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Whether you have a packet of shiitake, porcini, or chanterelles, dried mushrooms are wonderful kitchen companions. Incorporating dried mushrooms into your cooking is an easy way to add earthy flavor into soups, steps, pasta, stir-fry, omelettes, and countless other dishes. [1] X Research source A small amount of dried mushrooms can go a long way in your kitchen and if stored properly, they can have an extended shelf life.
Steps
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Choose an airtight container. Storage containers that work well for dried mushrooms are plastic resealable bags and glass canning jars (such as Mason jars). The glass jars should have tight fitting, screw-on lids.
- If you are using resealable plastic bags, make sure that they are designed specifically for freezer use, rather than thinner sandwich bags.
- Because dried mushrooms will not be expanding in the freezer (as liquids will do) Mason jars are safe to use for freezer storage. [2] X Research source
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Label your container with the date. Dried mushrooms last a long time, especially if kept in the refrigerator or freezer--up to 12 months! [3] X Research source If you are not using dried mushrooms frequently, it may be easy to forget exactly how long they have been in the freezer.Advertisement
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Re-package the dried mushrooms. Once you’ve labeled the airtight container, pour the dried mushrooms from their original package into their new container. If you are using a resealable plastic bag, do your best to squeeze any excess air out of the bag before sealing it.
- If you bought the dried mushrooms in a vacuumed packed, sealed bag and are not planning on using them immediately, there is no need to re-package the mushrooms right away. However, as soon as you open the package and use a portion of the mushrooms, re-pack the remainder in an airtight container.
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Place the repackaged mushrooms into your fridge or freezer. Avoid putting weighty items on top of bags of dried mushrooms in your freezer, as they may get crushed. If you notice freezer burn develop on the dried mushrooms, they will likely still be usable, however, their texture might become a little rubbery.
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Choose an airtight container. Storage containers that work well for dried mushrooms are plastic resealable bags and glass canning jars (such as Mason jars). The glass jars should have tight fitting, screw on lids.
-
Re-package the dried mushrooms. Once you’ve labeled the airtight container, pour the dried mushrooms from their original package into their new container. If you are using a resealable plastic bag, do your best to squeeze any excess air out of the bag before sealing it.
- If you bought the dried mushrooms in a vacuumed packed, sealed bag and are not planning on using them immediately, there is no need to re-package the mushrooms right away. However, as soon as you open the package and use a portion of the mushrooms, it is a good idea to find an airtight container for the remaining mushrooms.
- If you live in a particularly humid climate, you can consider using oxygen absorbing packets in your resealable bags or jars. These packets contain iron powder which absorbs most of the oxygen out of the packaging they are in, which can keep food items from spoiling for a longer portion of time. Oxygen absorbing packets are not totally necessary to store with mushrooms, but aren’t a bad idea, particularly if you are storing the mushrooms at room temperature in a kitchen cabinet. [4] X Research source
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Place the dried mushrooms in the back of the cabinet. Dried mushrooms, like their fully-hydrated counterparts, are very sensitive to light and moisture. It is best to keep the dried mushrooms in the rear of a storage cabinet where they are less likely to come in contact with light.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionOnce hydrated, how do I store them and how long do they last?Amaiyah WardCommunity AnswerPlace the mushrooms into a plastic or glass container with a tight fitting lid. My first recommendation is freezing or storing in a refrigerator or freezer. Place the dried mushrooms in a clean, tight sealing freezer bag first.
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Tips
- If your home is warm, humid, or if you know you will be using the dried mushrooms infrequently (and would like them to last longer), the refrigerator or freezer are a great option. [5] X Research sourceThanks
- Bugs do occasionally make their way into packets of dried mushrooms. They are plant material, after all! If you find bugs in a bag of dried mushrooms, you are better off throwing out the mushrooms than attempting to use them. [6] X Research source Freezer storage does help keep bugs away from dried mushrooms.Thanks
- If your home is relatively cool and you are going to utilize the dried mushrooms relatively frequently, a closed kitchen cabinet will work well for storage.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about storing food, check out our in-depth interview with Jerran Boyer .
References
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-use-dried-mushrooms
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/freezing/freezer-fundamentals
- ↑ https://www.forestmushrooms.com/pages/rehydrating-and-storing-dried-mushrooms
- ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/things-that-preserve/oxygen-absorbers/
- ↑ https://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/4-tips-for-storing-dried-vegetables
- ↑ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-dried-mushrooms-should-always-be-in-your-pantry_us_58c7f6bde4b022817b2916fb
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