Healthy Food Trend: Flavorful Bacon Alternatives
The following recipe was created by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek, RD,LD. Photography was provided by Christina Musgrave from Tasting with Tina.
If you’re thinking about adopting a plant-based diet and are wondering how you’ll live without bacon, you’ll definitely want to bookmark this post!
Whether it’s meats or sweets you’re trying to cut back on, the key to success is finding healthier alternatives with similar flavor and texture profiles. When it comes to bacon, it’s the smoky, chewy characteristics most of us desire, and both are captured perfectly in these Fx™-approved faux bacon recipes featuring shiitake mushrooms and unsweetened coconut flakes!
I know what you’re probably thinking… mushrooms and coconut can replace bacon? There’s no way! I recognize how strange it sounds, but with the right seasonings and cooking methods you’ll be shocked at how they transform.
When it comes to seasonings, I recommend using Heinen’s smoked paprika as an Fx™-approved swap for liquid smoke. It’s much cleaner and the taste is just the same.
For serving, you can pair either alternative with any of your favorite recipes from breakfast scrambles to BLTs. Let’s dig in!
Healthy Food Trend: Flavorful Bacon Alternatives
- Cook time:
- 26min
- Prep time:
- 5min
- Total time:
- 31min
Ingredients
For the Shiitake Mushroom Bacon
- 2 packages sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms
- 2 tsp. Heinen’s smoked paprika
- 1 Tbsp. Heinen’s pure organic maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 Tbsp. Heinen’s extra virgin olive oil
For the Flaked Coconut Bacon
- 3 cups Lets Do Organic unsweetened flaked coconut
- 2 Tbsp. Heinen’s pure organic maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp. Bragg liquid aminos
- 2 tsp. Heinen’s smoked paprika
Instructions
For the Shiitake Mushroom Bacon
Makes 10 servings
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Combine the mushrooms, smoked paprika, maple syrup, salt and extra virgin olive oil in a large bowl. Stir well.
- Transfer the mushroom mixture to a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway. Serve and enjoy.
For the Flaked Coconut Bacon
Makes 6 servings
- Preheat the oven to 300°F.
- Combine the flaked coconut, maple syrup, liquid aminos and smoked paprika in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Transfer the coconut mixture onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes.
