Sticky Sesame Shiitake Mushrooms
These Sticky Sesame Shiitake Mushrooms are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and umami! The mushrooms are crisped up, then coated in a sticky-sweet sauce for an easy plant-based dinner.
“Sticky” is usually an undesirable quality, but when it’s used to describe food, you know something delicious awaits. When it comes to this shiitake mushroom recipe, the sticky descriptor means a sweet-and-savory sauce that clings to the shiitakes, coating them in flavour. Yes please!
In this dish, mushrooms are pan-fried until they’re perfectly crispy, then tossed in a sticky-sweet sesame ginger sauce. (You’ll recognize this sauce from my Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Wings, a reader favourite here on Jessica in the Kitchen!)
These mushrooms taste amazing by themselves, but they’re a treat on top of veggie burgers, rice (traditional or cauliflower rice!), or quinoa. They’re also an excellent addition to Buddha bowls and salads!
Notes on Ingredients
Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
- Dried shiitake mushrooms
- Cornstarch
- Sesame oil
- Maple syrup
- Liquid aminos – Tamari, coconut aminos, or low-sodium soy sauce can be used instead.
- Sesame seeds – Use black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, or a combination of both.
- Ground black pepper
- Ground ginger
- Scallions
Can You Eat the Whole Shiitake Mushroom?
No, you can only eat the caps of the shiitake mushroom. Technically speaking, the stems are edible, but they’re too fibrous and tough to chew. They can be simmered in water to create mushroom stock, but otherwise they should be discarded. If your dried shiitakes still have stems on them, you’ll need to cut them off after you’ve reconstituted them.
How Do You Reconstitute Dried Mushrooms?
This recipe calls for dried shiitake mushrooms, so you’ll need to reconstitute them before starting the recipe. Here’s how to do it:
- Place a cup of shiitakes in a bowl or jar and pour hot water over them so they’re completely submerged. If needed, you can place a smaller bowl on top to make sure the mushrooms stay submerged in the water.
- Let the mushrooms soak until they’re plump. Depending on the age of your mushrooms, this can take anywhere between 5 to 20 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the mushrooms and dry them on paper towels. You can reserve the soaking liquid to make mushroom gravy, soups, or for simmering grains; it’ll keep in the fridge for a week, or you can freeze it for up to 6 months.
How to Make Sticky Sesame Shiitake Mushrooms
Once your mushrooms are ready, the rest of this dish takes minutes to make!
Prep the mushrooms. Cut the reconstituted shiitakes into thick slices and toss them in cornstarch.
Pan-fry the mushrooms. Set a skillet over medium-high heat and add the sesame oil. Once it’s warmed, add the mushrooms and fry until crisp on both sides, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a bowl.
Make the sauce. Return the pan to the stovetop and reduce the heat to medium. Add the sauce ingredients and whisk; continue to whisk as the sauce cooks to prevent it from burning. Once thickened, taste and add additional maple syrup, if desired.
Finish. Add the mushrooms back to the pan and toss to coat. Continue to cook until the sauce becomes thick and sticky, about 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly before serving.
Tips for Success
Here are some hints and tips to help you make perfect sticky shiitakes—and to make the recipe your own!
- Dry the shiitakes well. If they’re water-logged when you place them in the frying pan, they’re likely to create oil spatters, and they also won’t cook up as crispy.
- Make it spicy. Add sriracha or dried red pepper flakes if you want to add a kick to this recipe.
- Meal prep ideas. These sticky shiitake mushrooms are ideal for meal prep lunches. Serve them with your favorite grain, steamed veggies, and Crispy Teriyaki Tofu.
How to Store and Reheat
You can store these mushrooms in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They’re best reheated in the microwave until warmed through, although if you don’t have a microwave, you can heat them in a skillet set over medium-heat and add a splash of sesame oil to keep them from sticking.
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
You can freeze Sticky Sesame Shiitake Mushrooms for up to 3 months. Place them in a small freezer bag or airtight container; you can microwave them from frozen or let them thaw in the refrigerator first.
Enjoy friends! If you make this Sticky Sesame Shiitake Mushroom recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Sticky Sesame Shiitake Mushrooms
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms, 1 jar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup*
- 2 tablespoons liquid aminos
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- chopped scallions & sesame seeds, for garnish
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch + ½ teaspoon water
Instructions
- First things first, you’re going to want to reconstitute the dried mushrooms. Add 1 cup of mushrooms to a bowl or jar and pour hot water over them. Ensure the mushrooms are pushed down – maybe put something on top to ensure they are pushed into the water. Leave them to soak until plump, anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes.
- Dry the mushrooms as best as possible with some paper towels, then slice into thick slices. Coat them in the cornstarch until totally covered.
- In a pan over medium high heat, heat the sesame oil. Add in mushrooms and fry up until completely crisp on both sides, about 3 to 5 minutes until the cornstarch is totally cooked out and the mushrooms are crisped up. Remove the mushrooms to a bowl (you can use the same bowl you tossed them into.
- In the same, pan, add all the ingredients for the sauce over medium heat. You can either whisk them together in a small bowl before, or in the same pan, because dishes. Stir to prevent burning and let is thicken up, about 2 to 3 minutes. Taste the sauce and add the extra tablespoon maple syrup if you want it sweeter
- Add back in the mushrooms, and toss to coat, until they become thick and sticky, about 2 to 3 more minutes. This may take a bit longer based on your mushrooms, so be sure to watch them.
- Remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly. Serve with noodles, hot rice or anything else you want to serve them with. Enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Can’t wait to try this recipe!! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much! We’re glad that you enjoyed our recipe!
I Think mushrooms are one the best thing which I like to eat. I almost two to three times make a new or an old mushrooms dish in a week..
Because I just like the taste of mushrooms which is not in any vegetable or even in any fruits…
I would definitely agree with you! the taste of mushrooms are incredible!
If I have access to fresh shiitake mushrooms, how many cups would I need? I’ve not worked with dried before and don’t know how many cups 1cup dried mushrooms rehydrates to.
Thanks!
Hi Lisa,
I used 8 ounces of dried mushrooms, but a cup of fresh chopped mushrooms should be fine. I’m not sure if you’ll get the exact same chewy texture since the dried then rehydrated gives it a great texture like I mentioned in the post, but it’ll still taste yummy! I hope you enjoy!
Same here also have same thinking that taste of mushrooms is incredible…
I never got anything in alternate of mushrooms. but I want to get something related.
Because in our city I mean in our whole country there are o much fewer mushrooms.
In our country mushrooms imported from neighbor countries that’s why mushrooms there are very expensive
Hey there! I understand completely understand, an easy to get replacement could be pressed tofu marinated in vegetable broth. I hope this helps!
Made this tonight for dinner and it was so delicious! We have been using your recipes all week and have loved them all. It had adr the transition to veganism so easy (and satisfying)!
This is what we love to see Karima! Thank you so much for this kind comment! We hope that your transition will be smooth and enjoyable!
This looks incredible! I need to add this to the menu plan next week!
Thanks Samantha! We hope you enjoy!
Hi – This looks great! Where do you buy your dried mushrooms? I’m having trouble locating even though I’m in a major metro US city. I’ve seen some (Whole Foods, Wegman’s, etc.) that are about $7 for 1 – 2 ounces. That seems extravagant! Thoughts on where to buy for cheaper? I’ve even resorted to Amazon….!
Thank you for share this recipe…..great job….
Thank you!
OMG just made these. SO GOOD. I am eating them straight from the pan and they’re almost gone. I didn’t have sesame seeds but still turned out ok! 100% making these again…tomorrow.
What is the * next to maple syrup for?
Definitely a typo sorry about that Kathy!