Truffle zest is a versatile seasoning that you can use on almost anything. It will be a great addition to anything from pasta and pizzas to eggs and french fries.
A good thing about truffle zest is that a little goes a long way. You do not need to add too much to your food. It is intensely aromatic and flavorsome, so a tiny amount will do well.
Suppose you are looking for this multifaceted seasoning but have been unlucky in finding it. In that case, we have a few substitutes rounded up for you.
Substitutes for Truffle Zest
1. Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms are native to Europe and North America, but they have become available worldwide because of their popularity.
These mushrooms have a very intense flavor and aroma. Despite that, they are versatile, like truffle zest, and can be used in various dishes. The intense flavor can sometimes get overpowering.
So you will have to balance it out by adding it in correct ratios and then adding other ingredients in the right amounts as well.
Portobello mushrooms can make a good combination with many ingredients. They are known to have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties- that’s a lot of good in one ingredient! Additionally, these mushrooms will also provide you with health benefits.
Portobellos are a rich source of proteins. Along with that, they have magnesium, zinc, niacin, thiamin, manganese, vitamin B6, potassium, copper, selenium, phosphorus, and dietary fibers.
Also, the dark gills of the inside of portobello mushrooms are entirely edible. But many chefs prefer to remove them since they darken the color of the dish. If you are not bothered by the color change, you can choose to keep the gills as well.
2. Porcini Salt
The power of this salt lies in its simplicity. The porcini salt will add depth, flavor, and a good kick of umami to your dishes.
This is an all-purpose seasoning that can be used with almost everything. You can use it as an ingredient while cooking or sprinkle it on top when the dish is served. However, it is mainly used as the latter.
You may use the porcini salt with veggies, eggs, popcorn, meat, salads, rice, roasted potatoes, pasta, risotto, poultry- literally anything!
If you think it is expensive in the market, or you can’t seem to find porcini salt, you can easily make it at home. As the name suggests, porcini salt comes from porcini mushrooms. And you can prepare your own porcini salt using only two ingredients: salt and porcini mushrooms.
One advantage of making porcini salt at home is that you can control how fine you want it. You can either grind it into a very soft and fine powder, or you can choose to leave it a bit coarse for the texture.
Remember never to eat these mushrooms raw. They have an indigestible element that can cause stomach problems and complications when eaten raw. Always cook portobello mushrooms before you consume them.
You must have come across tan to brown mushrooms- these are the shiitake mushrooms. They are mainly native to east Asia, but like all other things, they can be found easily in all parts of the world.
You can eat these shiitake mushrooms as you eat your vegetables, or you may ground them up and use them as seasoning. The latter is why we recommend them as an alternative to truffle zest.
These mushrooms also have an excellent nutritional profile. They have high amounts of fiber, are a good source of minerals, and are rich in vitamin B. They are also low in calories.
Shiitake mushrooms have a lovely umami flavor, and you can consume them fresh or cooked. Their cooked form is more popular as it seems to really enhance and bring out that native umami flavor.
These mushrooms are used extensively in stews, soups, stir-fries, and many other dishes.
The Bottom Line
Truffle zest is a very unique and distinct seasoning that really elevates the dish. It has an umami flavor that gives a kick, no matter the kind of dish you add it to. If you cannot find it, you can still replicate the flavor with the substitutes we have curated for you.
We believe the best alternative for truffle zest is porcini salt because it is closest in taste and flavor to the original seasoning. You can also test out the others and decide for yourself.