When can babies eat shiitake mushrooms?
Shiitake mushrooms may be introduced as soon as a baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. It’s best to cook shiitake mushrooms before serving, as there have been cases of skin irritation from eating raw shiitakes.
Background and origins of shiitake mushrooms
Our planet is home to more than 2,000 known edible varieties of mushrooms, but the shiitake is among the most widely consumed and highly regarded for its medicinal qualities. The name comes from the Japanese words for tree and mushroom—hints at how shiitake grows. In the 13th century, farmers developed techniques for cultivating the fungus on logs to replicate symbiotic conditions in the wild, where shiitakes thrive in proximity to trees. It’s possible that shiitakes may have been growing in the wild for many years prior to the innovation, perhaps as far back as the age of the dinosaurs. Did plant-loving stegosaurus like to munch on shiitakes? We may never know for sure, but one fact is certain: shiitake offers plenty of nutrition to humans. Shiitake even contain vitamin B12, an essential nutrient typically only available in meat and seafood. Shiitakes are sold fresh or dried. Fresh shiitake are free of wrinkles, slime, and dried stems, with supple caps that spring to the touch. Dried shiitake are dehydrated and, as a result, are lightweight. Shiitake vary in size, with larger caps offering deeper umami flavor.
★Tip: Never feed your baby foraged mushrooms unless you are an expert mycologist, as there are plenty of poisonous look-a-like species growing in the wild.
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Are shiitake mushrooms healthy for babies?
Yes. Shiitakes have multiple superpowers. First, they are one of the only plant-based sources of vitamin D and offer some vitamin B12 as well, making the mushrooms an excellent food for plant-based babies. Second, shiitakes possess types of dietary fiber that are not common in foods, as well as lots of other essential vitamins and minerals, including selenium to protect the immune system and zinc to power immunity, smell, and taste. Finally, shiitakes contain some phytonutrients that may offer antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.
★Tip: Store fresh shiitakes in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 1 year. An unopened package of dried shiitakes keeps in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place (like your pantry or fridge, depending on where you live) for a year or more. Once a package of dried shiitake is open, use within 3 months.
Are shiitake mushrooms a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Shiitake mushrooms can be chewy and challenging for new eaters to break down in their mouths. To reduce the risk, remove the stem and slice or chop the mushroom caps. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of a baby during mealtime.
For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.
Are shiitake mushrooms a common allergen?
No. Mushroom allergy is rare, although not unheard of.
There are, however, are a few considerations to keep in mind. First, raw and undercooked shiitake mushrooms contain a toxin called lentinan that can cause skin reactions in some individuals. The rash appears as red, itchy, linear streaks on the body, and in rare cases can be associated with fever, diarrhea, discomfort with swallowing, or tingling of the lips and extremities. Thoroughly cooking shiitakes breaks down the toxin and makes the mushrooms safe for consumption. Second, shiitake spores can be allergenic and can cause problems for people with sensitivities to airborne allergens or respiratory conditions like asthma. This is most likely to occur in individuals who handle raw mushrooms frequently. In rare cases, exposure to shiitake may trigger an asthma attack in susceptible individuals. Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also called “pollen-food” allergy syndrome) may also be sensitive to mushrooms. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Finally, mushrooms contain chitin, a common carbohydrate found in crustaceans and insects that may contribute to an allergic response in some people.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the amount over future meals.
Recommended Guide: Introducing Allergens
How do you prepare shiitake mushrooms for babies with baby-led weaning?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience. Your child is an individual and may have needs or considerations beyond generally accepted practices. In determining the recommendations for size and shape of foods, we use the best available scientific information regarding gross, fine, and oral motor development to minimize choking risk. The preparation suggestions we offer are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for child-specific, one-on-one advice from your pediatric medical or health professional or provider. It is impossible to fully eliminate all risk of a baby or child choking on any liquid, puree, or food. We advise you to follow all safety protocols we suggest to create a safe eating environment and to make educated choices for your child regarding their specific needs. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen here.
6 to 9 months old:
Mix finely chopped, cooked shiitake mushrooms into foods that are easy for baby to pick up and munch on, such as omelet fingers, or mix into soft, scoopable foods like mashed vegetables, porridges like congee or jook, or yogurt. To introduce shiitakes in isolation of other foods, simply sauté the mushrooms and offer chopped pieces in a bowl that suctions to the table to make it easy for baby to scoop up with hands.
9 to 12 months old:
Continue to fold chopped, cooked shiitakes into omelets, bean dishes, and other foods as desired. At this age baby’s pincer grasp will be developing, enabling them to pick up smaller pieces of food, like sliced shiitake mushroom caps on their own. This is also a great age to introduce homemade ramen noodles.
12 to 24 months old:
Offer cooked shiitake mushrooms and use them liberally in recipes to add umami flavor. Experiment with substitutions in recipes, swapping soy sauce for shiitakes to cut down on the salt, or swapping animal meat for shiitakes to add comparable flavor and texture.
For more information on how to cut food for your baby’s age, hop over to our section on Food Sizes & Shapes.
Shiitake Omelet
Yield
1 cup
Cooking Time
15 minutes
Age Suggestion
6 months+
Ingredients
2-4 fresh or dried shiitake mushroom caps
2 ounces firm tofu (about the size of 2 adult thumbs held together)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon olive oil
½ teaspoon sesame oil or seeds (optional)
This recipe contains common allergens: egg, sesame, and soy. Only serve after each of these individual allergens have been introduced safely.
Directions
Rinse the mushrooms and wipe any dirt away with a damp cloth. Rehydrate the mushrooms in a little water for at least 30 minutes if they are dried. Mince the mushrooms.
Rinse, dry, and mash the tofu with the back of a fork.
Whisk the eggs and tofu together.
Warm the oil in the skillet set on medium heat. When it shimmers, add the minced mushrooms and stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have softened and released some of their liquid, about 5 minutes. Pour out any liquid from the pan and return the pan to the heat.
Pour in the egg-tofu mixture and stir to combine with the mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until the eggs are fluffy and fully set, about 5 minutes.
Remove from the pan. Cool to room temperature. If you like, sprinkle sesame seeds or drizzle sesame oil on the omelet before serving for allergen exposure.
Serve: Slice the omelet into age-appropriate pieces (rectangular strips about the size of two adult fingers held together for babies 6 to 9 months and bite size pieces for 9 months and older) and place it on the table or tray. Let baby self-feed. If some assistance is needed, pass the omelet in the air for baby to grab from you.
Pairings
Shiitake mushrooms taste earthy, meaty, and rich with deep umami flavor. They add delicious flavor to leafy greens like bok choy, mizuna, and spinach and starchy vegetables like acorn squash, beet, broccoli, butternut squash, carrot, parsnip, purple potato, and turnip. Try mixing shiitake with grains or legumes like black beans, black-eyed peas, Khorasan wheat, lentils, quinoa, or rice, or try adding shiitake to dishes with egg noodle, pasta, or soba (buckwheat noodles) for a hearty vegetarian meal. Shiitakes can also enhance the umami of protein-rich meats like egg, ground beef, ground bison, ground pork, or venison or finned fish and shellfish like clam, crab, lobster, salmon, scallops, shrimp, and trout. Play with flavors by cooking shiitake with herbs and seasonings like chives, garlic, galangal, ginger, lemongrass, ramps, scallions, shallots, thyme. Top shiitake dishes with ground cashew, chestnut, peanut, pecan, or walnut to compliment the mushroom’s earthy flavor!
Written and reviewed by these specialists
J. Truppi, MSN, CNS
V. Kalami, MNSP, RD, CSP
K. Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT
S. Bajowala, MD, FAAAAI. Board-Certified Allergist & Immunologist (allergy section)
R. Ruiz, MD, FAAP. Board-Certified General Pediatrician & Pediatric Gastroenterologist
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