Mushroom Substitutes: The Closest Swap for Each Mushroom
When the mushroom you need is out of season or out of stock, find the closest swap.
Match the job, not just the name
A good substitute stands in for what the mushroom actually does in the dish. Three things to match, in order.
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Texture
Meaty and firm, or soft and delicate? Match the bite first: a shiitake cap will not behave like a soft oyster.
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Umami depth
Some mushrooms carry a dish with deep savory flavor. Match that intensity so the recipe does not fall flat.
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Dried for depth
When fresh is out of season, a small amount of dried mushroom plus its soaking liquid often beats the wrong fresh one.
Substitute by mushroom
Browse recipesRanked alternatives for each mushroom, with the ratio and the dishes each swap suits best.
Cauliflower mushroom substitutes
Maitake is the best overall substitute when your recipe needs branching edges that brown and catch sauce…
4 ranked alternatives
Cremini substitutes
White button, cremini and portobello are all Agaricus bisporus, a white strain and a brown strain sold closed…
4 ranked alternatives
Morel substitutes
Dried morels keep the morel itself, while porcini, shiitake, oyster mushrooms and cremini change the flavor…
5 ranked alternatives
Oyster mushroom substitutes
Maitake suits layered pan pieces, you can fork-shred king oyster for a pulled filling, and beech mushrooms…
5 ranked alternatives
Shiitake substitutes
Your shiitake substitute has to replace the firm cap, the savory depth or the dried-mushroom broth. The right…
4 ranked alternatives
Shimeji substitutes
Shimeji brings two things to a dish, and only one of them is hard to find elsewhere. Its flavor is mild…
5 ranked alternatives
Out of a mushroom mid-recipe?
Find the closest swap by flavor and texture, then get cooking.