A Quick Glance…
The longevity of mushrooms largely depends on their storage conditions and the specific variety, but generally speaking, fresh store-bought or harvested mushrooms can last for about 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator. However, the quality and flavor are best in the first few days. Proper storage is crucial to prolong their freshness; they should be kept in a paper bag in the refrigerator, which helps to absorb any excess moisture and prevent them from getting slimy. It’s important to note that if the mushrooms develop a slimy texture, a strong odor, or dark spots, they should not be consumed. In contrast, dried mushrooms can last up to a year or longer if stored correctly in a cool, dark, and dry location.
How can you store them properly to extend their quality? Mushrooms come in a variety of forms. So if this is the first time you have purchased them, keeping them fresh can sound like a daunting task.
How long do fresh mushrooms last?
When you buy fresh mushrooms you will want to know how to store them correctly so they stay as fresh for as long as possible. Unless you purchased your mushrooms at a farmer’s market, more likely than not the mushrooms were kept in the fridge at the grocery store. The far corner of your fridge is probably the best option to store your fresh mushrooms.
That section of the fridge is able to keep the temperature rather low. Mushrooms usually come in a plastic punnet or paper bag, either is a good way to store them. Once you open that pack, you will want to cover them with a paper towel so the mushrooms won’t dry out in the fridge.
You will also want to keep your mushrooms away from any strong odors and the paper towel will help with that too. If you cooked the mushrooms, you should store them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge.
How long do mushrooms last in the fridge?
When it comes to storing mushrooms in the fridge, it really does not make that much sense. Fresh mushrooms have a short shelf life and freezing them would not extend it that much.
The easiest way to go would be to clean them up, slice them, steam them, and place them in butter until they wilt. This way, once the mushrooms cool down, you can transfer them into a container and stick them in the freezer.
How to store mushrooms
When it comes to fresh mushrooms, they can last you anywhere from 4-7 days. You may get lucky once in a while and your fresh mushrooms will last 10 days. Once you cook your mushrooms, you can store them in the fridge for around 3-5 days.
So make sure you have plans to use your mushrooms quickly. As it pertains to canned mushrooms, they always come with a “best if used by” date on the label. Because they are canned, they can easily last you a couple months past that date. Beware, once you open the can, you only have a couple days before they spoil.
Do mushrooms go bad?
There are ways you can tell if your mushrooms have gone bad. If there is any white fur growing on them, you should throw them out immediately. If they develop a terrible odor, you will want to throw them out.
If they get wrinkly and develop dark spots, the garbage is where they go. Honestly, if they have been in your fridge over 2 weeks, you should throw them out for safe measure even if they look fine.
References:
- https://www.newideafood.com.au/how-long-mushrooms-last
- https://delishably.com/vegetable-dishes/How_Do_You_Know_When_Mushrooms_Go_Bad
- https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17753
