A Simple Guide: How to Use Dehydrated Mushrooms to Elevate Your Cooking (2024)

FAQs

How to use dehydrated mushrooms in cooking? ›

They're especially great in soups, stir fries, and pastas. To reconstitute dehydrated Oyster mushrooms, soak whole mushrooms in hot water or broth for 15-30 minutes, and then remove from liquid and use as you would fresh mushrooms. The leftover soaking liquid can be used as a flavorful addition to soups & sauces.

To cook with dried mushrooms, you first have to rehydrate them by soaking them in boiling water and waiting until they come to room temperature. If you're not in a rush, try soaking them in room temperature water for several hours until soft. The slow soak keeps more of the flavour in each mushroom.

Most thinly sliced mushrooms will be rehydrated in 20 to 30 minutes. Thicker and whole cap mushrooms may take a little longer — you can rush this a bit by soaking them in hot water. Mushrooms are ready to use when they have softened all the way through.

Just be warned that this can slightly affect the flavor and texture of the mushrooms. Also, be aware that it's not uncommon for there to be a little dirt or grit stuck to the dried mushrooms, which will come out when rehydrated. So we recommend rinsing the mushrooms before use.

Mushrooms contain a lot of moisture and, therefore, significantly shrink as they dry. As such, the more you can fit onto a tray, the better. Dry your mushrooms between 110 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or until your mushroom pieces are crispy.

This process usually takes 6 to 8 hours for 1/4-inch slices, though thicker slices may take up to 10 hours. Always follow specific instructions that come with your dehydrator, as different brands may have varying dry times. You know your mushrooms are done when they break in half instead of bend.

Storing and Rehydration

Store the jars away from direct light or heat. To use dehydrated mushrooms, pour boiling water over them in a heat-proof bowl. Soak them for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain the liquid, but save the richly flavored soaking liquid for soup stocks and sauces.

Storing dried mushrooms: Store in a cool, dry place. Dried mushrooms can be stored for several years if kept dry and out of direct sunlight.

Dried mushrooms are as good as fresh, depending on how they're used. Mushrooms like shiitake concentrate their flavor, and once reconstituted have an even meatier texture than fresh mushrooms.

When the mushrooms are soft and pliable, gently lift the mushrooms out of the water. Strain this water through a fine sieve. A coffee filter in a funnel also works well . The clean, strained mushroom water can be added to stock or used in a sauce.

How do you use dried mushrooms instead of fresh? ›

If you're wondering whether you can substitute dried mushrooms for fresh, the answer is yes. Bone says plan on rehydrating about 3 ounces of dried mushrooms for every pound of fresh mushrooms.

Drying Is Not Cooking

One simply does not rehydrate mushrooms and then add them to a dish. All mushrooms worth rehydrating for cooking purposes contain a substance called chitin. Our human stomachs lack the enzyme to digest chitin so it's quite important to thoroughly cook mushrooms after you rehydrate them.

Regarded as the most prized among mushrooms, morels have a stunning appearance and a rich, smoky flavour that pairs perfectly with chicken, fish, or pasta. Even through the drying process, their intensity and unique character remain intact, ready to elevate any savoury dish.

As a rule, cultivated mushrooms do not need to be washed due to the sterile environment and compost they are grown in.

The flavor of a dried mushroom is slightly more concentrated than the fresh kind. It's what makes them spectacular for adding depth to broths, stews, and soups. Morels, on the other hand, can be dustier and grittier when dry.