What are your options when you’re craving something meaty but are put off by eating meat? You could reach for the olives or make a nut roast. Or have you considered the meaty mushroom as a delicious replacement for meat?

Mushrooms come in so many varieties that you’re guaranteed to find one that satisfies your taste buds. We’ll explain why meaty mushrooms are the ace up your sleeve when making delicious, filling meals for the whole family.

Why are Meaty Mushrooms a Great Choice?

Looking for a meaty meal without the meat content? Or just bulking up your dinner with extra veggies? Either way, meaty mushrooms are the star of countless tasty recipes, either as a meat substitute or a delicious addition to any meal.

Mushrooms are renowned for their unique flavour and texture, making them versatile and compatible with most types of cuisine. Let’s shine the spotlight on meaty mushrooms and explain what makes them such a fantastic ingredient in all kinds of dishes.

Fantastic “Umami” Flavour

Mushrooms have a distinctive “umami” flavour thanks to the presence of glutamate, a type of amino acid. This gives them their deep, earthy characteristic and their strong, savoury taste preferred by meat and non-meat eaters alike.

Admittedly, mushrooms may not taste exactly the same as meat, but there are strong similarities, making them easy to disguise as meat in all sorts of dishes and plant-based recipes.

So, if your meat-free creations are missing a key ingredient, you can get that savoury “umami” flavour by adding meaty mushrooms. Not only that, but mushrooms are great at soaking up sauces and absorbing herbs and spices to suit most palate, making them perfect for stews, casseroles, and pasta dishes like this spaghetti with mushroom and bacon sauce.

Tantalising Texture

Are you one of those people who hates the texture of mushrooms? They almost have a strange, slimy quality when cooked the wrong way.

We prefer to embrace the unique texture that mushrooms bring to the table. Some are firm and robust, others more tender and delicate – but most varieties provide a satisfying, meaty element to any type of cuisine.

If you’re using mushrooms, remember that preparation techniques and cooking times can affect their consistency.  And, if you’re genuinely put off by the texture but are seeking a mushroomy taste, Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup is an ideal alternative.

Highly Nutritious

We’ve established that mushrooms have a unique “umami” taste and texture and make a delicious meat substitute. But are they nutritious?

Research shows that mushrooms are a healthy addition to any balanced diet. They contain a host of nutrients including protein, carbohydrates and fibre, as well as a range of vitamins. Not only that, but due to their high-water content, they’re also low in calories.

Admittedly, mushrooms aren’t a true like-for-like meat replacement for meat when it comes to protein content. However, combining them with other common protein sources like beans or tofu will account for any shortfall in your diet. For example, this mouthwatering roasted vegetable pasta dish is packed with goodness and flavour and has a hint of mushroom too.

What Types of Meaty Mushrooms Should I Use?

The easiest way to find the best meaty mushrooms to transform your favourite dishes is to experiment with different varieties. They’re guaranteed to deliver that all-important meaty “umami” punch and elevate your meals to a whole new level.

Let’s look at a selection of popular mushroom varieties that you’re likely to find in your local supermarket or grocery store.

1. Button Mushrooms

Button mushrooms are among the most common and versatile mushrooms and complement all kinds of dishes and cuisines. That’s because they’ll take on the flavour of anything you throw at them from pungent spices to delicate seasoning.

While you may find meatier mushrooms around, button mushrooms are fantastic at absorbing other flavours, making them a tasty addition to any plant-based or meat dish such as this satisfying chicken potato bake. Button mushrooms are also one of the chief ingredients in this quick and easy beef stroganoff recipe.

2. Portobello Mushrooms

You’ve probably come across a portobello burger or portobello steak at a restaurant. That’s because portobello mushrooms are the perfect meat substitute favoured by many non-meat eaters.

Thanks to their wide brown caps, portobello mushrooms fit perfectly into a burger and are often swapped for meat in all kinds of soups, stews, chillis, sandwiches and more. For example, you could replace the beef mince in this classic beef taco bake with portobello mushrooms and create a delicious, meat-free family meal.

3. Oyster Mushrooms

With their leaf-like appearance, oyster mushrooms come a range of thicknesses. Cook them quickly and they’ll retain a mild flavour, while longer cooking times bring out deeper, earthy flavour.

As the name suggests, oyster mushrooms also have a delicate seafood flavour and are hugely popular in Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. You could replace the fish ingredients in this classic spicy seafood risotto or a traditional clam chowder with a handful of oyster mushrooms to achieve a delicious veggie meal. Or maybe you’d prefer to add a bunch of oyster mushrooms to a pungent chicken curry – the choice is yours.

4. Shiitake Mushrooms

If you’re a fan of stir-frys and Asian food, shiitake mushrooms are your biggest kitchen buddy. With their wide caps and thick stems, they have a delicious meaty flavour and soft texture that goes with a wide range of dishes.

Shiitake mushrooms are used to elevate everything from soups and stir-frys to curries and casseroles. They’re also robust enough to cope with roasting, pan-frying and even air frying and are great at soaking up other flavours. You could also throw some shiitakes into this chunky summer vegetable chilli when you’re looking for a tasty, meat-free meal.

5. Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms

While they’re not as popular as the other varieties mentioned above, chicken of the woods mushrooms are a great addition to any meal. They’re arguably the ultimate type of meaty mushroom because their taste and texture are uncannily similar to chicken.

Chicken of the woods mushrooms don’t have a cap of gills, but rather grow into a fan-shaped vegetable. They’re not easy to find in supermarkets, but are available from many Asian stores and specialist grocers. If you can get your hands on some, chicken of the woods mushrooms make a delicious substitute for meat and are a great addition to any meal such as this creamy pesto chicken pasta dish.

Do You Use Meaty Mushrooms in Your Recipes?

Have you created a favourite dish using meaty mushrooms? We’d love to hear all about it. Take some photos and tag us on social media. And happy cooking!