How to Dry Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are not as common a choice for drying as some other varieties, such as shiitake mushrooms. Despite this fact, however, dried oyster mushrooms can taste good and rehydrate well. They are also convenient; you do not need to rehydrate oyster mushrooms before adding them to most recipes, but instead can simply toss in dried ones and allow them to rehydrate on their own. Commercial mushroom growers often use the hot-air drying method to dry mushrooms in bulk. You can imitate this method at home by using your food dehydrator.

• 1

  Rinse your oyster mushrooms thoroughly under cool running water to remove any grit or dirt. Lay them on paper towels in the refrigerator for a few minutes to dry.

• 2

  Preheat your dehydrator to 104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (40 to 50 degrees Celsius) while the mushrooms are drying. Heating the dehydrator trays before adding the mushrooms will make negative changes in texture less likely.

• 3

  Place the oyster mushrooms into the food dehydrator and run the dehydrator until the mushrooms are dry but not brittle or crisp. Depending on your dehydrator, this may take up to about 12 hours.

• 4

  Remove the mushrooms from the dehydrator and place them into airtight containers. Mushrooms rehydrate easily, so even exposing them to the air can allow them to absorb moisture then get moldy or rotten.

• 5

  Store the sealed containers of dried mushrooms in a dark, relatively cool place.