One of the bests part about vegan cooking is using plant-based ingredients in creative, delicious ways. Case in point: This vegan bacon recipe features shiitake mushrooms, a popular fungi with an earthy flavor and meaty texture. It’s also packed with essential nutrients like fiber and vitamin B5, which sure beats the nutrient profile of real bacon.
This mushroom bacon is also easy to make, too. Simply whisk together a couple ingredients, toss in the mushrooms, and roast to perfection! Plus, after making this recipe a few times, you can adjust the ingredients according to your taste buds.
You will need:
- shiitake mushrooms
- low-sodium soy sauce
- maple syrup
- liquid smoke
- avocado oil
- garlic power
- onion powder
- ground black pepper
- paprika
To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
You can also use brown sugar in place of maple syrup. For a vegetarian option, try using honey.
Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Remove the stems from the shiitake mushrooms.
Thinly slice the mushrooms.
If you’d like to make vegan bacon “crumbles,” you can roughly chop the mushrooms instead.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. Whisk well.
Add the sliced mushrooms and toss until coated.
Transfer the mushrooms to the baking sheet, spreading them in a single, even layer. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy, tossing once halfway.
Keep a close eye on the mushrooms. Every oven is different, so they may need more or less time to reach your ideal level of crispiness.
Once crispy and slightly charred, your mushroom bacon is ready to enjoy.
Personally, we’re big fans of pairing this “bacon” with avocado toast and chickpea scrambled eggs.
To try this combo for yourself, simply follow our easy vegan omelette recipe made with chickpea flour. Chop up the omelette or scramble the mixture as it cooks; just be sure to use enough oil or vegan butter so it doesn’t stick to the pan.
You can also enjoy mushroom bacon:
- on salads
- in wraps or sandwiches (like a vegan BLT)
- on pasta
- mixed into soup
- on plant-based hot dogs
- on tacos
- with crackers and vegan cashew cheese
- …by the spoonful!
For even more vegan bacon options, try making carrot bacon or smoky tempeh bacon. After all, who can say no to more bacon?
Table of Contents
Shiitake Mushroom Bacon
Ingredients
- 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms
- 1 ½ tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke plus 1/2 teaspoon for a smokier flavor
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Remove the stems from the shiitake mushrooms, then slice thinly.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. Whisk well. Add the sliced mushrooms and toss until coated.
- Transfer the mushrooms to the baking sheet, spreading them in a single, even layer. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy, tossing once halfway. Once crispy and slightly charred, your vegan shiitake mushroom bacon is ready to enjoy.
Notes
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Brown sugar is a good substitute for maple syrup if you prefer it, or you can try honey for a vegetarian option.
- For mushroom-based vegan bacon bits, roughly chop the mushrooms instead of slicing.
- Nutrition information for this Shiitake Mushroom recipe is an estimate calculated by the Spoonacular food database.
This is a really interesting idea. One question before I make a batch: What about storage if I have some left over? Fridge? Freezer? Vacuum-sealed jar or bag? Estimated shelf life? If you have an answer from your experience, thanks for passing it on.