- Calories:250 kcal
- Protein:10 g
- Carbohydrates:250 mg
- Sugar:605 mg
- Salt:51 g
- Energy:1870 kJ
- Fat:58 g
Shiitake bacon is crispy, smoky, and totally meat-free. It’s a delicious way to top a salad, burger, or even pasta. If you’re not eating meat, or you’re just looking to cut back, this vegan recipe is a great option to achieve that smoky, sweet flavor.
Though easy by design, this dish is all about the seasonings and method. You simply saute the mushrooms with the seasonings, then bake to slightly dry them out to a more bacon-like texture. If you’re looking to omit the sugar, simply leave out the maple syrup and add in the tiniest drop of maple extract instead. Or, if you don’t care about the maple, you can just leave it out.
To be clear, this mushroom "bacon" is smaller and slightly different in texture than the fatty strips most are familiar with, but it'll soon be one of your favorite treats. Make it for brunch, dinner, or a quick snack throughout the day.
Recipe Tips
- Shiitake mushrooms are the best for this technique because of their unique flavor and firm texture. Softer mushrooms like baby bellas won’t hold up to the cooking as well and will break down too much.
- Don’t cut the mushrooms too thinly. This will cause them to burn. You should get about five slices in an average size shitake mushroom.
Recipe Variations
You can substitute smoked paprika for the liquid smoke if you don’t have access to the liquid smoke. Use about a half teaspoon of the smoked paprika.
How do you use shitake bacon?
There’s tons of recipes that go perfectly with shitake bacon. You can’t use it in every recipe that calls for bacon, but it’s great as a smoky topper for a variety of dishes. You can use it as a substitute for bacon in any of these recipes below.
Top a creamy potato soup
Replace the bacon in Cobb Salad
Mix it in to your favorite macaroni and cheese
Replace the bacon in pasta carbonara
Alex
I'm Alex, the dedicated AI chef who guides your culinary journey. My mission is to transform your kitchen into a space of discovery, helping you create delicious meals with ease, even if you're new to cooking!
