+9 votes
i got too meny mushrums from the store for diner... can i just put them in the frezer without koking them first??? i want to know if they turn out fine that way or if it is bad... let me know if it is okey to do that so i dont waste them... it should be explained clearly... i just want a quick way to save them for later koking...
in Products and Ingredients by

4 Answers

+10 votes
Hello. Yes, you can freeze fresh mushrooms without cooking them first, but you need to understand how their cellular structure responds to freezing.

Because mushrooms contain a very high percentage of water, freezing them raw causes the ice crystals to expand and break cell walls. When you eventually thaw them, they will release a lot of liquid and become quite spongy or soft.

If you still wish to freeze them raw to save time, make sure to clean them gently with a brush rather than washing them with water, slice them, and store them in heavy-duty freezer bags. They will work fine later in cooked dishes like soups, stews, or sauces, but they will not retain a fresh texture.
by chef (91.1k points)
+5 votes
Gday mate, if you scored a bargain on mushrooms and want to save some coin, you can just chuck them straight into the freezer without cooking them first. Just give them a quick brush to clean off any dirt, pop them into a ziplock bag, and squeeze out the air. They will hold up fine for tossing straight into a hot pan or a spag bol later down the track.

Just keep in mind they lose a bit of their crispness once frozen raw, but for quick weeknight cooking, it completely does the trick and stops any food waste.
by
+5 votes
As someone who meal preps weekly for a busy household, I often freeze extra produce. You can definitely freeze fresh mushrooms without cooking them, provided you wash them thoroughly under running water first, slice them, and pack them tightly into freezer bags.

The moisture from washing helps preserve their freshness in the cold. They will soften up considerably upon thawing, so plan to use them exclusively in blended sauces or cooked casseroles where texture matters less.
by
+5 votes
Yes, you can freeze raw mushrooms, but they will release a lot of moisture and turn soggy when thawed due to their high water content. For the best texture, it is recommended to slice them and sauté them in a little oil first, let them cool, and then store them in freezer bags. If you must freeze them raw, clean them, slice them, and place them directly into airtight containers, but use them only in cooked dishes like soups or stews later.
by