Have you heard of Chicken of the Woods? This unusual mushroom has been getting more popular lately because it tastes great and feels like meat, but a lot of people still don’t know where to buy it. In this guide, well explore the best places to find Chicken of the Woods, as well as some tips for identifying and preparing this delicious ingredient.
At Foraged, we are passionate about reconnecting people with their food and where it comes from. We believe that today, many people have an unhealthy relationship with their food, seeing it as merely a means to an end. We want to change that perception and encourage people to view food as something special in itself, integral to a healthy life. One way we do this is through our specialty foods marketplace, which brings you ingredients that are hard to find straight from foragers, farmers, and artisans. Our tagline says it all: “hard to find foods, all in one place. “.
Mushrooms that taste like chicken are becoming more popular. This is because more people are going vegetarian, vegan, or flexitarian, which means they need plant-based foods that can replace animal proteins. Lucky for us, many kinds of mushrooms are perfect because they have a savory umami taste and a thick texture when they are cooked. These are the best mushrooms that taste like chicken, along with links to where you can buy them.
Chicken of the Woods
The name “chicken of the woods” comes from the fact that it looks a lot like cooked chicken breast. The texture of this mushroom is soft and tender, like lean meat. Its color ranges from bright golden yellow to orange. When raw, it has a mild, lemony tang. When it’s cooked, it gets a stronger flavor, more like seafood or chicken.
Chicken of the woods grows on trees, particularly oak, in North America and parts of Europe. It’s most commonly found from summer through early winter. You may be able to forage for it yourself during peak mushroom season. Otherwise, you can buy it fresh or dried from specialty suppliers.
Where to Buy Fresh
Several farms and online stores offer fresh chicken of the woods when it’s in season from late summer through fall. Prices range from $15 to $25 per pound.
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Oregon Mushrooms – Ships fresh chicken of the woods overnight from Oregon.
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Fungi Perfecti – Sells foraged wild mushrooms including chicken of the woods in season
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Local farmer’s markets: Find out if there are any mushroom sellers at the farmer’s market near you. Some people may have chicken of the woods that they got from forests close by.
Where to Buy Dried
Drying concentrates the savory flavors of chicken of the woods. Dried versions can be purchased year-round for convenience. Rehydrate by soaking before using in recipes.
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Mushroom House – Offers dried chicken of the woods pieces and powder.
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Oregon Mushrooms – Sells dried Oregon chicken of the woods online.
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Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are picked and dried by Hole in the Woods Farm on their Indiana farm.
King Oyster Mushroom
The king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) is a large, thick stem mushroom with a small cap. It has a substantial bite similar to meat. When cooked, it develops a savory umami flavor with hints of nuttiness and butter. The texture becomes firm yet tender. King oyster mushrooms pair well with chicken or can stand in for it.
King oysters grow in temperate climates on wood. They are commercially cultivated on logs or sawdust. You can find them fresh year-round at many mainstream grocers. Prices range from $10 to $15 per pound. Dried king oyster pieces are also available.
Where to Buy Fresh
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Mainstream grocery stores – Check the produce section for king oyster mushrooms, often packaged or loose by the pound. Larger stores and chains like Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s typically carry them.
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Asian grocery stores – These specialty markets frequently stock fresh king oysters. Prices may be lower than mainstream stores.
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Local farms – Search for mushroom growers in your area. They may sell king oysters at farmer’s markets or offer pick-your-own.
Where to Buy Dried
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Amazon – Carries dried king oyster pieces perfect for reconstituting in recipes.
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Mushroom House – Sells dried king oyster mushroom chunks.
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Fungi Perfecti – Offers certified organic dried king oyster mushrooms.
Oyster Mushroom
Like king oyster, the smaller regular oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) has a dense, chewy texture when cooked. It soaks up flavors easily and pairs well with chicken or seafood. Sauteed oysters develop a lightly sweet, umami taste. Their neutral flavor allows other seasonings to shine.
Oyster mushrooms naturally grow on decaying wood in the wild. They also grow quickly under cultivation on straw or sawdust. You can find them affordably year-round at most grocery stores. Expect to pay $5 to $8 per pound.
Where to Buy Fresh
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Mainstream grocery stores – Check the produce cooler for oyster mushrooms. Nearly all major stores sell them.
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Farmers markets – Ask mushroom vendors if they have fresh oysters. When in season they may offer great deals.
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Asian grocery stores – These shops frequently have very fresh oysters for low prices. Buy them loose by the pound.
Where to Buy Dried
Dried oyster mushrooms add concentrated savory flavor to dishes. Rehydrate before using.
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Amazon – Sells USDA certified organic dried oyster mushroom pieces.
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Thrive Market – Offers dried oyster mushrooms at wholesale prices for members.
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Walmart – Carries budget-friendly dried oyster mushrooms.
Morel Mushroom
Morels have a nutty, woodsy, almost smoky flavor. When cooked, they develop a firm, meaty texture. Their earthy taste pairs well with rich meats like beef or duck. Morels can also lend a savory, chicken-like flavor to vegetarian dishes.
Morels grow wild in forests across North America in springtime. Foraged morels fetch very high prices when fresh. Due to short harvest windows, most buy them dried. Expect to pay $50 or more per ounce for dried morels.
Where to Buy Fresh
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Specialty markets – A few high-end grocers like Whole Foods sell fresh morels for 1-2 weeks in spring at $40 to $60 per pound.
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Online – Several vendors offer overnight shipping of just-picked morels in season for hefty prices. Try Fungi Perfecti, Earthy Delights, or The Spice House.
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Forage yourself – Morel hunting is popular in spring. Learn how to identify and harvest them safely.
Where to Buy Dried
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Nuts.com – Sells dried morels starting at $35 for a half ounce.
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Spice Jungle – Offers dried morels between $40 to $100 per ounce depending on quality.
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Amazon – Has dried morels available at varying prices.
The savory, chicken-like mushrooms above offer satisfying plant-based options for any dish. Try cooking with fresh chicken of the woods, king oysters, or oysters when possible. Or use dried mushrooms to enjoy their rich flavors year-round. With so many sources available, you can easily buy mushrooms that taste like chicken online or locally and elevate your vegetarian cooking.
Where Can I Buy Chicken of the Woods Online?
If youre unable to find Chicken of the Woods locally, you can always buy it online. However, we understand that buying and selling on specialty food marketplaces can be intimidating. Here at Foraged, we want to assure you that we are a trusted marketplace for specialty foods and have a commitment to quality and safety.
Tips for Identifying and Preparing Chicken of the Woods
You now know where to find Chicken of the Woods. Let’s talk about how to tell it apart and cook it.
This MUSHROOM Tastes Like CHICKEN – So I made KFC
FAQ
Which mushroom tastes the most like chicken?
There are species, like Laetiporus sulphureus, that are commonly called sulphur shelf, chicken of the woods, the chicken mushroom, or the chicken fungus because they are said to taste and feel like chicken.
Where can I find chicken mushrooms?
First, only pick them if they are on dead trees or logs. If you see a bright orange mushroom growing from a young healthy tree, chances are it’s not a Chicken Mushroom. They also never grow on the ground, there are no exceptions to this rule.
What is the best mushroom that tastes like meat?
Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia, are renowned for their rich, umami flavor. They also have a distinct smoky note that enhances any dish they’re added to. Their meaty texture makes them an ideal substitute for meat in a variety of vegan recipes, from stir-fries to soups.
Do maitake mushrooms taste like chicken?
Maitake or hen of the woods is a frilly mushroom with a rich meaty flavor. The flavor of maitake is similar to oyster mushrooms, where some people describe the flavor as chicken like.