How To Dehydrate Mushrooms

Learn How To Dehydrate Mushrooms at Home to have them always in your Pantry. Dry Mushrooms using a Dehydrator and make Mushroom Powder afterward. 

Add dry mushrooms directly into our famous holiday sauerkraut soup for the best flavors possible. Make a powder and use it to add only the best to homemade seasonings.

Dehydrated food

In the last year, I have started experiencing with dehydrated food more and more.

A few years ago, I only used my dehydrator for making our famous zucchini chips, fruit roll-ups, and occasionally pork rinds and sweet churro version.

But this year, I went into the full life of drying my food.

The lockdown and price increase made me realize that having as many stored ingredients as possible is so good. A freezer is always full, and canning needs to yet become my friend.

Dehydrated food can be used in your everyday life, and there are many ways to use.

And there I went. Cucumber chips, onion, raspberries, broccoli, and even chicken.

But the best part was when I made dried strawberries. I tried to make a strawberry powder to use for a cake.

That was a hit I needed to have. I have been hooked ever since.

Today we will learn how to use fresh mushrooms by drying them.

What type of mushrooms can be dehydrated?

You can dehydrate any type of mushrooms you want. I am proof of that. For my post, I have picked even the mushrooms I never used to dry. Maybe even unusual ones.

In our recipe, I have dried Penny Bun type, which we air dry every year for our Christmas soup. Those mushrooms are best because of the intense aroma of the wild forest one can dream of.

We always pick many mushrooms when the season comes. It is the best way to preserve mushrooms.

To it, I added and made dried Shiitake mushrooms and white champignons.

Why to dry or dehydrate mushrooms?

1. Dehydrated mushrooms are a great way to preserve and store for a long.
2. It is the best way to prolong their shelf life.
3. Dried mushrooms can last longer in your pantry than canned ones.
4. Make powder in seconds for seasoning.
5. You have mushrooms on hand all the time.
6. It’s cheaper to buy fresh mushrooms and dehydrate them.
7. Once stored, using mushrooms is a simple task any time of the year to flavor your dishes.
8. When you run out of fresh mushrooms, rehydrate and get that mushroom flavor in.
9. Never have to get store-bought packets filled with additional unwanted ingredients.
10. Dehydrating mushrooms gives you the chance to have a staple in your pantry.

6 Different ways to dry mushrooms

There are a few different ways or methods of drying mushrooms.

1. Since I was a kid, we have used air drying most of the time. Mushrooms are picked in the summer and naturally dried in a shaded area. Air dry mushrooms do not last longer than using a dehydrator or oven.
2. For all-year experience, dehydrating your mushrooms using a dehydrator is the way to go. This way, they dry faster and more evenly. No need to watch for the slices to burn.
3. Oven drying is an excellent option if you do not own any kitchen gadgets.
4. Heaters can be used during the winter month. Place a baking tray filled with mushroom slices on a heater and dry.
5. Freeze drying is also an option available. Gadgets are costly but available.
6. Mushrooms can also be dried using the newest Air Fryers, which have got a dehydrating option.

Difference between drying and dehydrating mushrooms

The main difference between drying and dehydrating is the way you approach it.

The word drying is usually used when your food is dried naturally, which means air drying or sun drying.

Dehydrating uses a particular machine that removes the water using artificial heat. Using a dehydrator, Freeze dryer, or Air fryer.

Whether you dry or dehydrate your mushrooms, your freezer will get extra space.

How to dry mushrooms with a dehydrator?

A few simple steps involve getting you the best way to dry your mushrooms in a dehydrator.

Clean your mushrooms, slice, spread, and dry. That’s it. Quick, easy, and simple. Dry them whole or slice them.

How long to dry fresh mushrooms in a dehydrator?

Depending on the type of mushrooms and the slices’ thickness, it may take 6 to 8 hours.

Drying whole mushrooms might take approximately 8 to 14 hours.

How do you know when the mushrooms are done?

Once your mushrooms are completely dry to the touch. After you break them and they crack, is the sign they are ready and dry enough to store.

How to tell when mushrooms are done?

Take one piece and break. If you feel the crack and they break easily, it is a sign that your mushrooms are ready.

Prepping mushrooms for drying

Pick the mushrooms that are not damaged and cut any impurities. Properly clean them using a mushroom brush or damp kitchen towel. Using a paper towel, tap the mushrooms dry.

Avoid washing mushrooms as it might turn them brown.

Kitchen gadgets needed:

• Dehydrator
• Sharp knife
• Kitchen towel

Ingredients needed:

• Fresh Penny Bun
• Shiitake
• Champignons

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO DRY MUSHROOMS IN A DEHYDRATOR

First step: Clean the mushrooms

Using a damp kitchen towel, gently clean all of the mushrooms.

Tap dry mushrooms with a paper towel.

Second step: Slice the mushrooms

Using a sharp knife, slice all of the mushrooms vertically. The thickness should be half a millimeter or a quarter of an inch.

Third step: Arrange the mushrooms

Arrange sliced mushrooms in a single layer onto your dehydrator trays. Make sure they do not overlap each other.

Fourth step: Dry the mushrooms

Place all of the trays onto a dehydrator machine and close the lid. Switch on 70 degrees Celsius or 160 Fahrenheit.

Dehydrate for 6 to 8 hours.

Swap tray every 2 hours for uniform drying.

Once your mushrooms are dried, let them cool and store them.

Top tips for drying mushrooms

• Thickness – half a millimeter or quarter of an inch.
• Mushroom varieties – any kind of mushrooms can be dried. Be it our choice or mushrooms like baby Bella mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, porcini, enoki, morel and more.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

How to use the dried mushrooms?

There are various ways to use dehydrated mushrooms.

Dried mushrooms can be used in your dishes as you would use fresh mushrooms.

Grind into powdered mushrooms for various seasonings. Using mushroom powder for our favorite recipes is my best choice.

Rehydrate to use in soups and stews. Pick a few mushrooms and make chicken soup, noodles, cabbage beef casserole, or goulash.

Adding dried slices in soups will rehydrate them.

How thick to slice your mushrooms?

Slice your mushrooms to about half a millimeter or a quarter of an inch thick. Too thick will be too chewy. Too thin will resolve in paper-thin pieces.

How to air dry mushrooms naturally?

Arrange your mushroom pieces on a newspaper, parchment paper, or kitchen towel on a tray. In the summer, place them in a shaded place in your garden. Winter on your kitchen counter or heaters.

How to dehydrate mushrooms in the oven?

Following the same steps as for dehydrating, place your slices in a single layer on baking trays covered with parchment paper.

Preheat your oven to the lowest temperature possible. Approximately 60 degrees Celsius or 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bake for 6 to 8 hours. Swap the trays in between. Half way, turn the slices upside down.

Dry the sliced mushrooms for a few hours.

How long to dry mushrooms in the oven?

It again depends on the types of mushrooms, the thickness of slices, and the number of baking trays. It may take 6 to 8 hours to dry mushrooms in an oven.

Can I dehydrate whole mushrooms?

Yes, it is possible to dehydrate whole mushrooms as well. The drying time may take up to o 14 hours.

How to rehydrate mushrooms?

Rehydrating dried mushrooms is a simple task.

Place your mushrooms in a bowl with boiling water for 20 to 30 minutes. Once rehydrated, use fresh mushrooms in your cooking.

You can also use the soaked water to flavor your dishes.

Make sure you rehydrate your mushrooms just before using them.

How to make mushroom powder?

I have a whole article on the best way to make a mushroom Powder for your kitchen to use as a seasoning.

Place dried slices into a Magic bullet or coffee grinder and grind until powdered.

How to store dried mushrooms?

Place dried mushrooms or mushroom powder in a glass jar, air-tight container, or paper bag. It is the best way to store your dried mushrooms. Store the dried mushrooms in a dark, dry area in your pantry.

How long do dehydrated mushrooms last?

Once correctly dried and stored, dried mushrooms can last for years. Make sure you stick a label with the variety of mushrooms and the date of drying.

Do you need to condition before you store your dehydrated mushrooms?

To prolong the shelf life, it is great to condition your jars before storing them for longer.

Conditioning steps are:

• Place mushrooms in glass jars loosely.
• Close fully.
• Store in your pantry.
• Every day shake the jar and watch for moisture.
• Discard slices that look not fully dry.
• Do this for the next seven days.

After seven days, your conditioning is done, and your jars can be stored for years.

Can I dehydrate canned mushrooms?

Yes, you can dehydrate canned mushrooms. Before using them, make sure they are thoroughly washed and dry.

Follow the rest of the steps.

Can I dehydrate frozen mushroom varieties?

If you need to dry frozen mushrooms, you can. There is a possibility, but I would not recommend it. You already have them in the freezer, and it is best to use them immediately after defrosting.

More dehydrating recipes

• Zucchini chips
• Paprika zucchini
• Fruit roll-ups
• Dried strawberries
• Cucumber chips
• Broccoli chips
• Churro
• Dries raspberries
• Pork rinds
• Dried Blueberries
• Dehydrated chicken
• Dehydrated onion

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