How to Cook Frozen Mushrooms: Freezing, Thawing, & Reheating Mushrooms

Have you ever tried cooking with frozen mushrooms? While fresh mushrooms are usually our first recommendation, it’s not always easy—or realistic—to keep them on hand all the time.

Fresh mushrooms are undeniably tasty, but they simply don’t last long. By the time they reach your refrigerator, their shelf life is often no more than a week. So, can you freeze fresh mushrooms? Absolutely. In fact, freezing them is a great way to ensure you always have these flavorful, nutrient-rich ingredients ready to use. Adding mushrooms to everyday meals is an easy way to boost nutrients and reduce calories, yet many people have never tried frozen mushrooms—or even realized they were an option.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to freeze mushrooms properly and how to make the most of them once you’re ready to cook. We’ll also cover the best thawing techniques and share tips for cooking frozen mushrooms to retain maximum nutrition and flavor.

First, Why Freeze Mushrooms?
If you’re used to getting fresh, high-quality mushrooms, choosing to freeze them might feel unnecessary. But freezing mushrooms comes with several practical advantages:

Reduce Waste – It’s easy to buy more mushrooms than you can use before they spoil. Even though expired mushrooms can be composted, many still end up being thrown away. Freezing helps you preserve what you paid for.

Save Money – Purchasing mushrooms in bulk—especially during sales—can significantly cut costs. Freezing a portion allows you to stretch your budget while still enjoying mushrooms whenever you need them.

Retain Nutrients – When frozen properly, mushrooms maintain much of the same nutritional value as fresh ones. Although some B vitamins and antioxidants may decrease during cooking, following the right freezing methods helps preserve as many nutrients as possible, giving you a simple way to boost your meals.

Added Convenience – On busy days, convenience makes all the difference. Having pre-cooked, ready-to-use mushrooms in your freezer means you can toss them into your dishes quickly without washing, slicing, or prepping anything.

How to Cook Frozen Mushrooms

Thawing and reheating frozen mushrooms is simple, but following a few key tips will help you get the best flavor and texture every time. Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. How to Freeze Mushrooms

Freezing mushrooms is easy, but many people make mistakes that affect the final quality.

Avoid freezing mushrooms that are already near expiration, as they tend to become slimy after thawing. Another common issue is freezing raw mushrooms—because their moisture content is so high, they can turn rubbery once defrosted.

For the best results, always cook your mushrooms (usually by sautéing) before freezing. This step reduces moisture, locks in flavor, and ensures a better texture when you use them later.

2. How Long Do Frozen Mushrooms Last?

Always label your storage bags or containers with the date. Even well-prepped mushrooms can suffer freezer burn if forgotten for too long.

Properly cooked, cooled, and stored mushrooms can last up to six months in the freezer. Follow reliable storage practices—airtight containers, proper cooling, and consistent freezer temperature—to keep them in their best condition for long-term use.

3. How to Thaw Frozen Mushrooms

How long can thawed mushrooms stay in the fridge? In most cases, no more than one day.

Unlike meat, mushrooms don’t need to be thawed before cooking. In fact, transferring frozen mushrooms to the refrigerator for slow thawing—or letting them sit out at room temperature—often leads to soggy, watery results. As they thaw, mushrooms naturally release moisture, which affects both texture and flavor.

The only exception is when making blended dishes, such as blended burgers or finely mixed fillings. Since frozen mushrooms are difficult to incorporate directly, you can thaw them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before using. Any longer than that, however, may impact their freshness and overall quality.

4. Can You Microwave Frozen Mushrooms?

If your mushrooms were sautéed before freezing, they don’t require full recooking. Instead, simply warm them through by adding them toward the end of your dish. Reheating them too aggressively—especially in the microwave—can reduce their nutrients and negatively affect their flavor and texture. A gentle warm-up is all they need.

How to Use Frozen Mushrooms

Frozen mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can be added directly to many dishes. Here are some great ways to put them to use:

• Soups – Add the frozen mushrooms straight into hot broth; they’ll thaw and heat up quickly.

• Pasta sauces – Stir them into crushed tomatoes or simmering sauces after your base ingredients are cooked.

• Gravy, stir-fries, or stroganoff – Incorporate the mushrooms once the main ingredients are done, then heat gently until everything reaches serving temperature.

• Juicy blended burgers – For blended meat dishes, thaw and finely dice mushrooms (¼ inch or smaller) before mixing them into the ground meat.

Don’t hesitate to get creative. Mushrooms work beautifully in pizzas, omelets, quesadillas, and countless other dishes. These quick-cooking foods give the mushrooms just enough time to thaw and warm through, adding rich flavor and texture without extra prep.