Mushrooms are healthy and great ingredients that you can use on a variety of dishes. It goes well with many kinds of meat, vegetables, sauces, and even soups. However, just like any perishable good, mushrooms have a definite shelf-life that you need to keep in mind to avoid getting food poisoned or a sick stomach.
Don’t have any clue about how long mushrooms last? It’s alright, because for this article, I will be sharing with you all the basic information you need to know about keeping your mushrooms safe for long periods of time. Read on and find out more!
More...
A Mushroom’s Shelf-Life
Just like most fresh produce, mushrooms don’t usually come with an expiration date label. If you don’t know anything about storing mushrooms, you may end up having more difficulty spotting a bad mushroom from a good one.
As a rule of thumb, uncooked whole mushrooms can stay fresh for up to 10 days. Fresh sliced mushrooms on the other hand, only last for 5 up to 7 days. Once cooked, a mushroom’s shelf life can be extended for 7 up to 10 days.
How To Spot A Bad Mushroom
Knowing how to spot a bad mushroom can be save you from getting unfavorably sick. Fortunately, spotting a mushroom that has gone bad is not that hard. All you need to do is watch out for these simple signs:
A Bad or Funky Odor
Mushrooms that have gone bad emit a really bad odor that your nose will not miss. If you open your bag of mushrooms, and a rancid smell comes out, don’t hesitate to throw away the bag. Chances are, those mushrooms are already too spoiled to recover.
Wrinkles
Fresh mushrooms come with smooth and plump skin. If you spot wrinkles forming around your mushrooms, it’s a sign that they’re near to getting bad. If you want to salvage your mushrooms, you must cook them right away when you spot wrinkles on their caps. However, if your mushrooms are too wrinkly and all shriveled up, you should just throw them away instead.
Dark Spots/ Darker Overall Color
Once you find dark spots in your mushrooms, or if the whole mushroom itself has gone dark, it’s a sign that your mushrooms are starting to go bad. You might as well cook your mushrooms within 3-days to avoid ending up with spoiled mushrooms in your fridge.
Slimy Skin
One sign that ultimately means your mushrooms are no good to eat is slimy skin. If your mushrooms aren’t too slimy, you may still be able to salvage them through immediate cooking. But if there’s a lot of slime in the bag, you might as well toss them out because they’re probably full of bacteria already. Has been kept in storage for more than two weeks.
One thing you need to know about most mushrooms is that they often last for approximately two weeks, and that’s when they’re stored inside the fridge. However, some larger mushrooms do tend to last a little longer than smaller ones because they have a less exposed surface. If the mushrooms you have are more than two weeks old, you may still want to check for the signs of spoilage. If any of the signs are absent, your mushrooms may still be okay to cook and eat.
How To Extend A Mushroom’s Shelf-Life
If you happen to buy a lot of mushrooms that you can’t cook or eat all at once, you may get frustrated thinking about how you can keep your mushrooms fresh upon storage.
Fortunately, there are several techniques you can try to prolong the shelf-life of a mushroom. One of the most effective ways to store a mushroom for a long period of time is through freezing. Mushrooms placed inside a clean container and frozen solid can last for up to a month. To effectively do so, remove your mushrooms from its original packaging, make sure they are clean, and place them in a container with some paper towels.
You can even add an extra 6 up to 12-months of storage life if you cook your mushrooms thoroughly before you place them in your freezer. However, if you plan to cook your mushrooms before freezing them, make sure to let your mushrooms cool down to room temperature first before you place them on your freezer to avoid ruining its meaty consistency.
If your mushrooms are starting to get bad, don’t worry because everything is not wasted yet. You can still try to salvage them and extend their shelf-life by cooking them. Doing so will add another 7 up to 10-days of storage life for your mushroom.
Another thing you can do to make your mushrooms last longer is to store them whole and unpeeled in a sealed plastic bag. Take note that when sealing mushrooms in a plastic bag, there must be enough space inside for the mushrooms to breathe. Doing so is very essential to keep them from drying out. If you can, you should use a nice paper bag instead of a plastic one.
Lastly, to keep your mushrooms fresh and contaminant free, avoid transferring them from one container to another. Also avoid using used utensils when getting mushrooms from your bag. Always practice proper hygiene and other food safety techniques to prevent food poisoning or other foodborne illnesses.
A Quick Recap
Mushrooms are great ingredients that can be used in several dishes. They go great with meats, vegetables, soups, and sauces. Now that you have reached this part of the article, I’m sure you are now well aware of how to keep your mushrooms fresh for the longest period of time. And remember, always be mindful of the different signs of spoilage to avoid getting food poisoned or any unfavorable diseases.If you liked this article, and would like to know more about other ingredients, please leave us your feedback in the comment box below. Until next time, happy reading!
