Smoky and salty cravings are satisfied in this Shiitake Bacon Recipe! Use this awesome vegan mushroom bacon to top soups, salads and more.
Are you trying to eat plant-based but still have a craving for bacon? We’re here for you. Bacon Shiitake to the Rescue! Yes, making vegetarian and vegan mushroom bacon is one thing. bacon with mushrooms? Yes, it’s definitely worth trying too! It’s smoky, hearty, salty and has the best chewy texture. Use it to garnish soups, salads, sandwiches and even pizza! It will satisfy salt cravings like no other.
Wait, what is shiitake bacon?
Alex and I don’t eat many plant-based meat alternatives because most of them are processed foods. But guess what: there are plenty of plant-based bacon (WFBP) recipes out there! Alex and I have made a few different vegan bacon recipes over the years. Our Coconut Bacon has an odd bacon texture, crunchy in some places and chewy in others. Tempeh Bacon is larger and goes well with tofu scrambled eggs or for sandwiches like our BLT.
Our final best plant-based meat substitute is this Shiitake Bacon! It combines salty shiitake mushrooms with savory flavors into something that tastes eerily similar to the real thing. What are the secrets of flavors?
Ingredients for Shiitake Bacon
Contrary to what you might think, the ingredients for Shiitake Bacon are quite simple! A handful of ingredients transform into a smoky and salty veggie condiment. Here’s what you need:
- Shiitake mushrooms. Shiitake mushroom is packed with meaty and savory flavor.
- Smoked paprika (pimenton). That gives the smoky taste. (We have 20 more smoked paprika recipes you can use in a jar!)
- soy pasture. Soy sauce brings the salty element. Use soy-free liquid amino acids.
- Cayenne pepper (optional). A pinch of cayenne pepper ensures bottom heat! Leave it out if you can’t tolerate the spices.
- Flaky Sea Salt. Using flaky salt adds crunch and texture.
To prepare it, you just need to sauté the mushrooms for 3 minutes, then add the aroma and cook for another 5 minutes. That’s it! Delicious flavorful shiitake bacon in just 15 total minutes.
Ways to use shiitake bacon
There are so many ways to use shiitake bacon! We are already ready to make about 100 more recipes with it. But here are our best options:
Other ways to cook vegan bacon
Besides mushrooms, there are a few other ways to make vegan bacon! Here are our other favorite methods:
- coconut bacon. Large unsweetened coconut flakes are perfect for vegan bacon! Coconut is infused with a smoky flavor and evokes the crispy, greasy texture of bacon.
- Bacon with tempeh. Use soy-based tempeh as a background for your bacon. This is high in protein and great for BLTs and scrambles.
More mushroom recipes!
If you love mushrooms (or not!), we have many other fantastic mushroom recipes that might interest you. Here are some of our favorite ways to reap all the nutritional benefits of mushrooms:
This recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
The description
Smoky and salty cravings are satisfied in this Shiitake Bacon Recipe! Use this awesome vegan mushroom bacon to top soups, salads and more.
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (e.g. grapeseed, rapeseed or sunflower oil)
- 4 oz Shiitake mushrooms
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (pimenton)
- 1 a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or liquid amino acids
- 1 Pinch of flaky sea salt (or substitute kosher salt)
- Cut the mushrooms into thin slices. In a small bowl, combine oil, mushrooms, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes, until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in soy sauce and sprinkle with salt. Cook for another 5 minutes over low heat, without stirring, until the underside is dry and lightly charred.
- Category: garnish
- Method: Cook
- Kitchen: Vegan (plant-based)
