Chicken of the woods mushrooms (Laetiporus sulphureus) are a delicious edible mushroom that grows in shelf-like clusters on trees. Their meaty texture and mild flavor make them a popular choice for cooking. Chicken of the woods gets its name from its uncanny resemblance to chicken breast meat when cooked.
These mushrooms typically grow to very large sizes, sometimes filling an entire tree trunk! Their bright orange coloring makes them easy to spot in the forest. While fresh chicken of the woods only lasts about a week in the fridge, there are several methods to preserve them for long-term storage.
Why Store Chicken of the Woods?
Chicken of the woods often grows in massive abundance. It’s common to find giant clusters weighing several pounds! This presents some challenges:
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Fresh chicken of the woods only stays good for about a week in the fridge
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The large, dense fruits resist drying well.
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Freezer space is limited.
Preserving chicken of the woods allows you to harvest as much as you can find and stretch your harvest over many months. Proper storage techniques prevent waste and allow you to enjoy chicken of the woods all year long!
How to Harvest Chicken of the Woods
Harvest chicken of the woods by slicing the shelfs off where they meet the tree trunk. Use a sharp knife and cut as close to the bark as possible. Try to leave the tree as undamaged as possible.
Select only the freshest, most pristine specimens. Avoid any areas that are extremely woody, dried out, or show excessive insect damage. Clean off any dirt, leaves, or debris with a soft brush or towel.
Refrigerate freshly harvested mushrooms right away in a paper bag. Eat them within 3-7 days for best flavor and texture. For longer storage, move on to one of the following methods:
Top 5 Storage Methods for Chicken of the Woods
1. Refrigerator Storage
Lasts 1-2 weeks
While refrigerator storage only buys you an extra week or so, it’s the best method if you plan on eating your harvest right away.
- Store in paper bags in the fridge (NOT plastic bags)
- Keep between 32-40°F
- Don’t wash before storage
After 2 weeks, the mushrooms will lose flavor and start to decompose. For longer storage, move on to freezing.
2. Freezer Storage
Lasts 6-12 months
Freezing chicken of the woods gives you storage for many months ahead. It’s ideal if you have a large harvest you want to preserve.
- Clean mushrooms thoroughly and slice into 1″ pieces
- Flash-freeze on a tray before bagging (optional)
- Use air-tight freezer bags and remove as much air as possible
- Vacuum sealing works best
- Cook frozen mushrooms without thawing first
Properly frozen chicken of the woods retains excellent flavor and texture when thawed.
3. Drying/Dehydrating
Lasts 2-5 years
Drying chicken of the woods makes it perfect for traveling, backpacking, and long-term food storage.
- Slice mushrooms thinly before dehydrating
- Use a dehydrator or oven on low heat (95-120°F)
- Dry for 6-12 hours until cracker dry
- Store in airtight jars or mylar bags
Rehydrated textures won’t be great, but dried chicken makes an excellent addition to soups, sauces, and spice blends.
4. Pickling/Fermenting
Lasts 1-8 months
Pickling and fermenting chicken of the woods in an acidic brine preserves flavor and texture excellently.
- Always boil mushrooms 5-10 mins before pickling
- Use pickling salt, vinegar, and spices for the brine
- Fermenting takes longer than pickling
- Refrigerate after 1-3 weeks for long-term storage
The acidic brine prevents microbial growth through lactofermentation and/or vinegar.
5. Canning
Lasts 2-5 years
Canning chicken of the woods gives you shelf-stable preservation without refrigeration or freezing.
- Always pre-cook mushrooms before canning
- Use a pressure canner, NOT a water bath
- Add citric acid or vitamin C to preserve color
- Store sealed cans in a cool, dark place
Pressure canning prevents botulism growth and seals in flavor for years ahead.
Storing Dried Chicken of the Woods
Drying concentrates flavors beautifully, but you need to store dried mushrooms properly to preserve quality.
Always make sure mushrooms are cracker dry before storage. Leftover moisture is your enemy! Here are some storage tips:
- Store in airtight jars or mylar bags
- Use oxygen absorbers to remove oxygen
- Keep jars/bags in a cool, dark place
- The freezer can prolong shelf life even longer
With proper drying and storage techniques, dried chicken of the woods can last for 5 years or longer.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to store chicken of the woods mushrooms means you can fully utilize massive wilderness bounties. Use a variety of techniques like freezing, canning, and dehydrating to preserve your harvest for months or even years ahead.
With the proper storage know-how, you’ll never have to waste beautiful chicken of the woods again. Dig in to the chunky orange abundance and savor their meaty goodness all year long!
One of the tastier fungi you’ll find this time of year grows in large clumps, so you will probably need to store some for future use
Late summer and fall across the Midwest and South mean chicken of the woods mushrooms are sprouting, probably in a stand of timber near you. Chicken of the woods are big mushrooms, often nearing 2 feet across. Their bright orange and white colors make them stand out in the woods so they are easily spotted from a distance. The best part? They taste great and can be used in a ton of different recipes.
There are two species of chicken mushrooms across much of the Midwest. Laetiporus cincinnatus has a cream-colored underside, while Laetiporus sulphureus, also known as sulfur shelf, has a yellow underside. Laetiporus cincinnatus often grows above roots at the base of oak trees, while Laetiporus sulphureus grows directly on the wood.
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To harvest, use a sharp knife to slice away the mushroom where it attaches to the bark. Break or slice the mushroom shelves apart. Avoid older mushrooms that are extremely woody or insect damaged.
There arent many real lookalikes for chicken of the woods, but as with all wild mushrooms, it is better to learn from an experienced forager or cross-reference at least two reputable field guides before consuming. Note that in a few people, chicken of the woods can cause a bit of gastric distress. If you have never eaten one before, it is best to start with small quantities to make certain you wont have any issues. I always caution people to treat chicken of the woods just like you would raw chicken when cooking and make sure the mushroom is cooked through before eating.
Since chicken of the woods often grows in such large clumps, you often end up with plenty of extra. You can store the mushrooms in brown paper bags inside your refrigerator for seven to nine days, but much longer than that and you will need to employ a long-term storage solution.
Unlike chanterelles and morels, which dont freeze well unless they have been cooked, chicken of the woods meaty texture holds up to freezing well. In fact, freezing is the best way to store them that Ive found. Once thawed, use the mushrooms just like you would if they were fresh.
To freeze, start by cleaning the mushrooms well. Trim away any woody or insect-eaten portions of the mushrooms. Brush away any loose dirt, bark, or leaf pieces. Rinse the mushrooms well under cool water, then pat them dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Its important that the mushrooms are dry when you package them, or else the texture will get soft and mushy.
Once you have the mushrooms clean and dry, pack them into zip-style freezer bags, or even better, vacuum seal them with your Weston or other brand sealer. Packaged in this way, the mushrooms will keep for up to a year.
Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms — How to Find, Prepare and Store Them
FAQ
How to store fresh hen of the woods mushrooms?
Raw Freezing
The best way to preserve Hen of the Woods is to freeze them, without cooking.
Can you freeze chicken of the woods uncooked?
If you want to store your mushrooms for longer than a week, you can also freeze them.Mar 4, 2023
How to store chicken of the woods mushrooms?
Here are the 3 tips for properly storing chicken of the woods: When you find some chicken of the woods mushrooms, you can plan on keeping them in the refrigerator, as long as you consume them within seven days. To do this, place the chicken of the woods mushrooms in a paper bag, and then place the bag in your fridge.
How do you store chicken of the woods?
Storing Chicken of the Woods should be done with care: Refrigerate promptly: This mushroom should be stored in a paper bag or wrapped in a paper towel inside the refrigerator. Short shelf-life: Consume within a week for best quality, as it doesn’t preserve as well as some other mushrooms.
How long do Chicken of the woods mushrooms last?
Treat yourself, click the link for a great selection of new Mushroom Hunter Knives. How long does Chicken of the Woods keep? Once harvested, Chicken of the Woods mushrooms can stay fresh for about one week. Store them in a paper bag or breathable container, not plastic. Keep them in the refrigerator to slow down decay.