The best substitutes for cream of mushroom soup

Cream of mushroom soup is a staple in many North American homes, and is rarely served on its own. It is used as the base of a wide variety of casseroles and slow-cooked meals.

It has become such a staple in pantries that it is listed as an ingredient in many recipes, just like you might see in regular mushrooms or milk.

If you don’t have any cans of soup left in your cupboard, don’t panic. You can keep cooking all your favorite recipes by choosing the perfect substitute.

What is the best substitute for cream of mushroom soup?

The best substitute for cream of mushroom soup is cream of chicken, as it produces similar results in flavor and texture, plus it’s a gluten-free alternative. Other substitutes are cream of broccoli, celery or potato, and sour cream or yogurt.

Our absolute favorite substitute for canned cream of mushroom soup, however, is homemade cream of mushroom soup, and here’s a quick and easy recipe.

Whether you need a mushroom-free solution or a dairy-free option, we’ve listed our favorite cream of mushroom substitutes and shared our top tips on how to use each one.

Cream of mushroom soup

Cream of mushroom soup is occasionally served on its own, as a soup, but it is also a common ingredient in many types of recipes.

If you can’t eat dairy, don’t like mushrooms, or just don’t have a can of soup handy, you need to know what makes cream of mushroom soup so special before finding an effective substitute for it.

The most popular type of canned cream of mushroom soup, and the one most recipes refer to when mentioned, is Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Cream.

It is a mixed soup with mushrooms, cream, and garlic as featured flavors. It is thick and smooth and works very well as a cream sauce in many different recipes.

However, it does contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), which many people are sensitive to, and other common allergens, including milk, soy, and wheat.

As you can imagine, there are many reasons to look for a substitute for this cream of mushroom soup.

Popular cream of mushroom recipes

Some of the most popular recipes that call for cream of mushroom soup are

• Green Bean Casserole
• Beef Stew
• swedish meatballs
• Chips
• Chicken and Rice Casserole
• Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Broccoli and Cheese Casserole

These are just a few popular recipes. Campbell’s has a collection of what seems like hundreds of recipes, and you can still enjoy all of them with the right substitute.

Recipe - Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup

If you don’t want to use canned condensed cream of mushroom soup and feel that the substitutions in this guide aren’t enough, the best solution is to make your own homemade cream of mushroom soup.

Here’s our favorite cream of mushroom recipe:

Preparation time : 10-15 minutes to cut, chop and dice the vegetables

Cooking time : 20 minutes

Ingredients :

• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 8 ounces cremini or shitake mushrooms, sliced
• ½ cup onions, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Here are the steps to make your own delicious cream of mushroom soup at home:

1. Heat butter in a pan and add the sliced mushrooms, the diced onion and the minced garlic.
2. Stir constantly until the mushrooms have softened and the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the flour until the mushrooms are well coated.
4. Add the broth and stir continuously until the liquid begins to boil.
5. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until mixture begins to thicken, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Optional: Puree or mash the mixture for a smooth soup without chunks of mushrooms.
7. Add the cream, season with salt and pepper and simmer for another 2-3 minutes to heat evenly, stirring constantly.

This recipe cooks up quickly and easily and may be the real solution to your substitution problem.

If you’d like a more condensed version of this recipe to keep for yourself or share with other home cooks you know, we’ve included a recipe card at the bottom of this page for your convenience.

Homemade Soup Substitutions

The best thing about making your own soup is that you can modify the recipe to suit your needs. Try some of these substitutions:

1. Vegan : Swap heavy cream for canned coconut milk, use a vegan butter substitute or coconut oil, and opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken
2. Mushrooms – Swap out the mushrooms for equal measures of chicken, celery, broccoli, or any other vegetable of your choice
3. Onions – Are you sensitive to onions? Try leeks.

But we understand that sometimes you just don’t have the time or energy to make something like a foundation from scratch. So here are some great, quick and easy substitutes.

Substitutes for cream of mushroom soup

Deciding on the best substitute for cream of mushroom soup depends on what you’re making. Some recipes call for a specific density of the cream sauce, while others rely more on the umami flavor of the mushroom.

Other recipes simply call for a base for signature ingredients, like green beans or tuna and noodles. Sometimes you just need to tailor a recipe to a specific restriction, like gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan diets.

We’ve put together a list of canned soup of mushroom substitutes and explained why you should choose each one for different recipes or circumstances.

1. Cream of chicken

If you don’t like mushrooms but want nearly identical results in your recipe, cream of chicken is a perfect substitute.

Cream of Chicken Soup doesn’t have the umami undertones you get with mushroom soup, but this organic and gluten-free Cream of Chicken Soup from Healthy Valley uses a carefully selected combination of spices to ensure the flavor won’t disappoint.

The best thing about this particular brand of soup is its texture. It doesn’t have big chunks of chicken or vegetables, so it works surprisingly well as a base for recipes like chicken and rice casserole, where there’s already a lot of texture to the food.

However, please note that some customers have raised concerns about receiving dented cans in the mail. Unfortunately, this is always a risk when it comes to ordering food online, as the company can’t control what happens on its way to you.

This is especially true when it comes to canned goods, as they can be damaged by changes in altitude and temperature. You may want to try to find this brand or a similar one at a nearby grocery store.

2. Cream of broccoli

Cream of broccoli soup is a good substitute for mushroom soup when you’re trying to increase your vegetable intake but don’t like mushrooms.

Cream of broccoli is delicious and nutritious, and works well in dishes like French fries or tuna noodle casserole, which could use a little more color (a nice light green) and variety.

You can find cream of broccoli soup powder, which allows you to easily choose the amount of liquid you want to add to your recipe, also ideal for casserole-type dishes that are better with a thick sauce full of flavor.

Our favorite is Fresh Success Cream of Broccoli Soup Mix.

3. Sour cream, yogurt or crème fraiche

Sour cream, yogurt, and crème fraiche are quick and easy substitutes for cream of mushroom soup in any recipe that benefits from a bit of spice, especially those with a lot of cheese.

Sour cream is essentially thickened cream with some lactic acid, which is also what makes it taste sour. To be an effective substitute, you should choose a whole version, as the low-fat options are not as thick and can make your recipe runny.

Similarly, if you choose yogurt as a substitute, opt for low-fat Greek yogurt to get the thick creaminess needed as a substitute for cream of mushroom soup.

Finally, the crème fraiche is an unpasteurized cultured cream that is thickened with natural bacteria.

All three options have a similar creaminess. They don’t exactly match the thickness of cream of mushroom soup, but if you’re looking for a light, creamy base for your recipe, they’ll work perfectly.

If you are using sour cream, yogurt, or crème fraiche as a substitute for cream of mushroom soup, use 1 cup to substitute for a 10-ounce can of soup.

4. Cream of celery

Condensed Cream of Celery, another of Campbell’s best soups, substitutes well for condensed Cream of Mushroom in consistency and creaminess. However, the underlying flavor is significantly different.

The mushrooms bring an earthy, umami, and meaty flavor to the soup, while the celery is almost herbal in its flavor and freshness.

If you don’t like mushrooms and you do like celery, this substitution is a win, as all other items will be nearly identical. You can substitute ounce for ounce.

Celery soup works well in recipes that could use a bit of freshness and bright flavors.

You might think that cream of broccoli soup would be a good substitute for cream of mushroom soup in a broccoli and cheese casserole, but cream of celery soup actually works better for this particular recipe.

It lightens up the recipe and brings out the flavor of the broccoli without completely removing the cheese flavors, as cream of broccoli might.

5. Potato cream

Potato cream usually has a bit of bacon or leek in it, which adds depth to the flavor.

Since potatoes are very starchy vegetables, this type of soup is much thicker and heavier, making it a good substitute when cooking hearty, comforting dishes.

It gives depth to dishes like beef stroganoff or Swedish meatballs without challenging the flavor of the beef. Potato cream can overpower a lighter stew, such as tuna noodles, so use it with caution.

6. Vegan cream of mushroom soup

If you love mushrooms but prefer not to eat dairy, you can find dairy-free mushroom soup mixes, like this Vegan Gluten- and Dairy-Free Cream of Mushroom Mix from Vivian’s Live Again.

Instead of adding milk, you can make it with coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk, some kind of nut milk, or water, and you’ll instantly have a creamy mushroom soup, without the actual cream.

However, you may not want to add any more soy to this product, as this mix already has dry soy milk and starches in it to give you the creaminess and thickness of a condensed cream soup without any dairy.

While it’s a good substitute for mushroom soup in any recipe that needs to be vegan or dairy-free, it will take a bit of experimenting to get the right fluid balance as it’s a dry mix.

This can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on your comfort in the kitchen and your patience in testing liquid ratios.

Related questions

What are the healthiest substitutes for cream of mushroom soup?

The healthiest substitute for canned cream of mushroom soup would be to make your own soup, so you know and feel comfortable with all the ingredients you use.

Alternatively, you can try Campbell’s Healthy Request Condensed Mushroom Soup, which is lower in fat and fewer calories than their original Cream of Mushroom Condensed Soup.

What can I substitute for the mushroom soup in the beef stroganoff?

Our favorite substitute for cream of mushroom soup in beef stroganoff is cream of potato.

It’s rich and thick, but it doesn’t compete with the flavor of the veal. You can also try mixing cream cheese with milk for a cheesier solution, or opt for sour cream for a lighter, fresher version of beef stroganoff.

What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup in green bean casserole?

We love cream of broccoli as a substitute for cream of mushroom soup in green bean casserole. You get the creaminess you’re looking for, with an extra bit of greens.

The broccoli bits add an interesting texture to the casserole and don’t overpower the flavor of the beans. Top it with some sharp cheddar cheese and your recipe is sure to win the favor of your family.

How can I substitute cream of mushroom soup in potato casserole?

Potato casseroles are all about the texture of the potatoes, so our best suggestion for substituting cream of mushroom soup is cream of celery or sour cream.

Both options will liven up the casserole, taking the heaviness out of the potato and cheese and bringing a burst of tangy flavor to the dish.

Is there a substitute for condensed cream in cream of mushroom soup?

If your mushroom soup recipe calls for condensed milk or condensed cream, you can substitute heavy cream in most cases.

Condensed milk is simply cow’s milk that has had some of the water in it evaporated, giving it a thicker consistency.

If you want to avoid dairy altogether, you can substitute full-fat canned coconut milk for the condensed cream.

Coconut milk has a naturally sweet flavor that will be similar to the sweetness of condensed milk, but with a hint of coconut, which combines deliciously with the umami flavor of the mushrooms.

What is the difference between mushroom soup and cream of mushroom soup?

The cream of mushroom soup uses a roux as its base, which is diluted with milk or cream and flavored with sautéed mushrooms. The result is a thick and creamy mushroom soup.

Mushroom soup can also be made without cream or roux, but with a stock base to which sautéed mushrooms are added. This soup is much lighter and is usually flavored with fresh herbs or sherry.

What herbs go well with mushroom soup?

Some of the most popular herbs to flavor mushroom soup are chopped fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, or tarragon. You can also cook a bay leaf with the soup, but be sure to remove it before serving.

Try some of these combinations:

• The five spice powder will add an Asian touch to your soup
• Coriander, cumin, turmeric and black pepper will add Middle Eastern warmth to the soup.
• The oregano, thyme and basil will create an Italian feeling.

Mushrooms go well with almost any combination of herbs or spices, so if you like mushroom soup, you can vary the presentation by changing the herbs you use.