BBQ Maitake Mushrooms

The Maitake mushroom, also known as “hen of the woods,” is a delightful mushroom native to Japan. These little wonders pop up in clusters at the base of oak, elm, and maple trees, resembling the fluffy feathers of a hen—hence the cute nickname.

With their growing popularity, they’re also easier to find these days. You can usually spot them at your local health food store or neighborhood Asian market.

I love Maitake mushrooms because they absorb sauces and seasonings really well and can be transformed into a variety of dishes.

In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make a quick BBQ marinade sauce in less than five minutes. 

Because mushrooms have a high-water content, you’ll also need to cook out the water in a pan before roasting. This step is key for achieving mushrooms with nice crispy edges without the need for oil. These BBQ Maitake Mushrooms are the perfect topper for any dish. Use them as nacho toppers, in tacos, over pizzas—you name it. They’re sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz (113 g) maitake mushrooms, washed well

BBQ Sauce Marinade:

• 1 cup strained tomato sauce (passata)  
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1.5 tbsp raw honey
• 2 tsp mustard powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
• A pinch of ground allspice or ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Using your hands, tear the maitake mushrooms into bite-sized shreds. 
2. Preheat a nonstick ceramic pan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms to the pan, and dry sauté for about 5 minutes to coax out the excess moisture. This step ensures the mushrooms crisp up nicely when baked. Once done, remove from heat. 
3. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If using an air fryer, no preheating is necessary.
4. Arrange the mushrooms on a baking sheet or your air fryer tray. 
5. In a bowl, thoroughly combine all the ingredients for the BBQ sauce marinade and mix well.
6. Carefully pour the marinade over the sautéed mushrooms. If you have a marinade brush, use it to help spread the sauce evenly across the mushrooms.
7. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the mushrooms for 20-25 minutes until they develop slightly crisped edges. If using an air fryer, bake for 10 minutes instead.
8. Remove the BBQ mushrooms from the oven or air fryer and serve. 

Serves 1, Marinade Yields 2 Servings

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