- To prepare the mushrooms before freezing: wash them gently in cold water and cut off the ends of the stalks, don't bother too much about the smaller ones, the stems can be left.
Any that are more than about an inch across should be halved or quartered as they will freeze better if smaller. - Unlike many vegetables suitable for freezing, mushrooms do not need to be blanched.
Blanching is the process of fast boiling before freezing that destroys enzymes and bacteria and helps vegetables retain their vitamin c. - Mushrooms should be sautéed before freezing.
This process is simply cooking them in butter or margarine, in a saucepan or frying pan, at a high heat.
For a 1lb batch cook for about 1-2 minutes and add salt and pepper as required.
Olive oil can also be used during the sauté process if you prefer it to butter or margarine - The reason behind having them sautéed is that, uncooked, they will become mushy when reheated.
- Leave your batch to cool properly and then store in small containers.
Be mindful to not pack the containers too tight as expanding will occur when the vegetables are frozen. - The ideal containers to use are plastic containers or freezer bags.
The container used should be airtight and not crack at low temperatures. - After placing the container in your freezer, use the fast freeze setting if you have one, as vegetables frozen quickly retain their freshness better.
- Ideally, you should store the mushrooms in the freezer for no more than a month to enjoy them at a good quality.
When you take them out of the freezer you can cook them from frozen or thaw them for one hour before using if you prefer.
Can You Freeze Mushrooms?
Can you freeze mushrooms? The answer is yes you certainly can, but before you do there are a few things to know to make sure that you retain the freshness and do it properly.