Upgrade Your Dishes: 5 Best Substitutes for Trumpet Mushrooms

Finding a substitute for trumpet mushrooms isn’t just about keeping your recipes on track; it’s a chance to get creative in the kitchen!

You’ve landed in the perfect spot if you’re scratching your head over what to use instead.

Trumpet mushrooms, with their meaty texture and rich flavor, are a favorite for many.

Yet, here we are, ready to rock your dishes with some amazing alternatives.

Each swap we’ve got lined up promises to bring something unique to the table, ensuring your meals are always a hit.

No need for a culinary degree here – we keep things simple and fun. Ready to give your dishes a playful twist? Let’s dive in!

The 5 Best Substitutes for Trumpet Mushrooms

Trumpet mushrooms, also known as king trumpet mushrooms or king oyster mushrooms, are a flavorful and versatile ingredient in various culinary dishes.

However, if you are unable to find trumpet mushrooms or simply looking for alternative options, there are several substitutes available.

In this guide, we will compare the top 5 substitutes for trumpet mushrooms, discussing their key characteristics and suggesting proper ratios to help you achieve similar flavors and textures in your recipes.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Chanterelle Mushrooms	Delicate and fruity with a peppery, earthy flavor; have a firm and meaty texture	Use an equal amount of chanterelle mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms
Oyster Mushrooms	Mild and delicate flavor with a slightly sweet and briny taste; have a tender and velvety texture	Use an equal amount of oyster mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms
Shiitake Mushrooms	Earthy and savory with a meaty texture; can add depth and umami to dishes	Use an equal amount of shiitake mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms
Cremini Mushrooms	Similar taste profile to button mushrooms but with a deeper, earthier flavor; have a slightly firmer texture	Use an equal amount of cremini mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms
Button Mushrooms	Mild flavor with a firm and delicate texture; versatile and widely available	Use an equal amount of button mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms

Now let’s dive into each substitute in more detail:

1 – Chanterelle Mushrooms

Chanterelle mushrooms are an excellent substitute for trumpet mushrooms.

They have a wonderful flavor and can be used in any recipe calling for the latter.

However, they are easily distinguished.

Chanterelle mushrooms have a fruity, apricot-like smell.

They are easy to clean and can be used in salads, soups, or stews.

These mushrooms are tasty when eaten fresh but aren’t available all year round.

Moreover, they can be expensive to buy depending on where you live.

The flavor of chanterelles is buttery, and they have a fine, spongy texture.

As for the cooking time, they require very little.

This makes them great choices for quick meals or side dishes with steak or fish.

• Key Characteristics: Chanterelle mushrooms have a delicate and fruity flavor with a peppery, earthy undertone. They have a firm and meaty texture, making them an excellent substitute for trumpet mushrooms.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of chanterelle mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired flavor intensity.

2 – Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms grow on trees and are sometimes called tree oysters for those who don’t know.

They first emerged in Japan but are found all over the world today.

Furthermore, they may be white or grayish-brown oyster mushrooms.

Oyster mushrooms are a great replacement for trumpet mushrooms; oyster mushrooms have a fine texture that looks remarkably like the latter.

In addition, their flavor is nutty and sweet.

Even though oyster mushrooms may be eaten raw, it’s best to cook them first since they are rather tough.

It is also important not to overcook them to lose their delicate texture.

Moreover, remove the pan from the heat before adding these mushrooms because they’ll continue to cook in the hot pan.

Unlike trumpet mushrooms, oyster mushrooms are available year-round and can be found fresh or dried.

However, they need to be kept moist until they are cooked.

So, if you aren’t cooking them right away, store them in a plastic bag with water or between wet paper towels.

• Key Characteristics: Oyster mushrooms have a mild and delicate flavor with a slightly sweet and briny taste. They have a tender and velvety texture, which makes them a suitable alternative to trumpet mushrooms.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of oyster mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired flavor intensity.

3 – Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms can be used as a great alternative to trumpet mushrooms.

Many people use them interchangeably without noticing the difference.

However, there are some notable differences between these two.

First and foremost, shiitake mushrooms have a brownish color with light striations instead of dark stripes like trumpet mushrooms.

Shiitake mushrooms are extremely versatile and can be used in most recipes calling for trumpet mushrooms.

They have a meaty texture with an earthy flavor.

However, they are rather strong and may mask the other flavors in your dish if you use them as a substitute.

Cooking time varies depending on how you like to eat your mushrooms.

Suppose you like them raw, stir-fry, or grill them first to bring out their flavor.

However, if you want to use them in a sauce or stew, it is best to sauté these mushrooms first before adding them.

• Key Characteristics: Shiitake mushrooms have an earthy and savory flavor with a meaty texture. They can add depth and umami to dishes, making them a viable substitute for trumpet mushrooms.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of shiitake mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired flavor intensity.

4 – Cremini Mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms, also known as baby Bella mushrooms, make a great substitute for trumpet mushrooms.

Creminis are meaty and flavorful with a slightly chewy texture when fresh.

On the other hand, they become very tender when cooked and taste like brown or button mushrooms.

The good thing about cremini mushrooms is that they’re available all year round and can be found fresh or canned.

You should avoid buying pre-sliced creminis because moisture loss will significantly change the texture.

Cremini mushroom slices can add flavor to soups, stews, stir-fries, and other dishes.

If you are slicing fresh creminis, it is best to quickly cook them over high heat because they will shrink significantly.

• Key Characteristics: Cremini mushrooms have a similar taste profile to button mushrooms but with a deeper, earthier flavor. They have a slightly firmer texture, which makes them a suitable alternative to trumpet mushrooms in various dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of cremini mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired flavor intensity.

5 – Button Mushrooms

As its name suggests, button mushrooms are small and round with a slightly wrinkly surface.

These mushrooms have a mild flavor and an almost spongy texture when cooked.

On the other hand, they become almost jelly-like when cooked for long.

Button mushrooms can substitute trumpet or oyster mushrooms in most dishes.

However, its flavor is very mild, and it will absorb the flavors of other ingredients in your recipe.

Moreover, button mushroom slices have rounded ridges, so you’ll lose some texture if you use these cubes as a substitute.

When cooking button mushrooms, it is best to sauté them in a dry pan.

This way, you can avoid using butter or oil when cooking them so the flavor of your dish won’t change.

• Key Characteristics: Button mushrooms have a mild flavor with a firm and delicate texture. They are versatile and widely available, making them a convenient substitute for trumpet mushrooms in many recipes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of button mushrooms as a substitute for trumpet mushrooms. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired flavor intensity.