Mushroom
Freezing mushrooms is an easy and cost-effective way to preserve them before they go bad. If you have spare mushrooms that you don't plan on using in the near future, you can freeze them and use them later. The process is quite simple and doesn't take much effort.
To prepare the mushrooms for freezing, wipe them clean with a damp cloth, but do not peel them. Trim off the stems and discard them if you don't plan on using them. Once the mushrooms are ready, you can start the flash freezing process.
To flash freeze the mushrooms, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. This usually takes a few hours. Once the mushrooms are frozen, you can pack them in labeled and dated freezer bags or containers. It's a good idea to pack them in small portions, so you can easily take out what you need without thawing the whole bag.
If you have mushroom stems, you can freeze them separately in labeled and dated freezer bags or containers. The stems can be used in soups, stews, and other dishes that require mushroom flavour.
When it comes to thawing the mushrooms, you have a few options. You can cook them from frozen, toss them in butter, or grill them. Alternatively, you can thaw them in the refrigerator for use in composite dishes. It's important to note that you should not refreeze mushrooms once they have been thawed.
Frozen mushrooms can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. After that, they may lose their texture and flavour. By freezing your spare mushrooms, you can save money and reduce food waste.
I often freeze spare mushrooms ready for another dish. It’s so simple and a cost effective method of using them before they go off.
Preparation
Wipe but do not peel. Trim off the stems.
Packaging
Open flash freeze whole until solid and then pack them in labelled and dated freezer bags or container.
Freeze the mushroom stems in separately labelled and dated freezer bags or containers.
Thawing
You can cook from frozen, toss in butter or grill (broil).
Alternatively, thaw in wrappings in refrigerator for use in composite dishes.
Storage Time
3 months