Substitutes for Porcini Mushrooms: 10 Best Alternatives +FAQs!

Porcini mushrooms are a mushroom and a meat lover’s dream come true.

Mushrooms are commonly used as meat substitutes due to their meaty feel, with porcini mushrooms being one of the most popular.

They have a meaty, earthy flavor that makes them ideal for sautéing, risotto, gravies, and soups.

Porcini mushrooms are also quite popular since they add a meaty, umami flavor to any dish and can be stored and rehydrated at any time.

Porcini mushrooms give a punch of umami flavor to any dish, especially when combined with thyme. Still, if you can’t get porcini mushrooms, some replacements are available.

Portobello mushrooms, button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, dried thyme, and dried truffles, among other things, are some of the best replacements.

Alternatives to porcini mushrooms

Consider the following porcini mushroom replacements if you can’t obtain porcini mushrooms or want to try other similar mushrooms.

No. 1 Mushrooms de portobello (portobello mushrooms)

Portobello mushrooms are enormous and meaty in texture, and they offer a delicious umami flavor to any recipe. Because of their vast size, they’re also a popular meat alternative. As a result, they can be substituted for burger patties or steaks.

Portobello mushrooms have a delicious flavor and are readily available in stores. They are an excellent alternative to porcini mushrooms. They can also be chopped up and used in risotto, soups, or sauces. As a result, they may be the best porcini mushroom alternative.

No. 2 Shiitake Mushroom 

This mushroom is frequently regarded as the most excellent substitute for porcini mushrooms due to their similar appearance, texture, and earthy, umami flavor. Shiitake mushrooms hold up nicely in cooked dishes and go well with risotto, stews, gravies, pies, and just about anything else, so they can easily replace porcini mushrooms in any recipe.

Shiitake mushrooms have a meaty texture and a strong umami flavor. As a result, you can use shiitake mushrooms in any recipe that calls for porcini. Instead of porcini mushrooms, you can buy dried shiitake mushrooms.

No. 3 Button mushroom 

In a supermarket, button mushrooms are the most prevalent type of mushroom. Button mushrooms are smaller and have a less meaty texture than regular mushrooms. However, they add a lot of earthy umami flavor to any recipe and are flexible. They’re also the least expensive mushrooms, making them excellent alternatives for porcini.

You can use button mushrooms in place of any other mushroom in your meal and still get a nice flavor. Because button mushrooms are smaller than porcini, you may need to buy more to make up for the difference.

No. 4 Oyster mushroom 

Oyster mushrooms are popular due to their unusual appearance, oysters, and deliciously meaty feel.

According to several chefs, oyster mushrooms are correctly cooked; they have the texture and flavor of the chicken. They’re similar to porcini mushrooms. It has a great umami flavor and can readily be purchased in supermarkets to substitute porcini mushrooms in any meal. You can use them to make risotto, sautéed, or added to various soups and gravies.

 No. 5 Chanterelle mushroom

Oyster mushrooms are similar to chanterelle mushrooms. They have a similar earthy, meaty texture, making them a popular meat alternative. They’re an excellent substitute for porcini mushrooms because of their umami flavor. They may be added to soups, fried, cooked, or put into the gravy.

In supermarkets, they aren’t always easy to come by. They are, nevertheless, an excellent mushroom to keep an eye out for because their texture is remarkably similar to that of the porcini mushroom, and you may easily substitute them.

No. 6 Cremini mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms, like button mushrooms, are small and have a deliciously earthy flavor. They have a meaty texture, similar to porcini mushrooms, and add umami to any recipe in which they are used. If you can’t get porcini mushrooms, cremini mushrooms are an excellent substitute. These can be sliced up and sautéed or added to stews, and they’re delicious in mushroom sauces or gravies.

No. 7 Thyme, dried

Dried thyme is a good substitute for dried porcini mushrooms, and while it may sound unusual, it is one of the best. Thyme has an earthy, slightly intense flavor that you can use in place of dried porcini mushrooms in a meal.

Because of this, thyme is commonly used when cooking mushrooms. Add half a teaspoon of thyme to your dish to replace the porcini, and season to taste. You may find dried thyme at stores with ease. It’s a pantry staple that works well as a dry porcini mushroom substitute. You can substitute it for fresh porcini mushrooms, but it will not texture your dish.

No. 8 Tomato paste 

Tomato paste is an excellent substitute if you’re in a hurry and don’t have any porcini mushrooms on hand. Tomato paste is thick and delicious, with a hint of umami. As a result, stews, sauces, and soups can all benefit from it.

Keep in mind that it will also impart a tomato flavor. It’s not suitable for sautéing. It is an excellent alternative in any liquid recipe, in any case. What’s the best part? It’s easy to find in supermarkets.

No. 9 Soy sauce 

When it comes to umami flavor, soy sauce is the ultimate condiment. As a result, a few dashes of soy sauce can be used to replace porcini or dried porcini in sauces, soups, and stews.

It gives any dish a terrific umami flavor and adds depth to risotto. Because soy sauce is quite salty, use tiny amounts at a time. You don’t want to sabotage your dish’s flavor.

No. 10 Truffles that have been dried

Truffles have an earthy, umami flavor as well. Despite their somewhat different flavor, they’re an excellent substitution for dried porcini mushrooms.

They are available in specialty food stores, but they are more expensive. Nonetheless, they have a superb flavor and may be stored long. They can be grated into meals or rehydrated to get that great umami flavor.

Related FAQs

What can I do if I don’t have dried porcini mushrooms on hand?

Because of their rich umami flavor, you can substitute dried porcini mushrooms with thyme, tomato paste, dry truffles, and soy sauce. These goods are readily available in stores and add depth of flavor to any recipe without dried porcini mushrooms. You can also buy dried shiitake mushrooms, which you can substitute for dried porcini.

Where can I find dried porcini mushrooms in the supermarket?

They’re frequently available near the pasta aisle and other dried or dehydrated items. They can also be found in the Asian area of some supermarkets. Still, they usually are not stored near the fresh mushrooms because they can stay much longer.

Is the flavor of dried porcini mushrooms the same as fresh porcini mushrooms?

Because you must rehydrate dried porcini mushrooms in warm water before being cooked, they have a somewhat more umami taste and a rougher texture. On the other hand, you can cook fresh porcini mushrooms right away. However, because they both have the same earthy, umami flavor, you can utilize them in the same dishes.

Is it possible to use fresh mushrooms instead of dried mushrooms?

Yes, you can use fresh mushrooms instead of dried mushrooms in most circumstances if you rehydrate them in warm water for a few hours before using them. Because they’ve been dried, the texture will be a little rougher, but dried porcini mushrooms will still contribute much flavor to your dishes.