This is my take on Vegan Fried Chicken with Fried Oyster Mushrooms. They are super crispy with a double batter and so easy to make!.
You will be amazed when you try these crispy Fried Oyster Mushrooms. It’s crazy to say it, but they totally look and taste like fried chicken except Vegan! Anthony thought I had bought him KFC when he saw the tray haha! I can’t deny it, I’ve always loved fried chicken. It’s one of the only foods I still crave since becoming mostly plant based. These are a great substitute and are my take on vegan fried chicken. The texture of the mushrooms are so similar it’s crazy!.
You can also use them to make the most epic Vegan Chicken Sandwich. Ive made mine with a crunchy fresh slaw and a vegan honey mustard dressing, its a must try! Some more tasty vegan recipes you must try are my Vegan Bolognese, Rice Paper Dumplings and Cauliflower Steaks. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
These Fried Oyster Mushrooms turn out super crispy with a double batter and are so easy to make! Perfect for those nights when you feel like something crunchy and fried. They also make a great appetizer for a get together or on game day too. Most of the time, I don’t eat or cook fried foods, but these are one of those times when I can’t say no!
A lot of people around the world love chicken. It’s easy to see why chicken is used in so many dishes around the world. It has a mild, savory flavor and a tender texture. But did you know that some types of mushrooms cooked in a certain way taste and feel like chicken? It’s true—some mushrooms have umami flavors and a meaty bite that makes them taste and feel a lot like chicken. Keep reading to learn all about these chicken-flavored fungi.
Why Do Some Mushrooms Taste Like Chicken?
Mushrooms that taste like chicken share some key characteristics that give them their chicken-y qualities
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Umami flavor – Umami is considered the fifth basic taste, after sweet, salty, sour and bitter. It imparts a savory, meaty flavor and is abundant in chicken. Mushrooms like the king oyster mushroom contain high levels of umami, primarily from glutamic acid. This is the same naturally occurring amino acid that makes chicken so mouthwateringly savory.
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Dense, meaty texture – Chicken breast meat is known for its dense meaty bite. Mushrooms like king oyster hen of the woods and chicken of the woods all have a similar texture when cooked, thanks to their firm flesh and hearty caps and stems. This makes them more satisfying to bite into than other softer mushrooms.
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Taste that is neutral to mild—chicken has a neutral taste by itself. The mushrooms that taste like chicken also let the other ingredients shine without taking away from their sometimes earthy flavor. Their mild taste allows them to absorb surrounding flavors easily.
The Best Mushrooms That Taste Like Chicken
There are a few kinds of mushrooms that are known for cooking up like chicken. Here are three of the best.
King Oyster Mushrooms
One of the most well-known mushrooms that tastes like chicken is the king oyster mushroom. When cooked, the thick white stems become very meaty, juicy, and tender, and they taste like chicken breast meat. For vegan chicken recipes you can make at home, you can slice them and sauté them, grill them, or bread and fry them. King oyster mushrooms have more glutamates, which increase umami, than almost any other mushroom.
Hen of the Woods Mushrooms
Also known as maitake mushrooms, hen of the woods have a unique ruffled, rounded shape and cluster together at the base of trees. When cooked, these mushrooms develop a stringy, fibrous texture much like pulled chicken or pork. Their neutral flavor absorbs surrounding flavors easily. Try hen of the woods mushrooms shredded in place of chicken in stir fries, tacos, pastas and more.
Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms
From its name alone, you know this mushroom is destined to taste like chicken! Chicken of the woods is a bright orange or yellow shelf mushroom found growing on tree trunks. When cooked, it has a meaty yet tender texture and absorbs savory flavors well. Its mild taste works great in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken pieces. Try battering and frying chicken of the woods for vegan chicken nuggets.
How to Cook Mushrooms That Taste Like Chicken
The key to bringing out the chicken-like essence of these mushrooms is proper cooking methods. Here are some tips:
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Slice mushrooms thick – Cut mushrooms into 1⁄2 to 1-inch slices or chunks to retain their hearty meatiness. Thinner slices can become rubbery.
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Sauté, grill or pan fry – Exposing the mushrooms to high heat helps develop flavor and texture. Fry or grill them with a touch of oil to get crispy edges.
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Bread and deep fry – For super crispy, juicy “chicken”, dip sliced mushrooms in eggs then breadcrumbs before frying in 375°F oil until golden brown.
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Season generously – Don’t be shy with savory spices and sauces. Salt, pepper, garlic, onion and paprika all complement and enhance the mushrooms’ umami flavors.
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Cook thoroughly – Mushrooms need ample time to soften and release moisture. Undercooking leaves them dense and rubbery.
Simple Recipe Ideas
Here are a few easy ways to cook up mushrooms that taste like chicken:
- Breaded, baked “chicken” cutlets
- Fajita-spiced mushrooms for fajitas or tacos
- Chicken noodle soup with king oyster mushrooms
- Crispy fried “chicken” sandwiches with mushrooms instead of chicken breast
- Mushroom cacciatore or mushrooms in an Italian tomato sauce
- Mushroom pot pie with flaky pie crust
- Mushroom enchiladas with tomatillo sauce
Benefits of Choosing Mushrooms Over Chicken
Replacing chicken with mushrooms offers several health and environmental upsides:
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More nutrition – Mushrooms provide nutrients like antioxidants, fiber, B vitamins and potassium that chicken lacks.
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Less saturated fat – Chicken contains high levels of artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol while mushrooms have none.
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Lower carbon footprint – Pound for pound, mushrooms generate far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than chicken production.
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Earth-friendly growing – Mushrooms thrive on agricultural byproducts like sawdust and don’t require cleared land or irrigation.
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Water conservation – Mushrooms need a fraction of the water needed to raise chickens.
So next time a recipe calls for chicken, consider substituting one of these satisfying mushrooms instead. Your taste buds and the planet will thank you! With their impressively chicken-y flavors and textures, mushrooms that taste like chicken offer the best of both worlds.
Ingredients to make Fried Oyster Mushrooms
- Oyster mushrooms are the show-stopper! They’re very pretty and have a mild flavor that lets them take on any flavor you add.
- Flour is used for the batter. I made both the dry and wet batter with plain all-purpose flour. Whole-wheat flour can also work. I haven’t used gluten-free flour in this recipe yet, but I think it should work just fine!
- Spices are added to oyster mushrooms to make them taste better and change their color. I mixed paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper together.
- When you fry food, make sure you use a neutral oil with a high smoke point. Some other oils you could use are avocado oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil, or even vegetable oil. Here are some sauces to dip your bread in:
- To make creamy BBQ, mix mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, and a little apple cider vinegar in equal parts.
- Sriracha aioli
- Ketchup
- Honey mustard
How to make Fried Oyster Mushrooms
Follow my simple steps to make these delicious fried oyster mushrooms. Here I breakdown how to prepare the batter, coating the mushrooms and frying.
- To start, wipe the oyster mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel to get rid of any dirt. Add the flour, all the spices, salt, and black pepper to the spice mix. Mix together until well combined.
- Put ⅓ cup of the flour from the first bowl into a second bowl along with ¾ cups of water. Whisk together until to achieve a smooth batter consistency.
- First, dip each mushroom in the wet batter, and then in the dry batter. Coat each mushroom twice, first in the wet batter and then in the flour mixture. Make sure that all of the flour is on the mushrooms.
- Put oil in a pot and heat it over high heat. Carefully add mushrooms one at a time, in groups. For smaller pots, you can fry a few at a time. Don’t put too many in at once. After a few minutes, take them out of the oil and place them on paper towels to soak up the extra oil. Then, put them on a cooling rack to keep them crispy until the rest are done. Enjoy with your favourite dipping sauce!.
NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY, THIS TASTE LIKE FRIED CHICKEN | ALL CAPS | COME FIGHT ME
FAQ
Do mushrooms taste like chicken?
There are a few wild and cultivated mushroom species that resemble the taste and texture of chicken, depending on the preparation and cooking methods. In this guide, we’ll delve into three species of mushrooms that taste like chicken.
What does a mushroom taste like?
The Chicken of the Woods mushroom tastes like chicken when cooked. Young plants smell nice, like fresh mushrooms, and the amount of tannins they take in from the host tree affects how they taste. When cooked, many compare the taste of this mushroom with that of chicken meat. Older specimens, however, have a pungent and bitter taste.
What does a shrimp mushroom taste like?
The shrimp of the woods mushroom is another name for it. Many people also think that when it’s cooked right, this mushroom tastes and feels like chicken. Make sure to cook this mushroom for at least 15 minutes and allow it to brown, which brings out a lovely meaty flavor.
What is a chicken mushroom called?
The mushroom is commonly referred to as ‘chicken of the woods’ or ‘chicken mushroom’. Its scientific name is Laetiporus sulphureus. Do not confuse it with the hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa), another polypore mushroom that grows at the base of trees.
What does chicken of the woods taste like?
When cooked, chicken of the woods mushrooms feel like meat and have a mild lemony flavor that tastes like chicken, lobster, or crab in a way. The “chicken” flavor associated with these mushrooms lends itself to a reliable meat substitute for vegetarian or vegan meal options.
Do king oyster mushrooms taste like chicken?
Regardless, if you’ve held apprehensions about mushrooms, a cooked King Oyster may just be enough to begin your conversion. After all, they do taste like chicken. If you’ve only thought of mushrooms as a gross side vegetable you never eat, think again. A certain type of mushroom tastes exactly like chicken.
What is the best mushroom that tastes like chicken?
Chicken of the Woods Without a doubt one of the most popular wild mushrooms of all time. The sulphur shelf fungus is a cousin of the Hen of the woods, and is the edible fungi many will know simply because its a mushroom that tastes like chicken.
What mushrooms are like chicken?
Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa): Also known as maitake, this mushroom typically grows at the base of oak trees and has a frilly, layered appearance resembling a hen’s feathers. It is known for its rich flavor and is often used in cooking.
What mushrooms can replace chicken?
Enoki mushrooms are an excellent chicken replacement with a really similar texture and super tasty to enjoy with homemade mayo or in the crunchiest plant …Mar 26, 2024