The 5 Best Substitutes for Trumpet Mushrooms

Have you ever gone into the woods and foraged for wild mushrooms? If so, then you’ve probably heard of trumpet mushrooms.

These edible fungi are characterized by their bright orange color and fruity fragrance.

While these fungi can be found in many temperate parts of North America, such as Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America, they’re still relatively rare.

Trumpet mushrooms are considered a gourmet edible fungus, second only to truffles in terms of value.

But what makes them so expensive? And how does their taste compare to the more affordable varieties of edible fungi?

Let’s find out. Here are five of the most common substitutes for trumpet mushrooms.

What is Trumpet Mushroom?

First appearing in the Mediterranean region, trumpet mushrooms are found worldwide today.

Their scientific name is Craterellus cornucopioides, but they are more commonly referred to under their common name of trumpet mushroom.

They grow on fallen logs and tree stumps in moist areas.

Trumpet mushrooms have greyish-brown caps with darker vertical stripes.

Their long, slender stems are hollow and often ringed with torn bits of black membrane.

Trumpet mushrooms make an excellent addition to sauces, soups, or stews.

They can be eaten fresh when young, but these are not as tasty as the older specimens.

In terms of flavor, trumpet mushrooms are nutty and slightly sweet.

They have a crunchy texture that pairs nicely with the silky sauces or soups they are often used in.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Trumpet Mushrooms

If you are out of trumpet mushrooms, don’t despair.

Here are some great substitutes that will keep your dish just as tasty.

1 – Chanterelle Mushrooms

Chanterelle mushrooms are an excellent substitute for trumpet mushrooms.

They have a wonderful flavor and can be used in any recipe calling for the latter.

However, they are easily distinguished.

Chanterelle mushrooms have a fruity, apricot-like smell.

They are easy to clean and can be used in salads, soups, or stews.

These mushrooms are tasty when eaten fresh but aren’t available all year round.

Moreover, they can be expensive to buy depending on where you live.

The flavor of chanterelles is buttery, and they have a fine, spongy texture.

As for the cooking time, they require very little.

This makes them great choices for quick meals or side dishes with steak or fish.

2 – Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms grow on trees and are sometimes called tree oysters for those who don’t know.

They first emerged in Japan but are found all over the world today.

Furthermore, they may be white or grayish-brown oyster mushrooms.

Oyster mushrooms are a great replacement for trumpet mushrooms; oyster mushrooms have a fine texture that looks remarkably like the latter.

In addition, their flavor is nutty and sweet.

Even though oyster mushrooms may be eaten raw, it’s best to cook them first since they are rather tough.

It is also important not to overcook them to lose their delicate texture.

Moreover, remove the pan from the heat before adding these mushrooms because they’ll continue to cook in the hot pan.

Unlike trumpet mushrooms, oyster mushrooms are available year-round and can be found fresh or dried.

However, they need to be kept moist until they are cooked.

So, if you aren’t cooking them right away, store them in a plastic bag with water or between wet paper towels.

3 – Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms can be used as a great alternative to trumpet mushrooms.

Many people use them interchangeably without noticing the difference.

However, there are some notable differences between these two.

First and foremost, shiitake mushrooms have a brownish color with light striations instead of dark stripes like trumpet mushrooms.

Shiitake mushrooms are extremely versatile and can be used in most recipes calling for trumpet mushrooms.

They have a meaty texture with an earthy flavor.

However, they are rather strong and may mask the other flavors in your dish if you use them as a substitute.

Cooking time varies depending on how you like to eat your mushrooms.

Suppose you like them raw, stir-fry, or grill them first to bring out their flavor.

However, if you want to use them in a sauce or stew, it is best to sauté these mushrooms first before adding them.

4 – Cremini Mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby Bella mushrooms, make a great substitute for trumpet mushrooms.

Creminis are meaty and flavorful with a slightly chewy texture when fresh.

On the other hand, they become very tender when cooked and taste like brown or button mushrooms.

The good thing about cremini mushrooms is that they’re available all year round and can be found fresh or canned.

You should avoid buying pre-sliced creminis because moisture loss will significantly change the texture.

Cremini mushroom slices can add flavor to soups, stews, stir-fries, and other dishes.

If you are slicing fresh creminis, it is best to quickly cook them over high heat because they will shrink significantly.

5 – Button Mushrooms

As its name suggests, button mushrooms are small and round with a slightly wrinkly surface.

These mushrooms have a mild flavor and an almost spongy texture when cooked.

On the other hand, they become almost jelly-like when cooked for long.

Button mushrooms can substitute trumpet or oyster mushrooms in most dishes.

However, its flavor is very mild, and it will absorb the flavors of other ingredients in your recipe.

Moreover, button mushroom slices have rounded ridges, so you’ll lose some texture if you use these cubes as a substitute.

When cooking button mushrooms, it is best to sauté them in a dry pan.

This way, you can avoid using butter or oil when cooking them so the flavor of your dish won’t change.

Conclusion

Trumpet mushrooms are a popular ingredient in many dishes because of their rich, earthy flavor and meaty texture.

Unfortunately, these mushrooms are becoming increasingly difficult to find because of the surge in demand from people changing their diets.

Thus, if you can’t find trumpet mushrooms or don’t have them at hand, you can use other types of mushrooms instead.