Spice Up Recipes: 5 Best Substitutes for Cremini Mushrooms

Finding the perfect cremini mushroom substitute can be a game-changer for your favorite recipes.

We’ve all been there.

Midway through cooking, we realize we’re out of a key ingredient.

No cremini mushrooms? No problem.

We’re here to share our top five swaps that’ll keep your dishes delicious.

Sure, cremini mushrooms have a distinctive taste and texture.

Yet, we promise these alternatives won’t just do; they’ll rock your culinary socks off.

Keep reading, and you’ll soon have a toolkit of awesome mushroom substitutes.

Ready to rescue any recipe in a snap?

What are Cremini Mushrooms?

Cremini mushrooms are a variety of brown mushrooms, also referred to as baby Bella, mini Bella, or just Bellas.

They have the same taste and texture as white button mushrooms but with a slightly more complex flavor that some people find especially delicious.

These mushrooms are excellent in various dishes, from soups to salads and even pasta sauces.

They are very similar in taste and texture to white button mushrooms, making them an excellent addition to any dish when you want a little extra flavor.

Cremini mushrooms can be used in low-fat dishes that call for a meaty texture without adding unnecessary or unhealthy fats.

Even those on a vegan or vegetarian diet can eat cremini mushrooms as an alternative to meat because of their incredible flavor and texture.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Cremini Mushrooms

When it comes to cooking with cremini mushrooms, their earthy flavor and firm texture are often sought after.

However, if you don’t have cremini mushrooms on hand or want to explore different options, there are several substitutes available that can provide a similar taste and texture.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Oyster Mushrooms	Mild and delicate flavor with a soft texture	Use an equal amount of oyster mushrooms as a substitute
Portobello Mushrooms	Meaty texture and rich flavor	Use an equal amount of portobello mushrooms as a substitute
Shiitake Mushrooms	Earthy and smoky flavor	Use an equal amount of shiitake mushrooms as a substitute
Morel Mushrooms	Nutty flavor and unique sponge-like texture	Use an equal amount of morel mushrooms as a substitute
Button Mushrooms	Mild flavor and versatile use in various dishes	Use an equal amount of button mushrooms as a substitute

Now let’s dive into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Oyster Mushrooms

The oyster mushroom is an excellent substitute for cremini mushrooms because of its color, flavor, and texture.

Although it’s not as meaty or flavorful as the first few substitutes on our list, it still makes a great addition to many dishes.

Oyster mushrooms are often white with brown caps.

However, they come in a brown variety that looks nearly identical to cremini mushrooms.

In addition, oyster mushrooms have a wonderful flavor and texture that won’t change the flavor of your dish too much.

The one drawback of this mushroom is its high price tag.

If you can afford it, oyster mushrooms make a great substitute for cremini mushrooms.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of oyster mushrooms as a substitute for cremini mushrooms in your recipe.

2 – Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms are another meaty mushroom that is an excellent substitute for cremini mushrooms in many dishes.

The flavor and texture of this mushroom are very similar to both cremini and white button mushrooms.

However, it does tend to absorb flavors very well, which means you can season or marinate it.

Although portobello mushrooms have a meaty texture and flavor, they need to be cooked well before adding to your dish.

If you place them in the dish or sauce too early, this mushroom will absorb all moisture and give you a mushy meal.

This should be done only when cooking dishes like sauces, soups, stews, and casseroles.

They will also shrink considerably when cooked, so use many of them in your dishes to get the best flavor and texture.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of portobello mushrooms as a substitute for cremini mushrooms in your recipe.

3 – Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are another great option for buying cremini mushroom substitutes.

They have a very similar flavor, texture, and appearance to the common white button mushroom.

For this reason, these mushrooms can be used in many dishes that call for cremini instead of shitake mushrooms.

However, there are a few drawbacks to using this type of mushroom.

It is important to note that the flavor is typically not as strong in this mushroom compared with other substitutes on our list.

As such, you’ll want to use many of them in your recipes.

The other drawback is that these mushrooms can be quite expensive and only come in dried form.

However, it’s very easy to rehydrate them, and they retain their flavor well.

It’s important to note that some people do not like the soggy texture of this mushroom when used in dishes like soups and casseroles.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of shiitake mushrooms as a substitute for cremini mushrooms in your recipe.

4 – Morel Mushrooms

If you’re looking for a mushroom that will add a little bit of extra flavor to your dishes, look no further than more mushrooms.

These fungi are very similar in appearance, texture, and taste to cremini mushrooms.

Morel mushrooms have a milder flavor, making them perfect for those who want to avoid using strong-flavored mushrooms like shiitake.

In addition, these mushrooms don’t need to be rehydrated before cooking and have a much lower price tag than oyster mushrooms.

The biggest drawback of this mushroom is that it can be difficult to find at the grocery store.

If you’re lucky enough, you might spot them in the produce section or at a local farmers’ market.

However, most people have to order morel mushrooms online.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of morel mushrooms as a substitute for cremini mushrooms in your recipe.

5 – Button Mushrooms

Finally, it’s possible to use regular button mushrooms as substitutes for cremini mushrooms.

Although this mushroom has a white color with little flavor, it is still very similar in appearance and texture to the cremini mushroom.

As such, this mushroom is a much cheaper option than the other cremini substitutes on our list.

Button mushrooms are also much easier to find at the grocery store.

However, they do have an earthy flavor that not everyone enjoys.

Depending on the dish you are making, button mushrooms can also be slightly bitter.

Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of button mushrooms as a substitute for cremini mushrooms in your recipe.

Conclusion

Cremini mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used for various dishes.

However, these ingredients do tend to be slightly expensive in some regions.

To avoid this cost, use one of the cremini mushroom substitutes on our list instead.

Although these mushrooms may not have the same texture or taste as cremini mushrooms, they are still very similar in appearance and have a relatively neutral flavor that will work well with many dishes.