Shiitake Mushroom Jerky

February 19, 2020

Shiitake Mushroom Jerky is a chewy and salty snack full of umami flavor. This plant-based jerky is nutritious and delicious to take on the go, pack in a lunchbox, or enjoy straight from the baking sheet!

Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free

Disclaimer: This recipe is sponsored by the Mushroom Council, but all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Chelsey Amer Nutrition.

What do you think when you hear the term “jerky?” For years, I thought of meat sticks. It just didn’t appeal to me. But then I heard of new plant-based options on the market – made from MUSHROOMS – and was intrigued.

In my book, mushrooms are KING when it comes to satisfying meat substitutes. I don’t even like to think of them as a substitute, but an additional delicious option that just so happens to be meat-free. Plus, as a plant-based option, they’re better for you AND the environment.

Did you know mushrooms are…

Grown through a unique process, with minimal water? One pound of mushrooms requires less than 2 gallons of water. (For comparison, it takes nearly 2,000 gallons to grow one pound of beef.)
Grown in soil made of composted materials that’s also recycled? After mushrooms are harvested, the soil can be recycled for several potting cycles.
One of the healthiest vegetables? They’re rich in vitamins B and D, potassium, and antioxidants.
Naturally low in saturated fat?
Incredibly versatile? From this jerky recipe below to Bolognese-style sauces, mushrooms can do it all!

Although “eating the rainbow” is often recommended, don’t skip over this white veggie too!

What is Shiitake Mushroom Jerky?

It’s exactly what it sounds like… jerky made from ‘shrooms! It’s chewy, savory, filling, delicious and nutritious.

How to Make Shiitake Mushroom Jerky

I’m not going to lie, making shiitake jerky is a tad more time consuming than the traditional recipes I share. HOWEVER, it’s worth it! Plus, most of the time is hands-off, go do something else and come back when the recipe is done, type of time.

It all starts with the marinade. Toss the marinade ingredients together in a resealable plastic bag. Add the mushrooms and allow them to soak overnight to absorb the delicious flavor.

The next day (or at least 8-10 hours later), set your oven to just 250°F. We’re going to bake the mushrooms low and slow to get the perfect jerky texture – chewy!

When you distribute the mushrooms on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, it’s SUPER important that you:

1) Don’t transfer extra marinade with the mushrooms. Pick up the mushrooms with tongs and give them a second to let the excess marinade drip off before placing on the baking sheet.

2) Don’t place the mushrooms too close together. The mushrooms should NOT be touching. I repeat, the mushrooms should not be touching!! When vegetables (or really anything) are too close together on a baking sheet, they’ll steam. This will prevent your mushrooms from drying out properly.

Ingredients in Mushroom Jerky

You only need a handful of ingredients to create tasty mushroom jerky. I consider all of these pantry staples. Here’s why:

Shiitake mushrooms are a great choice for this recipe because they’re meaty and have natural umami flavor that’s only amplified by the marinade. If you can’t find shiitake mushrooms, you can also use Portobello mushrooms cut into ¼-1/2-inch strips, but you may need to bake for 2 hours instead of 1.5 hours (they’re thicker).

Coconut aminos is a savory, umami, soy sauce-like sauce made from coconut sap. It’s a gluten free and soy-free condiment alternative that’s slightly sweeter than traditional soy sauce. You can find it in most supermarkets or order online. Without allergies, you can substitute low sodium soy sauce.

Apple cider vinegar is one of my favorite vinegars to cook with. It’s acidic, but has slightly sweeter undertones than most other vinegars. It pairs great with meaty mushrooms.

Hot chili sauce (like Sriracha)imparts TONS of spicy, garlicky flavor to this jerky. If you don’t want a spicy kick, you can omit the sauce and add ¼ teaspoon garlic powder to the marinade instead.

Smoked paprika is a must-have spice to pair with mushrooms. Nearly every mushroom recipe I have includes smoked paprika – the pair is just too good to pass up! Smoked paprika imparts a bacon-like taste and scent to mushroom recipes, without including meat. It’s magic.

Ways to Enjoy Shiitake Mushroom Jerky

Shiitake Mushroom Jerky is a great on the go snack. It’s sold in specialty stores (and online) for over $6 per bag, but you can make it at home for a fraction of the cost.

When choosing a healthy snack, I encourage my clients to combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats for optimal fullness and satisfaction. This jerky checks off your fiber (and it does contain some protein too), but I like to make it part of a bigger snack plate to really fill me up.

Here are some other favorite snacks to pair with shiitake mushroom jerky:

For a crunch… Dry roasted edamame imparts extra filling fiber and protein
For a salty kick… Seaweed sheets adds some crunch, vitamins, minerals, and umami flavor
For a sweet note… Dates are satisfying and hit the sweet + savory combo with the jerky. This is also a great combo to pack on the go.

Other Recipes Made with Mushrooms You May Enjoy: