How to Tell if Mushrooms Are Spoiled: How Long Do They Last?

You’re getting ready to prepare some mushrooms, but they don’t look as fresh as when you first bought them. Are they still safe to eat? Just like any other food, mushrooms can go bad, and eating any that are slimy, smelly, or moldy could make you sick. So before you start cooking, we’ll help you catch the tell-tale signs that your mushrooms are starting to spoil. We spoke to private chef and food educator Ollie George Cigliano and nutrition-focused professional chef Jerran Boyer to bring you the best advice on how to know if mushrooms are spoiled and how to store them properly so they stay fresh longer.

Can mushrooms go bad?

Private chef Ollie George Cigliano says mushrooms can definitely go bad. Mushrooms are spoiled if they are slimy or smell fishy. Spoiled mushrooms may also be wrinkled or shrivelled, have brown spots or discoloration, and grow mold. Fresh mushrooms typically last about 7 days in the fridge.

Section 1 of 6:

Signs Mushrooms Have Gone Bad

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Slimy or sticky texture Look at the mushrooms to see if they have a coating of slime. If you can’t tell by looking at them, feel the mushrooms to see if they’re wet and slippery or sticky. As Cigliano explains, if they don’t feel dry, then throw them away. ^{[1]
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Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator

Expert Interview}
- When the mushrooms are slimy, they have lost their flavor and nutritional value, and there’s a bigger chance that there are bacteria on the surface.
- Mushrooms often become slimy when they’re left in the refrigerator too long.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Ollie George Cigliano is a private chef, food educator, and the owner of Ollie George Cooks, with over 20 years of experience.

Jerran Boyer is a nutrition-focused professional chef and the CEO of Health Nut Chefs, with over 20 years of experience as a private chef.
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Wrinkled or shrivelled surface Mushrooms have a high water content that makes them smooth and plump when fresh. As mushrooms start to go bad, they become dehydrated and start to wrinkle. If your mushrooms look very shrivelled, err on the side of caution and toss them out. ^{[2]
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- If your mushrooms are only slightly wrinkled and aren’t slimy, smelly, or discolored, they haven’t gone bad yet , but are quickly on their way. In general, these are still safe to use if you rehydrate them . ^{[3]
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Bruises and brown spots When it comes to food safety, discoloration is never a good sign. If you notice your mushrooms getting darker in color and developing new spots, then they are going bad and shouldn’t be eaten. ^{[4]
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- Discoloration often occurs when mushrooms are exposed to air for too long and begin to oxidize.
Safety precaution: Spoiled mushrooms could contain bacteria that make you sick with food poisoning or botulism. Err on the side of caution and throw away food if you think it’s spoiled. ^{[5]
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Soft and spongy feel Fresh mushrooms are firm, springy, and light. If your mushrooms feel soft, soggy, spongy, or floppy, they’ve begun to decompose. Throw these mushrooms away immediately, as they’re no longer safe to eat. ^{[6]
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Sour or fishy smell Fresh mushrooms should smell slightly sweet and earthy but not foul. Cigliano advises giving them a whiff. If they smell fishy or pungent, it’s time to toss them. This means that the mushrooms are too far gone to eat. ^{[7]
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Expert Interview}
- Different bacteria cause different odors, so bad mushrooms may give off various strange smells. If your mushrooms smell off in any way, don’t risk eating them.
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Mold growth Look for any spots on the mushrooms or areas inside the package that have a white fuzzy coating. If you see any mold in the entire package, get rid of all the mushrooms so you don’t risk exposing yourself to any harmful bacteria. ^{[8]
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- Even if mold only covers a small part, the spores could still have spread to other mushrooms, so they may be dangerous to eat.
- Keeping your mushrooms as dry as possible will help prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Section 2 of 6:

How to Store Mushrooms

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Store mushrooms on a shelf in your refrigerator. Your standard fridge setting is usually cold enough, but check the temperature with a thermometer to be sure. Mushrooms and other perishable items should be stored at temperatures under 40 °F (4 °C). Store mushrooms on one of your fridge’s shelves rather than keeping them in one of the produce drawers. ^{[9]
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- Avoid leaving your mushrooms at room temperature since they stay fresh longer in the fridge.
- Keep fresh produce, like mushrooms, away from any raw items so you don’t cross-contaminate them with bacteria.
- Mushrooms also absorb odors, so try to store them away from other foods with strong aromas.
- If you want to clean your mushrooms, Boyer says, “Mushrooms can be wiped with a dry paper towel or cloth prior to storage to remove dirt or bugs.” ^{[10]
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Take your mushrooms out of their original container. When you buy mushrooms from the store, they’ll typically come in a container sealed with plastic wrap. However, mushrooms are composed primarily of water and need to be exposed to air to last longer. If you leave your mushrooms in this container and put them in the fridge, the lack of airflow will cause them to collect moisture and start to go bad. ^{[11]
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- If you’re planning on eating your mushrooms within a day or two, it’s typically okay to leave them in the original packaging. However, if you need them to stay fresh for longer, this isn’t ideal.
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Store fresh mushrooms in a brown paper bag. Cigliano advises putting all of the mushrooms in a brown paper bag and loosely folding the top of the bag over. This allows your mushrooms to breathe, and the paper bag helps absorb moisture and prevent mold from growing. ^{[12]
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Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator

Expert Interview} It also helps to wrap the mushrooms in dry paper towels before placing them in the bag.
- Avoid putting your mushrooms in any tightly sealed containers with a fitted lid, as these can cause moisture build-up and lead to mold growth.
- As an alternative, Boyer says, “Mushrooms can be wrapped loosely in a paper towel and placed in a bowl in the refrigerator.” ^{[13]
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Store cooked mushrooms in an airtight container. While fresh mushrooms don’t do well in airtight containers, this is the best way to store cooked mushrooms and other cooked vegetables. Place the airtight container in the fridge to store your mushrooms for 3-4 days. ^{[14]
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- Cooked foods usually only last 3-4 days, so toss your mushrooms after this timeframe.

Section 3 of 6:

How long do mushrooms last in the fridge?

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Store whole fresh mushrooms for up to 1 week. Agaricus bisporus (white, cremini, and portobello mushrooms) are usually safe for about 7 days in your fridge. However, safe storage times depend on how long the mushrooms sat at the grocery store as well. Mushrooms that spent several days at the store may start to go bad within just a few days, so always check your mushrooms before you use them. ^{[15]
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- For the best quality, purchase the freshest mushrooms possible and use them within 3 to 4 days. At the grocery store, look for mushrooms that appear plump, firm, and free of any signs of spoilage.
- In some cases, raw mushrooms can last up to 10 days in the fridge, but they’re usually best eaten within 7 days. Others may only last for about 4 days.
- Mushrooms left out of the fridge will only last up to a day, depending on the temperature.
Tip: When you’re grocery shopping, choose whole mushrooms with intact caps and stalks. Broken or bruised mushrooms have a shorter shelf life than undamaged ones.
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Keep most sliced mushrooms for 4 to 7 days. Keep an eye on your mushrooms since different varieties and fridge conditions could cause faster spoilage. Because sliced mushrooms have more surface area, they can spoil up to twice as quickly as whole mushrooms. ^{[16]
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- Some types of mushrooms go bad more quickly and may only last 2-3 days.
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Throw away leftover cooked mushrooms after 3 to 4 days. Most cooked foods, including mushrooms, meat, seafood, and veggies, can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you have some cooked mushrooms you forgot about in your fridge, it’s best to just toss them out so you don’t risk getting sick. ^{[17]
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- Be sure to refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours to prevent mold and bacterial growth. Cooked leftovers should be reheated to a temperature of 165 °F (74 °C) to prevent foodborne illness.
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Cook most gourmet mushrooms the day you purchase them. Many gourmet mushrooms, such as chanterelles and oysters , can only be stored for 12 to 24 hours before they start to go bad. Because they’re much pricier than buttons or baby bellas, use these gourmet varieties in a meal promptly after you buy them to get the biggest bang for your buck. ^{[18]
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- Some gourmet varieties, such as morel and shiitake mushrooms, can be stored for 1 to 2 weeks. However, for the best quality, use them as soon as possible. ^{[19]
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Section 4 of 6:

Can you freeze mushrooms?

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Freeze cooked mushrooms to preserve them for 9-12 months. Before you freeze your mushrooms , sauté them in oil for 5 minutes and let them cool completely. Put the mushrooms into freezer bags with ½ inch (1.3 cm) of space at the top. Whenever your recipe calls for mushrooms, just take them right out of the freezer and toss them into your dish to heat up. ^{[20]
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- Instead of sautéing the mushrooms, you can also steam them. Soak the mushrooms in a mixture that’s 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of lemon juice and 2 c (470 mL) of water for 5–10 minutes. Then, put them in a steamer basket for 3–4 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to an ice bath and let them cool.
- Frozen mushrooms will lose some of their texture and, while totally safe to eat, won’t be as good quality as fresh mushrooms. For the best results, eat frozen mushrooms within a month.

Section 5 of 6:

How to Select Fresh Mushrooms

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Select mushrooms that are firm and consistent in color. When purchasing fresh mushrooms, choose those that are firm to the touch, have a smooth texture and consistent color, and don’t smell sour or off. ^{[21]
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- If mushrooms are soft, have dark spots, or have a foul smell, they’re likely bad and should not be purchased.
- If possible, avoid prepackaged mushrooms, as they may be improperly displayed in the store, which can accelerate their spoilage. Instead, look for loose mushrooms so you can inspect the quality.

Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes. While mushrooms last longer when stored in the fridge than at room temperature, they will still go bad. In general, fresh mushrooms will go bad after about 7 days. However, they may spoil before then, depending on how long they’ve been sitting out at the grocery store. Aim to use fresh mushrooms within 3-4 days of purchasing. ^{[22]
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No, it’s not okay to eat mushrooms with brown or dark spots. While mushrooms come in a variety of colors, toss them out if they start to look discolored or bruised. ^{[23]
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It’s possible to eat out-of-date mushrooms if they're still fresh. Look for signs of spoilage before consuming them. If you missed the best-by or expiration date on your mushrooms by a couple of days, check to ensure they’re not slimy, discolored, stinky, or moldy. If they are, throw them out, as eating them could cause food poisoning.
If you eat bad mushrooms, you can get sick. Bad mushrooms may contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning or botulism. ^{[24]
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Do store-bought mushrooms last longer? Store-bought mushrooms don’t necessarily last longer than mushrooms picked in the wild . How long a mushroom lasts depends on the type of mushroom and how it was harvested, handled, and packaged before storing. Some store-bought mushrooms may not last long once you buy them because they’ve been on the shelf for several days.
- Do not attempt to collect wild mushrooms if you don’t have experience. Many mushrooms are poisonous, and incorrectly identifying one could lead to serious health problems or even death. ^{[25]
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What does a good mushroom look like?

Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator
Ollie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University.

Ollie George Cigliano

Private Chef & Food Educator

Expert Answer

Good, fresh mushrooms are dry and light with an earthy scent—basically, how you would imagine a mushroom to smell. If they smell bad, then they are bad.

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I just cooked up a batch mushrooms with spinach, onion, and garlic cloves. The mushrooms, sliced, were a bit slimy and had dark brown gills. Safe?

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Probably not safe, as two of the most common signs of bad mushrooms are a slimy texture and darkening.

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How long after expiration day you can eat mushrooms?

Joshua Chambers

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Do not eat mushrooms past their expiration date. Fresh mushrooms will keep for 7 days in the fridge. Cooked mushrooms keep for about 10 days.

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Discard spoiled food promptly to prevent bacteria and mold growth from spreading to other items in your fridge. ^{[26]
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Mushrooms are super versatile, so it’s really easy to find a quick way to cook with them. For instance, you could make a mushroom omelet or use them in a pasta sauce.

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Warnings

If you're trying to tell if wild mushrooms are bad, stay on the safe side. Avoid trying to determine whether wild mushrooms are edible or poisonous on your own. Don’t eat wild mushrooms unless a trained mushroom identification professional has given you the okay. ^{[27]
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If you find mold on your mushrooms and you develop shortness of breath, nausea, or a fever, seek medical attention, since it could be an allergic reaction. ^{[28]
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Ollie George Cigliano
Private Chef & Food Educator

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Jerran Boyer
Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef

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How to Tell if Mushrooms Are Spoiled: How Long Do They Last?

Can mushrooms go bad?

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Signs Mushrooms Have Gone Bad

How to Store Mushrooms

How long do mushrooms last in the fridge?

Can you freeze mushrooms?

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Warnings

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