Seven Best Cremini Mushroom Substitutes

I have seven of the best cremini mushroom substitutes to help you in any situation! Keep reading to learn which substitute is best for your recipe.

Box filled with different varieties of mushrooms.

When you need a cremini mushroom substitute, try the alternatives below. For dishes like my baby bella creamy mushroom soup, you’ll want to use mushrooms with a similar texture and depth, like a white button or portabella mushroom.

You can also add mushrooms to most of my recipes. Knowing the different charities will help you determine what the right mushroom to add is. When making my lemon, butter, and garlic pasta, use a mushroom with a soft flavor to complement the flavor. But if you are looking for a focaccia topping idea, you might want to go with an oyster mushroom that will give flavor and the wow factor.

What are Cremini Mushrooms?

Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby bellas, are actually the same type of mushroom as white buttons and portabellas. The difference is the growing time. White buttons are picked when younger, so they have a milder flavor. Creminis are given more time to develop, which gives them a deeper, richer taste. Finally, portabellas are mature creminis left to grow even longer, making them bigger and more flavorful.

How to Clean Mushrooms

Not long ago, I learned I had been cleaning mushrooms wrong my entire life. Like all vegetables, I rinsed them with water, did a quick pat dry, and cooked them. It turns out the water absorbs into the shroom, changing the texture. Here is how you clean them:

  • Store-Bought Varieties– Most store-bought are cultivated and can be wiped clean with a paper towel.
  • Wild Varieties – All wild mushrooms need to be washed and dried out. This process should take about an hour.

Best Cremini Mushroom Substitutes

1. White Button Mushrooms

Otherwise known as a button or table mushroom, is the perfect cremini mushroom substitute. White buttons are accessible all year round in most supermarkets. White buttons are at an earlier growth stage and have a milder flavor.

When balanced with the right ingredients, spices, and seasonings, white button mushrooms can taste just as rich as creminis. A perfect example is my creamy mushroom soup. It is loaded with flavor!

2. Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms are also called giant cremini mushrooms. They are from the same variety and fully grown. Portobellos have a stronger flavor and a darker color. The key to success is to cook the portobello mushrooms separately and then add them to your dish. If you add them uncooked, they can change the overall texture of your dish.

3. Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are distinctive, with a mildly sweet flavor. They are a great cremini mushroom substitute in soups and curries. Oyster mushrooms will take a bit longer to cook than creminis.

A cluster of oyster mushrooms.

4. Shitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are Chinese black morels, brown oak, black forest, or oriental black. In terms of shape and size, shitakes are similar to creminis. However, they have a soft, woody, and spongy texture.

They are available in dehydrated form at most large grocery stores. If you cannot find them at your local store, head to the nearest Asian market or order them on Amazon.

Shitake mushrooms.

5. Chanterelle Mushrooms

Chanterelle mushrooms have a meaty texture similar to cremini mushrooms. What sets chanterelles apart is their unique peppery and slightly fruity flavor. They are a great substitute in creamy recipes like soups or pasta. I think they taste great sautees, then added to San Marzano tomato sauce. The chanterells and complexity and layers!

6. Porcini Mushrooms

Porcini mushrooms have a more robust, meatier flavor and a dense texture than crimini mushrooms. They are a great choice with pasta and sauces where you want a strong mushroom flavor. If the flavor is too strong, you can offset them with button mushrooms for a milder flavor.

7. Eggplant 

If you prefer a vegetable option, eggplant comes close to matching the texture and taste. Eggplant might look different; however, depending on your recipe, it might be the perfect substitution! I like to cook eggplant for an extra long time so that it breaks down into a sauce. Balkin Avjar is the perfect example. You would never know eggplant is in there by looking at it. But the eggplant gives it a creamy texture.

Mushroom Substitutions At a Glance

Crimini Mushroom SubstituteDescription
Button mushroomsSimilar in appearance and taste to Crimini mushrooms, but slightly less flavorful
Portobello mushroomsLarger and meatier than Crimini mushrooms, with a slightly earthy and nutty flavor.
Shitake mushroomsMeaty and slightly chewy texture with a rich, umami flavor
Oyster mushroomsDelicate and tender texture with a mild, slightly sweet flavor
Chanterelle mushroomsSauteing in creamy pasta sauces and risottos
Porcini mushroomsRich, meaty flavor with a dense, chewy texture
EggplantSimilar in texture and taste. Very easy to find.

Before you go, check out my other substitution guides

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