My friend Kathy has awesome search powers. She flies through the internet scouring out things like a googling superhero and often brings me interesting things to cook/try. One of the things that she showed me was Shiitake Mushroom Bacon, where you transform the humble and healthy to taste like the delicious but let’s face it unhealthy bacon. I’ve spoken often of my love for bacon. It is what stands between me and vegetarianism and other religions, not that I’m particularly interested in joining any other groups. Another friend Carbon Debit has spoken of the Bacon made out of beef that she has tried in Jordan where the Muslim religion forbids the eating of pork products. I defy anyone to resist the smell of cooking bacon. But of course for vegetarians they must.
I was curious to try it because it sounded like such a crazy idea that it might just work. I sliced the mushrooms and soaked them for 10 minutes while the oven was preheating. I left the smaller stalks on as I thought that this would be fine as they were less than a centimetre long and popped the drained mushrooms in the oven for 8 minutes. When I took them out, ignoring the fact that they were hot I eagerly tried one. The firs thing that hit me was the smokey flavour followed by the saltiness.
Too thick with stalk on the left, better thickness and crisped up on the right
Was it bacon? Perhaps not exactly but it wasn’t too bad. It’s like the Jessica Seinfeld Spinach and Carrot brownies, it’s pretty good but if you’re a diehard fan expecting the real thing you may be a tad disappointed. The thinner cut pieces got crispier and therefore more bacon like than the rest, certainly the ones with the small stalk end didn’t crisp up enough and just tasted like shiitake mushrooms with soy so I would suggest removing the stalk and cutting each piece about 3-4mms thick so that all of the pieces crisp up nicely. Also I found that after a while they lost their crispness and once they did, they transformed to salty Shiitakes again. I’d also suggest marinating them for a shorter amount of time as the saltiness is quite strong and the mushrooms act like sponges. As for a name? Perhaps I Can’t Believe It’s Not Bacon -of course advertised by Fabio.
Shiitake Bacon aka Vegan Bacon
- 100grams/3.5ozs fresh shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 cup light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil
1. Preheat the oven to 400F/220C. Slice shiitake mushrooms thinly (about 3-4mms). If they have a stalk remove it and slice it in half.
2. Toss in soy sauce and marinate it for a couple of minutes. Drain and place on an unadorned baking sheet.
3. Bake for 8 minutes (they burn quickly so watch them!)
With a spinach and feta salad
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35 Comments | Add your own
That’s a great idea! Surely very flavorful!
cheers,
Rosa
Even if it’s not bacon it sounds good with spinach and fetta. I like mushrooms.
This is something I will have to try! Thanks for the recipe
I am a big bacon fan, and this sounds really interesting. Thanks for all the hints with cooking and marinating.
This looks perfect for a salad. Your AU bacon was so much better than our sad bacon.
Husband is vegetarian, (therefore I’m one by association), he used to love bacon, so this sounds like something he’d really love.
Sorry, but we can’t be fooled. BUT we do love these ‘shrooms as roasted ‘shrooms. They’re tasty in that way alone! Totally not bacon.
You’re spot on. I tried these a little while back and they’re good if crisp and sliced thin. I agree they’re not quite bacon but pretty good for a vego version. Expectations people! It aint bacon but it’s not bad.
Hey cool! I like this idea for health reason. Thx for trying it NQN! =)
I’m so glad to see you tried this
The mushrooms do look pretty good though even if they dont taste exactly like bacon
This sounds really interesting, I wonder if some smoked paprika would help with the bacon effect?
Oh my, the possibilites are endless…salad topping, pizza topping, even a crispy savory waffle topping with a dallop of creme fraiche Yummy, yummy, yummy!
Interesting concept! I like the suggestion above me to use them as a pizza topping (mushrooms in any form make a great pizza topping as far as I’m concerned). My boyfriend is a huge bacon fan, but also a huge mushroom fan, so we’ll probably try this soon.
sounds yummy! here we have beef bacon cuz of the Muslim religion…some places do it pretty well…and some not quite so…can’t beat the real thing though! Which is why I always go to specialty non halal stores for my bacon fix
umm…interesting but I think I’ll stick with the real thing lol! I’m with you – my love of pork products means I could never be a vego!
Interesting! But I do like my bacon, so I think that’s what I’ll stick to
I recently saw another recipe that uses eggplants instead of mushrooms. I’ve been using tofu all the time and love it. I’d recommend procuring some liquid smoke to add a little bit more flavour, plus a teeny bit of maple syrup for the sweetness bacon has – the queensland vego society sells the liquid smoke for cheap if you can’t find it in a shop like essential ingredient!
MMMMMMM….Lorraine, simple yet so yummie:)!!!!
although nothing can ever approach the sensation that is piggy bacon in my eyes, this is a very interesting idea. cool experiment, lorraine–thanks for sharing it!
This looks like a great way to get a crunchy texture and smokey aroma that vegetarians and carnivores can enjoy equally.
Having said that, the whole faux meat thing is something that is lost with me. It sounds just as crazy as faux roasted potatoes made from meat. Just puzzles me why vegetarians would want to eat fake meat.
OOohh what a great healthy substitute and looks like it might work! buuuttt I’m sure if you added bacon to that salad it would be even better! hee hee
Looks really good actually. Just don’t think of them as bacon. haha
Now, head over to my blog as I have something for you!
to Simon: Many veg*ns love meat (the taste of it) but LOVE animals even more, so they usually find a happy solution with eating faux meat knowing they can enjoy a taste (which is found in nature) similar to the taste which they used to “enjoy” in meat without contributing to pollution and animal CRUELTY and being healthy at the same time! Having said that, I neither like nor want the taste of meat, fake or otherwise!
NQN, you superstar! Not only a veggie recipe, but one using ingredients grown locally to me! Will try these for breakfast, and I can hardly wait!
We had these last night in a vego ceaser salad with wok fried firm silken tofu as the chicken…YUM! We couldn’t get fresh so we had to use the dried, they didn’t have the beautiful deep colour of yours, but my god were they mighty tasty! I can’t remember the taste of bacon, but I’m sure these are a lot closer than packet “not bacon”, ick! Husband wants them again next week, so I will try adding a touch of maple syrup too. Thanks NQN! You truely rock my kitchen lady!
MMmm cholesterol free bacon. My arteries thank you
Hi Rosa -It certainly was an interesting recipe to try!
Hi Arwen-Yeah I figured it would still be nice even if it didn’t taste like bacon
Hi yaelian Great! Let me know what you think of it if you try it!
Hi Anita -you’re welcome! Bacon is so good, I only wish it were healthier
Hi Barbara-Yep, it helps a healthy salad stay healthy
Oh wow, I didn’t realise that it was different!
Hi Tiffany-Ah cool, yes he might be interested in trying it, if just for a new way to have mushrooms!
Hi The Duo Dishes -Hah so you haven’t tried it?
Hi Mike-yeah I don’t think they’re exactly like bacon but for a substitute it’s pretty godd
Hi Brianna-Excellent! That’s exactly why I wanted to try it
Hi Kathy-Thanks for the idea! You find the best stuff, you googling super hero!
Hi Sara-Oooh great idea! I like it!
Hi Margie -Yep! I guess anywhere you like bacon although I admit I ate it straight
I love the waffle idea!
Hi anna-Yes even if you don’t think it’s very bacony, noone will object to mushrooms on pizza (although it’s a bit
salty from the soy). Sounds like a win win!
Hi Alexandra -I’ve never tried it but I’d be really interested to! That’s good that you can get a bacon fix when
you want to
Hi Karen-haha not even for experimental or health reasons?
Yeah pork is so yummy-too yummy!
Hi Y -Ha! But you should try it just once!
Hi Melle-Interesting, so eggplant can taste like bacon? Liquid smoke is a nice idea and maple syrup too! Thanks
for that!
Hi Sophie-hehe it is indeed!
Hi grace-Bacon is hard to top, it’s just so yummy!
You’re welcome!
Hi Simon-Yes crunch and smoke are v important for the bacon taste. Maybe some vegetarians that weren’t raised so
miss the taste? I know I would!
Hi FFichiban-Hehe yeah I know, nothing beats bacon but this isn’t a bad try!
Hi pigpigscorner-It’s a state of mind!
Thankyou so much! xxx
Hi Belle -Thanks for explaining that perspective!
Hi Angela -Thankyou! Yes lucky you having shiitakes so easily accessible!
If you make them PLMK what you think!
Hi Tiffany-Oh very cool! So glad that you liked it
I love the idea of adding maple syrup (hehe adding it to anything really 
). Aww thankyou, you’re welcome!
Hi Jude -Hehe you’re welcome!
What an amazing idea! I will definately try this one!
Hi Veggie Wedgie-Wonderful! Please let me know how you find it
ooh yummy
Just came across this shiitake bacon recipe and thought, maybe drizzling a little bacon fat on them before cooking might add to the flavor.
From another bacon lover.
PS – great site.
Hi betty-thanks!
Hi Shubnell-Hehe definitely would! Although it’s not vegan or vegetarian obviously but it would taste great! Thankyou!
wonderful post I greatly appreciate the info!
It was very savory! I added a bit of real maple syrup and a drop of liquid smoke and that helped a lot! I am still going to tinker with it to get it just how I like. Great substitute!!! Thanks so much
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