How to cook bamboo shoots?

If you’re a fan of Asian cooking, you’ve no doubt heard of—and probably eaten—bamboo shoots.

Common in Asian cuisine, bamboo shoots are loved by many for their delicious flavor and unique texture that they add to a wide variety of dishes.

So how do you cook bamboo shoots?

To cook bamboo shoots, the tender core of the shoot must first be exposed. Next, soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes, and then boil them until you get the desired texture. You can eat the bamboo shoots after boiling them or continue cooking them with various methods, such as frying.

Bamboo shoots steal the show as well as other Asian ingredients (lotus roots, kikurage, etc.). You have enjoyed them in many restaurants, but now you are surely ready to eat them at home.

If you want to know more about bamboo shoots and how to cook them, we have covered it all for you.

What are bamboo shoots?

Bamboo is a herbaceous plant and is known to be the fastest growing plant in the world.

The young shoots grow first, and then woody to form buds. These shoots can grow up to 40 meters tall.

The plant has a versatile growing region: you can find it in almost every zone with a humid climate.

Thus, it grows abundantly in the tropics and subtropics. This makes it very common in Asian countries, in more than just the culinary field.

Bamboo shoots are the tender, young shoots of the bamboo plant.

Also known as bamboo shoots, people eat them as part of various dishes with different cooking methods.

What to remember before cooking bamboo shoots

There are multiple ways to cook bamboo shoots, depending on what the recipe calls for.

But, before that, there are some common requirements to follow before cooking these sprouts. This is independent of the cooking method called for by the recipe.

It also helps improve the edibility of the sprouts and ensures that they are free of toxins.

heating bamboo shoots

It is very important to note that you cannot eat bamboo shoots without cooking. Every method of preparation must include some form of heat.

This is because raw bamboo shoots contain a substance called hydrogen cyanide that is released when eaten. It can cause poisoning and pose other health threats.

remove the outer shell

To cook the sprouts, you have to remove the tough outer shell. This hardness acts as a barrier, preventing external factors from reaching the core.

To get the most out of cooking, it is essential that you peel the leaves of the sprout, exposing the tender core.

In addition, you also have to shave the bottom of the shoot.

Next we will see in more detail the process of preparing and cooking the bamboo shoots.

How are bamboo shoots cooked?

As we have said, it is essential that you boil the bamboo shoots before consuming them. Let’s break down the entire process from start to finish.

To prepare and boil the bamboo shoots, follow these steps:

1. Peel the sprouts and uncover the core. Cut the bottom of the shoots.
2. Soak them for 30-40 minutes. This usually removes excess bitterness, if any.
3. Wash the sprouts and trim them, if necessary. You may want to cut them to fit better in the pot or cut them to the size you want for the final dish.
4. Add the sprouts in an instant pressure cooker.
5. Take some rice in a bowl and wash it to get a milky texture in the water. Drain the rice and add the rinsed water to the pressure cooker. Make sure there is enough water to cover the sprouts.
6. If you have a packet of rice bran, you can add it to the water and skip the previous step. This will also help remove bitterness from the sprouts.
7. You can add a bit of red chilli if you like to make the water more antibacterial and strip the bamboo of its tannic flavor.
8. Close the lid and vent and set the timer (ideally about 30 minutes, but varies by species) on high pressure.
9. Once boiled, rinse the sprouts. The sprouts are now ready to eat or to continue cooking.

They can be eaten right after boiling and taste fantastic sprinkled with spices.

You can also choose to boil or cook them further, depending on how you like them. There are many dishes with which bamboo shoots combine wonderfully.

A healthy option is to add them to a simple mix of vegetables with lean protein and, of course, tasty spices.

How to cook canned bamboo shoots

Canned bamboo shoots are usually pre-cooked, after which they are packed in water. There are different types of canned bamboo shoots on the market.

You can find whole sprouts, chopped sprouts, grated sprouts, and even cut sprouts.

You can also find sprouts (canned) fermented with different spices.

Since these sprouts are already cooked, you can add them to your recipes straight from the can (but drain the liquid first) without having to boil them. This saves you a lot of time.

But, keep in mind the brand you choose. We suggest that you buy a trusted brand (preferably organic) and check the label in which liquid they are kept.

Also, be sure to check the expiration date printed on the can.

This may seem very basic, but many people don’t take it into account. Especially in the case of bamboo shoots, it is a risk.

Even if the flavor is only slightly compromised, expired sprouts can pose many health threats due to the toxins they might release.

How to eat bamboo shoots

After extensive research, we have compiled a list of other alternatives to eating your bamboo shoots.

So if you’re bored of the usual boiled or stir-fried, and want to try something new, here are some options:

• Once boiled, you can cut the sprouts into different shapes (julienne, slices, cubes, or sticks) and add them to a salad.
• You can also lightly sauté them (after boiling of course) and put them in noodles or fried rice.
• It’s also fun to innovate meatball or spring roll recipes by adding these sprouts.
• We suggest you try the sprouts dipped in tempura batter and then deep-fried for a fun late-night snack.
• A famous way to consume bamboo shoots is after marinating them in rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
• You can also cook the boiled bamboo shoots in dashi sauce if you have some time.
• Another easy (without compromising flavor) way to consume bamboo shoots is to stir-fry them with chicken or vegetables.

Please note that the above list is certainly recommended, but not exhaustive. Given the subtle flavor of bamboo, you can combine it with a wide variety of ingredients.

For example, bamboo shoots go very well with beef, cilantro, eggs, tofu, miso rice, dashi, fish sauce, chicken, soy sauce, scallions, ginger, rice noodles, shiitake mushrooms and mirin sesame oil.

So next time you want to cook bamboo shoots, keep the above options in mind.

How to tell if bamboo shoots have gone bad

Like any other ingredient, bamboo shoots can go bad. And when this happens, it is important to identify it and make sure that they are not consumed.

Regardless of how they are stored, all bamboo shoots show similar signs when they go bad.

It is necessary to know and look for them if you have stored your sprouts for longer than usual.

mold formation

The sprouts have a high moisture content, so the most common sign would be to look for mold on them. It is also the easiest shape to identify.

However, you should know that these molds can grow under the skin of the bamboo. If that’s the case, you won’t know until you peel the skin off.

Smell

The smell can be a very clear indicator to know if a food is overcooked.

If the bamboo shoots have an unpleasant smell, like strong ammonia, it is better to throw them away.

Of course, you may waste them, but it’s better than consuming them and harming your health.

Pastiness

Bamboo shoots can also become softer and mustier than usual. If they feel doughy when you touch them, they are most likely spoiled.

Color

Its color also becomes darker than usual.

Keep in mind that if you store them in water, the color may be preserved, but don’t assume they’re safe to eat just because of their hue.

If the color appears normal, but you think the sprouts may have gone bad or the canned ones are past their expiration date, trust the other key characteristics listed above.

It is always better to be safe than sick!

Unfortunately, if there is one (or several), it is best to discard the sprouts and get fresh ones.

Also, to completely avoid this situation, we suggest buying fresh bamboo shoots and using them immediately, rather than storing them for later use.

This would also allow you to savor the authentic flavor and texture, which is often lost when stored and consumed later.

What do bamboo shoots taste like?

Many factors, such as taste, color, texture and smell, are responsible for the recognition of the taste of a loved food.

So, to better understand bamboo shoots, we have given you a detailed explanation on each of these factors.

Taste

Bamboo shoots have a very subtle flavor. They have a mild woody, nutty, and earthy flavor. Some people also say that they remind them of water chestnuts.

Keep in mind that if the sprouts are extremely bitter to you (it’s safe to ignore the slight remnants of their bitterness), it’s cause for concern.

Either they have been refrigerated too long or they have not been fully cooked.

In the case of the former, we advise you to throw away the sprouts, since they could pose multiple threats to your health.

If it’s the second case, keep reading to learn more about how to cook it correctly and safely to improve bitterness.

Also, we would like you to keep in mind that you will enjoy its flavor more when you eat it fresh.

Unfortunately, over time, some species lose their authentic flavor. Therefore, we advise you to use the sprouts just when you buy them.

Or, if you can’t cook them right away, refrigerate them so you can keep them.

Smell

Raw bamboo shoots have a unique smell. However, when they are boiled and fermented, they give off a very mild and pungent odor, like that of ammonia.

This shouldn’t be a big concern, as long as it’s mild and you can only smell it when you bring it close to your mouth.

If the pungent odor becomes very strong, that is, if you can smell it from across the room, then the sprouts have gone bad. In these cases, it is advisable not to consume them.

Texture

More than its taste, people love bamboo for its texture. It has a very firm and crunchy texture, due to the fibers present in the sprout.

This could be the likely reason why many reviewers draw similarities between these buds and water chestnuts.

Even canned, these sprouts remain crisp for a long time.

This is a characteristic, unlike most other canned vegetables, which become very soggy when canned.

Color

Based on the different stages, the bamboo shoots can be of different colors. Primarily, bamboos are an evergreen plant.

For this reason, its raw shoots have a pale green to creamy yellow tint.

The outer leaves are greener, and the inner core has a more yellow hue.

Over time, the inner core becomes increasingly dark. This is another important factor in determining whether the bamboo shoot is edible or rancid.

When canned, due to pre-processing, they turn a pale yellow color.

When dried, the buds are beige yellow to dark brown in color. These dried buds are rarely used in the culinary realm.

How long do bamboo shoots last?

The shelf life of bamboo shoots differs depending on how and where they are stored.

Read on to find out which storage method is ideal for your needs.

At room temperature

Ideally, sprouts should last about a week.

However, exposing them to air, sunlight and other sources of heat could reduce their life due to the oxidation they cause.

when refrigerated

Bamboo shoots can last up to two weeks in the fridge.

However, this duration could also be decreased if they are peeled and only the core is refrigerated.

Keep in mind that if you store them longer than listed, they will still be safe to eat, but they may lose their flavor and texture.

Some species are also observed to become bitter over time, despite refrigeration.

when they freeze

Bamboo shoots can last up to 3 months. But be sure to cook them before freezing, as raw sprouts don’t respond very well to freezing.

Also, keep in mind that you may have to give up flavor and texture when you freeze them, as these are lost when freezing temperatures are reached.

Final thoughts

Bamboo shoots fresh from the garden or grocery store require quite a bit of preparation and cooking time before eating.

Nothing beats the taste of fresh food, but if you’re in a hurry, you can cut to the chase and buy canned bamboo shoots. The final product will still be very tasty!

Whatever you choose, adding them to your recipes will add a unique texture that you’re sure to love. So don’t deprive yourself of trying these tasty sprouts in a recipe this week.

We hope this article has helped you learn more about bamboo shoots and how to cook them.