...

How to dry mushrooms at home properly

This post outlines the correct way to dry mushrooms at home, producing the best results. It details the steps to safely and properly dehydrate mushrooms using a conventional oven, plus additional methods such as air-drying, dehydrator, and microwave. This process helps to maintain the mushrooms' nutrition, aroma, and flavor while also increasing their shelf life. Home-drying is an advantageous and affordable method to preserve fresh mushrooms for later use.

The content of the article



Experienced housewives do not throw away food, but keep everything for the future. For example, if some fresh mushrooms remain after cooking, you can dry them whole or with plates. You can use this product in dried form for the preparation of soups, roast or tasty meat.

How to dry mushrooms at home

Fragrant dried mushrooms are an unusual component for numerous first and second courses. They contain a lot of minerals useful for the body. Modern housewives know many ways of procuring this product for future use. Drying of mushrooms at home can be carried out using special equipment or in the sun. To calculate the time for the procedure, it is important to take into account the specific features of a particular type and method of preparation.

What mushrooms can be dried at home:

  1. Tubular. This type is optimal for drying. Forest boletus, boletus, boletus, Polish mushroom and other edible varieties after this treatment remain aromatic and very tasty. Under the caps this species has a spongy layer of small tubes.
  2. Marsupials. This variety includes white truffles and morels. They are distinguished by their unexpressed form and disputes located in bags. White truffle is an expensive delicacy that is rarely used for drying. Morels are dried outdoors for several months. This time is needed for the evaporation of toxic substances. If you use the product earlier, it can be harmful to your health..
  3. Lamellar – Another popular species. This variety includes champignons, mushrooms, hangers, oyster mushrooms and others. Under the hat, the lamellar mushrooms have characteristic plates located in the radial direction. It is not recommended to choose breasts, traps or russules for drying due to the high content of bitterness in milky juice.
  4. Chanterelles. Many confuse this species with lamellar. Chanterelles are characterized by folds of flesh, similar to plates. Dried product has a bitter taste.
  5. Pipers. This species is branched, sheep and other varieties belong to it..

It is important not only to dry the mushrooms or mushrooms correctly, but also to select the raw materials for the workpiece. Some people think that only tubular ones are suitable for this. However, lamellar is also sometimes used for drying, for example, honey mushrooms are very common in Russia and are suitable for harvesting for the winter. In addition, it is important not to miss the moment when the dried chanterelles or boletus are ready. An overdried product does not lend itself to culinary processing, and an unprepared product quickly deteriorates. In the drying process, mushrooms lose 90% of their weight, so about 100 g of dried mushrooms or champignon leaves from 1 kg of raw material.

Another important step is the preparation for the procedure. The more carefully sorted and cleaned mushrooms or oyster mushrooms before drying, the tastier and more aromatic they will be after processing. Choose strong, dense specimens without damage. Be sure to clean the raw materials from dirt, wipe with a sponge, but do not wash with water so that the product does not lose aroma and taste. In addition, you need to sort everything by size. In champignons and mushrooms, the lower part of the leg is cut. Hazelnuts, oil are separated from the cap. Mushrooms are cut into plates of 1-1.5 cm or pieces.

Marsupials mushroom in the forest

 

In the oven

When considering ways to dry mushrooms, paying attention to the oven is for those who do not have special equipment. Raw materials are prepared, cleaned, legs are separated from hats, cut. Drying mushrooms in the oven is more convenient on a wire rack, which is placed on top of a baking sheet. The oven door is opened so that moisture evaporates faster. The temperature is set at 40-60 degrees. Drying time up to 48 hours. Readiness is checked simply: they bend a piece, it should bend a little and break easily.

In the sun

Another workpiece option is drying in the fresh air. To do this, choose sunny hot days. With sudden changes in weather, the decomposed raw materials on the tray must be brought into the room. It is important to cover the product from dust and flies with gauze. This option is suitable for how to dry the mushrooms completely, and how to dry them before processing in the oven. In time, the procedure takes from two to seven days. Sun-dried mushrooms sliced ​​in plates are removed after 48 hours so that they do not lose their natural color. Morels need to be dried for at least 2 months.

In the electric dryer

Some housewives have in their arsenal such a convenient device as drying for mushrooms and vegetables. With its help it is very easy to dry oyster mushrooms, mushrooms or champignons for the winter. How to cook tasty and fragrant dried mushrooms correctly so that they evenly dry? It is necessary to clean, sort, cut and spread the raw materials into special gratings of the device. Everything needs to be dried at 40-50 degrees, after which the temperature is raised to 80 ° C. By time, drying mushrooms in an electric dryer takes 4-6 hours, depending on the type of raw material.

In the microwave

If there is no special equipment for drying products, and it is not possible to decompose the raw materials in air, you can use a microwave oven. Drying mushrooms in the microwave has its own characteristics. First, the raw materials are cut into 5 mm thin plates, laid out on a plate, and a timer for 20 minutes is turned on. After that, the door is opened for 10 minutes to evaporate excess fluid. Repeat the session 4-5 times.

On a thread

One of the most ancient methods of harvesting boletus or boletus for the winter is drying on a fishing line or thread. For this method, you can use whole mushrooms or chopped. Prepared raw materials need to be threaded on a needle with a canvas thread (or kapron). Mushrooms can be dried on a string in any room with good air circulation, but protected from rain and dust. You can cover the product with insect gauze.

Dried Mushrooms on a String

 

Mushroom Drying Recipes

There are many methods for preparing dried mushrooms, which can be added to soups and hot dishes in winter. Of great importance when choosing a method and drying mode is the type of raw material. For example, morels should be sunk in the open air for at least 60 days, and mushrooms should be dried for 4 hours. How to prepare the workpiece correctly, taking into account a particular variety, can be found in the recipes below with photos.

White mushrooms

The smell of dried boletus will not leave anyone indifferent, therefore this variety is especially popular among housewives for winter harvesting. To get a quality finished product, you need to properly prepare the raw materials. Porcini mushrooms can be dried in any available way: in the oven, on a thread, using a microwave oven. Ready dried mushrooms should hardly bend, have a slightly springy texture. Below is an instruction on how to dry raw materials in the oven with a photo.

Cooking method:

  1. Mushrooms sorted out, cleaned of dirt, cut off the bottom of the legs, wipe hats with a sponge.
  2. Cut everything into thin slices.
  3. They are laid out in a single layer on a special grill..
  4. Set the wire rack over the baking sheet, turn on the oven.
  5. Dried raw materials with an open door at a temperature of no more than 75 degrees for 2-3 hours.

Champignon

One of the most popular types of mushrooms are champignons. They are sold fresh and frozen year-round, so they are rarely dried. However, some housewives harvest some dried mushrooms for the winter, because the product is convenient to store and at any time can be used to prepare different dishes. Mushrooms can be dried in several ways. Below is a step-by-step instruction with a photo on how to prepare raw materials using a thread in the fresh air.

Cooking method:

  1. Peeled mushrooms sorted by size or cut into pieces.
  2. String the raw material so that the pieces do not touch.
  3. The resulting “beads” are hung in a room closed from water, dust, UV rays.
  4. Dry several days until cooked..

Dried champignons in a plate

Oyster mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms contain flavoring, aromatic substances, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, thiamine, vitamins A, D, and valuable folic acid. All substances are stored after drying, so many harvest this type of mushroom for future use. It is recommended to dry oyster mushrooms at home using a special dryer. However, if it is not, then the oven is suitable, but this option is longer. In order for oyster mushrooms to retain aroma, taste and nutrients, it is worth sticking to the recipe, which is presented below.

Cooking method:

  1. After collecting oyster mushrooms sorted, cleaned of dirt.
  2. Raw materials are cut into slices or slices..
  3. A metal or wooden wire rack is placed on a baking sheet.
  4. Spread the raw materials on the grate..
  5. Dried at a temperature of 45-50 degrees, with the door ajar for about 8 hours.
  6. Spread out on a tray in a well-ventilated room for 24 hours.
  7. Ventilated, dried raw materials are laid out on a wire rack, which is installed on top of a baking sheet.
  8. Dried at 70-75 degrees 6 hours (if time is not enough, increase processing).

Boletus

If the trip to the forest was successful, and you gathered a lot of boletus, then the extra mushrooms can be dried. This type of preparation is not inferior to pickled in taste and benefit. However, in order for the finished product to turn out to be of high quality and well stored, it is worth following the instructions. The action plan depends on how the hostess decides to dry the boletus. It is important to sort the mushrooms by size and pre-clean from dust and dirt. In addition, in the tubular hat is separated from the legs before drying. Below is a step-by-step recipe for a microwave.

Cooking method:

  1. Fresh, clean boletus cut into pieces of the same size.
  2. Lay out the raw materials in a single layer on a flat plate, put in the microwave.
  3. Select power 100-180 W, dry 20 minutes.
  4. Take out a plate, drain the liquid from the boletus.
  5. Air the raw material for 5 minutes, re-microwave for 20 minutes. The cycle is repeated until the dried boletus is ready.

Dried boletus

Butterflies

Russian forests are rich in oils, so many housewives do not know what to do with them during the mushroom picking season. It is worth noting that this species has a good taste, contains many essential oils, high-grade protein, amino acids, vitamin B and D. Dried oils contribute to the rapid recovery from illness. It is important to remove peels that are not eaten from mushrooms before the procedure. You can dry the oil in any way, depending on the equipment available. Below is a recipe for an electric dryer.

Cooking method:

  1. Freshly picked oils are sorted, cleaned, necessarily remove the film from the caps.
  2. Cut into slices 5 mm thick.
  3. They are laid out on a special grill in one layer..
  4. Dried 4-5 hours until product is ready.
Rate the article
( No ratings yet )
Recommender Great
Tips on any topic from experts
Comments: 5
  1. Larkin

    Could you please provide some tips or steps on how to properly dry mushrooms at home? I’m curious to learn the best method to preserve and store them for future use. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Rhiannon

    Can anyone provide some tips or recommendations on how to properly dry mushrooms at home? I’m interested in preserving their flavor and texture, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Addison King

      To properly dry mushrooms at home while preserving their flavor and texture, you can follow a few simple tips. First, choose fresh and high-quality mushrooms for the best results. Clean them gently with a soft brush or cloth to remove any dirt or debris. Next, slice the mushrooms into uniform pieces for even drying. You have two options for drying – air drying or using a food dehydrator. For air drying, place the sliced mushrooms on a wire rack or a baking sheet and keep them in a well-ventilated area. Ensure the room is moisture-free and away from direct sunlight. Stir them occasionally for even drying. If you opt for a food dehydrator, follow its instructions, usually setting the temperature between 95-115°F (35-45°C). Check periodically until the mushrooms are dry and crisp. Regardless of the method, the drying process may take anywhere from several hours to a few days. Once dried, store the mushrooms in airtight containers or sealable bags. Properly dried mushrooms can last for months when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place. Enjoy the enhanced flavors and textures of your homemade dried mushrooms!

      Reply
    2. Ethan Walker

      To properly dry mushrooms at home and preserve their flavor and texture, follow these tips:

      1. Choose the right mushrooms: Opt for firm and fresh mushrooms like porcini, shiitake, or oyster as they dry well.

      2. Clean thoroughly: Gently wipe off any dirt or debris using a soft brush or paper towel. Avoid soaking or rinsing, as mushrooms are porous and can absorb water.

      3. Slice them: Cut the mushrooms into thin, uniform slices to ensure even drying.

      4. Air-drying: Place the mushroom slices on a clean, dry surface like a baking rack, and leave them in a well-ventilated area. You can also use a food dehydrator or low-temperature oven (around 105°F or 40°C).

      5. Monitor the drying process: Mushrooms can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days to dry completely. Check regularly to ensure they are dry, crisp, and give no moisture when squeezed.

      6. Proper storage: Once dried, store the mushrooms in an airtight container or glass jar in a cool, dark, and dry place. They can last for months if stored well.

      Remember, the key to preserving flavor and texture is to minimize moisture exposure throughout the process. Enjoy your homemade dried mushrooms in soups, stews, or as a flavorful addition to various dishes!

      Reply
  3. Gabriel Campbell

    Can anyone provide some guidance on the proper way to dry mushrooms at home? I’m really interested in preserving their flavor and texture. Should I use an oven or a dehydrator? And what’s the best method to store them afterwards to ensure they don’t spoil? Any personalized tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
Add comments