By shredding king oyster mushrooms, seasoning with spices, and baking, you can create a vegan mushroom pulled pork that rivals the real stuff! The perfect pulled pork alternative for sandwiches, tacos, nachos…or whenever you need vegan pulled pork.

Back in March I had a week break between finishing my master’s thesis and beginning my internship with Unilever. And in that week I cooked up a storm. A hurricane. A typhoon of all the recipes to be shared on the blog in the foreseeable future so I could focus on creating popsicles for the soon-to-be (next spring!) cookbook. But then I made this mushroom pulled pork and my plan nearly went out the window. Because I love the stuff so much that I wanted to share it ASAP!
But I couldn’t share it. Because mushroom week was so far away and my Type A personality was not about to break from our featured ingredient tradition. So I sat. And waited. And then suddenly summer came and as if it were Christmas…MUSHROOM WEEK is HERE! And so, friends, I can finally share one of my most favorite new recipes with you.
BBQ Pulled Mushrooms Video
We make this vegan pulled pork no less than once a week, sometimes with a different blend of spices or sauce, but always with the same core: king oysters shredded with a fork + baked til the edges are crispy. The pulled pork loving tulip-man happily gulfs them down on sandwiches, salads, nachos, and tacos. Ready to try out your new favorite vegetarian meat substitute?

Ingredients for vegan pulled pork
- King oyster mushrooms: The thick stem shreds into perfectly “pulled pork” pieces. Find king oyster mushrooms in a health food store or Asian supermarket. You can substitute regular oyster mushrooms if needed (about 3 heaping cups worth).
- Spices: The spices can be adapted to what you like, but we tend to use smoked paprika (for that roasted flavor), salt, and a bit of cayenne.
- BBQ sauce: It’s not a pulled pork alternative without the best BBQ sauce! We love Sweet Baby Ray’s (like…I bring it back to Europe in my suitcase every time I visit).

How to make vegan pulled pork
To make this finger-smacking tasty vegan alternative pulled pork, you’ll just toss the shredded mushroom in spices and bake until the edges are all crispy. Baking (rather than sautéing) gives the mushrooms a firmer texture that more closely resembles pulled pork. Then toss with your favorite BBQ sauce and serve!


Ingredients
- 4 king oyster mushrooms*
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 mL, divided
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce 60 g
Instructions
- Shred Mushrooms: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C). Clean mushrooms with a damp paper towel. Using two forks, shred the stems and caps roughly into pieces. Set on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Drizzle with 1 Tbsp of the oil, paprika, salt, cayenne, and garlic. Toss around to evenly coat the mushrooms, then bake for 20 minutes, or until mushrooms are a bit crispy and brown on the edges.
- Sauté: Heat remaining 1 Tbsp oil in a large saute pan over medium high. Transfer cooked mushrooms to pan and add BBQ sauce. Stir and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until mixture is thick and fragrant. Serve warm on sandwiches, nachos, salads, tacos…or whenever you eat pulled pork!
Brenda DeLaTorre says
Could this be made in an air fryer?
Sarah says
While I haven’t tried it, I think it would work! Just keep an eye that it doesn’t burn.
Kristin says
This made my husband actually want to eat mushrooms! That never happens!
Sarah says
SO AWESOME! Happy to hear it, Kristin! 😀
steve says
aaah! How many grams in 3 heaping cups – https://www.convertunits.com/from/cup+%5BCanada%5D/to/grams UK, US and Canadian cups differ!
Please! Your recipes are amazing – stop using inaccurate measurements.
Sarah says
Happy to hear you’re liking the recipes! I usually provide metric units as well, but for this recipe it’s a bit difficult. I will say this recipe is also quite flexible, so don’t get too wrapped up in the exacts. I usually do 3 handfuls of mushrooms and season to taste! 😀
Barbara says
Thanks for this delicious recipe!
Susana says
It looks amazing!
I have a question, whay did you bake them instead of making it directky in the pan?
Thank you
Sarah says
Baking makes them dry out a bit and become crispy, which transforms the flavor from chewy mushrooms into “pulled pork”! 😀
steve says
By the way, in case it’s not clear…your recipes are amazing! My frustration over the imprecise measurements are more my issue than yours.
I return to your site time and again because they are so very, very good and you are a real inspiration in this time of insanity. Stay safe, thank you and be well.
Sarah says
Aw, I’m so happy to hear that, Steve! Happy cooking! 😀
Stephannie says
I’m just gonna say you’re a genius. I’ll treasure this recipe for ever! My first time ever trying this out. I couldn’t find king oyster mushrooms luckily found regular oyster mushrooms in Whole Foods. This tasted just like pulled chicken. Took me back to summer days with the barbecue sauce. Thank you so much for this recipe. New to your site and definitely going to stick around.
Sarah says
I’m so happy to hear it, Stephannie! Enjoy! 😀
Julia says
I don’t even like mushrooms but WOW this was so good I will be making it again!!
Geri says
It taste amazing and it’s easy to make too. The texture taste like pulled pork and my teenager daughter who is very much a vegan absolutely love it. We make this for taco and burritos too. Love it 😍
Lucy says
The degrees were far too high and burnt them to a crisp before 15 minutes had gone by. I made another batch and put it in for a shorter time and the result was underwhelming but edible. I feel terrible about leaving a review less than 5 stars which I never do, I just don’t understand how so this many people rave about this recipe.
Sarah says
Sorry to hear it, Lucy! Everyone’s oven is a little different, so indeed just bump down the temp a bit next time. You might try another BBQ sauce, because this recipe should be delish! 😀
Jen says
I do this one very often and it is always a crowd pleaser!
Sienna Wolgast says
This stuff is amazing!
Quin says
Really good . The mushrooms really cook down but it was delicious. We topped with vegan slaw. Very quick and easy to make .
cal says
I had a mushroom bbq sandwich at Low Life in Folly Beach some time ago, and have been wondering how they made such a convincing pulled-pork ersatz ever since. This is it!
I think the oven time/temp needs to be adjusted a bit to get those crispy ends (maybe convection would help?), mine wound up taking about 35 minutes in the oven, with the last 6-7 min cranked to 475 to get some browning and crisping. Loved the results, though, and am so happy I found the right mushroom. Now, if only those mushrooms were easier to find!
Sarah says
Thanks for the note, Cal! We’ll triple check this recipe to fine tune it. Enjoy! 😀
DEV says
I used really big portobello mushrooms and grated them. Worked beautifully
Merilee estes says
I was wondering if Portobello mushrooms would work! Thanks for sharing.
Sarah says
The texture won’t be the same, but I bet it would taste great! 😀
Kanchan chhatwani says
Tried this superb n easy recipe and I’m craving to have it again
Peggy Soto says
Pulled pk sounds delicious!
I w try to mk it.
Cindy says
Delicious and easy make.
Allen says
Definitely a good choice for a novice cook like myself. Kids and the wife loved it and that made me feel so good.
Andre says
Made it! Loved it!
Merilee estes says
This freezes excellent, made some a year ago for a Surprise Reunion. Froze what was left. Found a over looked package today, had it for lunch. Was no different that the day it was made. ❤️
Sarah says
That’s great to know! Thanks for popping in with the tip, Merilee! 😀
Lisa says
I cooked this for my vegan sister in law, and everyone loves this. You can’t tell it’s not meat, and wonderfully tasty. I also used a smoked bbq sauce. Great recipe. Thank you. Lisa
Anon name says
Really enjoyed this recipe, thanks. Put some homemade coleslaw on top and really loved it
Liz says
I can’t wait to try this recipe! Once cooked can the mixture be frozen?
Sarah says
I haven’t personally tried this, but another reader said they had success with freezing!
Kelly says
This is the most fantastic recipe! I follow it to a T and it turns out amazing every time.