Easy Vegan Mushroom Jerky Recipe

It couldn't be easier to make your own vegan mushroom jerky at home. Follow our instructions and tips to make delicious, savory mushroom jerky.

Jerky is chewy, salty, savory and satisfying, making it a great snack on the go. Because it’s a dehydrated or smoked food, it lasts a long time without needing to be refrigerated.

While traditional jerky is made from strips of lean beef, there are an increasing number of vegan and vegetarian options on the market — great news for animals and the environment. Much of the vegan jerky available is created using the healthy and sustainable mushroom. With natural umami characteristics and a fantastic sponge-like ability to take on flavor, mushroom jerky is delicious and just as satisfying as its meaty counterpart. Mushrooms are also packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber. However, mushroom jerky from the store can be expensive and likely packaged in single-use plastic. Why not make your own? Keep reading for our easy mushroom jerky recipe.

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Easy Mushroom Jerky Recipe

This mushroom jerky recipe uses dried shiitake mushrooms, which have a savory flavor and meaty texture. Because they are already dried, they take less time and energy needed to prepare. There is also no need to line the baking tray with parchment paper, and you don’t need to preheat the oven. This sweet and salty snack is hard to put down. The recipe makes 1 cup. 

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. homemade apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. organic maple syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. mushroom boullion
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• 2 drops liquid smoke (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
• 2 cups dried shiitake mushrooms (we used the sliced kind)

Instructions:

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl, omitting the mushrooms.
2. Once the ingredients are well combined, add the mushrooms and stir until they are evenly coated. Let them sit for 5 minutes, and stir again.
3. Place a plate smaller than the bowl on top of the mushrooms. Leave to marinate in a cool place or in the fridge overnight.
4. Spread the mushrooms on a baking tray and place on the top shelf of the oven.
5. Turn the temperature to just above the lowest setting, and bake for 30 minutes. If you prefer your jerky a little drier, bake it for closer to 40 minutes.
6. Switch off the oven and open the door slightly. Leave the tray in the oven for a few hours until completely cool.
7. Remove from the oven and enjoy.

Store any leftover mushroom jerky in an airtight container placed in a cool, dark location for up to 3 weeks. 

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Dried vs Fresh Mushrooms for Mushroom Jerky

Because fresh mushrooms are around 90% water, dried mushrooms are able to soak up a marinade faster and more effectively. Using dried mushrooms also reduces the cooking time needed to create a chewy vegan jerky. Some recipes use fresh mushrooms and recommend baking in the oven for more than two hours, using more energy and making it a less eco-friendly process. Keep in mind that fresh mushrooms will also shrink a lot. Make sure to double the marinade ingredients for two cups of fresh mushrooms.

Of course, you can grow mushrooms and dry mushrooms at home to further reduce packaging waste and be even more sustainable with your salty snack choices.

Which Variety Of Mushrooms Should I Use?

We used shiitake mushrooms in our recipe because of their meaty texture and savory flavor, which makes them an excellent choice for jerky. Other varieties to try include king oyster, portobello or oyster mushrooms.

Because mushroom jerky is made by baking or dehydrating the mushrooms, they will shrink. If you start with small pieces, you will end up with something more like jerky bits rather than satisfying slices or chunks.

Of course, if you find yourself with a lot of mushrooms that you want to use before they go bad, you can make jerky from any variety you have on hand. Dehydrating mushrooms is an excellent way to extend their shelf life.

Flavor Combos for Mushroom Jerky

Essentially, you will need salt, sweetness, fat and acidity when making your mushroom jerky. Jerky comes in all sorts of flavor combinations, and you can easily customize our recipe to incorporate your favorite flavors.

Why not try adding a little chili powder for a kick? Or some lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar? Sesame oil instead of olive oil would also be delicious and change the flavor profile. If you enjoy Thai flavors, try using galangal powder and lemongrass powder instead of smoked paprika and cumin. 

You could even make a couple of different batches at once, making even better use of the oven. 

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Tags: Guide recipe Vegan