Can You Freeze Portobello Mushrooms?

The shelf life of portobello mushrooms is not very long, but it’s a shame to let these nutritious vegetables go to waste when you have purchased more than you can cook and eat. 

Can you freeze portobello mushrooms? Yes, you can freeze portobello mushrooms, and in a few different ways. You can freeze raw portobello mushrooms whole or chopped. Blanching or cooking the mushrooms before freezing them is also an option. 

Continue reading for step-by-step instructions for freezing portobello mushrooms using three different methods.

You will also learn how long frozen portobello mushrooms last, how to defrost and use them, and if you can freeze stuffed portobello mushrooms!

Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are not as long-lasting as some other vegetables, including potatoes, carrots, onions, and cabbage. Additionally, they require specific storage conditions. 

You can, of course, buy frozen or dried mushrooms. However, they don’t provide the same flavor and texture as fresh mushrooms. And they are not as versatile as fresh mushrooms either. 

But the shelf life of fresh mushrooms is short. They preserve their best quality for 2-3 days if you store them in the fridge. At most, fresh mushrooms stored in the fridge can last 5-7 days.

But this is if you transfer them from their supermarket packaging into a paper bag, and store them in the main compartment of the fridge. 

Another option is wrapping the mushrooms in a paper towel, and putting them in a loosely covered plastic bag. Paper bags and towels efficiently absorb the excess moisture of the mushrooms thus extending their shelf life. 

But what if you have bought more mushrooms than you can eat within a week? Eating mushrooms a few days in a row can get boring if you are not a big fan of these vegetables. 

So, a great way to preserve the mushrooms for later use and not waste them is to freeze the mushrooms.

The water content of mushrooms is high. So, freezing them using the right techniques is important in bringing the flavor and texture changes to a minimum. 

With this said, it is important to note that freezing mushrooms, and fresh produce in general, causes them to lose some of their nutritional value. But still, frozen mushrooms are a good source of B and D vitamins and minerals.

Can You Freeze Portobello Mushrooms?

Portobello mushrooms are one of the most popular mushroom varieties. They are versatile, with a meaty flavor and texture. Portobello mushrooms are also widely available. 

If you have purchased more portobello mushrooms than you need, you can freeze them. Make sure to prep portobello mushrooms properly to maintain their flavor and texture. 

One of the key steps in the preparation of mushrooms for freezing is cleaning them properly. 

How To Clean Portobello Mushrooms for Freezing

If you start cleaning mushrooms by dumping them in a bowl of water, don’t do this with the portobello mushrooms you are about to freeze. It is not a good idea to put mushrooms in water in general as they soak up liquid like a sponge.

So, how do you clean portobello mushrooms for freezing? Wipe off the dirt and debris from mushroom caps using a damp paper towel. Use a brush to scrape off the heavy dirt. While cleaning the mushrooms, try to use as little water as possible. 

Next, twist off the mushroom stem. You can also cut off the stems using a knife. Then, scrape away the brown grills underneath the caps.

While these are edible, there may be dirt in them. And that’s how you clean portobello mushrooms for freezing!

How To Freeze Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms can be frozen in a few different ways. Continue reading for step-by-step instructions for freezing portobello mushrooms raw, blanched, and cooked. 

Freezing Raw Portobello Mushrooms

The easiest and quickest way to freeze portobello mushrooms is to freeze them raw. Here’s what you should do: 

1. Clean the portobello mushrooms as described above.
2. Cut the mushroom caps into equal size cubes.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the mushrooms cubes on it. Make sure the cubes are not touching each other. 
4. Put the mushrooms in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until they are solid and don’t stick to each other. 
5. Transfer the mushrooms into a heavy-duty zip-top bag or an airtight container. 
6. Squeeze out the excess air from the freezer bags. 
7. Label with the date and store the mushrooms in the freezer. Flatten the bag with mushrooms to save space. 

Freezing Blanched Portobello Mushrooms

Blanching is a recommended step for freezing most vegetables including portobello mushrooms. Here’s is how to blanch and freeze portobello mushrooms:

1. Clean the mushrooms.
2. Place the mushrooms in boiling water for around 2 minutes. 
3. Then remove them from the hot water and put them into a bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process. 
4. Put the mushrooms on a plate and dry them with paper towels. 
5. Transfer the mushrooms into a zip-top bag and squeeze out the excess air. 
6. Label with the date and put the mushrooms in the freezer. 

Freezing Cooked Portobello Mushrooms 

A great way to preserve the texture of portobello mushrooms is to cook them before freezing them. Sauteeing, in particular, helps preserve the firmness of portobello mushrooms when they are defrosted. Here’s what you should do: 

1. Clean the mushrooms. 
2. Cut the portobellos into cubes or slices.
3. Sauté on high heat in a small amount of oil or butter. Make sure to not fully cook the mushrooms. You will cook them through when you defrost them.
4. When the mushrooms are half-cooked, transfer them onto a plate and remove the excess oil with the help of a paper towel. 
5. Once the mushrooms have cooled, transfer them into a zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze. 

You can also steam the mushrooms before freezing. Doing this helps better preserve the flavor of the mushrooms. 

Can You Freeze Whole Raw Portobello Mushrooms?

If you need the process of freezing portobello mushrooms to be as simple as can be, freeze them whole and raw.

Clean the mushrooms and wrap each mushroom cap with cling wrap. Put the individually wrapped mushrooms in a plastic bag or an airtight container. 

How Long Do Portobello Mushrooms Last In The Freezer?

How long portobello mushrooms will last in the freezer depends on how you have prepared them for freezing. 

Raw portobello mushrooms will last 10 months in the freezer and longer if you provide proper storage conditions. Blanched portobellos will keep well for around 12 months. 

Sauteed portobello mushrooms, on the other hand, will keep up to 6 months in the freezer. 

How To Defrost And Use Frozen Portobello Mushrooms

No matter how you freeze mushrooms, defrosted mushrooms are always a little mushier than fresh mushrooms.

So, it is best to use them in soups, casseroles, stews, and other dishes where the texture of the mushrooms is not of central importance. 

If the mushrooms are already cooked or blanched, add them toward the end of the cooking process to avoid overcooking them. 

Frozen portobello mushrooms can go from the freezer right into the cooking dish where they will thaw and cook through at the same time. 

But you can also thaw frozen portobellos in the fridge and then cook them as you would cook fresh mushrooms. 

If you microwave the mushrooms to defrost them, use them immediately after thawing. 

Can You Freeze Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms?

Thanks to their shape, portobello mushrooms are great for stuffing. The most common ingredient for mushroom stuffing is cheese. 

Preparing the mushrooms for stuffing and making the stuffing itself takes time. Can you make stuffed mushrooms in advance and store them in the freezer for later use?

Luckily, you can! Simply stuff your portobello mushrooms with your favorite cheese, and then transfer the mushrooms onto a baking tray to flash freeze them.

When the mushrooms have hardened, transfer them into an airtight container or bag. You can put a sheet of parchment paper between the layers of mushrooms to prevent them from sticking to each other. 

The stuffed portobello mushrooms will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 months. When it’s time to bake them, transfer the frozen portobello mushrooms into a preheated oven and bake. 

Can You Freeze Cooked Stuffed Mushrooms?

When it comes to stuffed mushrooms, it is better to freeze them before cooking them. But if you have leftover stuffed mushrooms, don’t discard them. You can still freeze them to reheat and eat them later. 

To freeze cooked portobello mushrooms, first, let them cool completely. Then, place the mushrooms on a baking tray to freeze them individually just like you would the uncooked stuffed mushrooms. 

When the mushrooms are all frozen and won’t stick to each other, transfer them into an airtight container or freezer bag. 

If the temperature in your freezer is stable, the mushrooms will stay safe for consumption for 2-3 months. But it is best to eat them within 2 months for the best flavor and texture. 

When you want to eat the mushrooms, don’t let them defrost in the fridge or at room temperature.

The best method is to transfer the stuffed mushrooms into a preheated oven and cook until the mushrooms are heated through and the cheese in the stuffing melts. 

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