How to freeze champignons

Application of the method of freezing champignons

• If the champignons have been in the refrigerator for more than two days. It's better to freeze them, because... Fresh champignons cannot be stored for more than three days.
• In winter, champignons are cheaper, buy a couple of kilograms, freeze them, and you won’t regret it.
• Having frozen champignons on hand always allows you to make something delicious: pizza with mushrooms, mushroom soup, etc.

How to prepare champignons for freezing

• Selection of fruits. Young, fresh, not large fruits are suitable for freezing.
• Washing mushrooms. The champignons are washed under running water. During this, all surface microorganisms that may not die when frozen are removed.
• Cleaning mushrooms. Mushrooms are cleaned, this gives the fruit a more delicate taste. The bottom of the stem is always cut off, even if the mushrooms are not cleaned.
• Slicing mushrooms. If there are a lot of mushrooms, they are cut into small pieces. This process speeds up the cooking of some dishes. If the mushrooms are small, do not cut them to avoid darkening of the cut after defrosting.
• Removing moisture.Regardless of the form in which the mushrooms are frozen, they are dried beforehand and the moisture is allowed to evaporate. Otherwise, in the freezer all the fruits will stick together and you will end up with one big lump of ice.
• Preparing containers (bags) for champignons. Vacuum bags work best for storage. They are washed and dried.
• The size of the bags is selected according to one required portion for cooking.
• Champignons that have already been thawed cannot be re-frozen.

Four easy ways to process champignons before freezing

1. The easiest way is to freeze fresh champignons. The mushrooms, dried from moisture, are placed in a bag, tightly closed and placed in the freezer. This method preserves all the nutrients in the mushrooms.
2. Blanching champignons improves their appearance, the fruits do not darken. Small champignons are blanched with steam for 1 to 2 minutes, large ones for 3 to 4 minutes. After blanching, the mushrooms must be placed in a 1% citric acid solution for several minutes. This process speeds up freezing. The mushrooms are dried, placed in a container, tightly closed and frozen.
3. Boiled champignons can also be frozen. Boil the mushrooms for no more than 10 minutes, place in a colander, allow to drain and dry. Place in bags and put in the freezer.
4. Fried champignons are good because they can be used immediately in dishes. Mushrooms are fried until moisture is completely removed, cooled, dried, tightly packed and frozen.

Storing frozen champignons at home

• Store in refrigerators at a temperature of no more than –18°, air humidity 95%. Changing temperature conditions is not recommended.
• Champignons that have been subjected to heat treatment are stored for 6 months.
• Champignons that are frozen fresh can be stored for up to 1 year.

Frozen champignons in a vacuum bag

The video describes in detail how to freeze champignons prepared by frying.