✔ Updated · conservative fridge and freezer times + how to tell if mushrooms are bad
Fresh mushrooms are perishable: they are mostly water, they keep breathing after harvest and they bruise and turn slimy quickly if they're stored wet or sealed in plastic.
Whole fresh mushrooms last about 5 to 7 days in the fridge, and sliced mushrooms about 2 to 3 days. Cooked mushrooms keep 3 to 4 days in a covered container. Store raw mushrooms unwashed in a paper bag or their original vented pack, and throw them out if they turn slimy, sticky or smell sour.
- Whole, fresh: 5 to 7 days in the fridge
- Sliced or cut: 2 to 3 days
- Cooked: 3 to 4 days, refrigerated within 2 hours
- Frozen (cooked first): best within 10 to 12 months
Below is how long mushrooms last in the fridge, whole, sliced and cooked, how to store them so they keep as long as possible, how to freeze them and the signs that mushrooms have gone bad. The times are conservative food-safety guidance. When in doubt, throw them out.
How Long Mushrooms Last: Storage Chart
These times assume the mushrooms were fresh and firm when you bought them and that your refrigerator is at 40°F (4°C) or colder. Check the use-by date on packaged mushrooms and use them sooner if they were already close to it.
| Type of mushroom | Fridge (40°F or below) | Freezer (0°F) | Room temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole fresh (button, cremini, portobello) | 5 to 7 days | Not recommended raw | Refrigerate soon after buying |
| Sliced or chopped raw | 2 to 3 days | Not recommended raw | Refrigerate soon after cutting |
| Delicate types (oyster, enoki, chanterelle) | 2 to 5 days | Cook first | Refrigerate soon after buying |
| Cooked or sautéed | 3 to 4 days | 10 to 12 months (best quality) | No more than 2 hours |
| Mushrooms in a cooked dish (soup, sauce, stroganoff) | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months | No more than 2 hours |
| Dried mushrooms | Not needed | Not needed | About 1 year, sealed, cool and dry |
Why Mushrooms Spoil So Fast
Mushrooms are about 90% water and have no protective skin, so they lose moisture and bruise easily. Sealed in plastic, they sweat and turn slimy; left wet after washing, they break down even faster. Slicing exposes more surface to air and bacteria, which is why sliced mushrooms only last a few days.
The goal of good storage is simple: keep mushrooms cold, let them breathe and keep them dry until you cook them. I keep mine in a paper bag in the main part of the fridge.
How to Store Fresh Mushrooms in the Fridge
- Buy firm, dry mushrooms. Choose smooth, plump caps with no slime, dark wet spots or shriveling. Loose mushrooms let you pick the best ones.
- Refrigerate them right away. Mushrooms keep best at 34°F to 40°F (1°C to 4°C).
- Use a paper bag or the original vented pack. Move loose mushrooms into a paper bag, or keep store packs in their perforated film. Avoid airtight plastic bags, which trap moisture.
- Add a paper towel. A dry paper towel in the bag or container soaks up extra moisture.
- Store them on a main shelf, not the crisper. Crisper drawers are often too humid for mushrooms.
- Don't wash them until you cook them. Brush off dirt or give them a quick rinse just before cooking and pat them dry.
- Slice only what you need. Whole mushrooms last more than twice as long as sliced ones.
How to Tell If Mushrooms Are Bad
Throw mushrooms out if you notice any of these signs. Don't cut away bad parts and use the rest when the mushrooms are slimy or smell off.
- Slimy or sticky surface: the clearest sign of spoilage.
- Sour, fishy or ammonia-like smell instead of a mild, earthy one.
- Dark, wet spots or mold: fuzzy patches or large soft, dark areas.
- Mushy texture or caps that collapse when pressed.
- Deep wrinkles and shriveling: slightly dry mushrooms are still safe to cook if they smell fine and aren't slimy, but very shriveled ones are past their best.
Can You Freeze Mushrooms?
Yes, but cook them first. Raw mushrooms turn soft and watery when thawed, while sautéed or steamed mushrooms freeze well for cooked dishes.
- Clean and slice the mushrooms, then sauté them in a little butter or oil until they release their liquid and it evaporates, or steam them for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cool them quickly and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Spread them on a tray to freeze, then pack them in freezer bags with the air pressed out. Label them with the date.
- Use them within 10 to 12 months for the best quality. Add them straight from frozen to soups, sauces, casseroles and stir-fries.
Common Storage Mistakes
- Washing before storing: the extra moisture makes them slimy within a day or two.
- Sealing them in a plastic bag: trapped humidity speeds up spoilage.
- Leaving them on the counter: fresh mushrooms belong in the fridge.
- Leaving cooked mushrooms out: refrigerate cooked mushrooms and mushroom dishes within 2 hours.
- Picking wild mushrooms without expert identification: only eat mushrooms from a store or a reliable, expert source.
Ways to Use Mushrooms Before They Spoil
If your mushrooms are near the end of their window, cook them now and enjoy them for 3 to 4 more days. I brown them until the pan smells nutty, the way my mum taught me. Try our stuffed portobello mushrooms, copycat Panda Express mushroom chicken or more ideas from our mushroom recipes. If a recipe calls for mushrooms you don't have, see our mushroom substitutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do mushrooms last in the fridge?
Whole fresh mushrooms last about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator and sliced mushrooms about 2 to 3 days. Cooked mushrooms keep 3 to 4 days in a covered container. Use them sooner if they were near their use-by date when you bought them, and discard any that turn slimy.
What is the best way to store mushrooms in the refrigerator?
Keep them unwashed in a paper bag or in their original vented package on a main fridge shelf, with a dry paper towel to absorb moisture. Avoid sealed plastic bags and the humid crisper drawer, and wash them only right before cooking.
Can I store cut mushrooms in the fridge?
Yes, in a container lined with a paper towel, loosely covered, for about 2 to 3 days. Cut surfaces darken and spoil faster than whole mushrooms, so slice them shortly before cooking when you can.
Can I freeze chopped mushrooms?
It is best to cook them first. Sauté or steam the chopped mushrooms, cool them, then freeze them flat in freezer bags. Use them within 10 to 12 months for the best quality. Raw frozen mushrooms turn mushy and watery when thawed.
Are slimy mushrooms safe to eat?
No. Slime, a sour or fishy smell, mold or soft dark spots mean the mushrooms are spoiling and should be thrown away. Mushrooms that are just a little dry or lightly wrinkled are still fine to cook if they smell earthy and feel firm.
