Oyster mushrooms are a type of mushroom that grows on trees and other woody plants, like stumps and logs. They are edible and have a meaty texture with a slight seafood flavor. While the caps are edible, the stems are not. If you’ve harvested them yourself or bought them from the grocery store, you may wonder how long oyster mushrooms will last in the fridge.
The shelf life of oyster mushrooms depends on how it was stored when you purchased them from the store and how soon you plan to eat them after buying them. If you bought your oyster mushrooms fresh from the store, then they will last for about 1 week in your refrigerator.
How To Store Oyster Mushrooms In The Fridge
The best way to keep your oyster mushrooms fresh is in an aluminum foil that’s tightly wrapped. In addition, don’t wash them before storing them—the moisture will cause decay.
Try to store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator where they’ll be exposed to cold air and humidity, which slows the rate at which mushrooms spoil.
If you want to store some for longer than a week, try freezing your oyster mushrooms! To do this, clean off any dirt or debris from the stems with a damp cloth and pat dry with paper towels. Then pack into freezer bags by themselves or with other products that don’t emit ethylene gas (such as carrots). Freeze immediately; once frozen solid, transfer into resealable plastic bags for long-term storage.
How To Tell When Oyster Mushrooms Are Bad
Because they’re so versatile, it’s easy to keep oyster mushrooms on hand for quick meals. But how do you know if an opened bag of mushrooms has gone bad? Here are some signs that your mushrooms have gone bad:
They’re slimy or sticky. The texture of a fresh oyster mushroom is dry and firm, not wet or sticky. If your mushrooms feel sticky or slimy, they’ve gone bad and should be thrown away immediately — don’t chance to eat them!
They have a sour smell. Fresh oyster mushrooms don’t smell like anything at all; if you open the bag and notice a sour odor, it’s probably time to throw them out.
The edges are turning brown or black. A little bit of browning around the edges is normal when you store mushrooms in the fridge, but if they start turning completely brown or black, they’re no longer safe to eat with any amount of preparation.
How To Keep Oyster Mushrooms Fresh Longer In The Fridge
Oyster mushrooms can be kept fresh for about a week by storing them in the refrigerator. Here’s how:
Store in a paper bag. Opened oyster mushrooms will keep for up to a week if you store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. To prevent moisture from building up inside, place them in a paper bag that allows air circulation, such as an empty bread bag, or wrap them loosely with waxed paper before placing them in their storage container.
Also, make sure that you don’t stack anything on top of your oyster mushroom container—that’ll compress it and cause moisture buildup!
Store covered with damp cloths or plastic wrap (but not both). If you want to extend the life of your ‘shrooms further than just one week, try covering them with damp cloths or plastic wrap (but not both). This will keep things nice and cool while also protecting against oxidation so that they don’t lose all those tasty nutrients we know and love about oysters!
Conclusion
Oyster mushrooms are a wonderful addition to a variety of dishes. They have an earthy flavor and can be used in stir-fries, soups, salads, and more. The best way to store these mushrooms is by keeping them refrigerated in their original packaging or wrapped tightly with aluminum foil until ready for use. Be sure that if you buy fresh oysters from the store they do not smell musty or rotten before using them so that they last longer! You can also freeze them if necessary but remember it will affect their taste slightly when thawed out again
Kate has been in the food business for over 20 years. Worked as a cook at several buffets which include Old Country Buffet, Five Star Buffet, and Ichiban Buffet. Now, I’m mostly at home cooking for my family, caring for chickens and ducks, and tending the garden.
