Shiitake Bacon Salty Savory Smoky

Trying to eat plant based but still craving bacon? We’re here for you. Shiitake bacon to the rescue! Yes, making vegetarian and vegan mushroom bacon is a thing. Mushroom bacon? Yes, it’s absolutely worth trying too! It’s smoky, savory, salty, and it has the best chewy texture. Use it for topping soups, salads, sandwiches, and even pizza! It will satisfy that salt craving like no other.

Wait, what’s shiitake bacon?

Alex and I don’t eat a lot of plant based meat substitutes, because most of them are processed foods. But guess what: there are lots of whole food plant based (WFBP) bacon recipes! Alex and I have made a few different vegan bacon recipes over the years. Our coconut bacon is weirdly bacon-textured, crisp in spots and chewy in others. Tempeh bacon is larger and works alongside a tofu scramble or for sandwiches like our BLT. Our latest greatest in the plant based meat substitute is this shiitake bacon! It combines savory shiitake mushrooms with savory flavorings into something that tastes oddly similar to the real thing. What are the flavor secrets?

Ingredients in shiitake bacon

Contrary to what you might think, the ingredients in shiitake bacon are pretty simple! Just a handful of ingredients transforms into a smoky, salty vegetarian condiment. Here’s what you’ll need:

Shiitake mushrooms. The shiitake mushroom is full of meaty, savory flavor. Smoked paprika (pimentón). Here’s what lends the smoky flavor. (We’ve got 20 more smoked paprika recipes to use up a jar!)Soy sauce. Soy sauce brings in the savory element. Use liquid aminos for soy free. Cayenne (optional). A pinch of cayenne brings a back-end heat! Omit if you can’t handle spice.Flaky sea salt. Using flaky salt adds a crunch and texture.

To make it, all you’ll do is saute the mushrooms 3 minutes, then add the flavoring and cook 5 more minutes. That’s it! Delicious, savory shiitake bacon in just 15 minutes total.

Ways to use shiitake bacon

There are so many ways to use shiitake bacon! We’re already ready to make about 100 more recipes using it. But here are our top ways:

Potato soup. Our Easy Potato Soup is the reason we made this shiitake bacon. It’s seriously divine. (Or try our version in the Instant Pot.)Vegan BLT. Try our Vegan BLT Sandwich Recipe but substitute fresh tomatoes and this shiitake bacon for the tempeh bacon.Cobb salad. This Vegetarian Cobb Salad would be perfect with shiitake bacon. Or add to our Wedge Salad with Potato Chips.Pizza. Add a handful to our Veggie Supreme Pizza or Homemade Cheese Pizza.

Other ways to make vegan bacon

There are a few other ways to make vegan bacon outside of using mushrooms! Here are our other favorite methods:

Coconut bacon. Large unsweetened coconut flakes are perfect for vegan bacon! The coconut is infused with a smoky flavor and is reminiscent of the crispy and fatty texture of bacon. Tempeh bacon. Use soy-based tempeh as a canvas for your bacon. This one is protein packed and great for BLTs and alongside scrambles.

More mushroom recipes!

If you love mushrooms (or even if you don’t!), we have lots more fantastic mushroom recipes that might interest you. Here are some of our favorite ways to get all the nutritional benefits of mushrooms:

Favorite Vegan Lasagna Filled with mushrooms and spinach, this will become your new favorite lasagna: guaranteed.Mushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese or Mushroom Pasta with Parmesan This quick and easy dinner recipe tastes like it took all day to make.Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions The best side dish! Pair with almost anything for an outstanding meal.Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Saute up a pan of these unique shrooms…then add them to a sandwich with spicy mayo (yum!).Mushroom Barley Soup Full of vegetables, chewy barley, and warming broth, it’s a recipe for cozy on gray days!Farro with Mushrooms & Parmesan This hearty whole grain is sauteed with garlic and fresh herbs, and mixed with Parmesan cheese.