Learn How to Clean Mushrooms the right way in just a few easy steps to wipe away the extra dirt. This ultimate guide will teach you how to buy, store and use mushrooms in so many delicious recipes!
Once prepped and clean, make stuffed mushrooms or this cozy cream of mushroom soup with them!
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Mushrooms are a meaty, plump, and porous vegetable that absorb any sort of liquid or oil like a sponge. They add a lovely texture and special umami flavor - and are among one the most popular ingredients for vegetarians.
So after much trial and error, I have finally come across the best way to clean mushrooms - and it's much easier than you think!
No more soggy, browned, or bruised mushrooms!
Let's discover how to buy, store and cook up cleaned mushrooms in so many recipes!
Mushroom Varieties
Mushrooms come in many different varieties, and if this is a new ingredient to you, it can be intimidating. I find that the best variety with the most flavor, and ones that are easy to spot in the grocery store, are the button, crimini, and portabella mushrooms.
Button (White Mushrooms): The least mature with a pale white color. These are usually the least expensive and have the mildest flavor.
Crimini (Cremini, Baby Bella): Medium maturity with a light-dark brown color. Slightly more meaty flavor.
Portobello (Portabella): Full maturity and the largest, darkest brown. These have the strongest mushroom flavor and meatiest texture. Gills can be left intact for a richer flavor or removed, depending on personal preference.
How to Buy Mushrooms
Mushrooms are sold either in plastic containers or in bulk in the produce section. You can, of course, pick up a plastic container, but if you really want to inspect each mushroom individually, I recommend purchasing them from the bulk basket.
Here's what to look for when shopping for mushrooms at the supermarket:
- Select mushrooms that are firm and sturdy
- The stalk is firmly sealed to the cap (applies to smaller varieties)
- They should have a fresh, smooth, plump appearance
- The surface of the mushrooms should be dry (not dried out)
- Avoid slimy, soft, and spotty mushrooms
Flavor Indicator: A closed veil under the mushroom cap indicates a delicate flavor whereas an open veil with exposed gills indicates a richer flavor.
How to Clean Mushrooms
Now, if you are looking for the best way to clean mushrooms - and the fastest - you have come to the right place. Since mushrooms are extremely porous, they absorb water like a sponge. So it's best to keep them from getting waterlogged. To do so, simply:
Spritz with water: If the mushrooms appear very dirty, place them in a colander and spray them with water until the dirt washes away.
Clean: Using a damp cloth or paper towel, gently wipe each mushroom until it is clean.
Remove Stem: Gently snap off the stem from the mushrooms pulling sideways, leaving the mushroom cap hollow.
How to Store
If you are not going to use the mushrooms right away, store them in a brown paper bag in the fridge. You want to avoid plastic bags since this will trap moisture, and make the mushrooms slimy.
Mushrooms should keep for 2-3 days. Fresh mushrooms should never be frozen.
To preserve freshness, you can also store mushrooms in the vegetable crisper drawer, with a clean paper towel underneath.
If you purchase a plastic container of mushrooms, remove the plastic wrap and store them in the same container, uncovered, in the vegetable crisper drawer.
Mushroom Recipes
Mushrooms are a meaty and flavorful ingredient that adds depth and earthiness to so many recipes. I love to use the whole mushroom caps in stuffed mushrooms - a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
They also make an easy side dish when stir-fried or sauteed after a simple toss in oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
But mushrooms can also be sliced or diced to add to frittatas, pasta, soups, stews and so much more!
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Avoid washing or soaking: The mushrooms will become water-logged and soggy if washed under running water or soaked. If really dirty, spray them with water using a kitchen hose and wipe them immediately.
- Use as soon as you can: Once cleaned, it's best to use the mushrooms right away to avoid spoilage.
- Do not store in plastic: That being said, mushrooms will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge when stored properly in a brown paper bag or the crisper drawer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cultivated mushrooms (as opposed to wild ones), can be wiped clean with a damp cloth or paper towel to rid of excess dirt on the surface.
Give mushrooms a quick spritz with water, wipe the surface with a damp cloth or towel and remove the stem. Proceed with slicing or dicing for your recipe.
Mushrooms are extremely porous, and because of this, they will absorb water like a sponge, which runs the risk of them becoming water-logged. Not the result you want when crisp, caramelized mushrooms are what you are after.
For best results, I would avoid soaking mushrooms to clean them as they will never fully dry. If your mushrooms are especially dirty, place them in a colander and spray them with water until the dirt washes away.
More Helpful Tutorials on Cooking Basics
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📖 Recipe
How to Clean Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 lb. mushrooms - button, crimini, portabella
Instructions
- Spritz with water: If the mushrooms appear very dirty, place them in a colander and spray them with water until the dirt washes away.
- Clean: Using a damp cloth or paper towel, gently wipe each mushroom until it is clean.
- Remove stem: Gently snap off the stem from the mushrooms pulling sideways, leaving the mushroom cap hollow.
Notes
- Avoid rinsing: The mushrooms will become water-logged and soggy if washed under running water.
- Use as soon as you can: Once cleaned, its best to use the mushrooms right away to avoid spoilage.
- Do not store in plastic: That being said, mushrooms will keep for 2-3 days in the fridge when stored properly in a brown paper bag or the crisper drawer.
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