PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Recipes
Fruits and Vegetables
Mushrooms
How to Clean and Store Morel Mushrooms Download Article Co-authored by Jerran Boyer and Jessica Gibson
Last Updated: May 13, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article
Storing Morels in the Fridge
|
Cooking and Freezing the Mushrooms
|
Dehydrating Morels
|
Video
|
Tips
|
Warnings
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Jerran Boyer and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Chef Jerran Boyer is a Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef and the CEO of Health Nut Chefs. Chef Jerran has over 20 years of experience as a private chef. She and her team specialize in providing healthy, fresh-prepared meals designed with each client’s taste and dietary needs in mind. She and her team offer both personal, part-time chef services and private, full-time chef services in New York, New Jersey, and the Los Angeles area. Chef Jerran received her BS in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, a degree in Culinary Arts from Florida Culinary Institute, and a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Cornell University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 27,638 times.
If you’ve hit the jackpot with mushroom hunting, you might have more morels than you can eat—a good problem to have! Fortunately, there are several ways to store morel mushrooms, so you can enjoy them whenever you like. In this article, we'll guide you through refrigerating, freezing, and dehydrating them, plus give you helpful tips for handling your morels.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Storing Morels in the Fridge
Download Article
1 Sort through the morels and choose ones that are firm and springy. The morels should feel plump—you don't want mushrooms that are starting to dry out or mushrooms that feel slimy.[1]XResearch source
You should also toss any mushrooms that are bruised or feel mushy since they won't store well.
2 Loosely store the morels into a paper bag for quick access.[2]X Expert Source Jerran BoyerNutrition-Focused Professional ChefExpert Interview If you know you're going to be cooking and eating the morels within a day or two, put them into a paper bag and store them in the fridge.
The paper bag allows good airflow around the mushrooms, so they won't turn slimy.
If you want, you can wipe them with a dry paper towel before storing.[3]X Expert Source Jerran BoyerNutrition-Focused Professional ChefExpert Interview
Advertisement
3 Wrap the morels in a paper towel for a bit more protection. This is another option if you're worried that the morels will get jostled in the fridge. Just wrap the mushrooms loosely in a paper towel and pop them into a bowl or a plastic bag. Don't cover the bowl or seal the bag, and plan on cooking the morels within a couple of days.[4]X Expert Source Jerran BoyerNutrition-Focused Professional ChefExpert Interview
The paper towel around the mushrooms will absorb some of the moisture. However, if you seal the plastic bag, you'll trap moisture in the bag with the morels, and they'll spoil more quickly.
4 Clean the morels only before eating.[5]X Expert Source Jerran BoyerNutrition-Focused Professional ChefExpert Interview If the morels aren't terribly dirty, rinse them with cool water and dry them completely. If they're pretty dirty, soak them in a bowl of cold saltwater for up to 30 minutes and rinse them well.[6]XResearch source
If you wash the mushrooms and refrigerate them, the moisture will cause them to spoil a lot faster.[7]X Expert Source Jerran BoyerNutrition-Focused Professional ChefExpert Interview
There's a lot of disagreement among morel hunters about the best cleaning method. Some argue that rinsing is all you need since saltwater could affect the taste of the morels. Others point out that saltwater is the only way to get all the grit and tiny bugs out of the crevices.
Advertisement Section 2 of 3:
Cooking and Freezing the Mushrooms
Download Article
1 Wash the morels in cold water and trim the ends. Discard any slimy mushrooms and thoroughly rinse the firm ones in cold water to remove dirt and grit. Then, take a small knife and trim off the end from each stem.[8]X Trustworthy Source National Center for Home Food PreservationPublicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food Go to source
If the morels are wider than 1 inch (2.5 cm), slice them or cut them into quarters.
2 Sauté the morels for rich flavor and the best texture. If you simply freeze morels without par-cooking them first, they'll have a softer, mushier texture. For the best flavor, sauté the mushrooms with butter or oil for 3 minutes. Then, let the sautéed mushrooms cool completely.[9]X Trustworthy Source National Center for Home Food PreservationPublicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food Go to source
Feel free to use your favorite cooking oil like walnut oil, sunflower oil, or coconut oil.
3 Steam the morels to preserve their color. If you want the morels to keep their pale or light brown color, go with steaming instead of sautéing. Mix together 2 c (0.47 L) of water and 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of lemon juice or 1 1/2 teaspoons of citric acid. Soak the mushrooms in the solution for 5 minutes. Then, steam the mushrooms for 3 to 5 minutes.[10]X Trustworthy Source National Center for Home Food PreservationPublicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food Go to source
Lemon juice and citric acid contain enzymes that prevent browning.
Note that steamed morels will keep longer than morels that are sautéed in butter or oil.
4 Freeze the mushrooms individually before long-term storage. Spread the morels on a baking sheet and freeze them for 2 hours. Then, transfer the frozen mushrooms to a sealable container that you can stick in the freezer. If you're using a jar or rigid container, leave some headspace for the mushrooms to expand. Freeze the morels for up to 1 year.[11]XResearch source
It might be tempting to toss all of your morels into a bag and stick it in the freezer, but they'll all freeze in a big clump. This is why it's better to freeze them individually on the tray first.
Don't forget to label your freezer container with the contents and the date—this way, you know to use the morels within a year.[12]XResearch source
To defrost the frozen mushrooms, just transfer the container to the fridge the night before you want to cook your morels. Unlike dehydrated mushrooms, you don't need to soak them in water before cooking them.
Advertisement Section 3 of 3:
Dehydrating Morels
Download Article
1 Clean the mushrooms before you dry them. If the morels aren't very dirty, rinse them with cool water and dry them completely. However, if dirt and tiny bugs are trapped in the crevices, soak the morels in a bowl of cold saltwater for up to 30 minutes and rinse them thoroughly before you dry them with a towel.[13]XResearch source
Some morel hunters argue that a long soaking period will affect the flavor of the mushrooms.
2 Spread your morels on dehydrator sheets and dry them for 8 to 10 hours. Set your dehydrator to 110 °F (43 °C) and dry the morels until they're completely brittle. To test if they're done, try to snap one in half between your fingers. If it stretches instead of breaks, the mushrooms need more drying time. [14]XResearch source
You can leave the morels whole or slice them.
3 Dry morels in the oven if you don't have a dehydrator. Turn your oven to its lowest heat setting and spread morels on a baking sheet. Arrange them so they're in a single layer and there's space between them. Then, slide the sheet into the oven and leave the door partially open. Dehydrate the morels for 8 to 10 hours or until they're brittle.[15]XResearch source
Ideally, set your oven below 140 °F (60 °C). If you can't turn it that low, use your oven's "warm" setting.
4 Store them in an airtight container at room temp or in the freezer. You can keep the morels at room temperature for up to 6 months but they will lose some of their flavor the longer they're stored. For longer storage, put the container of dehydrated mushrooms in the freezer where they'll keep for up to 1 year without a loss of flavor.[16]XResearch source
To rehydrate dried morels, soak them in a bowl of cool water for 10 to 20 minutes or until they're soft.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Video
Tips
Always buy morels from a reputable source or take an experienced guide when you look for morels. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Be cautious if you gather your own morel mushrooms—you don't want to get false morels, which look like morels but are toxic. If you slice the mushrooms in half and find that they're not hollow, don't eat them.[17]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement
You Might Also Like
How toPreserve Fresh MushroomsHow toFreeze Chanterelle MushroomsHow toDry MushroomsHow toKeep Mushrooms FreshHow to Perfectly Boil MushroomsEasy Ways to Store Mussels in the Refrigerator & FreezerHow to Tell if Mushrooms Are Spoiled: How Long Do They Last?How to Store Dried Mushrooms (Freezer or Pantry)How toFind Morel MushroomsHow toClean Oyster MushroomsBest Way to Store TomatoesHow toPreserve Fresh OkraHow to Clean and Debeard MusselsHow toKeep Cauliflower Fresh Advertisement
Co-authored by: Jerran Boyer Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef This article was co-authored by Jerran Boyer and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Chef Jerran Boyer is a Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef and the CEO of Health Nut Chefs. Chef Jerran has over 20 years of experience as a private chef. She and her team specialize in providing healthy, fresh-prepared meals designed with each client’s taste and dietary needs in mind. She and her team offer both personal, part-time chef services and private, full-time chef services in New York, New Jersey, and the Los Angeles area. Chef Jerran received her BS in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, a degree in Culinary Arts from Florida Culinary Institute, and a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Cornell University. This article has been viewed 27,638 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 5Updated: May 13, 2025 Views: 27,638 Categories: Mushrooms | Food Preservation Techniques
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 27,638 times. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jerran Boyer Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef Co-authors: 5Updated: May 13, 2025 Views: 27,638100% of voters found this recipe helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Quizzes & Games
What's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizWhat Squishmallow Am I QuizTake QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake Quiz
What Every Domain Expansion Hand Sign Means In Jujutsu KaisenSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouWhat Female Body Shape Are You? How to Identify YoursWhat Fruit Am I Quiz
Trending Articles
Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Do I Have Main Character Energy?Finish the Lyrics QuizCan Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?
Take the Quiz Everyone Is Talking About
160+ Good Roasts to Burn Your Friends & Family MembersHow to Play the Snaps Guessing Game140+ Wavelength Game Categories & Questions to Extend Your PlayThe Ultimate Collection of Funny, Cheesy, & Romantic Rizz Lines
You've Seen These All Over Your Feed
What Animal Am I QuizAm I Gay QuizHow Well Do I Know My Best Friend QuizAm I an Alpha, Beta, or Omega Quiz
Featured Videos
How toPlay Dice (2 Dice Gambling Games)How toPersuade a Girl over TextHow toGive Someone the Silent TreatmentHow toMake Hibiscus Tea
Hot Takes 🔥 🔥 🔥
Do You Agree with These Food Hot Takes?Do You Agree With These Fashion Hot Takes?Do You Agree with These Pop Culture Hot Takes?Do You Agree With These Board Game Hot Takes?
Your Daily Dose of Fun!
Am I a Bruh Girl?Which My Little Pony Am I QuizWhen Will I Get My First Period QuizWhat Type of Girl Am I Quiz
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Recipes
Fruits and Vegetables
Mushrooms
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Co-authored by Jerran Boyer and Jessica Gibson 
How toClean Oyster Mushrooms 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Jerran Boyer Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef This article was co-authored by Jerran Boyer and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Chef Jerran Boyer is a Nutrition-Focused Professional Chef and the CEO of Health Nut Chefs. Chef Jerran has over 20 years of experience as a private chef. She and her team specialize in providing healthy, fresh-prepared meals designed with each client’s taste and dietary needs in mind. She and her team offer both personal, part-time chef services and private, full-time chef services in New York, New Jersey, and the Los Angeles area. Chef Jerran received her BS in Business Administration from the University of South Florida, a degree in Culinary Arts from Florida Culinary Institute, and a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Cornell University. This article has been viewed 27,638 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 5 Updated: May 13, 2025 Views: 27,638 Categories: Mushrooms | Food Preservation Techniques 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
660 
1 Sort through the morels and choose ones that are firm and springy. The morels should feel plump—you don't want mushrooms that are starting to dry out or mushrooms that feel slimy.[1] 
2 Loosely store the morels into a paper bag for quick access.[2] If you know you're going to be cooking and eating the morels within a day or two, put them into a paper bag and store them in the fridge. 
3 Wrap the morels in a paper towel for a bit more protection. This is another option if you're worried that the morels will get jostled in the fridge. Just wrap the mushrooms loosely in a paper towel and pop them into a bowl or a plastic bag. Don't cover the bowl or seal the bag, and plan on cooking the morels within a couple of days.[4] 
4 Clean the morels only before eating.[5] If the morels aren't terribly dirty, rinse them with cool water and dry them completely. If they're pretty dirty, soak them in a bowl of cold saltwater for up to 30 minutes and rinse them well.[6] 
1 Wash the morels in cold water and trim the ends. Discard any slimy mushrooms and thoroughly rinse the firm ones in cold water to remove dirt and grit. Then, take a small knife and trim off the end from each stem.[8] 
2 Sauté the morels for rich flavor and the best texture. If you simply freeze morels without par-cooking them first, they'll have a softer, mushier texture. For the best flavor, sauté the mushrooms with butter or oil for 3 minutes. Then, let the sautéed mushrooms cool completely.[9] 
3 Steam the morels to preserve their color. If you want the morels to keep their pale or light brown color, go with steaming instead of sautéing. Mix together 2 c (0.47 L) of water and 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of lemon juice or 1 1/2 teaspoons of citric acid. Soak the mushrooms in the solution for 5 minutes. Then, steam the mushrooms for 3 to 5 minutes.[10] 
4 Freeze the mushrooms individually before long-term storage. Spread the morels on a baking sheet and freeze them for 2 hours. Then, transfer the frozen mushrooms to a sealable container that you can stick in the freezer. If you're using a jar or rigid container, leave some headspace for the mushrooms to expand. Freeze the morels for up to 1 year.[11] 
1 Clean the mushrooms before you dry them. If the morels aren't very dirty, rinse them with cool water and dry them completely. However, if dirt and tiny bugs are trapped in the crevices, soak the morels in a bowl of cold saltwater for up to 30 minutes and rinse them thoroughly before you dry them with a towel.[13] 
2 Spread your morels on dehydrator sheets and dry them for 8 to 10 hours. Set your dehydrator to 110 °F (43 °C) and dry the morels until they're completely brittle. To test if they're done, try to snap one in half between your fingers. If it stretches instead of breaks, the mushrooms need more drying time. [14] 
3 Dry morels in the oven if you don't have a dehydrator. Turn your oven to its lowest heat setting and spread morels on a baking sheet. Arrange them so they're in a single layer and there's space between them. Then, slide the sheet into the oven and leave the door partially open. Dehydrate the morels for 8 to 10 hours or until they're brittle.[15] 
4 Store them in an airtight container at room temp or in the freezer. You can keep the morels at room temperature for up to 6 months but they will lose some of their flavor the longer they're stored. For longer storage, put the container of dehydrated mushrooms in the freezer where they'll keep for up to 1 year without a loss of flavor.[16] 
Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.