Smoky, salty, chewy, and slightly crispy, you won’t believe how delicious this shiitake bacon recipe is! It’s quick and easy to make, requiring only 5 ingredients. Simply slice the mushrooms, season, then cook. Shiitake Mushroom Bacon is great on pasta, salads, sandwiches, pizza, baked potatoes, and anywhere else you want some vegan bacon (which is everywhere)!
I actually posted this shiitake bacon recipe back in 2013, but it was buried in an old ebook and not easy to find, so I knew it was time to share this recipe again. Boy do I love a good vegan bacon recipe! The smoky salty taste is the perfect way to add a savory twist to any dish. I already have a ton of vegan bacon recipes on my blog, but I wanted to share this recipe because it really is so deliciously special.
Shiitake mushrooms are full of umami flavor (very tasty) and have a wonderful meaty texture that’s perfect for making vegan bacon. Due to the size of the mushrooms, the bacon bits will be small, so it’s not the best option to add to your breakfast, but it’s great for topping any dish you like. (Or just munching them straight from the pan like I do).
Common questions:
Why can’t you eat the stem of a shiitake mushroom? shiitake stalks are generally too tough and woody to eat.
What can you do with shiitake stems? You can either throw them away or, if you want to save the stems, store them in a freezer bag and then use them to make homemade vegetable broth.
What is shiitake bacon made of? shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup and liquid smoke. If you are gluten-free, you can replace the soy sauce with tamari.
Can I use dried shiitake mushrooms? Yes. Simply rehydrate the mushrooms in hot water for about 10 minutes. Then squeeze out any excess water before slicing and marinating.
How to make the recipe for the best shiitake bacon:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
While the oven is heating, you can slice the mushrooms, discarding the stems.
Add soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup and liquid smoke to a medium bowl and mix. Add the sliced shiitake caps and toss gently to coat well.
Spread the shiitakes in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, stopping to stir a few times, until they have reduced in size and are a dark golden brown.
Remove from oven. They will become slightly crispy as they cool. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Shiitake bacon is…
- smoky, salty, soft and slightly crispy
- quick and easy to make – only 5 ingredients
- the perfect topping for salads, pasta, pizza, baked potatoes and more.
What to serve shiitake bacon on:
Creamy Vegan Potato Soup
Truffle Vegan Mac and Cheese
Fast & Easy Vegan Carbonara (instead of sun-dried tomato bacon)
Vegan Alfredo Pasta Cooking
Vegan Baked Potato
If you try this recipe, let us know by leaving a comment, rating it and don’t forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Enjoy your food!
Sam Turnbull.
Print recipe
The best shiitake bacon
Smoky, salty, chewy, and slightly crispy, you won’t believe how delicious this shiitake bacon recipe is! It’s quick and easy to make, requiring only 5 ingredients. Simply slice the mushrooms, season, then cook. Shiitake Mushroom Bacon is great on pasta, salads, sandwiches, pizza, baked potatoes, and anywhere else you want some vegan bacon (which is everywhere)!
Servings:
Ingredients
- 7oz/ 200g shiitake mushrooms discarded stems and sliced caps (2 ½ cups sliced)
- 2 soup spoons soya sauce (gluten free if preferred)
- 2 soup spoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple or agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
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Instructions
Remarks
Nutrition
Portion: 1 serving (recipe makes 4 servings) | calories: 89calories | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated fats: 1g | Monounsaturated fat: 5g | Sodium: 510mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.5mg