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If you told me a few years ago that mushrooms could taste like bacon, I’d assume you haven’t tasted real bacon recently. However, I’ve been proven wrong with this method.

Not only does this mushroom bacon taste the best, but it’s also the easiest to prepare.

You don’t have to marinate mushrooms in maple syrup or liquid smoke to create a “bacon” flavor. Instead, it comes down to simply choosing the right variety of mushrooms and roasting them with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. It’s truly that simple!

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“I’m blown away. If I hadn’t made it myself I would argue that this is real bacon. Life changing.” – Rebecca

mushroom bacon on white parchment paper.

Mushroom Bacon Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Shiitake mushrooms. Do not buy another variety of mushroom and expect the same results. You must use fresh shiitake mushrooms to achieve a bacon flavor, as they already have a naturally smoky taste. I repeat: do not use any other type of mushroom.
  • Olive oil. You’ll use this for roasting the mushrooms, but any other mild-flavored oil will work as well.
  • Salt. I use fine sea salt (Real Salt brand) for this recipe. It tastes different than white table salt, so if you use a different type of salt, start with less.

While you may be tempted to use extra ingredients like liquid smoke, soy sauce, smoked paprika, or maple syrup to create a smoky “bacon flavor,” be sure to try this simple recipe as written first.

mushroom bacon ingredients labeled in glass bowls.

Detoxinista Tip

I’ve also read that pink oyster mushrooms taste like bacon if you have access to those. (These are not to be confused with king oyster mushrooms, which I’ve heard taste more like licorice.) I haven’t seen these at my local grocery store, so I haven’t had the chance to try them yet. Let me know if you do!

How to Make Mushroom Bacon

Step 1:

For the best results, buy whole shiitake mushrooms, rather than sliced mushrooms, when possible so that you can cut them extra-thin.

Look for the largest shiitake mushrooms you can find, since they will shrink as they cook.

Remove the stems from each mushroom cap and save them for another use, such as a vegetable sauté or homemade vegetable stock, if you prefer. Then, thinly slice each mushroom cap into 1/4-inch pieces. 

stems removed from mushrooms and sliced.

Step 2:

Transfer the sliced mushrooms to a large baking sheet and drizzle them with two tablespoons of olive oil. (No parchment paper required here.) 

Rub the oil into each piece quickly, as the mushrooms are very absorbent and will absorb the oil quickly. You’ll want each piece to be lightly coated, so they’ll crisp up evenly. 

Season the mushrooms generously with the salt, and toss well again, so that both sides of the mushroom slices are seasoned. 

mushrooms seasoned in baking pan.

Step 3:

Spread the mushrooms out into a single layer, ensuring there is no overlap in the pan. Then, bake at 375°F for 15 minutes. 

Use a fork to flip each slice over for the crispiest and most even results. Then return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the mushrooms appear darker and crispy around the edges.

It’s okay if the centers don’t look crisp yet; they will crisp even more as they cool. 

cooked mushroom bacon on pan.

Step 4:

Let the vegan mushroom bacon cool on the pan to finish crisping up, and then you can dab away any excess oil with a towel. 

Serve this bacon just like you would regular bacon, even though the pieces are way smaller. Think of them as bacon crumbles!

mushroom bacon added to creamy pasta.

Storage Tips

Likely, you won’t have leftovers. It’s hard to stop snacking on these directly from the pan, just like real bacon.

However, you can store any remaining mushroom pieces in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. In my experience, some of the pieces still stay crispy even when chilled!

How to Use Mushroom Bacon

Now that you’ve made mushroom bacon, here are some ways to use it. 

  • Make a BLT. Add the mushroom pieces to toasted bread, with lettuce, tomato, and sriracha mayo, for the best vegan sandwich. 
  • Add it to salads. These crispy bacon bits are the perfect crunchy topping,
  • Make vegan Carbonara. Toss the mushrooms into a bowl of vegan alfredo pasta for a Carbonara flavor. (This is delicious, even with leftover mushrooms that aren’t as crispy anymore.)
  • Try it as a soup topping. A sprinkle of “bacon bits” is perfect on vegan corn chowder!
  • Serve them as a breakfast side. This would pair well with a tofu scramble or sweet potato hash.
mushroom bacon on white surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another type of mushroom?

For the best flavor, use shiitake mushrooms or pink oyster mushrooms. These mushrooms taste like bacon, unlike the more popular portobello mushrooms, which require a more complex seasoning to achieve a similar flavor. 

Can I add other flavorings?

You do not need to add anything extra to this recipe to make it taste like bacon. However, you can add a sprinkle of black pepper to the mushroom strips or a little garlic powder for a flavored bacon option. 

Is this recipe gluten-free? 

Yes! This recipe is allergy-friendly, requiring no nuts, gluten, dairy, or soy.

Can I use another oil?

If you prefer not to use olive oil, you can use any other mild-flavored oil you like, such as avocado oil or refined coconut oil. (Expeller-pressed coconut oil has no coconut flavor.)

mushroom bacon on white parchment paper.

Crispy Mushroom Bacon Recipe

4.87 from 22 votes
If you’ve tried other mushroom bacon recipes that called for marinating mushrooms in liquid smoke or maple syrup, you are missing out. Don’t give up until you give this version a try!
prep10 mins cook30 mins total40 mins
Servings:2

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms*
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil , plus more for greasing the pan
  • ¼ heaping teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF and grease a large baking sheet with olive oil. On a cutting board, remove the mushroom stems, then slice the mushroom caps into 1/4-inch thin slices.
  • Transfer the sliced mushrooms to the greased baking sheet, and toss them with the 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt. Use your hands to make sure they are coated evenly, then arrange them in a single layer without overlapping the pieces.
  • Bake the mushrooms at 375ºF for 15 minutes, then use a fork to flip each slice over. Return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes, until the mushroom bacon looks darker and golden, without burning. It should feel like it's getting crispy around the edges, but it's okay if the centers are still soft. They will crisp up as they cool.
  • Allow the bacon to cool completely on the pan, at least 15 minutes. Then pat with a towel to remove any excess oil and serve. Mushroom bacon has the best texture the same day you cook it, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is for half the batch, without consideration for the fact that some of the oil will remain on the pan, and not on the mushrooms. This information is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
*Do NOT substitute another mushroom in this recipe without expecting different results. Shiitake mushrooms will give you a natural “bacon flavor” when they are crispy, while other varieties of mushrooms will not.

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 172mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 0.2mg
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mushroom bacon

More Recipes to Try

If you try this Mushroom Bacon recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it!

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. As a Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), I love to make healthier food using simple ingredients. I test these recipes multiple times in my kitchen to make sure they will turn out perfectly for you.

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Comments

  1. This tasted amazing. I tried it in the air fryer with no pan…still tasted like bacon, and the smaller pieces got so crispy they were put in some Mac and cheese without going chewy.

  2. I followed the recipe to the exact measurements. Unfortunately, all I could taste was salt. Will try again with less sea salt. I prefer to find a recipe with no soy. Maybe I will add a little smoked paprika as I did not get a smoky flavor from the mushroom. I appreciate your site. This one just didn’t do it for me.

  3. Amazing! I will say that, in my opinion, you really need to go ALL the way to crispy to get the bacon flavor. The ones that weren’t quite crisped all the way through the centers had an odd texture that I didn’t enjoy and didn’t have the same “bacony “ flavor. The ones I crisped all the way were AMAZING. I just ate the first batch and the second one is already in the oven. Yum yum yum!

  4. I can’t believe how good these mushroom bits are! They really do taste like crispy bacon! My daughter is not a fan of mushrooms and I convinced her to try one little piece and next thing I know, half the tray is gone. Fun recipe find!!

  5. OMGGGGGGG! I can’t believe I am eating mushrooms that taste just.like.bacon!! I followed your recipe exactly and I indeed ate the whole pan hehe. It’s soooo good. Will be cooking this again and again.