Do you love the earthy umami, flavor of mushrooms but find yourself with an excess that you can't possibly use before they spoil?
Or perhaps you've come across a great sale on your favorite mushroom varieties and want to stock up for later use? Food Dehydrator Recipes is an easy way to stock your pantry.
Whatever the reason, learning how to dehydrate mushrooms is the perfect solution! Not only does dehydration ensure that your mushrooms will have a longer shelf life, but it also intensifies their flavor, making them even more delicious and versatile.
In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of dehydrating mushrooms at home, including the best types of mushrooms to use, various drying methods, and tips for storing your dehydrated mushrooms. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will enhance your meals and save you money in the long run!
Can you dehydrate mushrooms
Mushrooms can be dried in a food dehydrator, air fryer or even in a home oven. Dehydrating is an easy way to preserve food for long time storage.
If you love using fresh mushrooms when you cook but find yourself frequently wasting some of those pricey fresh mushrooms you just bought. Or maybe they start to go bad before you use them all.
Or maybe you bought more mushrooms than you needed for a recipe. Preserving them by drying is a great way to always have mushrooms on hand for your favorite dishes.
Dehydrating fresh fruits and vegetables is a cheap and easy way to preserve your favorite fruits and vegetables. By dehydrating food that you eat and cook with all the time is also a great way to stock your pantry.
Choosing Your Mushrooms
Before you begin the dehydration process, it's important to select the right types of mushrooms. Ideally, you should opt for fresh, firm, and blemish-free mushrooms.
Varieties such as shiitake, morel, button, and porcini are excellent choices for dehydration due to their robust structure and flavor profile.
Prior to dehydrating, clean the mushrooms gently with a dry brush or a damp cloth to remove any dirt.
It's advisable to avoid rinsing mushrooms under water as they are porous and can absorb moisture, which can affect the drying process. Once cleaned, slice the mushrooms uniformly to ensure consistent dehydration.
I picked up two huge containers of fresh white mushrooms and fresh baby Bella mushrooms at Costco recently.
In case you didn't know baby Bella mushrooms are small portabella mushrooms. You might know them as criminis. Crimini mushrooms are just another name for portabella mushrooms.
Any edible mushroom can be preserved by dehydrating.
Prepping fresh mushrooms before drying
How to prepare fresh mushrooms for drying is easy enough. First clean them by gently rubbing or brushing away any dirt that might be on any of the mushrooms.
- Pull the stems off of the mushrooms. Discard them, dry them or throw them in the compost pile. I tried slicing the stems of the mushrooms and they fell apart. It wasn't worth the time for me. You could also boil the stem of the mushrooms and make a vegetable broth.
- Once the fresh mushrooms have been prepped slice the whole mushrooms into ¼ inch thick slices.
You will need
- 4 to 5 lbs fresh mushrooms
- food dehydrator
The Superiority of Food Dehydrators for Mushrooms
When it comes to preserving the natural flavor and texture of mushrooms, using a food dehydrator is my preferred.
- The regulated temperature and airflow within a dehydrator ensures that all slices are dried evenly and thoroughly without the risk of cooking the mushrooms, which can happen with oven-drying.
- Because dehydrators are designed specifically for this purpose, they are equipped to handle large quantities efficiently, making them ideal for those who wish to dehydrate mushrooms in bulk.
- The convenience of setting a timer and walking away adds to the appeal of dehydrators, letting you multitask without the need to constantly monitor the drying process.
Other Mushroom Dehydrating Methods
There are several methods of drying mushrooms, each with its unique benefits and results. The most common ways include air-drying, oven-drying, and using a dehydrator.
- You can use the dehydrating setting on an air fryer to dry mushrooms the same way you can use a food dehydrator. Follow the manufacturer's directions for the air fryer you own.
- Mushrooms can also be dried on a cookie sheet in the oven. Oven drying is more time consuming and requires you to pay more attention. You will need to check the mushrooms more often and to turn them over more frequently to make sure they are drying evenly.
Some ovens now come with a dehydrating option. Follow the manufacturer's directions to dehydrate in your new oven.
How long to dry fresh mushrooms in a dehydrator?
The time required to dry fresh mushrooms in a dehydrator can vary depending on the thickness of the slices and the specific model of the dehydrator used.
Typically, it takes between 4 to 8 hours at a temperature setting of around 135°F for the mushrooms to reach the desired level of dryness.
Thinner slices may require less time, while thicker ones might need longer. It’s essential to check the mushrooms periodically to ensure they have dried evenly and to prevent over-drying, which can compromise their texture and taste.
It is recommended to start checking the mushrooms after the 4-hour mark and then continue to check every hour until they are satisfactorily dehydrated.
The environment of your home will also make a difference. If you live in an area with high humidity it may take longer to completely dry the mushrooms.
How do you know when the mushrooms are done?
Dried mushrooms should be completely brittle and snap into pieces when bent in half. Rubbery mushrooms are not dried. Continue to dry them until they are brittle.
How to store dried mushrooms
After dehydrating your mushrooms, they should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or cabinet. Properly dehydrated and stored mushrooms can last for up to a year.
It's essential to check for any signs of moisture or mold before storing your mushrooms, as these can spoil the entire batch.
If you notice any moisture, place the mushrooms back in the dehydrator until they are completely dry.
Once you are done dehydrating fresh mushrooms proper storage is important.
Conditioning Dehydrated Mushrooms
The National Center for Home Food Preservation suggests “conditioning” home dried fruits and vegetables.
To condition your home dehydrated fruits after they have been removed from the food dehydrator and cooled to room temperature store them loosely in a glass jar.
Cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid. Let the jar or jars stand for 7 to 10 days. During that time shake the jar and check for any moisture that may have formed on the inside of the glass.
If no moisture has formed you can store the dried mushrooms in the jar in a dark cabinet out of direct light.
How to cook with dehydrated mushrooms
Rehydrating dried mushrooms is as easy as pouring some warm water over the dehydrated mushrooms in a bowl. The dehydrated mushrooms will absorb the water and return to the same texture as when they were fresh. Save the water and use it to flavor other recipes.
If making a soup recipe you can add the dried sliced mushrooms directly to the soup. They will absorb some of the soup liquid and plump back up.
Keep in mind that the dry mushrooms have shrunk to half their original size. If you need one cup of mushrooms for your recipe you will need to rehydrate ½ a cup of dehydrated mushroom slices.
How long do dehydrated mushrooms last?
Properly dehydrated and stored dried mushrooms will last 6 months to a year. If vacuum sealed they can last many years.
Pro Dehydrating Tips
- Before dehydrating, clean your mushrooms thoroughly and remove any dirt or debris.
- Different types of mushrooms may require different drying times, so it's essential to check on them periodically while dehydrating.
- If you don't have a dehydrator, you can use your oven on the lowest setting. Just make sure to leave the door slightly open for air circulation.
- For larger batches of mushrooms, consider investing in a food dehydrator with multiple trays for more efficient drying.
- Dehydrated mushrooms can be ground into a powder to use as a seasoning or added to soups and sauces for added depth of flavor.
Overall, dehydrating mushrooms is an excellent way to preserve them for long-term storage while retaining their nutritional value and flavor. Experiment with different types of mushrooms and
Check out my Food Dehydrating Recipes page to find directions to dehydrate other fruits and vegetables.
More Dehydrating Recipes
Stock your pantry will all of your favorite dehydrated soup vegetables.
Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
How To Dehydrate Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 4 lbs fresh mushrooms (washed, rinsed and drained well.)
- water
Instructions
- Rinse whole mushrooms well under cold running water. Gently scrub any visible dirt away with out damaging the mushroom. Pat dry with paper towels if needed.
- Break the stem off of each mushroom and slice into ¼ to ½ inch thick slices with a sharp knife.
- Place the sliced mushrooms on a dehydrator tray that has been lined with a plastic mesh liner for your dehydrator.
- Continue slicing and filling the dehydrator trays until you run out of trays or mushrooms.
- Stack the trays on the dehydrator base and place the lid on.
- Turn the dehydrator on.
- The amount of time it will take will depend on the temp of the dehydrator and the thickness of the slices.
- Check the mushrooms after and hour and flip them over for even drying. Check the mushroom slices every hour.
- If using a dehydrator like the model I am using it will take about 4 to 4 ½ hours to dehydrate ¼ inch thick slices. Dehydrating at a lower temp will mean it will take longer.
- As the mushroom slices dry remove them from the dehydrator and allow to cool on the tray or a paper towel.
- Store dried mushroom slices in an airtight glass container.
Recipe Expert Tips
- A sharp knife is recommended to slice the fresh mushrooms. I tried using a mandolin but because mushrooms are so fragile I couldn't get a clean slice.
- 4 to 5 lbs. of fresh mushrooms will fit in 2 to 3 quart size canning jars.
- Serving size is ¼ cup of dried mushroom slices.
- Love mushroom jerky? You can use the dehydrator to make amazing mushroom jerky packed full of umami flavor.
- Before dehydrating, clean your mushrooms thoroughly and remove any dirt or debris.
- Different types of mushrooms may require different drying times, so it's essential to check on them periodically while dehydrating.
Ryan
Thank you for helping out this novice food dehydrator. I searched a long time to locate an in-depth article on how to dehydrate mushrooms. Most articles had the concept of dehydration, but not the steps, times, or storage. Your article has everything needed for anyone to begin dehydrating foods. Thank you.
Arlene Mobley
Ryan I am so glad to hear this! This is exactly why I include all the information in my recipe so anyone new to dehydrating can find all of the important steps needed to do it properly the first time. Arlene
Joey
What temp do you use to dehydrate them? And what do you do with the stems?
Arlene Mobley
Joey vegetables are dehydrated at 125 F degrees. You can dry the stems also and grind them into a powder and use to season recipes.
Rose
I have been using an egg slicer to cut mushrooms works very well even on stems.