This is 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.
FAQ About How to Freeze Mushrooms
Can I freeze fresh or raw mushrooms?
Yes! This is the main way I freeze mushrooms, which is outlined below.
Will mushrooms be slimy or mushy when they thaw?
No. I don’t find them slimy at all. They will have to be cooked, however. I would not recommend trying this if you hope to eat them uncooked. But once you cook them you will never know the difference.
Can I freeze cooked mushrooms?
Yes! This is what I used to do before I had kids (when I had more time, haha). Buy mushrooms, slice and sauté with a little butter and olive oil (I like the combo) and some salt and pepper, then freeze smaller packages to pull out and use quickly when cooking.
How do I thaw frozen mushrooms?
If you follow the method I outlined below, you can just pull out a handful from the bag of frozen mushrooms.
If I’m thinking ahead I’ll leave them at room temperature on a plate for a few minutes while I prep other parts of the meal.
If not, you can cook them right from frozen by sautéing them in a little oil or butter (there will be more water to evaporate this way though).
In a pinch, pop them in the microwave to thaw!
Have extra mushrooms to use up? Try these recipes:
Creamy Mushroom Pasta from Recipe Tin Eats
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Soup from Budget Bytes
White Mushroom Pizza from Damn Delicious
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 (they break apart easily). 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!
You might also like:
Enjoy some mushrooms in our Vegetarian Dan Dan (-ish) Noodles
What’s your favourite ingredient to freeze? What do you wish you could freeze?
Let us know in the comments below!
This post was originally published on March 31, 2017 and was updated April 17, 2020.
If you don’t want to freeze them you can remove the store plastic wrapping and brown bag them . They keep for ten to fourteen days in my experience. Don’t go slimy any just dry a little if left very long. But still good for cooking.
Thanks for the tip Hega! It’s great to have options, especially if you might want them for a salad or something similar! 🙂
I now have the correct information on my reply to Freezing Mushrooms. The TV program, Good Eats, had a segment on washing mushrooms. Alton Brown took Dry mushrooms & ran them under water. He then cleaned another batch bye wiping them off. He then weighted them & there was no difference between the washed & dry mushrooms. So washing them did not put more water into the mushrooms. I do wash mine, let them drip on a towel & then freeze in packets. Can not put on a salad, but sauteing them is wonderful for casseroles or soups.
Hi Jean! Thanks for sharing this tip! Isn’t Alton Brown a wealth of amazing information? My parents absolutely love him 🙂
At the moment I can’t think of the name of the TV program, but the guy is Elton somebody. He did a Test between rinsing Mushrooms under water or just wiping them off. How much water made the Mushrooms heavier. There was no difference. So I rinse the Mushrooms under water. put them on a towel to dry & then throw them in Freezer bags. Just take out a bag & saute them in butter when needed. No you can’t use them on a salad, but putting them in Casserole or soups is just fine.
Thank u
I have been freezing mushrooms for years. I do slice them and freeze them on a cookie sheet. I then put them in a food saver bag and put in the freezer . I try to buy them in bulk when I can. When I can’t we have a 99 cent store and I buy several packages to freeze. I love to freeze anything from veggies to fruits for use later on.
Hi Nancy! I love to freeze vegetables and fruit too! I find it’s a great way to make our grocery budget go further, because I can stock up when prices are low. Thanks for your comment! 🙂
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 🙂 )
I have froze mushrooms for years…but I clean, slice, then saute to a doneness that I like. Spoon a quarter cup into snack size Ziploc bags. Freeze. If I want to add to soups, burgers, casseroles whatever I just pull out what I need. No more wasting them!
Hi Marian! I’ve done this too and also enjoyed the results! The main reason I switched is that I have three small kids and I find it faster to slice and freeze and just deal with them when I’m cooking the actual dish. But I love any and all ideas for reducing food waste, and sauteed mushrooms are always delicious 🙂