SaurabhPorcini mushrooms are perfect for both mushroom and meat lovers.
Because of the meaty texture of mushrooms, they are frequently used as meat substitutes and one of the most popular is the porcini mushrooms.
They have a meaty, earthy flavor, perfect for sauteing, using in risotto, gravies, and soups.
Dried porcini mushrooms are also incredibly popular because they provide a very meaty, umami flavor to any dish, and can be kept and rehydrated whenever you need them.
Porcini mushrooms add a punch of umami flavor to any dish, especially if you use thyme, but you can also find some substitutes if you cannot find porcini mushrooms.
Best Substitutes for Porcini Mushrooms
If you can’t find Porcini mushrooms or would like to try other, similar mushrooms, consider the following substitutes for Porcini mushrooms.
1. Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms are large in size and have a super meaty texture, and add a great umami flavor to any dish.
They are also a popular meat substitute due to their large size. So, they can be used in place of burger patties or steaks.
They can also be cut up and added to risotto, soups, or used to prepare gravy and make a great substitute for porcini mushrooms.
Portobello mushrooms have great flavor and you can easily find them in supermarkets. So, they are possibly the best substitute for porcini mushrooms.
2. Shiitake Mushroom
This mushroom is often considered the best substitute for porcini mushrooms because the two have a very similar look, texture, and earthy, umami flavor.
Shiitake mushrooms hold up well when cooked and go well in risotto, stews, gravies, pies, and any other dish, so they can easily replace porcini mushrooms in any recipe.
You can also buy dried shiitake mushrooms instead of porcini mushrooms. Thus, you can replace porcini with shiitake in any recipe.
Shiitake mushrooms add a great umami flavor to any dish, as well as a meaty texture.
3. Button Mushroom
The most common type of mushroom in a supermarket is button mushrooms. They are also the most affordable types of mushrooms, making them great substitutes for porcini.
Button mushrooms are smaller and have a less meaty texture. However, they still provide a lot of umami, earthy flavor to any dish and are very versatile.
You can replace any mushroom with button mushrooms in your dish and still have great flavor. Button mushrooms are smaller than porcini, so keep in mind that you may want to buy more to substitute the quantity.
4. Oyster Mushroom
Oyster mushrooms are very popular because of their unique look, resembling oysters, and their great, meaty texture.
Many chefs have stated that when oyster mushrooms are cooked properly, they have the same texture and flavor as chicken. It has a nice umami flavor and makes a good substitute for porcini mushrooms in any dish, and can usually be found in supermarkets easily.
They can be used to make risotto, sauteed, or added to different soups or gravy the same way that porcini mushrooms are used.
5. Chanterelle Mushroom
Chanterelle mushrooms resemble oyster mushrooms. They have a similar earthy, meaty texture, making them another popular substitute for meat.
Their umami flavor makes them a great substitute for porcini mushrooms and they can be added to soups, fried, sauteed, or made into gravy.
They are not always the easiest to find in supermarkets. However, they are a good mushroom to look out for as their texture is very similar to the porcini mushroom and they can easily be used as a substitute.
6. Cremini Mushrooms
Like button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms are quite small and have a great, earthy flavor.
They add umami to any dish and also have a meaty texture like porcini mushrooms. So, if you can’t find porcini, a good substitute is cremini mushrooms.
You can cut these up and saute them or add them to stews, and they are exceptionally good to add to mushroom sauces or gravies.
7. Dried Thyme
Dried thyme is a substitute for dried porcini mushrooms, and although it might sound strange, it is actually one of the best substitutes for dried porcini mushrooms.
Thyme has an earthly, slightly pungent flavor that can replace the earthy flavor that dried porcini mushrooms give to a dish.
Mushrooms are also frequently cooked with thyme because of this. To replace porcini with thyme, simply add about half a teaspoon to your dish and add more to taste.
You can easily find dried thyme in supermarkets. It is a pantry staple, making it a great substitute for dried porcini mushrooms. This can also be used in place of fresh porcini mushrooms, but will not add any texture to your dish.
8. Tomato Paste
If you’re really in a pinch and you don’t have porcini mushrooms for your stews and sauces, then a great substitute is actually tomato paste.
Tomato paste is thick and has a beautiful savory and umami flavor. Therefore, you can use it in stews and sauces, as well as soups.
Keep in mind that it will add a tomato flavor as well. You cannot use it for sauteing. However, in any liquid recipe, this is a great substitute. The best part? You can easily find it in supermarkets.
9. Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is the ultimate condiment when it comes to umami flavor. Therefore, if you’re looking to replace porcini or dried porcini in sauces, soups, and stews, add a few dashes of soy sauce.
This adds a great umami flavor to any dish and can also be added to risotto for a depth of flavor. Make sure to only add small amounts at a time as soy sauce is very salty. You don’t want to ruin the flavor of your dish.
10. Dried Truffles
Truffles also have a super earthy, umami flavor. And although their taste is slightly different, they are a great substitute for dried porcini mushrooms.
You can buy them at specialty food stores, but note that they cost more. Still, they provide a great flavor and can last for a while. They can either be rehydrated or grated into foods and enjoy their brilliant umami flavor.
Related Questions
What can I use instead of dried Porcini mushrooms?
Substitutes for dried porcini mushrooms include thyme, tomato paste, dried truffles, and soy sauce, because of their concentrated umami flavor.
You can easily find these products in your local supermarkets and will add depth of flavor to any dish without needing dried porcini mushrooms. You can also buy dried shiitake mushrooms and these can be used instead of dried porcini.
Where are dried Porcini mushrooms in the grocery store?
They are usually with other dried or dehydrated foods and can be found near the pasta aisle. In some supermarkets, they can be found in the Asian section as well, but they will usually not be stored near the fresh mushrooms as they can last a lot longer than fresh mushrooms.
Are dried Porcini mushrooms the same as fresh?
Dried porcini mushrooms have a little more umami flavor and a tougher texture because they usually need to be rehydrated in warm water before being cooked.
Whereas fresh porcini mushrooms can be cooked straight away. They can be used in the same dishes, however, as they both have the same earthy, umami flavor.
Can I substitute fresh mushrooms for dried?
Yes, in most cases, you can substitute fresh mushrooms for dried as long as you rehydrate them for a few hours in warm water before using them.
The texture may be a little tougher because they have been dried beforehand, but dried porcini mushrooms will still add a great depth of flavor to your dishes.
