How Long Do Cooked Mushrooms Last?

A great way to add flavor and texture to your meals is by adding some cooked mushrooms.

There is literally a mushroom for every flavor and texture preference. If you want mild, you can go with a classic button, crimini, or brown mushroom.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous you can try out an oyster, chanterelle, enoki, shiitake, or portabello mushroom.

These mushrooms have various textures from firm to light and fluffy. I like to mix and match my mushrooms so that every bite is a new adventure.

But sometimes I get a little overzealous in my chopping and after dinner, I’ve got a giant pile of leftover cooked mushrooms.

Do I have to throw them away? How long can I keep them in the fridge? Can you freeze cooked mushrooms? Answering these questions led me to the topic of today’s article.

So, how long do cooked mushrooms last in the fridge? If you take the time to properly store them, cooked mushrooms can last from 3-5 days in the fridge. Make sure they aren’t slimy or dried out before eating them.

Read on to discover more about how long cooked mushrooms last, how to properly store them, whether you can freeze cooked mushrooms, how to properly reheat them, and more!

How Long Do Cooked Mushrooms Last In The Fridge?

Cooked mushrooms add a delicious texture to all kinds of dishes from scrambled eggs to steak to stir fries. Adding a cooked mushroom is great way to add a burst of umami flavor and a unique texture to any dish.

But what if you whip up a batch of mushrooms and end up with a lot of leftovers? How long can they last in the fridge? For best results, you will want to eat your cooked mushrooms within 3-5 days of storing them in the fridge.

After 5 days, they can start to develop a slimy texture and a funky taste. Both of these signs indicate that bacteria have started to grow on the mushroom, which can cause food poisoning if eaten.

To avoid the possibility of illness, you will want to throw away cooked mushrooms older than 5 days.

If you eat your mushrooms within 3-5 days of cooking them, they should still have that distinct mushroom taste and a firm, but chewy texture.

How To Store Cooked Mushrooms For Optimal Freshness

To keep your cooked mushrooms as fresh as possible you will want to store them in either an airtight glass container or in a freezer baggie. The main thing you want to do is make sure there’s as little air touching the mushrooms as possible.

If you leave your mushrooms exposed to the air in the fridge they will dry out and possibly absorb the smells of your fridge, which leaves you with a tough and funky tasting mushroom.

You also want to make sure they are in an airtight container or baggie to slow the growth and development of any bacteria on the mushrooms.

Food spoilage is the product of bacterial growth, so the more we can slow that down, the longer your mushrooms will last.

Lots of bacteria are aerobic, meaning they need air to live and multiply. That’s why limiting the amount of air on your mushrooms is so great for slowing bacterial growth.

Follow the steps below to store your mushrooms in a container for optimal freshness:

1. Let your cooked mushrooms cool to room temperature. If your kitchen is warm, place them in an uncovered bowl in the fridge for about an hour.
2. Once your mushrooms have cooled place them in a storage container, filling it as close to the top as possible. You want there to be less room for air in the container.
3. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the mushrooms, gently press it down on top, and tuck it in around the edges.
4. Put the lid on the container and seal it. You may want to take a piece of masking tape and write the date on it so you know when you made the mushrooms.
5. Store in the fridge for 3-55 days. Follow the steps below to reheat them for the best flavor and texture.

Follow the steps below to store your mushrooms in a freezer baggie for optimal freshness:

1. Make sure to let your cooked mushrooms cool to room temperature. If your kitchen is too warm then place them in an uncovered bowl in the fridge for about an hour to cool.
2. Once your mushrooms have cooled, place them in a freezer baggie and gently press all the air out of the bag before sealing it.
3. You might want to write the date on a piece of masking tape so you know how long they will stay fresh for in the fridge.
4. Store in the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat the mushrooms, follow the steps below for the best flavor and texture.

How To Reheat Refrigerated Cooked Mushrooms

The best way to reheat cooked mushrooms that have been stored in the fridge is to crisp them up in a frying pan.

If you put them in the microwave you will likely end up with a rubbery, tough, and unpleasant texture, which is just a total waste of a delicious mushroom.

Follow these steps to reheat your cooked mushrooms on the stovetop like a pro:

1. Place a frying pan on the stove over medium-high heat.
2. Let the frying pan warm up for about 1-2 minutes.
3. Add a drizzle of olive oil or a small pat of butter to your frying pan and let it melt. Swirl the oil around so the whole pan is coated.
4. Shake your mushrooms into the frying pan and stir them around to coat them in the oil.
5. Let them heat up for about 2 minutes.

Follow these steps to reheat your cooked mushrooms in the air fryer like a pro:

1. If you have an air fryer, you can quickly and easily crisp up your mushrooms.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
3. Spray your mushrooms with a little cooking oil.
4. Once the air fryer is preheated, pour your mushrooms into the fryer basket.
5. Cook for 1-2 minutes then take the fryer basket out and give it a shake.
6. Replace the fryer basket and cook your mushrooms for another minute or so.
7. Once your mushrooms are warmed and crisped to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and enjoy.

Can You Freeze Cooked Mushrooms?

If you make a giant batch of cooked mushrooms and you know you won’t be able to eat them all within 3-5 days, you might be wondering whether you can freeze your leftovers.

Luckily, cooked mushrooms freeze really well, especially if you follow the proper steps.

If you decide to freeze your cooked mushrooms, you will want to eat them within about 3-6 months for the best flavor and texture. They can last longer than that, but their texture and taste may deteriorate, or they could develop freezer burn.

For the best results, follow these steps to freeze your cooked mushrooms:

1. Let your mushrooms cool fully. I like to let them cool in the fridge overnight.
2. Line a small baking sheet or plate with parchment paper.
3. Spread your mushrooms into a single layer on the baking sheet or plate. Try to leave some space between the mushrooms so that they freeze evenly and don’t stick together.
4. Place the tray of mushrooms in the freezer for 12-24 hours. You want your mushrooms to freeze completely.
5. Once your mushrooms are frozen, pop them off the parchment paper and transfer them to a freezer baggie.
6. Gently press the air out of the freezer bag before sealing it closed.
7. Write the date and contents on the baggie or on a piece of masking tape with a permanent marker.
8. Place the mushrooms back in the freezer and use them within 3-6 months.

How To Thaw Mushrooms From The Freezer

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen mushrooms, you will want to thaw them in the fridge overnight. You may need to drain some extra liquid from them once they are thawed, since frozen foods tend to release water as they thaw.

Once your mushrooms are fully thawed, you can crisp them up in a frying pan before enjoying them again. I don’t recommend thawing your mushrooms in the microwave since it can create a weird rubbery texture that isn’t at all pleasant.

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