Top 13 Substitute for Mushroom

by Daisy Dao

Mushrooms are very popular around the world because of their meaty and earthy flavor. People love putting it in their cuisines as it adds a unique taste to the overall food.

However, some people avoid eating mushrooms because they don’t like the flavor or are allergic to them. This kind of situation happens especially among kids as they never like to eat mushrooms.

In this case, the only solution for you will be to look for a mushroom substitute. Don’t worry, we have got you covered. From the following article, you will find out all about the top mushroom substitutes in a descriptive form.

Go through all of the substitutesfor mushrooms.

Top 13 Substitute for Mushroom
Top 13 Substitute for Mushroom

Top 13 Mushroom Substitutes

Below are all the mushroom substitutes that you can collect from different shops and grocery stores. Let’s get started with the substitute for mushrooms.

Zucchini Zucchini

Zucchini is very tasty, and the best thing is, you will find this item available in most of the market. Plus, it has lots of health benefits.

If you eat it, you will be able to lower your cholesterol levels in your body. Also, zucchini has a good source of antioxidants like vitamin A, C, and folic acid. Due to that, you can save yourself from different kinds of malignant tumors.

100 grams of zucchini consist of 10% magnesium, which decreases the chances of stroke and even heart attack. Moreover, zucchini has potassium, and the combination of magnesium and potassium efficiently works in lowering your blood pressure.

If you encounter hypertension problems, zucchini can be your ultimate solution. Besides, zucchini also prevents atherosclerosis. You will get other health benefits like good eyesight, proper body functioning, and many more. 

Eggplant

Other than being a vegetable, eggplant is a very powerful ingredient that helps in cleaning the toxins from your intestines. If you eat eggplants regularly, you can protect your brain from different kinds of injuries. Plus, eggplants help in curing diseases like colitis and hemorrhoids.

Eggplant
Eggplant

Though it has a meaty texture as mushroom, you won’t get the same flavor in your dish. Thus, if you are looking for a similar texture, you should definitely go for eggplant.

In terms of taste, eggplants are slightly bitter, which can ruin your food craving in an instant. To avoid this problem, you should chop the eggplant into multiple pieces and then salt it. Make sure you leave it for around 10 to 15 minutes and then, wipe the vegetable with a paper towel.

This process will reduce the water content as well as astringency.

Beef broth

The beef broth will give you the same result as umami seasoning. Since it is a liquid, you won’t have to go through a hassle when you cook this ingredient.

To bring a unique flavor, you can add a popular vegetable or meat as a substitute. 

Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes work well with different dough dishes like pastry, pizza, pie, etc. You can use these tomatoes as an ingredient in dishes like salad, soup, meat cuisines, and many more. Plus, you can use it to make sauces and eat it with other mouthwatering foods.

Sun-dried tomatoes are mainly stored in jars containing oil. In this way, the tomatoes become soft, and you can easily use them on your rice dishes or other meals. If you want to make a dish with it, you can add Greek oregano, chopped onions, or dill.

Luckily, it helps in preventing prostate cancer, and because of that, it is in high demand among people.  

Miso

Miso is highly popular in different Japanese restaurants. You will find it as a soup, and the food tastes very good. It comes in different flavors, and you have to be careful about choosing the ideal one because all of them might not go well as a mushroom substitute.

When you visit the market, you should search for a dark red or brown miso. These varieties will create umami and unique flavor to any of your chosen meal. Yes, you won’t get the same taste as mushroom, but it is a fact that you won’t be disappointed with the outcome.  

Umami seasoning

You will get the umami flavor in your food if you slow cook beef broth or meat. Umami seasoning becomes very helpful if you want to copy the same strong flavor that you normally get from edible mushrooms.

Surprisingly, you will find umami flavor in a jar, and it doesn’t impose any threat to your health.

Tofu Tofu

If you love to follow the kind of diet that is based on plants, you can opt for tofu without thinking twice. Tofu is full of protein, and you can easily use tofu in your food instead of meat.

Luckily, you can use tofu as a mushroom alternative in some of the normal or fried dishes. Avoid using tofu in sauces or mushroom soup. You can use tofu on back bean stir fry or nasi goreng without any issue. In total, tofu is a very smart choice if you are looking for taste and health benefits.

Onions

A recipe that needs to be salty must have onions at all costs. Without it, you won’t get the desired taste.

Onions
Onions

It not only tastes good, but regular consumption with other dishes will benefit your health in the long run. Plus, onions are a good source of antioxidants, and these are very helpful in neutralizing your body’s free radicals.

If a person has atherosclerosis or decreased appetite, he or she must eat onions in all situations.  

Tempeh

Tempeh is simply a meat replacement made from soybeans. It is not mushy when it comes to texture and has a strong taste, which might surprise you after you eat it.

Fortunately, you will get the same earthy flavor that you might be looking for in the first place. You can use tempeh on casserole or stir-fry and serve it to your friends and family members without any problem.     

Russet potatoes

You can identify russet potatoes with their big size and giant features. Though the potatoes are thick and are a bit challenging to peel, you will get an excellent taste if you use the potatoes on your food.

These are similar to mushrooms so; you can have peace of mind if you are planning to use them to replace mushrooms. Surprisingly, russet potatoes contain a huge amount of starch and are very dry if you compare them with other local potatoes.

It is strong enough to absorb liquids, and this makes it highly lucrative for people who prefer their substitutes to have this kind of feature. You can easily make mashed potatoes, baked or fried potato slices, and other delicious foods.

Don’t use it in your salad bars or soups because your time and effort will all go to waste as it becomes soggy in this type of situation. Before you start cooking, gently clean the potatoes’ skin and peel it very carefully.

After that, you should cut the potatoes into small-sized pieces, and then, you can add them to your recipes with ease.   

Garbanzo beans (Chickpeas)

You will find garbanzo beans in different colors like beige, black, red, and brown. This versatile replacement works very well in several dishes without ruining the flavor. Moreover, it gives you a beautiful smell in meat dishes that can refresh your mind immediately.

Garbanzo beans (Chickpeas)
Garbanzo beans (Chickpeas)

Besides, it has several health benefits. Chickpeas are full of fiber, and regular consumption will help you in reducing your weight. Plus, it keeps your stomach full, which gives you a feeling that you don’t need to eat food further.

If you are a vegetarian, you will be happy to know that chickpeas consist of proteins. So, make a meal or food with garbanzo beans and improve your health without the need of eating other expensive foods.

Furthermore, it doesn’t add unsaturated fats or calories, and this can become a blessing in disguise if you are looking for a way to stay fit all the time. If you consume chickpeas, you will be able to lower the bad cholesterol and reduce the chance of breast cancer and other severe diseases.

Fortunately, you won’t get a strong flavor when you eat it so; it is very suitable for all dishes. A technique you can apply is to soak the chickpeas in water for a couple of hours. In this way, it will be ready to cook.

Cilantro

Cilantro
Cilantro

Cilantro is a common topping for different meals that includes chicken, meat, or even fish. It has unique characteristics, and if you include it in your meal, you will be able to increases the overall meals’ flavor to a new extent.

You won’t have a problem using it as a mushroom substitute since it is a vegetable and won’t give you a headache during your cooking time. Before you cook, you should wash cilantro properly and remove any discolored or brown leaves that have the potential to ruin the flavor of the dish.

Besides, you can include it in pasta, rice meals, etc. Plus, you can eat it as a snack without any problem. Thankfully, it is full of nutrition, and you won’t have to pay a huge amount of money to purchase it since it is budget-friendly. 

Dried or canned mushrooms

If you don’t have access to fresh mushrooms in your area, you can take the help of dried or canned mushrooms. You will find these mushrooms available in the market, but you have to keep in mind that these mushrooms are an expensive option.

Dried or canned mushrooms
Dried or canned mushrooms

When you use one of the mushrooms on your dish, you will get the same flavor as mushroom, and if you serve it to others, they won’t be able to notice the difference. You can use dried mushrooms in a casserole, soup, or sauce.

Use them in fewer amounts in this type of recipe, and you are good to go. Otherwise, you will be overwhelmed with the strong mushroom flavor.

Some common questions

Here are some of the common questions about the substitutes for mushrooms asked by people from different countries. Have a look at them.

1. What is the benefit of using white button mushrooms?

White button mushrooms come with a beautiful texture and are delicate in terms of flavor. The size of these mushrooms is similar to that of cremini mushrooms, and the excellent thing is that you will get a light flavor in your overall meal during the time you eat mushrooms.

If you have a recipe that requires well-sized mushrooms, the white one always becomes the best choice.  

2. Is it possible to not include any mushroom substitutes in my meal?

Yes, you can avoid using mushrooms in your meal preparation if you have food allergies. It will only be possible if your recipe requires fewer flavors like the one you will get from using a white, cremini, or oyster mushroom.

In this case, you have to increase different seasoning ingredients like broccoli, potato, or meat on your meal so that you get the bulk and meat on your dish.

3. Are mushrooms a good alternative to meat?

If you want to know in terms of nutrition, unfortunately, mushrooms are unable to reach the level of meat because meat contains a good amount of protein, zinc, iron, vitamin B-12, and many more.

In a single cup, sliced or chopped mushrooms have a lot of nutrients. Besides, mushrooms are a good source of selenium (antioxidant) and save people from chronic diseases. For a dining preparation, it can be one of the best alternatives.

Conclusion

That was all about the mushroom substitutes. Now you can easily replace mushrooms without any headache.

Don’t forget to read it a couple of times and take notes wherever you find something worth remembering.

Pick one of the best substitutes that fit your cooking needs. Best of luck!


About Daisy Dao

Daisy grew up on the beautiful Honolulu island where she often found herself spending most of her day enjoying the ocean scent in sea waves. As such, Daisy came to appreciate the art of cooking seafood. She has experimented with baking, roasting, broiling, poaching, grilling (and every other cooking technique you can think of); and with all kinds of spices too. Now she is ready to present her experience: the art of cooking healthy food without any pre-packaged ingredients; food product recommendations for people who need a bit more guidance on what goes into their bodies; how to maintain an active lifestyle without having to give up your favorite foods!


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