What is shiitake bacon made of?

Shiitake bacon is made from sliced or torn shiitake caps. They are marinated in a blend of olive oil, salt, liquid smoke, toasted sesame oil, and smoked paprika, then baked until crispy.

Is there a plant-based bacon?

There are many types of vegan bacon made from plants. Mushrooms , tempeh , seitan, tofu, and coconut are a few plant-based ingredients used to replicate the taste and texture of bacon. There are also lots of commercially prepared, plant-based bacon created by brands like Lightlife, Tofurky, Sweet Earth , and Upton's Naturals.

How do you make shiitake bacon?

Making shiitake bacon is easy. Slice or hand-tear shiitake caps, marinate and bake until crispy. It can be used in a variety of dishes like shiitake bacon & roasted Brussels sprouts, pasta, soups, and stews.

Best Shiitake Bacon & Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Description

This shiitake bacon & roasted Brussels sprouts recipe is a fantastic choice for the holiday season. With its crispy, smoky, salty, and umami-rich qualities, this vegan bacon brings bold flavor. Pair it with perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts, and you’ve got an ideal addition to your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any fall and winter meal.

Ingredients

for the shiitake bacon

4 TB olive oil
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp liquid smoke
4 tsp toasted sesame oil
3/4 tsp smoked paprika
4 cups hand-torn shiitake caps

for the roasted Brussels sprouts

1 pound Brussels sprouts, ends removed and halved
3 TB olive oil
several pinches of coarse sea salt

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Instructions

to make the shiitake bacon

Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all of the shiitake bacon ingredients except for the shiitakes. Whisk to combine.
Add the shiitakes and toss to coat. Allow them to marinate from anywhere to 15 minutes and up to an hour at room temperature.
Transfer the shiitakes to the lined baking sheet in a single layer. Place into the oven and allow to bake for 10 minutes.
Take them out, flip around, and bake for 10 minutes more. Repeat.
At this point, evaluate if they are done or need 10 minutes more. They are done when they are toasted around the edges but not burnt. They will still be moist with the marinade, which is okay.
Once done, transfer the shiitake bacon to paper towels to drain. They will crisp up as they cool.

to make the Brussels sprouts

Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add the Brussels to a large prep bowl and toss with the oil and salt, then transfer to the baking sheet. You can alternatively add the Brussels to the baking sheet and drizzle with the oil and season with the salt.
Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and toss them around and then bake for 5-10 minutes more, or until golden around the edges.

to serve

Toss the Brussels and shiitake together and serve immediately.

Notes

Shiitakes vary greatly in size. This recipe works best with large shiitakes (like the ones pictured in this post). If you can only find small shiitakes, you can follow this shiitake bacon recipe instead.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Side
Method: Baked, Marinated, Roasted
Cuisine: American