Mushrooms are easy to clean and cut than what we see & anticipate. With easy tips and tricks here is an ultimate guide to teach you How to clean mushrooms the right way with step by step pictures and video.
Mushroom cleaning and cutting should not be a hindrance to cook delicious mushroom dishes. This post has been on to my to do list since long as few of my friends and even readers requested me to post it.
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How to clean mushrooms
Mushrooms are porous and absorbs any of liquid or oil easily like a sponge. They have a special umami flavor which many of us love. Fresh Mushrooms are easily available in supermarkets and small stores now.
This is my way of cleaning mushrooms. Are you like me who believed in the myth ‘never wash mushrooms’ then this is just right for you. The reason why it said not to wash mushrooms is that mushrooms are 90% water and if we wash it would absorb more and get waterlogged. But brushing off the dirt wouldn’t help so washing the right way is a must!
So mushrooms can have a shower not a bath said a mushroom farmer in an interview. You can rinse it then wipe of with a cloth to absorb extra moisture.
How to clean mushrooms – Video
Methods to clean mushrooms
- Using Bowl – Bowl method is efficient as when you see clear water you can stop rinsing it.
- Using Strainer – Transfer the mushrooms to a strainer and rinse it in shower of running water.
Mushroom Varieties
There are different types of mushrooms available but the one easily available here is button mushroom and leaf variety. I have tried only button mushroom but have tasted leaf mushroom at my friends place and totally loved it.
Mushrooms come in different varieties including :
- Button mushroom
- Portabello mushroom
- Oyster mushrooms
- Porcini mushrooms
- Enoki mushrooms etc
Mushroom Recipes
- Kadai Mushroom
- Kadai Mushroom Gravy
- Mushroom Biryani
- Mushroom Fried Rice
- Mushroom Manchurian
- Mushroom Do Pyaza
- Mushroom Pepper Fry
How to buy mushrooms
Mushrooms are commonly available in 200 grams packed in a plastic container. If you wan to pick your mushrooms then you need to visit the farmers market to check and buy them individually.
Here is what you have to check before buying:
- Choose tender ones that are more white in color.
- It should have a fresh and firm appearance.
- The stalk should stay intact with the cap.
- Always get fresh mushroom from a reliable source.
How to clean mushrooms Step by Step
1.First take a bowl full of clean water and add the mushrooms. Do not soak it immediately rinse it.
2.Rub the top well to remove dirt.
3.Now transfer the mushrooms to a plate. See the water how dirty it is, pour it and change water and rinse again.
4.Rinse and change water – repeat this for 2-3 times at least or until the rinsed water is clean like shown here.
5.Now add it to a strainer.
6.Wipe off with a kitchen cloth to remove extra moisture.
7.Now mushrooms are clean.
How to cut mushrooms
8.Now place few mushrooms on a chopping board then trim the edge of the stem part.
9.Discard it.
10.Keep the head part facing down and chop into slices. Cut each mushroom into 3-4 slices.
11.Repeat to finish.
12.If the mushroom is big then you can cut each slice into 2 like shown here.
13.Mushrooms are cleaned and cut ready to cook.
Expert Tips
- Rinse it quickly and drain do not soak mushrooms in water for a long time.
- You can even add the mushrooms to a strainer and rinse it well.
- Use it as soon as you can once you cut them.
- Mushrooms let out water while cooking so do not add extra water.
How to store
If you are not going to use the mushrooms right away then put it in a paper bag and store. Storing in plastic covers may trap moisture in the mushrooms and make it slimy. This keeps well in fridge for 2-3 days. Just refrigerate do not freeze mushrooms.
FAQS
1.Can I wash mushrooms using water?
Yes you can rinse and wash mushrooms making sure not to soak in water for a long time. As soon as you rinse strain it then wipe off with a cloth to remove extra moisture.
2.Can I freeze mushrooms?
No fresh mushrooms should not be frozen.
3.Can I store in plastic containers in fridge?
No the best way to store mushrooms is to use a paper bag as it will absorb excess moisture. Storing in plastic bags or containers will make mushrooms slimy.
If you have any more questions about this how to clean mushrooms do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this how to clean mushrooms? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe Card
How to clean mushrooms
Ingredients
- 200 gms mushrooms
Instructions
- First take a bowl full of clean water and add the mushrooms. Do not soak it immediately rinse it.
- Rub the top well to remove dirt.
- Now transfer the mushrooms to a plate. See the water how dirty it is, pour it and change water and rinse again.
- Rinse and change water – repeat this for 2-3 times at least or until the rinsed water is clean like shown here.
- Now add it to a strainer.
- Wipe off with a cloth to remove extra moisture.
- Now mushrooms are clean.
- Now place few mushrooms on a chopping board then trim the edge of the stem part.
- Discard it.
- Keep the head part facing down and chop into slices. Cut each mushroom into 3-4 slices.
- Repeat to finish.
- Mushrooms are cleaned and cut ready to cook.
uma shankar
Many more happy returns of the day sharmelee!have a great day!
Shireen Sequeira
Love ur 'how to' tutorials sharmi..i have never known how to really clean the mushroom..thanks so much, its very helpful
jayasree
Very informative post…I have never bought mushrooms. But seeing your post, I think I can give it a try.
Happy birthday to you.
Sudha Sabarish
Many more happy returns fo the day and wish u to have many years ahead Sharmi.
Thanks for sharing the how to clean mushrooms.This will be really helpful to me.
Divya Kudua
I follow the same method except for the hair cleaning part;)!!
Now Serving
this is a very useful post! thanks 🙂
Anonymous
But the best mushrooms are those that grow in the farms after a rain… 🙂
Dev
Nisa Homey
Informative post Sharmi….
Valarmathi Sanjeev
Happy Birthday Sharmi!
Neethu
Thanks a ton for this info 🙂
Vardhini
Happy birthday Sharmi. Nice post.
M D
That will surely help many who find cleaning mushrooms an ardent task. Saying that, I too don't like the job of cleaning them 🙂
Anonymous
Try ur luck when u to to RC…:) ya, this is a good way to clean dirty looking mushrooms…
Dev
Anonymous
oye, when was ur b'day?… belated wishes…Hope u had a blast…:) Bday spl post eppo?
Dev
Sharmilee! :)
@Dev : Bday was yest 🙂 Special post ethum plan panala but will post my fav 2mrw 🙂 Sure RC pogum pothu sure will try to get it
divya
Many more happy returns fo the day and wish u to have many years ahead Sharmi.
Thanks for sharing the how to clean mushrooms…nice post
Rinku Naveen
Belated birthday wishes dear!
What a helpful post. Never knew we need to clean it this way. Thanks for sharing…
Priya
Belated Birthday wishes Sharmi!! Good Post.. I have been throwing the stem all these time…
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Great post, I love mushrooms!
chikki
simply superb. I tried capcicum mushroommasala.thankyou
s
great post.your blog has EVERYTHIG!!Thanks.
RekhaRakesh
really a good …..i learned a lot……;)
Uma
thanks! very well explained. will try mushroom kadai masala today 🙂
Zim
Thanks Sharmi! 😀 For the first time today, I bought mushrooms and cleaned and sliced them according to your instructions. I even took pics of them and they look just like yours! I personally felt that removing the hairs from below the cover removes a lot of meat too! But it leaves a clean feeling! 😀
pallab kanti nath
thanks for the post
i was searching for it and found it here on your site
some12share
Hi
I just saw this post. It is very informative, thanks. The leaf type mushrooms you mentioned – they are called "oyster mushrooms". Also a tip for buying mushrooms – the head should extend all the way up to the stem and the hairy part beneath the head, called the gills of the mushroom, should not be visible. If it is seen, that means the mushroom is not fresh so it is better not to buy. Also, the whiter the mushroom, the fresher it is.
live_code
I found this very useful… thanks a ton!!
sathya ramalingam
Hi can we clean the mushrooms and store in refrigerator for a day or two?
SHARMILEE J
You can do it for a day after that it is not advisable as the color might change
Prashanthi Kalikota
the post is very informative n few comments too. thanks.