How to Reconstitute Dried Mushrooms

Drying can intensify mushroom flavor.

Dried mushrooms are more convenient to use than fresh according to Dried-Mushrooms.us, a service of Woodland Foods. They are available year-round, have a longer shelf life than fresh mushrooms and drying can actually intensify the flavor of many mushrooms. You can use dried mushrooms in soups, stews and risotto. You can reconstitute dried mushrooms a couple of different ways, but the basic steps are the same.

Things You'll Need

• Water, wine or stock
• Large bowl
• Colander

Instructions

1. 

   Rinse the mushrooms to remove grit.

   Wash the dried mushrooms to remove grit.

2. 

   Choose a container that will accommodate the plumped-up mushrooms.

   Choose a bowl that will accommodate the plumped-up mushrooms. Dried mushrooms reconstitute six to eight times their dry weight according to Earthly Delights, a mushroom supplier.

3. 

   You can reconsitute mushrooms with water, wine or stock.

   Cover the mushrooms with warm water, wine or stock. You can soak the mushrooms in hot tap water for 20 to 30 minutes or simmer them. Dried-Mushrooms.us explains that the type of mushroom and its thickness can make the soaking times vary but boiling water and then placing the mushrooms in the water as it cools is an effective way to reconstitute many types of dried mushrooms.

4. 

   Save the liquid to cook with.

   Strain the mushrooms through a colander after they have plumped up. Save this liquid to cook with. Dried-Mushrooms.us recommends pouring the liquid into ice cube trays and freezing it for future use.

Tips & Warnings

• The flavor of dried mushrooms can be very intense. Dried-Mushrooms.us recommends treating dried mushrooms as a seasoning rather than the focus of any dish. One ounce of dried mushrooms reconstitutes to seven to 10 ounces of fresh mushrooms.

• Dried mushrooms will keep 10 to 12 months if they are in an airtight container. Any moisture will destroy dried mushrooms.

References

• Dried-Mushrooms.US: Dried Mushroom Preparation
• Earthy Delights: Reconstituting Dried Mushrooms