Those looking for a shiitake mushroom substitute have come to the right place. This article will talk about the best options to replace shiitake. Note that these mushrooms are high in vitamins.
Shiitake mushrooms come from mainly Japan and China. However, the edible mushroom is eaten by many worldwide. Also, the food item can be used both as a side dish and a side dish in many recipes.
So, our article will give you nine different options to explore. You can choose any from the list below and substitute shiitake mushroom. Hence, keep reading the following sections.
Best Shiitake Mushroom Substitute
As promised, you’ll find nine mushrooms that can replace shiitake mushrooms in the following few sections. But, first, we’ll start our discussion with the porcini mushroom.
You can choose any option that best fits your recipe suitability.
1. Porcini Mushrooms
If we consider the texture of porcini mushrooms, they’re delicate and pretty fleshy. So, the porcini mushrooms can be used by us instead of the shiitake ones.
Also, the rich and earthy taste of the mushrooms makes them a perfect replacement for shiitake mushrooms. They’re just the ideal item, whether you want to add these mushrooms to pasta or risottos.
In addition, you can use them in grilled steaks and other meat dishes.
2. Tempeh
Tempeh can be used as a substitute for most mushroom types. The most common use of tempeh is in Indonesia.
However, it’s a non-mushroom substitute. So, anyone having an allergy or other health issues with mushrooms can consider tempeh in dishes.
In terms of flavor, it’s an excellent substitute for mushrooms, thanks to its nutty solid flavor and fungi-like aroma.
You may use it in a wide variety of cuisines. So, recipe compatibility is one of the best factors for tempeh. Next on our list is the Portobello mushroom.
3. Portobello Mushroom
It’s an excellent substitute for shiitake mushrooms. But unfortunately, you won’t be able to tell the difference in taste or texture between the Portobello mushrooms.
A firm consistency and an intense aroma will effectively deal with and cook with both types nearly identical.
Any meal can benefit from using this shiitake mushroom alternative. Portobello mushrooms can be roasted, grilled, or even turned into a sauce.
So, these will do the trick when a recipe calls for shiitake mushrooms, and you don’t have any on hand. Another great substitute is the dried shiitake mushrooms.
4. Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms can come in two types. One is the dried one, and the other is the fresh one. Usually, we use fresh ones.
However, dried shiitake mushrooms are a good option when you can’t find fresh ones.
Processing dried mushrooms might sound hard. But it’s pretty easy. First, we need to soak them in the water for around 30 minutes. Then, we can go ahead and cook them.
Anyways, the use of these mushrooms is wide. You can use them in soups, stews, pasta, and more. Note that you have to use less when adding dried mushrooms to a recipe. It’s due to their intense flavor.
5. Oyster Mushrooms
Mushrooms like oysters can give your food a pleasant, seafood-like flavor. However, if you’re looking for a meat substitute, you may want to consider using them instead.
It would be best to distinguish between these and the more familiar shiitake mushrooms.
Also, it’s better to cook oyster mushrooms entirely before eating them since they take nearly twice as long to cook.
To keep your other components from burning, you’ll have to keep a close eye on your dish as it cooks.
Another important note is to cook the mushrooms separately and then mix them in the recipe accordingly.
6. Cremini Mushrooms
It’s widely known that you can replace shiitake mushrooms with cremini mushrooms. Cremini mushrooms are a great option because of their earthy flavor and robust, fleshy consistency.
To the touch, these mushrooms have dark skin with rounded tips. You may use this alternative for Portobello mushrooms in the same way because they are related.
Sauces, spaghetti, and risottos can all benefit from the addition of these mushrooms.
However, cremini mushrooms are good, like the Portobello mushrooms, if you want to add them to meat, soups, or stews.
7. Maitake Mushrooms
One of the delicate substitutes for shiitake mushrooms is the Maitake mushroom.
Most Asian dishes that require mushrooms as a side dish go perfectly with the Maitake ones. However, note that Maitake mushrooms aren’t compatible with meats, stews, and fries.
It’s due to their delicate texture. When we add these mushrooms to the meat recipes, they get mixed with the main food item. So, they’re better in soups or pasta only.
One fascinating factor is that these mushrooms grow in abundance. So if you’ve got Oak trees around, you can find Maitake Mushrooms beneath them.
Next up, we’ll talk about Lobster Mushrooms. Keep reading to learn about one of the best substitutes for Shiitake Mushrooms.
8. Lobster Mushrooms
Lobster mushrooms are easy to identify. These mushrooms have got dots of white and orange color. So, you can differentiate the mushroom from the list of long items.
However, despite their unsatisfying appearance, many individuals enjoy their wonderful flavor.
This mushroom’s first appearance is weird lumps. However, when you start to process them, you’ll find white meat similar to a crab or lobster.
In any meal, the mushrooms can fully replace the shiitake, which has a sour and earthy flavor.
The last substitute on our list is the Enoki Mushrooms. Find out how the mushroom can substitute for others.
9. Enoki Mushrooms
The Enoki Mushrooms might be the best substitute if we consider flavor. The taste and aroma will increase to the highest point when adding Enoki mushroom.
But, Enoki mushrooms also got some shortcomings. They’ve got a delicate texture. Hence, they don’t go well in meat and likewise items in recipes.
Due to their delicacy, you’ll have less crispiness in your food. But, apart from that, the taste is just perfect to substitute shiitake mushrooms.
And now, we’ve finished the discussion on the nine substitutes for shiitake mushrooms. Next, we’ll have some extra talks, including a few questions and answers.
Shiitake Mushroom Substitute
Ingredients
- Enoki Mushrooms
- Lobster Mushrooms
- Maitake Mushrooms
- Cremini Mushrooms
- Oyster Mushrooms
- Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
- Portobello Mushroom
- Tempeh
- Porcini Mushrooms
Instructions
- Choose your preferred replacement from the list
- Add substitute to your recipe
- Make your own delicious recipe
Final Words
It seems that we can replace shiitake mushrooms with many options. However, there’s no necessity of replacing it with a mushroom-based substitute. We can also substitute with items like tempeh, which is a non-mushroom replacement.
Among the nine options we’ve shared, porcini and Portobello mushrooms are the best. They’re the best because of the taste, texture, and use in different recipes. So, if you’re confused, choose either from them.
Finally, we recommend choosing a substitute based on the taste, texture, and recipe suitability. For example, if you want to substitute shiitake mushrooms in stews or fries, it is better not to choose delicate options like maitake mushrooms.
Maybe you’d like to read:
FAQs – Shiitake Mushroom Substitute
So, we’ll answer for you around three questions based on mushrooms and their substitutes. We’re providing the answers for you clear any additional doubts on the topic.
Porcini or other mushrooms have some common factors or characteristics when they lose their quality.
However, porcini mushrooms will start to smell bad once they go bad. Also, the mushrooms become slimy or have a notable change in size when they start to deteriorate.
Also, note that the texture of the porcini mushrooms isn’t soft. So, when they become squishy on the surface, it’s an indication that you need to throw them away.
And that would be all the indications by which we can tell if a porcini has gone bad.
However, have you ever wondered how long you could use a mushroom? Let’s find that out in the following section.
It depends on a few factors. First of all, let’s consider refrigeration. When we refrigerate shiitake mushrooms, they can last up to two weeks.
However, when we don’t keep them in a fridge, they might last up to the highest two days. Also, we need to keep them covered with a wrapping even when we refrigerate them.
But, know that shiitake mushrooms can go bad even when you store them properly. It all depends on the initial quality of the mushrooms.
It’s good to note that when these mushrooms have a wrinkle-like structure on the surface, they’re not suitable for use anymore.
On average, around eight to ten minutes is necessary to cook shiitake mushrooms.
However, it might take less or more time to get cooked, depending on the initial condition.
Also, note that if you start to cook while they’re cold, it’ll take another five or so minutes in addition to the original cooking time.
Lastly, there’re two signs of the proper cooking of these mushrooms. First, they’ll turn brown and tender when they’re cooked properly. So, keep a note of that.
And now we’re all done with our topic of shiitake mushroom substitute.
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