The classic hearty and condensed cream of mushroom soup is a staple ingredient in many recipes.
However, you may find yourself needing to find a Substitute for Cream of Mushroom Soup to cater to specific dietary needs or to simply add new twists to your favorite recipes.
In both instances, this article will come in handy as this hosts some of the best tried and tested cream of mushroom soup substitutes. Keep reading to find the perfect alternatives for this classic ingredient, depending on your recipe.
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Reasons To Use Cream of Mushroom Soup Alternatives
Here are some of the most common reasons you may need to get your hands on a cream of mushroom substitute.
Lower Sodium Intake
Canned cream of mushroom soup often contains excessive amounts of sodium. While this sodium content is essential for preserving the soup’s shelf life, it becomes a cause for concern for individuals who need to monitor their sodium intake.
Fortunately, though, for many of the substitutions mentioned later, you can control how much of each ingredient to put in your soup, making it very easy to lower the sodium levels of your dish.
Allergies
Mushroom soup can be a problem for those allergic to any type of mushroom or the preservatives used in most canned food. So, if you’ve got anyone coming over with known allergic reactions to these ingredients, you can easily use mushroom soup alternatives in your recipes.
Convenience
If you know how to substitute cream of mushroom soup easily, you can cook recipes that call for it, even if you don’t have this ingredient at home. This makes cooking more convenient and enjoyable, as you’ll have more creative freedom during the process.
Best Substitutes For Cream of Mushroom Soup
Have recipes that call for cream of mushroom, but you can’t or don’t want to use this ingredient? Here are the best alternatives you can use to keep your dishes packed with creaminess and flavor.
Cream of Chicken Soup
Made from chicken broth and rich seasonings, you can use cream of chicken soup to bring the same smoothness and consistency that mushroom soup offers.
You can use this alternative for pretty much any recipe that calls for cream of mushroom soup, but I personally love using it when cooking good, old casseroles. By using this substitute, you’ll enjoy an extra savory and meaty soup that contains high levels of protein.
Cream of Celery Soup
If you’re looking for a cream of mushroom soup alternative with healthier nutritional content, cream of celery soup is definitely going to be your favorite substitute. Although it uses leafy greens as the main ingredient, the celery soup brings a mild flavor that’s sought-after in the creamy mushroom soup.
The celery soup is an excellent vegan option on this list. Note, however, that since this condensed soup uses herbs such as thyme and parsley, it’ll bring a herbaceous flavor to your dish, which some may not like.
Cream of Potato Soup
Thanks to its starchy nature, this ingredient is a good alternative if you want to thicken the base in recipes like sauces and chowders.
However, unlike cream of mushroom soup, it lacks the umami flavor and has a subtle sweet taste. So, use this alternative ingredient gradually to not alter a recipe’s flavor too much.
Cream of Broccoli Soup
Cream of broccoli is usually cooked at home by heating broccoli, garlic, and onions in a broth base.
When its ingredients are adjusted accordingly, this soup’s vegetable flavor is similar to that of mushroom soup, with the bonus of bringing more nutritional value.
However, note that there may be better options than using broccoli soup for those who want to achieve a more visually pleasing food. After all, despite this alternative providing dishes with thick cream, it’ll also give your dish a noticeable green color.
Sour Cream
Like cream of mushroom, sour cream adds a creamy texture to various dishes. Keep in mind, though, that you may notice a difference in the consistency when using this replacement, as sour cream is evidently thicker than cream of mushroom soup.
I recommend using this ingredient when you need a substitute for cream of mushroom soup when making creamy sauces for dishes like stroganoff.
Heavy Cream
Heavy cream, commonly called in the baking world heavy whipping cream, is also a dairy product you can use as a mushroom soup substitute for some recipes.
With its high-fat content from cow’s milk, this baker’s favorite delivers a rich, creamy texture to various dishes, just like the cream of mushroom soup. Moreover, its neutral taste is an asset if you don’t want to overpower a recipe’s distinct flavor.
Heads up, though, that a bit of consistency adjustment is needed when using this substitution. Since heavy cream has a noticeably thicker consistency than cream of mushroom soup, it may make the sauce too dense if you add too much.
Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe
Wondering how you can find a substitute for canned cream of mushroom soup when you’re just at home? Consider making this ingredient from scratch.
Making the soup instead of buying it gives you more control over the flavor and appearance.
Luckily, I have an easy-to-follow recipe that takes less than an hour to make and may even taste better than the classic canned soup.
📋 Recipe
Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe
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Equipment
- skillet
- medium bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 tablespoons flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Diced onion
- 3 ¾ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half-and-half cream
Instructions
- Melt butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onions and add the mushrooms.
- In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups of chicken broth with the flour and seasonings. Pour into the mushroom mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Pour the remaining chicken broth into the mixture. Wait until it boils and thickens.
- Change to lower heat and mix in the half-and-half cream. Let it simmer, and make sure to mix once in a while.
- After 10-15 minutes, turn off the heat and serve. Enjoy your homemade cream of mushroom soup.
Nutrition
Best Cream of Mushroom Soup Store-bought Alternatives
You can easily replace mushroom soup in any recipe with store-bought alternatives. In fact, many of the substitutions I mentioned above already come in cans that you can simply find at the grocery aisles and use as is.
Some of the best store-bought easy substitutions for mushroom soup are the cream of chicken soup and heavy cream. They’re fairly easy to find and easy to adjust to suit your recipe’s flavor profile accordingly.
Tips For Using Soup Substitutes in Recipes
Don’t Overcook The Substitutes
Keep in mind that some of the substitute ingredients mentioned above, such as the cream of celery soup and heavy cream, cannot withstand prolonged high heat. Hence, it’s best to add these ingredients toward the end of your cooking or to only cook them at lower temperatures.
Season Along As You Cook
Some of the ingredients mentioned have a different flavor profile, which may alter the overall taste of your recipe. Taste the dish as you cook to better understand what to add or leave out instead of seasoning your dish all at once.
Adjust The Consistency
Cream of mushroom soup is known for its creamy and rich texture. While the substitutes above offer similar levels of deliciousness, they may be too thick or thin for your dish. That said, adjust the ingredients accordingly until you reach the consistency you need.
Never Miss Out On The Creaminess
You can pretty much substitute cans of mushroom soup in any recipe. So, whether you’re allergic to this ingredient or just want to bring an exciting twist to this iconic soup, you’ll have plenty of easy substitutes to choose from.
Just remember to always add and season these ingredients according to your palate. And who knows? One of these substitutes may even become one of your go-to ingredients instead of the good old cream of mushroom soup.