The 8 Best Substitutes For Cream Of Mushroom Soup

What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup? The best substitutes for the cream of mushroom soup are homemade mushroom soup or a powdered mix. Use cream of chicken, potato, bacon, celery soup, sour cream, or heavy cream.

Cream of mushroom soup is a thick, saucy mixture of milk, mushrooms, broth, and seasonings. Although it’s good as is, mushroom soup is a cooking shortcut for comfort foods. Cream of mushroom soup creates an instant, thick, creamy sauce for green bean casserole, beef stroganoff, and pasta bakes. Here are the eight best substitutes for the cream of mushroom soup.

The Best Cream Of Mushroom Soup Substitutes

Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

The perfect substitute for cream of mushroom soup is homemade soup.

It’s pretty quick and easy to make your own cream of mushroom soup. It’s ideal in a casserole that will take on the flavors of other ingredients.

Begin by sautéeing mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Remove them from the pan, and add butter and flour to make a roux. Add milk to make a white sauce or béchamel.

Depending on how thick you need your soup, adjust the volume of liquid: add more or less milk, cream, chicken broth, or vegetable broth. Season as desired with salt and pepper, or Worcestershire sauce for umami flavor

You can easily make this a vegan substitute by using coconut oil and plant-based milk – coconut milk makes it very creamy.

Replace canned cream of mushroom soup with equal quantities of your homemade version.

Cream Of Mushroom Soup Mix

Another convenient substitute for canned cream of mushroom soup is a ready cream of mushroom soup mix.

It’s handy to stock dry, shelf-stable soup mixes in your pantry, as they last for ages and add instant flavor to any dish.

These mixes usually contain dried milk powder, thickeners, mushrooms, onions, garlic powder, herbs, and spices.

Commercially made mixes also often include flavoring, thickening, and coloring agents, so several homemade recipes are available.

To use cream of mushroom soup powder, reconstitute it with milk, water, or cream. Use less liquid than instructed for soup, as you must keep it thick and creamy if adding it to casseroles.

Use reconstituted soup mix instead of cream of mushroom soup in casseroles with robust flavors, such as a ground beef nacho casserole.

Substitute powdered soup for cream of mushroom soup 1:1.

Cream Of Chicken Soup

Replace a can of cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup.

Cream of chicken soup is a condensed canned soup containing cream, chicken, chicken stock, and seasonings. You can find varieties that include mushrooms and other vegetables as well.

Because of their similar consistency and flavor, cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup are relatively interchangeable.

Cream of chicken soup works very well in chicken casseroles with rice, pasta, or chicken pan recipes. Add sautéed mushrooms and garlic to get the umami flavor of mushroom soup.

Replace cream of mushroom soup directly with cream of chicken soup, with the proviso that your dish will contain small chunks of chicken.

Cream of Potato Soup

Another cream soup to replace the cream of mushroom soup is the cream of potato.

Cream of potato soup is a deliciously thick ingredient, rich with cream and flavored with onions, garlic, and celery.

With a mild, hearty flavor and smooth, velvety texture, cream of potato soup makes a handy alternative to the cream of mushroom soup either as a meal on its own or as an additional ingredient.

Replace cream of mushroom soup with cream of potato in dishes that need thickening and binding or can handle a heavier consistency.

It’s ideal in tater tot casserole or hashbrown bake, as a base for chowder and chicken pot pie, or in a sauce for the turkey. Add sautéed mushrooms if necessary.

Use the same quantity of potato soup as cream of mushroom soup.

Cream of Bacon Soup

Cream of bacon soup is a delectable replacement for the cream of mushroom soup.

A relative newcomer to the cream soup family, this delicious soup contains thick cream and smoky bacon. It has the same lush consistency as mushroom soup, with the added texture and flavor of bacon bits.

Use cream of bacon soup instead of cream of mushroom soup if your family is bacon fans.

It tastes delicious in green bean casserole, mac and cheese, corn casserole, and chicken bakes. It thickens and enriches each dish just as mushroom soup does.

One can of cream of bacon soup equals one can of cream of mushroom. Add sautéed mushrooms if you want that specific flavor.

Cream Of Celery Soup

Another creamy alternative to creamy mushroom soup is creamy celery soup.

Cream of celery soup is a rich, vegetable-laden soup containing celery, onions, and cream. It has a similar texture and lushness to the cream of mushroom soup but has a brighter, herbaceous flavor.

Use cream of celery soup to replace mushroom soup when you need to thicken a casserole or sauce rather than add umami flavor. You can add mushrooms, but the celery flavor will overpower them.

Celery soup will create an earthy, slightly bitter flavor profile, so it works best in vegetable dishes, like creamed spinach or vegetable and barley soup.

It also tastes great in tuna bakes, slow-cooker chicken casseroles, and shepherd’s pie.

Cream of celery soup can replace cream of mushroom soup in equal volumes.

Sour Cream

Sour cream is a convenient substitute for the cream of mushroom soup.

This dairy product is rich and smooth, with a delightful tang from the lactic acid used to culture the cream.

You can use full-fat sour cream instead of mushroom soup to thicken and add richness to a meal.

Sour cream is far higher in fat than mushroom soup, so it will result in a more decadent dish. It enhances beef stroganoff, pasta bakes, chicken, and tuna dishes.

To mimic the flavor of mushroom soup, add garlic, onions, and mushrooms to the sautée pan at the beginning of cooking and season generously.

Instead of cream of mushroom soup, use the same amount of sour cream. Don’t add sour cream to a hot soup or stew, as it will curdle.

Heavy Cream

Another dairy product that you can use as a cream of mushroom alternative is heavy cream.

Heavy cream rises to the top of fresh milk and contains around 40% fat. It is the cream you whip to top apple pie or add to desserts. Heavy cream will thicken any dish but not add intense flavor.

Heavy cream is an ideal alternative to the mushroom soup when you’re cooking for people who are not fond of mushrooms, as it adds luxury and smoothness without the umami taste. Add it to beef stroganoff, chowder, mac, and cheese, or a creamy meatball sauce.

Replace the cream of mushroom soup with equal volumes of heavy cream.