Mushroom Powder-How To Make It And Use It
Today I’m so excited to show you how to make mushroom powder! I have step by step pictures showing how to make it and also how to use it. Mushrooms are on sale right now where I live, so it’s a perfect time to preserve some.
You may wonder why people may want to make mushroom powder. Here’s the deal, the powder takes up less room in your pantry compared to dehydrated mushrooms stored in quart mason jars. And it’s easy to make.
Do you have some picky eaters that may not like the texture of mushrooms? The mushroom powder is how you can sneak in a few more vegetables without them knowing it.
Of course, they may taste the mushroom flavor, but they may be okay with that.
Sometimes you want a little mushroom flavor in an omelet or in a soup. This is an awesome way to add some flavor without having to cut up the mushrooms at the last minute.
All you do is add a teaspoon or so of the powder, depending on how much flavor you like.
Just a note of caution, please be careful after using your blender making mushroom powder. It is really powdery stuff when you take the blender lid off. I have made just about every kind of fruit and veggie powder and the mushroom powder is the only one that blows powder up onto your face, literally.
Let’s Make Mushroom Powder
Step One
The first step is to wash the mushrooms, or you can use a mushroom brush to clean them. I use a colander, that’s the easiest way for me to wash them.
Step Two
The second step is to slice the mushrooms about 3/8 inch thick. I tried using a wire mushroom slicer and it was useless. I used this mushroom/egg slicer to begin with, but the mushrooms were too large. So, I just used a sharp knife to slice them evenly.
Now, you place the sliced mushrooms evenly across the dehydrator racks.
Step Three
I have an Excalibur Dehydrator that I set at 125 degrees F. Mine has a timer, but it’s not necessary if you’re willing to check on the mushrooms from time to time. When I purchased mine I knew I needed a timer because I always have a million projects going on at once.
These took about 4 hours to dry to a leathery texture. The drying time will depend on the humidity of the room where you are drying yours and the temperature setting.
Step Four
Now, you can use a blender or a Magic Bullet shown below to turn the dehydrated mushrooms into a powder. I just pulsated the mushrooms until they were pulverized.
It Takes Up Very Little Space
How Can I Use Mushroom Powder?
Are you wondering how to use mushroom powder? There are lots of uses out there for it. I personally love the flavor that it adds to the foods I cook around here. Plus, since powder lasts for a long time, I know that this is a very budget-friendly thing to do when it comes to storage for future use!
- Add a teaspoon to omelets.
- Gravy, add right before serving.
- Add to your spaghetti sauce a couple of minutes before serving.
- The powder is great for soups or stews.
- If using your slow cooker, add the powder right before serving.
What’s The Shelf-Life?
As a Master Canner and Preserver, I can safely say they will be good for one year on your pantry shelf. When Mark and I took our classes to be certified Master Canners, we learned you can safely store home-canned, pressured canned, and dehydrated food for one year.
I know my family ate canned peaches that were two or three years old. We still ate them, but I have changed my thoughts after taking 12 weeks’ worth of classes.
I don’t can as much food as I did when we had six living in the house. If I want long-term food storage I buy it from Thrive Life or Honeyville Grain. That’s how I roll.
How Do You Store It?
Please DO NOT use your FoodSaver for the mushroom powder, it may get sucked up the accessory tube and ruin your FoodSaver. I use airtight clamp jars as shown above.
I also use pint mason jars with White Ball Lids. If my family was large I would store it in quart mason jars. I like the white lids because they are reusable and that works for me. They are awesome for jars of honey as well.
Dehydrating Mushrooms & Powder
- Fresh Mushrooms
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The first step is to wash the mushrooms, or you can use a mushroom brush to clean them. I use a colander, that’s the easiest way for me to wash them. The second step is to slice the mushrooms about 3/8 inch thick. I tried using a wire mushroom slicer and it was useless. I used this mushroom/egg slicer, to begin with, but the mushrooms were too large. So, I just used a sharp knife to slice them evenly. Now, you place the sliced mushrooms evenly across the dehydrator racks.
I have an Excalibur Dehydrator that I set at 125 degrees F. Mine has a timer, but it’s not necessary if you’re willing to check on the mushrooms from time to time. When I purchased mine I knew I needed a timer because I always have a million projects going on at once.
These took about 4 hours to dry to a leathery texture. The drying time will depend on the humidity of the room where you are drying yours and the temperature setting.
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Now, you can use a blender or a Magic Bullet shown below to turn the dehydrated mushrooms into a powder. I just pulsated the mushrooms until they were pulverized.
Final Word
I hope you try making some mushroom powder for your pantry. Let me know, I love to hear from you. It’s one more way to preserve food when they are in season and have the best flavor, and hopefully the best prices.
Thanks for prepping, storing water, storing food, and learning skills we will need sooner than later. May God bless this world, Linda
I have never powdered the mushrooms but it is a great idea. I do powder my excess garden produce such as okra and tomatoes however especially when I have canned all I need. As you stated it sure saves space. I love the powdered okra to use as a soup thickener and it adds that great okra flavor so when the kids say they hate okra but they love my soup they never have a clue its in there!
Hi Stephanie, oh the Okra story in the soup is the best! I will have to try dehydrating some of those next year!! Linda
I bought a dehydrator a few years ago and was really excited to use it. However, I read that if foods aren’t dehydrated long enough, they can spoil. I’ve used it a few times, but the really intimidated me and the dehydrator has been stored away ever since. Reading this recipe rekindled my desire but I’m still concerned. How can I tell if something is dehydrated enough? I’d really like to do it, but don’t want to get anyone sick.
Hi Terri, the real issue is dehydrating meat. That’s a little different. There are no preservatives in it so people must store it in the frig for 2-3 days and the rest in the freezer after dehydrating the jerky. People will argue with me but when I took my Master Canner Preserver classes they talked about that. That’s the only food item I would be concerned about. NOW, let’s talk about fruits and vegetables. First of all, make sure you only dehydrate food that is not on the verge of being spoiled. Dehydrating does not correct that. If you dehydrate good pieces of fruit and vegetables you will be fine. One thing I do is after dehydrating any fruit or vegetable, I leave the food on the trays for 1-2 days just to make sure that one piece of apple is totally dried. THEN I place the items in jars and wait another 2 weeks before I EVER use my FoodSaver on them. Some may think it’s overkill. Oh, well, that’s what I do. You can dehydrate safely Terri, I promise. Please contact me directly if you have any other questions. I will help you do this. Linda My email is: foodstoragemoms@yahoo.com
Totally agree with your reply to Terri. Dehydrating is something you get a feel for after some experience. Follow the directions you get with your dehydrator and ask your local Farm extension for updated information yearly on canning and preserving. Rules change as years go by. I remember my mom saving glass mayonnaise jars to can in. I wouldn’t dream of using them but that’s because I got information from the Farm Extension telling me it wasn’t safe. Just ask questions, research on line and get updated safety info.
Hi Stephanie, I’m so glad you mentioned this. I remember giving jam to my MIL in Kerr or Ball jars and she brought some Mayo jars back to me. I was so shy but I wanted my real jars back. So, I got the guts to tell her. I laugh at that now, but I was a safe canner. I always worked through the state extension service for tips even back then in the 70’s. Linda
This is such a great idea. I just opened up a #10 can of dehydrated mushrooms and I am going to make the powder now as it will take up less room. From your article it seems easy to use too. I am on a soft food diet and this is a great way to get more vegetables into my diet by adding to soups, pizza/pasta sauces, casseroles, and omelets.
Hi Carol, it’s so easy to make. Just be careful when you blend it. When you take the lid off the blender it’s a HUGE wave of powder. Of all the powders I have made the mushroom is way different. It smells so good even when made into powder. Linda
In Gravy! Mmmmm!!
I also powder vegetables that are past their prime for using fresh. Such as garlic, tomatoes, onions ( especially the ones that I’ve let go to seed in my garden – after harvesting seeds), carrots, kale, etc.
Hi Lynne, oh my gosh, I’m adding that to the list!!! I love mushrooms in gravy! Thank you! Linda
I toss them into my blender or food processor and make smaller bits to dry. Easier than slicing. Dry, then back to the blender to make powder.
I also make my own Pure ancho chili powder from dried chilis…… remove seeds and put in saucepan with a small amount of water and simmer till soft. Pour in blender to make a purée, then dry. Place dried sheets in blender to powder.
Hi Momo, oh my gosh, what a great idea! Now I want to try making chili powder! I love it! Linda
I had bought a pound of dried mushrooms but when I hydrated them they were chewy. I didn’t want to waste them so I tried your idea. I used the powder to add flavor to gravy and it tasted great. I’ll t try adding a bit to meatloaf the next time I make one and see how it goes.
Hi Linda, I have the same issue with hydrating mushrooms. That’s why I tried making powder. I love the flavor but not the chewy!! Linda
I have several jars of powdered giant puffball mushroom. It’s the next season already and I haven’t even used one jar! I need more ideas of how to use the powder (it has to be sneaky my kids don’t love the flavor).
Hi Betty, sneaky, oh my gosh, I love it! I wrote this post, maybe it will help. https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/vegetable-powder/ I need to think of more ways too! Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks for sharing the insights of mushroom Powder. We also have Mushroom Powder which is 100% tested to give result. Please share your views Agromania herbals
Hi Agromania, thanks for sharing, Linda