How Long Do Mushrooms Last?
Fresh whole mushrooms last 4–7 days in the fridge. Sliced mushrooms last 2–3 days, and cooked mushrooms keep 3–4 days. Sautéed or steamed mushrooms freeze for 8–12 months.
Mushrooms — fresh
shelf life- Cut: 2–3 days in the fridge
- Cooked: 3–4 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Fresh mushrooms such as white button, cremini, portobello and shiitake are fungi with no skin to protect them. They are very high in water and keep respiring after harvest, so moisture condenses on them in closed packaging. That surface moisture is what turns them slimy, dark and sour-smelling within about a week.
How to store mushrooms
- Store loose mushrooms in a paper bag, which absorbs the moisture they release. Keep them on a shelf, not in the humid crisper drawer.
- Leave store packs in their original tray with the perforated film on until first use, then cover the tray with a paper towel in place of plastic wrap.
- Do not wash mushrooms before storing. Wipe or rinse them quickly just before cooking.
- Never store mushrooms in a sealed airtight container or tightly tied plastic bag. Besides causing slime, airless conditions at warm temperatures can allow botulism bacteria to grow.
- To freeze, slice and sauté until their liquid cooks off, or steam 3–5 minutes, then cool and pack in freezer bags.
How to tell if mushrooms have gone bad
- A slimy or sticky film on the caps. This is the clearest sign they have spoiled, and they should be discarded.
- Dark brown or black wet spots, or mushrooms that look soaked and have collapsed.
- A sour, fishy or ammonia-like smell in place of the normal mild, earthy scent.
- Heavily wrinkled, shriveled caps. Slight drying is only a quality loss, but shriveled and slimy together means spoiled.
- Fuzzy mold on the caps or stems.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Mushrooms shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh | 4–7 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Whole. Sauté or steam before freezing; frozen raw, they turn rubbery and watery. | |||
| Cut | 2–3 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Pre-sliced packs or mushrooms you sliced yourself. | |||
| Cooked | 3–4 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Are slimy mushrooms safe to eat if I cook them?
No, slimy mushrooms should be thrown away. The slime is bacterial breakdown of the surface, and cooking does not reliably make decayed food safe or remove the off flavor. Mushrooms that are only slightly darkened or a bit dry, with no slime or bad smell, are fine to cook.
Is the white fuzz on my mushrooms mold?
Usually it is not mold. Fine white fuzz on the stems or caps of otherwise firm, fresh-smelling mushrooms is typically mycelium, the mushroom's own growth, which appears in cold storage and is harmless. Mold is more often colored, patchy and found along with slime, dark spots or a sour smell.
Should you wash mushrooms before putting them in the fridge?
No. Washing before storage adds the surface moisture that makes mushrooms slimy, and it can cut their fridge life to a day or two. Store them dry and unwashed, then wipe with a damp towel or rinse briefly right before cooking.
Can you eat mushrooms that have turned brown?
Yes, if browning is the only change. Bruising and light brown patches come from oxidation and handling, much like a cut apple. Open, dark gills on older mushrooms just mean they are mature and have a stronger flavor. Discard them if they are also slimy, wet, sour-smelling or moldy.
How long do cooked mushrooms last?
Cooked mushrooms last 3–4 days in the fridge in a covered container. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking. It is safe to reheat cooked mushrooms once they have been stored properly; reheat until steaming hot throughout.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onions Whole |
Not recommended | Not recommended | 1–2 months |
| Garlic Whole |
Not recommended | Not recommended | 3–5 months |
| Spinach Fresh |
3–7 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Bell Peppers Whole |
1–2 weeks | 6–8 months | Not recommended |
| Tofu Opened |
3–5 days | 3–5 months | Not safe |
| Cooked Vegetables Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.