How to Store Mushrooms in the Fridge So They Last

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Learning how to store mushrooms well is mostly about moisture. Mushrooms that stay dry and cold last longer than mushrooms that sit in a sealed bag. Extension guidance from Utah State University and Penn State Extension points to the same basic method: keep loose mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator, avoid airtight plastic, and wait to clean them until right before cooking. The sections below explain each step and note where the sources disagree on how long mushrooms keep.

Quick answer

• Store loose mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
• Avoid airtight plastic bags, which Utah State says “tend to retain moisture and will accelerate spoilage.”
• Clean mushrooms only when you are ready to use them.
• Plan to use them within about a week, and sooner if the sources’ shorter estimate applies.

How we chose

This guide relies on university extension publications. Three pages were opened and checked on 2026-10-27: a Utah State University Extension page on mushrooms, a Penn State Extension article titled Preparing and Preserving Mushrooms, and an Oregon State University Extension catalog entry for Preserving Mushrooms (SP 50-919). Appliance brands, food blogs, and retail sites were not used as factual sources for storage advice.

Choosing mushrooms to store

Storage starts at the store or market. Oregon State’s preservation guide advises: “Select fresh mushrooms with closed caps and visible gills under the cap.” Closed caps and visible gills are signs that a mushroom is young and has not begun to open. Penn State’s guidance for preserving mushrooms also says to pick mushrooms that are free from spots and decay, so a damaged piece should be set aside before it goes into storage.

Buy mushrooms in the quantity you can use within a few days. Storage can slow spoilage, but no source in this review says that cold storage restores mushrooms that are already past their best.

Using a paper bag in the refrigerator

Utah State gives the core method directly: “For best results place purchased loose mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator.” Penn State says to “Always store mushrooms in the refrigerator, either in their original container or” in a paper bag. Both sources therefore treat the refrigerator as the right place for fresh mushrooms, with a paper bag as the preferred container for loose mushrooms.

A paper bag lets the mushrooms breathe while still keeping them out of the open air of the fridge. Penn State warns that “When loose mushrooms are stored out of a paper bag, they can dry out,” which is the reason the bag matters. Utah State adds that “Once opened, store mushrooms in a porous paper bag,” so a container that has already been opened should be moved into paper.

Why to avoid airtight plastic

Plastic is the container most people reach for, and it is the one the sources warn against. Utah State says that “airtight plastic bags tend to retain moisture and will accelerate spoilage.” Trapped moisture is the main problem: wet surfaces spoil faster, so a sealed plastic bag works against the goal of keeping mushrooms fresh.

Packaging from the store is a different case. Utah State’s advice is to “Keep mushrooms in the original packaging until ready to use.” Use the store package if it is still intact and unopened, then transfer the mushrooms into a porous paper bag once the package has been opened.

When to clean mushrooms

Cleaning early adds moisture, so the sources say to wait. Utah State’s guide states: “Clean mushrooms only when you are ready to use them.” Penn State’s preserving instructions also describe cleaning as a step before preparation, not something done as soon as the mushrooms come home. When it is time to cook, brush off dirt or rinse quickly and dry the pieces before use.

Cleaning right before use keeps the moisture off the mushrooms during storage. The same timing applies to mushrooms you plan to freeze or dry. For freezing, Penn State says to “Thoroughly wash them in cold water and sort them by size” before they are prepared, which fits this same approach of cleaning at the time of processing.

How long mushrooms keep in the fridge

Utah State gives two related estimates on the same page. It says that “Properly stored mushrooms will last for approximately 5 days,” and also that “Mushrooms keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.” Penn State gives a shorter window: a paper bag in the refrigerator “works for up to 3 days.” The sources do not agree on one number, so use the shorter estimate when you want the safest margin and check the mushrooms by sight and smell before cooking.

Look for slime, sliminess, and an unpleasant odor. Discard mushrooms that show these signs. Do not rely on a fixed day count alone, because storage conditions in each home vary.

Related reading on keeping produce fresh and preserving it is available in how to preserve tomatoes and how to dry herbs in the oven. For garden-side tips on compost, see how to make garden compost quickly.

What we could not verify

What the sources do not say

The sources reviewed for this guide do not agree on how many days fresh mushrooms keep in the refrigerator. Utah State gives about 5 days and up to a week, and Penn State gives up to 3 days for paper-bag storage. The Oregon State publication reviewed here does not include refrigerator storage guidance for fresh mushrooms. Because of that gap, this guide does not state a single shelf life. The two Utah State figures are presented side by side rather than merged into one estimate, since the page does not explain why they differ.

The sources also do not give guidance on storing mushrooms at room temperature, and they do not describe a storage method that makes mushrooms last for several weeks. Commercial and blog estimates of several weeks were not used, because they were not from the extension sources checked here. Storage times for sliced mushrooms were not confirmed by the extension pages, so this guide does not state a separate time for sliced pieces.

Frequently asked questions

Should mushrooms be stored in the refrigerator?

Penn State says to “Always store mushrooms in the refrigerator,” and Utah State recommends placing purchased loose mushrooms in the refrigerator in a paper bag.

Can I store mushrooms in a plastic bag?

Utah State advises against it, noting that “airtight plastic bags tend to retain moisture and will accelerate spoilage.” Use a paper bag for loose mushrooms.

Should I wash mushrooms before storing them?

No. Utah State says to “Clean mushrooms only when you are ready to use them,” because added moisture before storage can speed spoilage.

How long do fresh mushrooms last in the fridge?

Utah State gives about 5 days and says they keep for up to a week. Penn State gives up to 3 days for paper-bag storage. Use the shorter estimate for a safer margin, and check the mushrooms before cooking.

What is the best container for loose mushrooms?

A porous paper bag. Utah State recommends one for loose mushrooms, and Penn State warns that loose mushrooms stored outside a paper bag can dry out.

Sources

• Utah State University Extension, Mushrooms: https://extension.usu.edu/nutrition/research/mushrooms (opened 2026-10-27)
• Penn State Extension, Preparing and Preserving Mushrooms: https://extension.psu.edu/preparing-and-preserving-mushrooms (opened 2026-10-27)
• Oregon State University Extension, Preserving Mushrooms (SP 50-919): https://extension.oregonstate.edu/es/catalog/sp-50-919-preserving-mushrooms (opened 2026-10-27)