Mushrooms can contribute robust flavors to nearly any cuisine and are delicious, wholesome, and adaptable. They are not, however, the most durable of ingredients. They can begin to wrinkle in a few days, signaling that they are about to change. Discoloration, a slimy coating, and an unpleasant smell are all telltale indicators that mushrooms have passed their prime. Purchase fresh, plump mushrooms from the grocery store and place them in a ventilated container in the refrigerator to prolong their shelf life.
You might be curious about how long mushrooms can keep in the refrigerator. A few things need to be considered, like how much moisture they can hold. If they are loose, keep them in a paper bag to wick away moisture and keep slime at bay. You can also keep them in the freezer as an alternative.
What are Mushrooms?
The kingdom of fungus, which is distinct from the kingdoms of animals and plants, includes mushrooms. They reproduce on their own through the germination of their spores, which is quite similar to how plants produce seeds. They digest the nutrients they exude rather than consuming food or light as plants and animals do. Particularly in Asian and European cuisines, mushrooms are utilized in cooking.
Due to their high water content, spongy texture, and mild flavor, mushrooms are very adaptable in the kitchen. Mushrooms have a high water content; therefore, storing them in the fridge for more than a few days may result in sliminess or even the growth of mildew and dark stains. Fortunately, there are several ways to store mushrooms in your fridge to extend their shelf life.
How Long can Mushrooms Last in the Fridge?
Letting mushrooms in the refrigerator can help them last longer, like many other things.
Your mushrooms will only last for one to three days if left unattended on the counter. However, they might only last 5 to 7 days if chilled in the refrigerator. Additionally, this has a significant impact.
There isn’t any opposition. You could eat those mushrooms for almost two weeks if you put them in the refrigerator!
The refrigerator is the ideal place to store fresh mushrooms. Lower temperatures will aid in slowing their deterioration and preventing the growth of microorganisms.
This one is the best and simplest method for storing mushrooms for a short time.
Choose entire mushrooms and only slice them when ready to cook them. Sliced mushrooms will keep shorter in the refrigerator than whole ones.
Before placing your mushrooms in the refrigerator, avoid washing them. They will absorb more water, and the high humidity will hasten their spoilage.
If you need to wash your mushrooms, do so right before cooking.
The best option is to scrub them with a mushroom brush to eliminate any lingering dirt or debris.
Speaking of humidity, avoid keeping your mushrooms in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
These drawers are the worst place in your fridge to store mushrooms, but they’re perfect for stuff like lettuce or fresh herbs that wilt quickly.
Keep mushrooms separate from any very flavorful or spicy items while storing them in the refrigerator.
Due to their high porosity, mushrooms readily absorb flavors and scents from their surroundings. Therefore, you shouldn’t place them directly next to foods like fish or onions.
Also, be careful to keep other food on top of your mushrooms. Treat them as fragile as a loaf of bread because they can’t hold much weight.
Squished mushrooms will appear less delicious but keep their freshness for less long.
Reference: Recent advances in extending the shelf life of fresh Agaricus mushrooms: a review
How Long are Prepared Mushrooms Good for?
Cooked mushrooms that are properly preserved in the refrigerator can keep for up to 10 days. Cooked mushrooms should be kept in a small, airtight container or resealable plastic bag, according to Still Tasty. If cooked mushrooms are left out for longer than two hours at room temperature, they should be thrown out because bacteria can grow quickly in warm environments. It is recommended to freeze the mushrooms in sealed, airtight containers or plastic freezer bags if you want to preserve them for longer, like fresh mushrooms.
How can you Recognize a Bad Mushroom?
When mushrooms start to deteriorate, they exhibit some rather obvious symptoms. You shouldn’t, therefore, unintentionally become ill from mushrooms you thought were OK to consume as long as you check before eating them.
A Smell
When you open the container of your mushrooms, if there is a rotten smell, the mushrooms are already spoilt and shouldn’t be consumed.
Bad mushrooms can emit a wide range of peculiar fragrances, from ammonia-like odours to fishy odours. Various microorganisms on the mushrooms can provide various smells.
Only a slightly earthy aroma should be present in fresh mushrooms. Therefore, if you have odorous mushrooms, they are probably already past saving.
Wrinkly Skin
Mostly water makes up mushrooms. So they ought to be smooth and plump while they’re fresh. Your mushrooms are beginning to become a bit dry if they have wrinkles.
If there is only slight wrinkling, it may not necessarily mean that your mushrooms are already damaged. However, if you want to use them before they go bad, you should cook them straight soon.
Mushrooms should either be composted or thrown away if they start to get shrivelled up, indicating they are past their prime.
Dark Spots
When mushrooms start to spoil, dark patches will start to appear on them. Again, if the spots are little, it doesn’t necessarily imply they’re too spoilt to eat, but it’s a clue that they’re soon to spoil.
You should cook your mushrooms within a day or two, or if you’re unsure, discard them.
The mushrooms may begin to change color overall and develop black patches. When selecting mushrooms from the store, try to keep this in mind.
Only purchase darker mushrooms if you want to consume them straight away because they usually only have a few days before becoming rotten.
Slimy Mushrooms
Your mushrooms are clearly past their prime when the skin on them becomes sticky. This indicates that they have already begun to degrade and are being destroyed by germs.
In the refrigerator, mushrooms often need two weeks or more to reach this stage. Once they reach the slimy stage, they probably won’t taste that nice anyway. At this stage, it’s preferable to discard them than to run into the danger of becoming ill.
How to Store Mushrooms?
The best way to preserve mushrooms varies depending on how you prepare them. Check your mushrooms for rotting symptoms like dark spots, slime, stench, or wrinkles, even before you start to cook them. Any rotten mushrooms should be discarded. While you can keep mushrooms in the packaging you purchased, a different container can help them last longer. Here is a brief explanation of preserving mushrooms to avoid rapid spoilage.
Store your Mushrooms in the Wild
Before you store your mushrooms, washing or soaking them can make them absorb too much water, hastening their expiration. Instead, use a damp paper towel to wipe away the mushrooms’ remaining dirt or grime.
Mushrooms should be Ready
The shelf life of your mushrooms depends on whether you plan to store them whole or in bits. If you wish to freeze mushrooms, another option is to blanch or sauté them.
Select a Container
Select the ideal mushroom storage option. As fungi frequently flourish in wet, sealed conditions, fresh mushrooms should be kept in a porous container to encourage air circulation and paper towels to absorb any extra moisture. You can keep your raw mushrooms in an open plastic or brown paper bag after loosely wrapping them in a paper towel. Like any other cooked food, store cooked mushrooms in an airtight container.
How Long are Mushrooms Good For?
Shiitake mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, and cremini mushrooms all have a limited shelf life that might change depending on how they are prepared. Depending on how they are prepared, mushrooms can last for various lengths.
Whole Mushrooms:
The majority of entire mushrooms from the grocery store can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks. Eating them within seven to 10 days of buying them is best.
Sliced Mushrooms:
Although grocery store pre-sliced mushrooms should be used within a week, certain batches can spoil in just five days.
Marinated Mushrooms:
Mushrooms that have been marinated are those that have been dipped in olive oil, typically along with lemon juice and other spices, and then sealed in a glass jar to chill. The typical shelf life of marinated mushrooms is ten to fourteen days.
Dehydrated Mushrooms:
Dried mushrooms can remain fresh for up to three years if properly preserved. They can be kept at room temperature in the pantry or on the counter in place of the refrigerator.
Frozen Mushrooms:
Even though you can freeze raw mushrooms, many lose their structure and get mushy when you defrost them. Cook, blanch, sauté, poach, or steam your mushrooms to help preserve their flavour and texture before freezing. Then, freeze them for a few hours, until they are completely frozen, on a baking sheet coated with parchment paper. To avoid freezer burn, place the frozen, loose mushrooms in a plastic bag that has been vacuum-sealed and is airtight.
Do Mushrooms go Bad in the Fridge?
Of course, you should exercise your best judgment and common sense. According to the widespread consensus, mushrooms’ maximum shelf life or storage duration is two weeks in the refrigerator. They’re most likely safe to consume if they still appear healthy, smell good, and feel normal after just over two weeks. They give off a smell.
Can you Cook Slimy Mushrooms and Eat them?
A rotten mushroom will exhibit a slimy film as the telltale indication. The lifespan of your mushrooms can be extended if you catch the mould early and prepare them straight away, but once the slime starts, it’s a steep slope toward the darkening in colour and mushy texture that signify mould of the inedible sort.
Conclusion
Mushrooms should be kept in zip-lock plastic bags and kept in the refrigerator. This will make them more durable and keep them from becoming slimy. A further helpful piece of advice is to keep them out of the crisper drawer because it is too damp there. Additionally, avoid piling them on top of one another because this can make them rot. Mushrooms can also be frozen for up to six or eight months.
