Chewy, smoky, salty, quick & easy mushroom bacon is getting served up today! While I love inventing new and adventurous recipes like my seitan steaks, I sometimes forget that not everyone knows the basics. I have been whipping up this vegan mushroom bacon for years but it just occurred to me that I've never shared it with you! How terrible is that!? How dare I not share this deliciousness with you!? Mean, Sam. You're being a meany.
Well, I did sort of share the recipe as part of my cobb salad, (although it was tweaked a bit), but as this bacon can be used everywhere it deserves its own dedicated post. So meany no more.
This mushroom bacon is quick to make. Most mushroom bacon is baked in the oven, and while you can totally do that (I provide those instructions too), I generally prefer to toss it in a skillet as it's faster and easier.
This vegan mushroom bacon is so simple too with just 5 ingredients. It's so quick and easy to make that I often make it as a last-minute add on to amp up any dish.
Mushroom bacon isn't as crispy as my coconut bacon or rice paper bacon (both of which are found in my cookbook), or even my banana peel bacon, but the meaty texture of mushrooms is so satisfying that it really has that bacon vibe.
Where to use mushroom bacon:
- Sprinkle it over pasta such as my carbonara recipe.
- Add it to salads.
- Layer it onto a sandwich.
- Serve it with my tofu scramble or vegan fried egg.
- Add extra oomph to my breakfast sandwich.
- Top a pizza.
- Garnish potato soup.
- Eat it straight from the pan.
How to make mushroom bacon:
Slice the mushrooms. I used cremini mushrooms but almost any other kind of mushroom would work well too. Portobellos, button, shiitake, or king oyster would all be yummy and provide different texture and size of bacon bits.
In a medium bowl, mix together the olive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, and liquid smoke.
Add the sliced mushrooms to the bowl and gently toss to evenly coat the mushrooms.
For Fried Mushroom Bacon:
Heat a large skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot add the mushrooms and any leftover marinade.
Tip: If your pan is not that large, you may want to work in batches as you will get the best results if the mushrooms are in a single layer on the bottom of the pan.
Fry 5 - 10 minutes letting them get golden on one side before flipping. Try not to stir the mushrooms too much as letting them rest will allow them to really brown up. It may get a little smoky, so be sure to turn on your hood fan.
For Baked Mushroom Bacon:
Spread the mushrooms slices in a single layer over a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, and pour over any leftover marinade. Add to the oven and bake for 18 - 25 minutes until dark golden and reduced in size.
Mushroom bacon is most delicious enjoyed still warm but it can also be enjoyed cold. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge up to 4 days. Reheat if needed.
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Quick & Easy Mushroom Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup or agave
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
- 8 oz cremini or other type of mushrooms, sliced
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the olive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, and liquid smoke. Add the sliced mushrooms to the bowl and gently toss to evenly coat the mushrooms.
For Fried Mushroom Bacon (the quicker method):
- Heat a large skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot add the mushrooms and any leftover marinade. Tip: If your pan is not that large, you may want to work in batches as you will get the best results if the mushrooms are in a single layer on the bottom of the pan. Fry 5 - 10 minutes letting them get golden on one side before flipping. Try not to stir the mushrooms too much as letting them rest will allow them to really brown up. It may get a little smoky, so be sure to turn on your hood fan. Remove from the pan and enjoy!
For Baked Mushroom Bacon:
- Preheat your oven to 375F (190C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread the mushrooms slices in a single layer over the prepared baking sheet, and pour over any leftover marinade. Add to the oven and bake for 18 - 25 minutes until dark golden and reduced in size.
Notes
Nutrition
Ida says
Really tasty! Great texture, good level of smokiness (I used smoked paprika) - perfect in a vego carbonara. I didn't have time to get all the pieces to a crisp level in the oven, so I might try that next time, but the meatiness and bacony flavour was still ace after 20 or so minutes.
Eriel says
Absolutely love this recipe. I double the sauce and use it with tempeh and it's *chefs kiss* amazing. I prefer to cook it over the stove.
Sam Turnbull says
Love it!
Sue says
Baked these in the toaster oven, in the marinade. Nice smoky, salty flavor. Thanks Sam.
Kathryne says
Super tasty bacon-y mushrooms!! <3 I didn't have the smoke, but added a wee bit more maple syrup and it came out incredible. Used this batch for pizza toppings. Will be making again! xo
H+H says
We were really looking forward to trying this, and unfortunately it didn't turn out. After more than 30 minutes in the oven, it was just soggy, not chewy or bacon-y at all. The main issue, though, was that it was WAY too salty. Half or even a third of the amount of soy sauce would probably be a better amount to use.
Alex says
This is absolutely delicious! I made this last night but doubled the recipe - still very tasty but not very crispy but I'm looking forward to trying this out again with the recipe measurements. It'll work as a great side dish for dinners - thanks!
Sam says
I always cooked this recipe without liquid smoke, but recently I've tried your version.OMG! It tastes so good!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed it Sam! (Great name by the way 😉 )
Anne Weber says
I have made this recipe over and over with different mushrooms and it is so delicious!
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing!!
Karen says
I use 1/2 c toasted sesame oil, 1/4 c. B's Liquid Aminos, 1 Tbl. Brown Rice Vinegar, 1Tbl. N Yeast, 1 Tbl. ground black pepper, 1 Tbl. liquid smoke w' 2 tubs of frozen then thawed & drained, sliced into 4 long & thin then squeezed XFirm Tofu to to make BayCan that makes house smell as if I'd been making the 'real thing'. I'm going to use my marinade w'shrooms next time!
Lizzie says
If you make these, you better quadruple the recipe, they are so good you will not be able to stop eating them. I cook them a little longer for extra crispiness. Best to make these when no one else is home because you're NOT going to want to share them.
Nora Schenk says
I'm starting a blog about my vegan journey and I'm struggling can you help me because I don't know where to start! Please and thank you!
Rachel says
This has become a favourite in our home. My omni son requests this all the time and says he prefers these mushrooms to real bacon (which is good because meat doesn't come into our home). Today, I made this for the 6th or 7th time, but I used really thinly sliced portobello mushrooms to make long slices. We had BLT sandwiches with our mushroom bacon strips. So yummy. I haven't had a BLT since going vegetarian in 1996. It was even better than I remembered them.
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's wonderful!!
Court says
Suuuuch a genius recipe. Perfect for mushrooms that are on the edge of going bad. I have added this to stir frys, burgers, mac n cheese! Really delicious, thank you for this!
Sarah says
What a quick and easy recipe that really elevates a dinner! We've made these 2 weeks in a row now, was a great addition to throw in with a vegan Alfredo & also with a vegan mac & cheese.
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing! Thrilled you loved it, Sarah 🙂
Sadhana says
Hiya!
Thank you for the delicious recipes you share with us. I don't have liquid smoke, will it work out without or is there something I can do to replace this?
Thanks for your help!
Sam Turnbull says
You can sub for double the amount of smoked paprika 🙂
Heather Gilbert says
Hi Sam
Love your cook book and would like to try the coconut bacon bits, but I need to know if you use unsweetened "toasted" coconut. The bulk store only had the toasted, and I can't seem to find any unsweetened large flake coconut in the grocery stores.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Heather, the coconut shouldn't be toasted (you toast it yourself in the oven). These are the coconut flakes I buy.
Angel says
I made this with king mushrooms but had to make a few substitutes. I used olive oil, low sodium soy sauce, coffee maple syrup and smoked pepper. It was very good.
Sharon says
Can this be air fried? Temp and time?
Relondo says
Indeed. I set it to the highest temp and just pull it based on how done I want them. Super application for the AF
Arlesienne Da Silva says
I'm doing some now ! I'll let you know.
May says
Do you prefer baking or frying the mushrooms ? I tried frying and they’re delicious so I am nervous about trying the baking method now!!
Sam Turnbull says
I usually opt for frying because it's faster but both turn out great! You can see I baked them in this recipe here. Enjoy!
Judy says
Love your site and have saved several recipes. I must, however, point out that soy sauce is not vegan. Use Bragg's Aminos, instead. Keep up the good work.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Judy, thanks so much! Soy sauce is totally vegan, the ingredients for the Kikkoman brand (which is my favourite) are: Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt. You can see that information on their site. Due to the wheat, soy sauce isn't gluten-free however, so many substitute Bragg's aminos for a gluten-free alternative. Enjoy!
Kim Burke says
For some reason I have always disliked mushrooms. I’m very impressed with this! Taste great with your scrambled egg recipe wrapped in a tortilla topped with your cheese sauce. I’ve been vegan for 25 yrs, vegetarian before that. I’m broke but hope to purchase your book soon!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thanks so much, Kim! Thrilled you're enjoying so many of my recipes so much. 🙂 You may want to check your local library as I know many of them carry my book 🙂
Yolanda Pavey says
Very , very yummy ! A nice change to saute mushrooms. There were none left. I served them on top of the Seitan steak .
Sam Turnbull says
Oh I love that idea!! Omnomnom!
Kim Burke says
Great idea! Thanks!!
Christine says
Oh my God, you are a vegan site, yet, there are ads for meat-based and dairy companies like Ball Park franks, Tyson chicken, Klondike ice cream. Is there no end to what these corporate these bast+*$rds will do to make you eat their cruel and disgusting products??? I know it's not your fault, but, there should be a way to prevent such companies from advertising on your site.
Sam Turnbull says
Oh no! Sorry to hear that, Christine. I do have blocks on animal-product ads but unfortunately, they sometimes sneak through anyway. 🙁 Everyone sees different ads based on their location, so I can't catch them all myself. If you ever see any offensive ads again you can take a screenshot and email it to me, and I will have it blocked. Thanks so much!
Kim Burke says
I had the same thought. Another reason we should just get her book. Haha!
Lovethescents says
Absolutely delicious!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!! Thrilled you enjoyed it 🙂
Joanne says
I have made your Cobb Salad often and I love these bacon bites! What I have said many times about your recipes is that so often a portion or a technique can be use in other ways. This is a great example. If I make your burrito bowl, for example, I might use these and your barbecue chickpeas instead of the black beans and of course they are delicious with scrambled tofu. These are so easy, fast, and flavorful!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's awesome, Joanne!! Always so happy when I see you're enjoying another one of my recipes 🙂
Charity says
Amazing! Another fabulous vegan substitute that’s better than the original! I made the recipe as is, and it was perfectly smoky, salty and savory
Thank you for sharing!