Since oyster mushrooms - like all mushrooms - contain a lot of water, they react sensitively to light, heat and pressure and therefore do not last long. Proper storage in the refrigerator, as well as preservation methods such as drying and freezing, can significantly improve shelf life.
How long does oyster mushrooms last?
Oyster mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, in the freezer for up to 6 months and dried for at least 1 year. Fresh mushrooms should be wrapped in a clean cloth and stored in the vegetable drawer, while frozen mushrooms should be flash frozen.
Shelf life of fresh oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator
If you bought the oyster mushrooms in the supermarket, immediately remove the plastic packaging when you get home. This prevents the exchange of air and ensures that the mushrooms “sweat” - with the result that mold forms within a very short time. Instead, wrap the mushrooms in a clean, dry cloth and put them in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Do not clean or cut them beforehand, but only do this work immediately before preparation. Stored this way, the tasty mushrooms last up to four days. However, if you leave the refrigerator outside, you should process oyster mushrooms within a day.
Make oyster mushrooms last longer by freezing
Oyster mushrooms can also be frozen very well and will last in the freezer (not in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator!) at temperatures of at least minus 18 °C for up to six months. This is the best way to freeze edible mushrooms:
- Clean the oyster mushrooms carefully using a brush and a paper kitchen towel.
- Do not wash the mushrooms, even briefly under running water!
- Cut out print marks and other damaged areas.
- Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.
- Do not blanch oyster mushrooms before freezing!
- Shock-freeze raw, prepared oyster mushrooms in a pre-chilled freezer.
Dried oyster mushrooms have a particularly long shelf life
Dried oyster mushrooms, on the other hand, can be kept for at least a year and, in contrast to fresh or frozen mushrooms, even gain in aroma. The mushrooms should best be dried in a dehydrator, but a standard oven is also very suitable.
- Clean oyster mushrooms and cut into thin slices.
- Do not wash mushrooms intended for drying, even briefly!
- Preheat oven to 50 to a maximum of 70 °C.
- Lay the mushrooms loosely on a tray with baking paper.
- Put the tray in the oven.
- Clamp a wooden spoon or something similar between the door and the oven so that a small gap remains open.
- Dry mushrooms for several hours.
Tip
Before packing the dried mushrooms, make sure that they actually contain absolutely no moisture. Otherwise they will mold very quickly and can no longer be used.
