Can You Freeze Oyster Mushrooms? And How?

Last Updated on August 27, 2023

Are you running out of oyster mushrooms? Do you need a way to extend their shelf life? Then freezing can be a great option!

You can easily freeze oyster mushrooms in the fridge without compromising their flavour and texture.

Oyster mushrooms can last a day or two (usually 2 days) after freshly picked and they spoil quickly.

Thus some people may be asking if it is possible to freeze oyster mushrooms to prevent they go bad for later use when fresh ones aren’t available – yes you can!

In this article, you’ll find out the best way to freeze oyster mushrooms.

Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are white-gray in color with a subtle flavor and firm texture.

They are edible mushrooms of the genus Pleurotus, belonging to the family Pleurotaceae. Also known as tree oyster mushrooms.

There are many species within this particular class, which have a range of shapes and colors.

Many species have frills around the rim of the caps and are common in temperate climates all over the world.

These tasty mushrooms are usually found in clusters on dead wood or decaying logs, or sometimes on standing trees.

Nowadays they are grown on a large scale commercially because they can thrive at room temperature easily.

If you can find fresh mushrooms in your local area, you can consider growing your own oyster mushrooms at home.

Depending on their species they can vary in size from one inch thick to three inches across when mature.

The most common types of oyster mushrooms on the market are:

Golden Oyster Mushrooms

Pearl Oyster Mushrooms

King Oyster Mushrooms

Blue Oyster Mushrooms

Pink Oyster Mushrooms

What Do Oyster Mushrooms Taste Like?

These meaty mushrooms are widely used in Asian cuisines, particularly in vegan and vegetarian communities due to the prevalence of Buddhism.

In terms of taste and texture, oyster mushrooms typically have a mild flavor described as nutty and sweet like maitake mushrooms.

They also have a velvety texture similar to that of seafood such as scallops or clams.

You can eat raw oyster mushrooms, but some people prefer to cook or bake them first for better flavor and texture.

How to Freeze Oyster Mushrooms

This is a great way to preserve oyster mushrooms. When it comes to freezing mushrooms, the process is simple yet effective.

In order to keep your mushrooms as fresh as possible.

There are two methods for preparing them for freezing – blanching and raw packing.

Freezing oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator is a way to preserve them, make them last longer, and enjoy them all year round!

Oyster mushrooms are delicate fungi, and they need to be handled delicately when you’re prepping them for freezing.

Here’s what you need to know about freezing your oyster mushrooms:

Blanching helps preserve their flavor and texture by removing oxygen from the cells before freezing; however, some nutrient loss may occur during this process.

On the other hand, raw packing involves placing fresh oyster mushrooms directly into a freezer bag or container without any processing.

However, it does not preserve the mushroom’s flavor or texture as well as blanching does.

Both methods ensure that the oyster mushrooms will remain of excellent quality when defrosted and used in your cooking recipes.

PREPPING FOR FREEZING: Soak the mushrooms in cold water, pick out any damaged pieces or parts that look slimy, and let them dry.

You can also cut up larger pieces into bite-size slices if desired.

Place the mushrooms on a cooking tray lined with parchment paper and freeze in the freezer overnight.

Once frozen, put the mushrooms in an airtight container or zip-top bag and store them in the freezer.

Tips for Storage

Freezing can dull some of the flavor of your oyster mushrooms, so they are best used in soups, sauces, or stews rather than eaten raw as they would be otherwise.

It is also important to keep oxygen away from your frozen oyster mushrooms by removing as much air as possible from bags or containers before sealing them up tightly, otherwise, they will rot more quickly.

To ensure that your frozen oyster mushrooms maintain their quality and flavor for as long as possible, there are a few important tips to keep in mind when freezing and preparing them.

Clean the mushrooms before freezing: Take time to properly clean each mushroom by brushing off any dirt or debris with a damp cloth and cutting away any bad spots or stems if necessary.
Blanch the mushrooms before freezing: Place your cleaned mushrooms into boiling water for 1–3 minutes. Once fully cooled, you can place them in a container or bag for freezing.
Separate into small batches: If you plan on using the frozen oyster mushrooms over an extended period of time, consider separating them into smaller batches so that you only need to thaw out what you plan on using right away. This will help avoid having partially thawed portions of the batch become unusable due to spoilage or freezer burn.
Wrapped the bags or containers with newspapers and placed them in the middle of the freezer to prevent freezer burn.
By storing them in the fridge, they’ll be up to 6 months (sometimes 12 months), as long as the mushrooms are stored carefully in a deep freezer that remains at 0°F (-18°C). Be sure to thaw completely before consuming; improper thawing can lead to flavor and texture issues leading to undesirable results in your dishes!

Pros and Cons of Storing Oyster Mushrooms By Freezing

Can you freeze oyster mushrooms? The short answer is “yes”, but there are pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s the best option for you.

Pros of Freezing Oyster Mushrooms: By freezing your oyster mushrooms, you can extend their shelf-life for the long term and have them in hand every time you want to use them.

Freezing also often gives the mushrooms a firmer texture and lessens the need to clean them before using.

Cons of Freezing Oyster Mushrooms: That said, when you freeze and thaw oyster mushrooms they may become soggy and may taste more bland than they would otherwise.

Additionally, some important nutritional components can be lost in the freezing process.

Overall, there are certain advantages to freezing oyster mushrooms but it is not necessarily the best option in all cases (you can also consider making them into dried oyster mushrooms).

Think carefully about your needs before making a decision as freezing won’t work for everyone!

Recipes Using Defrost Oyster Mushrooms

They are a popular ingredient in many dishes around the world and their velvety texture and wild flavor make them a great addition to any meal.

While fresh oyster mushrooms can be hard to come by, you can preserve them for future use by freezing them.

Once frozen, these mushrooms can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are some popular recipes that work well with frozen oyster mushrooms:

Stir Fry: Use frozen oyster mushrooms as the main ingredient in your next vegan chop suey and vegan Thai basil stir fry. Add onion, garlic, bell peppers, and broccoli for an added crunch. For extra flavor add soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.
Fried Oyster Mushrooms: Dry the moisture on the surface completely before deep frying.
Beer-Battered Mushrooms
Vegan Mushroom Birria Tacos
Vegan Fajitas
Vegan Pho
Vegan Ramen

These are just a few of the many recipes you can use when working with frozen oyster mushrooms!

Experimenting is encouraged–there’s no telling what delicious concoctions you might come up with!

Nutritional Benefits of Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are a rich source of dietary fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals.

They are packed with iron, potassium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium.

Since they contain all eight essential amino acids, they are considered to be a complete protein source.

Plus, oyster mushrooms are low in fat and high in protein and other beneficial micronutrients.

The polysaccharide content of oyster mushrooms has been found to be exceptionally high as compared to other fungi species.

Studies have also revealed numerous nutritional benefits associated with their bioactive compounds.

For instance, polysaccharides like glucans have been found to provide anti-tumor and hypocholesterolemic effects.

Additionally, beta-D-glucan present in the fruiting bodies of oyster mushrooms is a potent immune booster that has shown promising results for cardiovascular health issues as well.

Oyster mushrooms also contain ergosterol which is an important compound involved in the formation of Vitamin D2.

By eating oyster mushrooms regularly you can benefit from improved calcium absorption which is essential for strong bones and teeth development as well as overall bodily functions.

Furthermore, they are also an excellent source of some B vitamins such as folic acid and cobalamin.

These B vitamins help the body use fatty acids more efficiently while promoting healthy cell growth too!