Mushrooms, a fungi, are a popular food used in may different recipes. There are many different types including button, oyster and porcini. Packed with nutritious goodness, they can be cooked and eaten raw.
How to store
How to store fresh mushrooms
Mushrooms are best stored in the fridge.
Freezing mushrooms
Mushrooms can be frozen in a sealed bag or airtight container for up to 3 months.
Storing cooked mushrooms
Store cooked mushrooms in an airtight container and use within 7 days
Mushrooms top tips
How to freeze and defrost
To freeze: You can freeze mushrooms raw or cooked. Slice and freeze on a tray (or they’ll stick together) and transfer to a sealed container.
To defrost: When you take food or drink out of the freezer, it’s important to defrost it safely. Don’t defrost at room temperature.
Ideally, defrost fully in the fridge and use within 24 hours. Or, use a microwave on the defrost setting directly before cooking or reheating.
Eating the whole food
There is no need to peel mushrooms - and don’t wash them either. Cultivated mushrooms are pretty clean, so just give them a wipe.
Be fabulous with leftovers
Leftover fresh mushrooms
Mushrooms can be cooked straight from frozen - great for quick supper dishes such as omelettes.
Fry leftover, wrinkly mushrooms in butter or oil for use as a pizza topping or use in stews, sauces and casseroles or freeze them for later.
Leftover cooked mushrooms
Use up any uneaten cooked mushrooms in recipes such as stews, soups and currys.
Buying tips
If they are available, think about buying mushrooms loose to help you buy only what you need. This will ensure that all your food is more likely to be eaten and saved from the bin.
Think about swapping fresh mushrooms for frozen ones. Frozen foods last a long time in the freezer, you can use as much as you need when you need to and they can often be a cheaper option. You can also get mushrooms in tins and dried.
Perfect portions
Use our portion calculator for a quick and simple way to check how much of this food to serve at mealtimes.
Valuing your Mushrooms beyond the price tag
Goodness in food
Your food is more than its shape, colour and price. Your food has an important role to play to help keep you healthy and with enough energy to live your life how you wish to.
- Mushrooms are one of the few non-animal sources of vitamin D. This helps to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
- They contain a source of folate, a B vitamin, which helps the body form red blood cells.
- A portion of mushrooms counts towards your five-a-day.
Food story
By the time your food arrives in your home, it’s already been on quite a journey starting with how it is made or grown and how your food reaches the supermarket.
So please help our food to finish its story in the most sustainable way, ensuring the planet’s resources that’s already used are put to good use. Take care of your food when it’s in your home and ensure every edible morsel is eaten - and that your food doesn’t end up in the bin!
Why not try these delicious recipes to use up Mushrooms
Throw these ingredients together in the morning and a warming delicious stew will be waiting for you when you get home.
Comfort food at its best by award-winning chef Neil Forbes of Café St Honore in Edinburgh.
This hearty stew is delicious, filling and uses up your leftover veggies. What's not to like?