How to Wash Mushrooms Before Using Them
Should you wash mushrooms under water and brush them off with a towel before using them? Some say, “Yes” and some say, “No.” Turns out, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might hope.
Washing mushrooms
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There’s nuance to cleaning mushrooms properly, whether you’re using them to make a side of air fryer mushrooms to serve with a steak dinner, a creamy vegan risotto or turkey mushroom soup. Maybe you were always taught never to run mushrooms under water. Either way, this article covers the best practices for how to wash mushrooms before using them so they’re squeaky clean and ready for any recipe.
Mushrooms are naturally low carb so great to make when you want a side without a lot of carbs. Once you learn to clean them the right way, you’ll be able to incorporate them into more recipes easily.
Why are mushrooms so dirty?
Chances are, if you’ve ever purchased a container of white button or cremini mushrooms, you discovered a pile of dirt at the bottom of the container. Also, each mushroom was probably covered in quite a bit of dirt, too.
The reason for this is how they’re grown. Mass-produced mushrooms are grown in a peat mixture. It’s often sterilized and there’s no reason to worry about accidentally consuming some of the dirt but it’s still best practice to get rid of as much as possible before cooking.
How to wash mushrooms
There are two different methods of washing mushrooms. One involves water and the other does not. Therefore, they’re called the wet method and the dry method.
Dry cleaning method
The dry method of cleaning mushrooms involves using a paper towel, kitchen towel or a mushroom brush. I believe that a mushroom brush is one of the few single-purpose kitchen gadgets that’s worth buying and owning.
The dry cleaning method is a bit tedious but there’s a good reason for it. Mushrooms are incredibly porous. If you soak them while washing, they become mushy and waterlogged. Then, if you want them to brown nicely in a recipe, they simply won’t.
To clean mushrooms using the dry method, gently brush the dirt and debris off each one using a slightly damp towel. This method works well for any mushroom with a defined cap, including:
- white button
- cremini
- portobello
- chanterelle
- shiitake
“I always clean my mushrooms with a mushroom brush rather than a towel,” says Sara Nelson of Real Balanced. “A mushroom brush is more effective because its soft bristles gently remove dirt and residual soil without damaging the mushroom’s delicate surface.”
Other types of mushrooms don’t come as dirty and therefore don’t need such a thorough cleaning. This includes lion’s mane, turkey tail, trumpet, maitake and reishi.
If you do spot some dirt on these types of mushrooms, however, it’s best to use the dry method. For mushrooms such as lion’s mane or maitake — also called hen or chicken of the woods, because it really does taste like chicken — you can use a soft pastry brush as your cleaning tool.
Wet cleaning method
If you’re in a hurry or dealing with pre-sliced mushrooms, this method is a good option. Despite what your mom, grandmother and every other seasoned cook have probably told you, mushrooms can be lightly rinsed under water. The key word, however, is lightly. Think of this method more like a quick shower than a long soak.
There are two approaches to the wet wash method:
- Strainer method
- Bowl method
The goal of both methods is to get the mushrooms clean as quickly as possible. Neither has you soaking them in water, which you never want to do anyway when washing mushrooms.
- The strainer method is exactly as it sounds: you add your mushrooms to a strainer or colander and lightly rinse them off with cool water.
- With the bowl method, first fill a large bowl with water. Then add your mushrooms, not too many at a time, and then gently toss them in the water for 30 seconds to one minute until the debris falls off.
Always thoroughly pat the mushrooms dry using a kitchen towel afterward to soak up any excess water.
Morel mushrooms
The one exception to the never-soak-mushrooms-in-water cleaning rule? Morels. They require a specific cleaning approach due to their unique composition.
Morel mushrooms have a hollow center and a sponge-like top that both allow dirt, bugs and other insects to hide. Since morels are foraged in the wild and not grown commercially, they’re often full of this kind of debris.
To properly clean these mushrooms, slice them in half vertically and then soak them in water, changing the water frequently until it is clear and there are no signs of any remaining dirt and debris. Rinse them well then pat dry before cooking or using as a delicious topping.
The final word on washing your fungi
Whether you’re pickling mushrooms to put on a charcuterie board or air frying them, it’s a good idea to know the right method for cleaning mushrooms. And hopefully now you do so that you can enjoy their nutty, earthy and savory flavor profile in whatever dish you’re making.
Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.