Cremini Mushrooms are one of the most frequent kind of mushrooms seen in supermarkets. Consumers like their deep, earthy taste and firm texture, which complements pasta sauces, risottos, and a variety of other dishes.
Cremini Mushrooms are the same species as White Button and Portobello Mushrooms. In terms of age, they are just between the two sorts. Cremini Mushrooms are sometimes known as Baby Portobello or Baby Bella Mushrooms.
Cremini mushrooms are tasty, but they might be difficult to obtain in the shop. In such cases, here are a few alternatives to these popular fungus.
Contents
1. White Button Mushrooms
While they are technically the same fungus, White Button Mushrooms, the most common mushroom type, work well as a substitute for Cremini Mushrooms. White Button Mushrooms are simply plucked before Cremini Mushrooms.
These mushrooms are less costly and simpler to buy in the grocery than cremini mushrooms, so you should have no trouble locating them.
White Button Mushrooms have a softer, more neutral taste than Cremini Mushrooms, which is advantageous if you’re cooking for a finicky eater who despises mushrooms, but you’ll sacrifice some flavor. Because of their floppier texture, they don’t usually work as well in recipes containing a lot of liquid, such as soups and stews.
2. Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello Mushrooms may also be used in place of Cremini Mushrooms since they are the same kind of mushroom, but somewhat older. Portobello Mushrooms feature huge brown caps and a mature, almost smoky taste. Because of their meaty texture, they are a popular option for vegan burgers.
Portobellos have a similar taste profile to cremini mushrooms, but their flavor is more powerful (this can be a benefit or a drawback, depending on your opinion of mushrooms in general). They are also lot bigger, so you may need to spend more time trimming them.
3. Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are the most often consumed fungus in East Asia. They are available in both dried and fresh forms, with the fresh form being far more nutritious and serving as a superior Cremini Mushroom alternative.
Since they have a similar woodsy, almost smoky taste to Cremini Mushrooms, they perform well as a replacement.
Shiitake Mushrooms may be used in rice dishes, sauces, and stews in lieu of Cremini Mushrooms. They do, however, have a chewier texture that some people dislike, especially those who dislike mushrooms.
4. Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster Mushrooms are readily identified at the market due to their unusual branching form. They also have a characteristic stringy feel, making them a popular vegetarian substitute for pulled pork.
Oyster Mushrooms have an earthy taste comparable to creminis, making them an excellent option for sauces or side dishes. They’re a little sweeter, but that may only improve the taste of certain recipes. The texture of Oyster Mushrooms is floppier than Cremini Mushrooms, which is the main disadvantage of this alternative.
5. Eggplant
Eggplant, a purple, oval vegetable from the nightshade family, seems to be an odd alternative for Cremini Mushrooms. However, it has a similar meaty texture to Cremini Mushrooms, allowing it to function as a meat substitute.
The earthy tastes are comparable as well, albeit eggplant is somewhat bitterer.
If you’re cooking for someone who doesn’t like mushrooms, eggplant may be used in lieu of Cremini Mushrooms in risotto, stews, and pasta sauces. But, since eggplant is more bitter than mushrooms, you may need to salt it before cooking to remove some of the harshness. Be prepared for a significant shift in taste and texture for your dish.
6. Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sun-Dried Tomatoes are an excellent substitute for Cremini Mushrooms if you’re merely adding flavor to a sauce or stew. Dried Tomatoes have a sweet and savory taste profile comparable to Cremini Mushrooms, with a touch of earthiness from the drying process.
To make this substitute work effectively, mix dried tomatoes with herbs like rosemary and basil. This substitute does not work in dishes that call for Cremini Mushrooms as a key ingredient, such as risotto.
Conclusion
There are many excellent alternatives to cremini mushrooms if you are seeking for one. Whether it’s the white button or the flexible portobello, anything on this list will serve as a 1:1 substitute in your recipe. Other alternatives may change somewhat, but they will still taste delicious.