Food Shopping and Storing How to Store Mushrooms So They Don’t Get Slimy Keep your fungi fresh! By Phoebe Fry Updated on May 31, 2023 Medically reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Medically reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Instagram Website Kristy Del Coro is a registered dietitian nutritionist, RDN, and professionally trained chef with more than 10 years of experience in the field of culinary nutrition. Her strong background in nutrition science, sustainable food systems, and culinary education makes her exceptionally qualified to write about food that is good for us and the planet—while not sacrificing flavor. Learn More Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article View All In This Article Whole Mushrooms Sliced Mushrooms Freezing Mushrooms With a savory, umami-rich flavor and satisfying texture, mushrooms are a staple for vegetarians and omnivores alike. For example, we swear by this Mushroom Potpie and these Wild Mushroom and Spinach Stuffed Shells when we’re looking for hearty vegetarian dinner ideas, and we love adding mushrooms to tofu and chicken dishes for extra body and nutrients. Unfortunately, mushrooms go bad fairly quickly due to their high water content, so it’s best to consume them soon after you buy them. In the meantime, follow our advice for how to store mushrooms so you aren’t left with a slimy, moldy mess. How to Store Avocados So They Stay Fresh for as Long as Possible Tanja Ivanova/Getty Images How to Store Whole Mushrooms If you’ve purchased pre-packaged mushrooms, store them as they are. Their original packaging should already be ventilated to keep them dry in the fridge. Otherwise, the best way to store whole mushrooms is in a brown paper bag lined with paper towels. There’s no need to close the bag tightly, as the airflow will help the mushrooms stay dry. Mushrooms, which are already high in water, release moisture as they sit, so they need absorbent packaging to stay fresh. Make sure not to wash the mushrooms until just before using them, as the excess water will cause them to rot more quickly. Store the mushrooms in the fridge to keep them fresher for longer. Stored this way, whole mushrooms can last for up to one week. How to Roast Mushrooms That Are Crispy and Delicious How to Store Sliced Mushrooms Just like whole mushrooms, it’s best to store sliced mushrooms, unwashed, in a brown paper bag lined with paper towels. If they’re pre-packaged upon purchase, leave the sliced mushrooms in their original container. Either way, keep the sliced mushrooms in the fridge, where they’ll likely last for four to five days. How to Store Garlic So It Stays Potent and Fresh Can You Freeze Mushrooms? Yes, you can freeze mushrooms. However, freezing them will affect the thawed mushrooms’ texture significantly, so don’t expect a crispy final product. That said, frozen mushrooms that have thawed would work well in something like a Walnut Mushroom Bolognese or, Creamy Mushroom Soup With Chives. To freeze, clean the mushrooms, then store them in an airtight, freezer-safe bag or food storage container. Stored properly, mushrooms will last in the freezer for about two months. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit