Cremini mushrooms are a type of fungi that can be used in a variety of tasty recipes. Another name for cremini mushrooms is baby bella mushrooms. They are small and round in appearance and have a strong flavor.
Below, I will give you the best substitutes for Cremini Mushrooms. Read to discover the best substitution for cremini mushrooms to use in recipes.
What Do Cremini Mushrooms Taste Like?
First, before we go to the list of alternatives, I will describe the precise taste of cremini mushrooms.
Commonly, most kinds of mushrooms have a smell of soil as they grow in the underground.
And so do cremini mushrooms. They are also slightly fleshy. I can describe them as being soft and chewy like beef, but their taste is somewhat like half beef and half pork.
It is also a reason why vegans can use these mushrooms in their meals to replace types of meat. If you have eaten white mushrooms, cremini mushrooms are quite similar yet with a stronger flavor.
Their smell is rather aromatic, and their taste is naturally a bit sweet. In my opinion, cremini mushrooms are very delicious and especially preferable by intense mushroom-flavor lovers and vegetarians.
However, even if you are non-vegetarian or have never eaten mushrooms, cremini mushrooms are worth trying.
The Best Substitutes For Cremini Mushrooms
When Cremini Mushrooms Are The Main Ingredient
Take a look at some substitutes that are good when cremini mushrooms are the main ingredient in a dish.
1. White Button Mushrooms
Some people call them Button, table mushroom, cultivated mushroom, supermarket mushroom, common mushroom, or champignon mushroom.
As I mentioned above, white button mushrooms are very similar to cremini mushrooms except for their weaker taste. They are the closest to cremini mushrooms you can get.
Moreover, they are also available all year round in most supermarkets in the world.
White button mushrooms and cremini mushrooms are nearly the same in shape, size, and flavor.
Nonetheless, the former have either an eye-catchy bright white or off-white color, a good texture as well as a lightsome flavor.
Thus, they are the top 1 alternative to cremini mushrooms in our list. They are the closest mushroom to cremini specifically in salads, dips, barbecues, stir-fries, or pasta dishes.
2. Portobello Mushrooms
Called as giant cremini, field mushroom, open cap mushroom, Portabella, Portabellini, or Portobello.
Portobello mushrooms can be called the full version while the cremini is the demo because they share nearly all the same characteristics except for the contrast sizes.
Like white button mushrooms, Portobello mushrooms are widely available all year round in most supermarkets.
They have a meaty texture and soil smell because they are too large to retain moisture.
Hence, they are ideal for barbecues, roasting, baking, sauces, and pasta.
3. Shiitake Mushrooms
Other name are Shiang Ku, Donko, oak, golden oak, brown oak, black forest, forest mushroom, black mushroom, black winter, Chinese black, or oriental black.
Apart from their similarities in shape and size, Shiitakes have a brown color and a spongy, soft woodsy texture, just like cremini mushrooms.
Nonetheless, you need to note that fresh Shiitakes are much better than dried ones, especially for their nutrients.
Although many people may feel that they are too chewy, they are very suitable for stews, stir-fries, pasta, and risotto, barbecues or use for thicken sauces.
This type of mushroom is more common in Asian countries but it is not too hard to find anywhere else.
4. Eggplant
Also known as Garden egg, guinea squash, melongene, and “brinjal” in some areas.
You dislike the taste and odor of mushroom, or you are allergic to them? Then, eggplant can replace cremini and other types of fungus perfectly.
In particular, if you are a vegan, eggplant, with its meaty flavor (nearly like creminis), is a wise choice and it is easy to find in supermarkets.
When Cremini Mushrooms Are Sub-Ingredients
1. Cauliflower
With its density in texture and slight flesh flavor, cauliflower can combine with seasonings and marinades to make a fantastic substitute for types of mushrooms.
2. Ground Chickpeas
When it comes to cremini mushrooms, I often think of the tiny piece of mushrooms.
In this case, you can grind chickpeas and mince them, then add some spices and fry them thoroughly.
One or two additional eggs are optional to create even more flavors.
Done! You have got a tasty replacement of creminis.
If anyone doesn’t like Chickpeas, don’t worry, let found some chickpeas substitute but no change dish taste.
3. Marinated Tofu
Cut your tofu into equal cubes. Next, marinate them with a vegetable broth to create sufficient tastes of cremini mushrooms.
In some cases where your tofu is not dense enough or too soft, you may need to fry them to make them chewier.
4. Zucchini
There are many recipes in which cremini mushrooms are used merely for their texture but not their odor.
In such dishes, zucchini can be a good alternative.
You can not only feel like you are eating mushrooms, but also absorb the same nutrition.
It is normal that I can hardly find any 100% perfect replacement for anything. The same rule applies to types of ingredients.
Nonetheless, our recommendations are the best for you to use when cooking foods that need substitutes for cremini mushrooms.
Besides, you can seek other fantastic choices that fit your preference by yourself. Thus, I am happy if you can leave your opinion below this post and I can discuss it together.
Thanks for reading!
