Deep, Savory Umami for Just About Everything
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is one of the world's most beloved culinary mushrooms—and dried Shiitake might be even better than fresh when you want big, concentrated mushroom flavor.
Drying intensifies Shiitake's naturally rich, savory character, creating a deep umami flavor with woodsy, smoky notes and a wonderfully meaty texture once rehydrated.
Use the whole mushrooms and pieces when you want Shiitake to be part of the meal, or reach for Shiitake powder when you want an easy way to sneak serious mushroom flavor into soups, sauces, gravies, seasonings, and just about anything savory.
🍄 Why You'll Love It
- 🍜 Umami Powerhouse – Deep, rich mushroom flavor instantly adds complexity to soups, broths, sauces, noodles, and rice dishes.
- 🥩 Meaty Texture – Rehydrated Shiitake has a satisfying chew that works beautifully in both vegetarian and meat-based dishes.
- 🥄 Whole or Powdered – Choose whole mushrooms and pieces for cooking or powder for quick, concentrated flavor.
- 🌿 Naturally Contains Beta-Glucans – Shiitake naturally contains fungal polysaccharides, including beta-glucans.
- 🏡 Pantry Friendly – Dried mushrooms are easy to keep on hand whenever dinner needs a little fungal intervention.
What Does Shiitake Taste Like?
Shiitake has a distinctive flavor that's:
- Deeply savory
- Umami-rich
- Earthy
- Woodsy
- Slightly smoky
- Almost buttery when cooked
It's fantastic with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame, scallions, rice, noodles, eggs, vegetables, chicken, beef, pork, and seafood.
Basically, Shiitake doesn't have a lot of enemies in the kitchen.
💧 How to Rehydrate Dried Shiitake
- Place the dried Shiitake mushrooms in a bowl.
- Cover completely with warm water.
- Soak until soft and fully rehydrated.
- Remove the mushrooms and gently squeeze out excess water.
- Remove tough stems if necessary.
- Slice or chop and cook thoroughly before eating.
And save that soaking liquid!
Strain it well and use it as mushroom broth in soups, ramen, sauces, gravy, risotto, or anything else that could use an extra hit of umami.
🥄 How to Use Shiitake Powder
Shiitake powder is essentially a secret weapon for savory cooking.
Try it in:
- Soups and broths
- Sauces and gravies
- Stews
- Ramen
- Stir-fries
- Rice and risotto
- Dry rubs
- Meat and vegetable seasonings
- Marinades
- Burgers and meatloaf
- Roasted vegetables
- Savory compound butter
Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
🍳 Easy Shiitake Garlic Sauté
Rehydrate dried Shiitake mushrooms until tender, then drain and gently squeeze out excess water.
Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until lightly browned.
Add minced garlic, a splash of soy sauce, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for another minute or two.
Finish with sliced scallions and serve over rice, noodles, eggs, grilled meat, or vegetables.
Simple. Ridiculously good.
What's Included
Whole & Pieces
Ingredients: Dried Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinula edodes)
Powder
Ingredients: Ground Dried Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinula edodes)
What are dried Shiitake mushrooms?
Dried Shiitake are dehydrated Lentinula edodes mushrooms. Drying preserves them while concentrating their naturally rich, savory flavor.
What does dried Shiitake taste like?
Shiitake has a deep, earthy, woodsy and umami-rich flavor with slightly smoky notes.
Are dried Shiitake stronger tasting than fresh Shiitake?
Yes. Drying concentrates Shiitake's flavor, which is one reason dried Shiitake is especially popular for broths, soups and sauces.
How do I rehydrate dried Shiitake mushrooms?
Cover the mushrooms with warm water and soak until soft and fully rehydrated. Drain, gently squeeze out excess water and cook thoroughly before eating.
How long does it take to rehydrate Shiitake?
The exact time depends on the size and thickness of the mushrooms. They are ready when they have softened completely through the center.
Can I use the Shiitake soaking water?
Absolutely. Strain the soaking liquid well and use it as a flavorful mushroom broth in soups, ramen, sauces, gravies or risotto.
Do I need to remove Shiitake stems?
Shiitake stems can remain tough even after rehydrating. Remove particularly woody stems before cooking and save them for making broth if desired.
How do I cook rehydrated Shiitake?
Rehydrated Shiitake can be sautéed, stir-fried, simmered in soups, added to noodles, cooked with rice or incorporated into sauces and stews.
How do I use Shiitake powder?
Add Shiitake powder directly to soups, broths, sauces, gravies, stews, seasonings, dry rubs, marinades and other savory recipes.
Do I need to rehydrate Shiitake powder?
No. Shiitake powder can generally be stirred directly into recipes containing moisture and cooked with the dish.
Which should I buy: whole Shiitake or powder?
Choose whole mushrooms and pieces when you want mushroom texture in your meal. Choose powder when you want an easy way to distribute Shiitake flavor throughout a dish.
What foods pair well with Shiitake?
Shiitake pairs especially well with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame, scallions, rice, noodles, eggs, vegetables, beef, chicken, pork and seafood.
Can dried Shiitake replace fresh Shiitake in recipes?
Yes. Once fully rehydrated, dried Shiitake can be used in many recipes calling for fresh Shiitake, although dried mushrooms generally have a more concentrated flavor.
Does Shiitake contain beta-glucans?
Yes. Shiitake naturally contains fungal polysaccharides, including beta-glucans.
Is Shiitake considered a medicinal mushroom?
Shiitake has a long history as both a culinary food and traditional wellness mushroom and has been studied for naturally occurring compounds including beta-glucans. This product is sold as a food, not as a treatment for disease.
Do dried Shiitake mushrooms need to be cooked?
Yes. We recommend thoroughly cooking rehydrated Shiitake before eating.
How should I store dried Shiitake?
Keep dried Shiitake tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat and direct sunlight.
How should I store Shiitake powder?
Keep the powder tightly sealed in a cool, dry location and avoid introducing moisture into the container.
What species of Shiitake is this?
Shiitake is Lentinula edodes, a wood-growing mushroom cultivated and enjoyed around the world.
