21 Best Cremini Mushroom Substitutes

The cremini mushroom is a hearty, rich brown mushroom with a meaty texture. It has a pronounced flavor, which makes up for its diminutive size, and it often replaces Portobello mushrooms in recipes because of that intense earthy flavor. 

All this could make it sound like the cremini is too strong to use in recipes, but these onions are not as powerful as they seem!

There are many ways to cook up your cremini mushrooms. Let’s talk about the flavor and texture of cremini mushrooms and then dive into the best cremini mushroom substitutes.

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21 Best Cremini Mushroom Substitutes

If you are trying to reduce meat consumption and explore some great vegetarian options, you might have come across Cremini mushrooms.

But have you ever wondered if there are any alternative plants you can use as creminis? Here is a list of the 21 best Cremini Mushroom substitutes to explore:

1. Portobello Mushrooms

If you’re looking for a substitute similar in size to cremini mushrooms but with a meaty texture and more robust flavor, portobello mushrooms are your best bet. Portobellos can also be grilled or roasted and eaten whole as an alternative to hamburgers or steak.

Also, you can try shiitake mushrooms as another type of mushroom with a flavor profile similar to creminis but with different textures. They have a distinct earthiness reminiscent of cremini flavor without being as meaty.

2. Shiitake Mushrooms

Like cremini mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be found in the wild or cultivated. They’re native to Japan and have been used as a medicinal food for over 1,000 years.

Shiitake mushrooms also have many health benefits: they’re high in protein, fiber, B vitamins, and minerals like iron. They’re also rich in selenium, an essential mineral that helps prevent cancer.

Shiitake mushrooms are more expensive than other mushrooms, but they’re well worth it if you love them! They taste greatly grilled on skewers or sauteed with olive oil and garlic as an addition to pasta dishes or soups. Basically, any dish where you’d use onion or garlic will benefit from the addition of these tasty (and healthy) little guys!

3. White Button Mushrooms

White button mushrooms are smaller than cremini and also have a milder taste. They’re often sold in bags at the grocery store, so you can get them pre-cleaned and ready to eat. If you’re looking for something quick and easy, white button mushrooms are an excellent cremini mushrooms substitute!

To cook them, clean them well with a damp cloth and then sauté them on medium heat with olive oil until browned on both sides. You can add seasonings like garlic or onion powder if you want more flavor (and less work). Be sure not to overcook them, or they’ll get tough!

White button mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days after cleaning—just ensure they’re covered, so they don’t dry out before using again later down the road when making soups or sauces during meal prep sessions.”

4. King Oyster Mushrooms

King Oyster mushrooms are a good substitute for Cremini mushrooms. King Oysters can be substituted for Creminis in almost all recipes and share many of the same flavor notes.

King Oyster mushrooms are also grown in the same way as Creminis (in sawdust), so they’re often sold alongside each other at your local grocery store.

5. Porcini Mushrooms

Porcini mushrooms are a good substitute for cremini mushrooms. They’re also known as King Boletes, cepes, and Italian browns. Porcini mushrooms are native to Turkey, but they have been cultivated in many countries around the world.

Porcini mushrooms are grown on hardwood logs or organic materials such as sawdust or straw. They will grow in North America if you live in an area that gets cold enough for them to thrive, along with a consistent amount of moisture during periods of growth (like winter).

6. Morel Mushrooms

If you’re looking to replace cremini mushrooms with something that has a similar flavor, texture, and appearance, try morel mushrooms. These springtime delicacies are a great source of B vitamins and potassium. In addition to being high in these nutrients, morels are also good sources of copper and selenium—which can help prevent disease—and magnesium.

Morel mushrooms can be used as dried and are perfect for adding a delicious umami flavor to any dish!

7. Maitake Mushrooms

If you can’t find cremini mushrooms, maitake mushrooms make a great substitution. This type of mushroom is also known as the hen of the woods and dancing mushroom.

These are both names given to this mushroom because it tends to grow in clusters on trees, making it look like a group of hens pecking at food.

Maitake mushrooms have a similar taste and texture to cremini mushrooms but can be larger, ranging from 3–7 inches (7–17 cm) tall, with caps that are 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) wide. They have soft caps ranging from grayish brown to tan or white. 

The flesh beneath the cap is firm and dense with a somewhat rubbery texture when cooked—perfect for grilling!

You may even see it paired with other vegetables, such as zucchini or eggplant, during your next trip to an Asian restaurant!

8. King Trumpet Mushroom

If you’re looking for another type of mushroom that might be more readily available than cremini, consider King Trumpet.

This variety is usually found in supermarkets and can easily be used as a substitute for cremini mushrooms.

9. Enoki Mushroom

Enoki mushrooms are another variety of mushrooms that can be used as a cremini mushroom substitute.

Enoki mushrooms have a mild, sweet flavor and are often added to soups and salads for an interesting crunchy texture. They’re also high in vitamin D, B1, and B2 (niacin).

If you don’t have time to cook your cremini mushrooms before using them in recipes, enoki mushrooms are an excellent alternative since they require no preparation—rinse them off with water!

10. Chestnut Mushroom

The chestnut mushroom is a variety of mushrooms native to Japan and China. It has a light brown color with a texture similar to the cremini mushroom.

It has been used in various cuisines, including Chinese, Japanese and Korean. It’s also used in French and some European dishes, such as lentil soup or tarts.

11. Shimeji Mushroom

Shimeji mushrooms are native to Japan and are also called golden mushrooms. They have a nutty, buttery flavor reminiscent of button mushrooms.

Shimeji is good in soups, stir-fries, and stews; their texture is firm enough to withstand boiling or frying but delicate enough that it doesn’t get tough when cooked for extended periods.

If you want an easy way to substitute Shimeji for cremini or portobello mushrooms in a recipe—or if you want to add them into your cooking rotation—here’s how:

12. Cauliflower

Regarding alternative ingredients, cauliflower is a natural substitute for cremini mushrooms. Cauliflower has a similar texture and flavor, which means that your dish will be virtually indistinguishable from the original.

Plus, they’re both low in calories and high in fiber, making them an ideal choice if you’re trying to cut back on your caloric intake without sacrificing taste or texture.

Cauliflower is also rich in vitamins C and K—two crucial nutrients for maintaining healthy bones and blood vessels.

It’s also an excellent source of thiamin, riboflavin (vitamin B2), folate (vitamin B9), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), as well as manganese-all essential vitamins needed; for energy metabolism within the body!

13. Sun-dried Tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes are an excellent alternative to cremini mushrooms. They can be used in many dishes and are highly versatile.

Sun-dried tomatoes are high in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants (they’re also a great source of iron). They have a sweet flavor that will complement most foods.

Sun-dried tomatoes are made by drying fresh tomatoes under the sun or using heat to dry them out until they become soft and leathery. The process takes several days but it is worth it!

14. Tofu

Tofu is an excellent substitution for cremini mushrooms. It’s also known as bean curd, and you can purchase it at nearly any grocery store. Tofu is made by curdling soy milk (or another plant-based milk) and then pressing the resulting curds into blocks of tofu.

Unlike meat and poultry substitutes like jackfruit or tempeh, tofu is a pure vegetarian product (unless you buy pre-marinated varieties).

Tofu has a low-calorie count and contains no cholesterol at all. It’s also high in calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc; moreover, it’s high in fiber but low in saturated fat—making it an ideal protein source for people who want to maintain their weight while still enjoying hearty meals.

15. Russet Potatoes

Russet potatoes have a similar texture and appearance to cremini mushrooms, making them a great alternative. They’re also packed with vitamin C and potassium, making them an excellent source of nutrients for your body.

Another benefit is that they’re high in fiber and contain B6 vitamins—you can use this as a substitute if you have no other options at home!

16. Lentils

Lentils are an excellent substitute for mushrooms in many dishes. If you’re looking to cut back on your meat consumption, lentils make an excellent alternative.

They’re high in protein, fiber, and iron—all nutrients vegans can be low on. Lentils contain more iron than spinach!

They also contain potassium, magnesium, folate, and zinc (to name just a few), which makes them especially beneficial if you want to improve your heart health or digestion.

17. Ground Chickpeas

You can use ground chickpeas in place of ground meat. They are a good source of protein, fiber, iron, and zinc. Chickpeas are also a good source of magnesium.

Chickpeas have been cultivated since the Bronze Age and were used as a food source as early as 2000 BC.

The name comes from their Latin name, Cicer arietinum, which means “chickpea.” In India, it is called chana dal and is often used in Indian cuisines, such as curries or dahls (soups).

18. Eggplant

Eggplant is an excellent substitute for cremini mushrooms. Both have a similar texture and appearance and can be used in similar recipes.

While you can use eggplant in the same amount as creminis, it’s best not to cook until it gets too soft or mushy because it will fall apart quickly while cooking.

Eggplants are more common than creminis in many areas of the world—especially Asia—so if you don’t have access to fresh cremini mushrooms but want to make something with a similar flavor, try using eggplant instead!

19. Zucchini

Zucchini is a good substitute for cremini mushrooms. It can be used in various recipes and has many health benefits. Zucchini is high in potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C, as well as fiber.

20. Chickpea

Chickpeas are one of those foods that seem to be used in every cuisine and cooked in many ways. They’re also a good substitution for mushrooms, as they’re rich in protein, fiber, and iron.

They’re also an excellent source of folate—a vitamin essential for pregnant women and magnesium, vital for healthy bones.

If you need a quick way to substitute chickpeas for mushrooms, add them raw into your dish right at the end of cooking time (they can be added before if you wish).

21. Potatoes

Potatoes are a great option if you’re looking for an easy cremini mushroom alternative. They’re high in fiber and potassium and contain vitamins C and B6.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a replacement for cremini mushrooms, most of the substitutes listed above should work well in the dish. If you don’t care about the texture, replace them with any other mushroom variety because they all taste similar.

However, if you want to keep the texture of your substitute as identical as possible, choose Portobello or button mushrooms since they are both chewier than other varieties, such as shiitake or king oyster.