Cream of mushroom soup is an ingredient used in many casseroles and comfort foods. If you have an allergy to this oft-used ingredient, you won’t be able to eat store-bought cream of mushroom soups or use it in recipes.
Is there a substitute for cream of mushroom soup if you need to avoid it due to an allergy? There are actually many! These include cream of chicken soup, cream of potato soup, cream of broccoli soup, cream of celery soup, sour cream, yogurt, or créme fraiche; many of which can be used without sacrificing flavor or texture.
As mushrooms contribute to the flavor of umami in any dish they’re included in, you may need to include some spices or additional ingredients to help with the flavor of your dish. But in most cases where cream of mushroom is being swapped out of a dish like a casserole, the other ingredients will make up for any lack of umami with no problem.
1. Cream of Chicken Soup
Cream of chicken soup is the best substitute for cream of mushroom soup as it will give the same creaminess and most similar flavor profile to the dish.
However, be sure to use a soup that does not have big pieces of chicken in it. Or consider using an immersion blender or a standard blender to quickly dice up the chicken and make it smaller.
2. Cream of Potato Soup
If you choose to use cream of potato soup, keep in mind that potatoes are starchy and so this soup is heavier than cream of mushroom. However, the addition of bacon or leeks — often found in cream of potato soup, does a better job at replicating the umami flavor of mushrooms.
As suggested above, consider using a blender to break up the potatoes and lessen the starchiness. You could also add a splash of water, milk, cream, or alt-milk to help break down a bit of the starch.
3. Cream of Broccoli Soup or Cream of Celery Soup
Cream of broccoli soup is an excellent choice if you’re trying to increase your vegetable intake, or if you just don’t like mushrooms.
While cream of celery soup does substitute well for cream of mushroom soup in terms of creaminess and consistency, it has a much more herbaceous, light flavor than cream of mushroom soup.
Both cream of broccoli soup and cream of celery soup are delicious, nutritious, and an excellent choice if your casserole needs to be lightened or brightened up. These soups are both light and bright themselves. They are also both the best substitution for cream of mushroom soup if you want to amp up the amount of vegetables in your dish.
4. Sour Cream, Yogurt, or Créme Fraiche
Sour cream, yogurt, and créme fraiche are perfect substitutes for cream of mushroom soup in any recipe that needs some tanginess.
Sour cream is the product of adding lactic acid to regular dairy cream. The lactic acid is what makes the sour cream taste sour. If you use this ingredient as a substitute for cream of mushroom soup, it’s best to use a full-fat version.
As with sour cream, if you choose to swap yogurt in place of the cream of mushroom soup, it’s best to choose a full-fat Greek yogurt to ensure the same creamy, thick texture.
Créme fraiche, which is an unpasteurized, cultured cream, is also a good substitute for cream of mushroom soup.
Also, read a similar post: Best Substitute for Golden Mushroom Soup
Conclusion
Cream of mushroom soup is a popular addition to casseroles and other recipes. However, if an allergy requires that you avoid it, you can use a variety of ingredients to closely mimic the flavor, texture, and consistency of cream of mushroom soup in your recipes.
Just keep in mind with all of these suggested substitutes that they are not an exact match. Your recipe may require some planning and experimentation before you bring your dish to a potluck or holiday dinner.