100 Shiso Recipes - Cook with Confidence with This New Culinary Craze (2024)

Have you been hearing all the commotion about Shiso leaves lately?

What are they anyway?

Perilla frutescensvar.crispa, also calledshiso(/ˈʃiːsoʊ/,[1]from Japaneseシソ) is a variety of speciesPerilla frutescensof the genusPerilla, belonging to the mint family,Lamiaceae. Shiso is aperennialplant that may be cultivated as anannualin temperate climates. The plant occurs in red (purple-leaved) and green-leavedforms. There are also frilly, ruffled-leaved forms calledchirimenjisoand forms that are red only on top, calledkatamenjiso.

Source – Wikipedia

It is a hard flavor to describe but many consider the taste to be similar to that of mint, although the appearance represents closely to basil. It has sometimes been described as minty, other times as having hints of cinnamon, and some people describe it to have citrusy tones.

The best way to find out what Shiso tastes like is to buy some fresh shiso and try it out in one of the delicious recipes listed below. Shiso tastes great as an addition to co*cktails, in Asian-style food, and works wonderfully as a garnish for a variety of meals! So let’s start cooking!

100 Shiso Recipes - Cook with Confidence with This New Culinary Craze (1)

100 Shiso Recipes to Build you Culinary Confidence

1. Marinated Japanese Mushrooms

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I am mushroom-obsessed, so, I just had to try these Japenese-style mushrooms topped with chopped shiso and mitsuba.

2. Miso Yaki Onigiri

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Shiso works as an amazing garnish for lots of different dishes, like this Miso Yaki Onigiri, meaningMiso Glazed Grilled Rice Balls.

3. Sweet Potato and Harissa Soup

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A delicious and comforting soup that is loaded with flavorand packed with nutrients. It uses micro-shiso leaves to add flavor and to make it look great!

4. Tsukane

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Perfect for your next BBQ! These Japenese Chicken Meatball Skewers are drizzled with a sweet soy sauce and have the fresh taste of shiso inside.

5. Korean Perilla Leaf Kimchi

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A Korean dish that uses shiso leaves (or perilla leaves) as the main meal. They are topped with an array of herbs, spices, and flavor!

6. Corn and Shiso Fritters

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These Corn and Shiso Fritters are a delicious snack that is crunchy yet soft and perfect for serving as an appetizer during game day.

7. Vegetable Shiso Tempura Rolls

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Onions and carrots wrapped in robust shiso leaves and battered with tempura. Enjoy them with ketchup, soy sauce, or just on their own!

8. Shiso and Hibiscus Tea Iced Latte

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Okay, just the look of this drink is making my mouth water! It’s so beautiful! The perfect summer pick-me-up drink!

9. Agedashi Tofu

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A tofu that melts in your mouth and excites your taste buds… Yes, please! Grated ginger and chopped shiso leaves add extra flavor.

10. Shiso Leaf Meatballs

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Because of the citrusy, minty, and subtle spiciness of the shiso leaves, they pair wonderfully with meat. Try adding shiso leaves to your meatballs next time!

11. Green Rice

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Without even knowing what’s in this dish, it just already looks good for you. If you’re curious as to what is in it though, check out the post here.

12. Mini California Sushi Cones

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Cute little sushi cones with the delicious ingredients of a California roll. Crab meat, cucumber, kewpie mayo, and of course… Soshi leaves!

13. Watermelon Shiso Salad

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Oh, yes! This salad looks amazing! Juicy watermelon, with minty shiso leaves, and a light sesame dressing. This recipe is vegan and gluten-free.

14. Peach, Hazelnut, Shiso Crisp

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*Drool…* I am a sucker for a fancy dessert and this one is definitely calling my name! Served with a gluten + dairy free ginger ice cream!

15. Ume Shiso Pasta

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Simple ingredients that create a wonderful flavor and a hearty meal. Try this Ume Shiso Pasta tonight!

16. Shiso Pesto

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A great recipe for homemade pesto using shiso leaves for an exotic twist in a classic sauce. Fresh, minty, and tasty.

17. Sugar Snap Zucchini Rice Bowl

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A refreshing salad with lots of tasty and healthy ingredients. Sugar snap peas for crunch, shiso leaves for flavor and drizzled with a light sesame oil dressing.

18. Tomato Toast

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This tomato toast looks divine, and it tastes so too! It’s served with a macadamia nut ricotta, shiso, and black lava salt. Wow!

19. Grape, Kale, Edamame Bean Salad

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Sauteed grapes, autumn kale, and edamame beans, and shiso leaves. A burst of flavor comes with each bite of this delectable salad.

20. Mung Bean Leek Burger

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These vegan burgers are also gluten-free and come with a gluten-free bun recipe! The patties are made of mung beans, quinoa, and a whole bunch of other nutritious ingredients.

21. Pork Belly Shiso Yaki

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Ever tried pork belly? Well, why not give it a shot with this unique salt and peppered Pork Belly and Shiso recipe!

22. Scallop Crudo

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A fancy-looking meal with a unique texture and intense flavor. It’s served with yuzu and shiso oils and a pink peppercorn.

23. Mahi Mahi

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This mahi-mahi is crusted with crunchy sesame seeds, soaked in a soy shiso ginger butter sauce, and served on rice.

24. Red Snapper

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Shiso pairs delightfully with seafood and that include red snapper. The recipe is simple, healthy, tasty, and also happens to be paleo, gluten-free, and dairy-free!

25. Cold Pasta with Olives and Shiso

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An elegant cold pasta recipe that has juicy confit tomatoes, olives, and of course shiso! Perfect for a picnic! (Use Google Translate to read instructions)

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100 Shiso Recipes - Cook with Confidence with This New Culinary Craze (2024)

FAQs

What is shiso used for in cooking? ›

Shiso is an aromatic herb commonly used in Japanese dishes such as sushi, salads, tempura, noodles, etc. It has a unique fragrance and flavor loved by the Japanese. Shiso (しそ, 紫蘇) is the most popular culinary herb used in Japanese cuisine and is considered one of its seven main flavorings.

What does shiso pair well with? ›

“Shiso® Green has some typical roasted, nutty notes linking very well to (shell)fish, rice, beef.

What can I do with too much shiso? ›

Ways to Use Shiso

Fresh as a garnish with sushi or sashimi, and wrapped around balls of rice or meat. Try it with tofu. Surprisingly good slivered in pasta and noodle dishes. Try making shiso pesto too!

How do you eat shiso? ›

Shiso is extremely versatile.

Raw leaves are delicious tossed into salads or used wherever you might add savory green herbs. Or you can cook them up like tender spinach — steamed, sautéed or tempura-fried. Red varieties can be steeped in hot water and juiced, yielding a ruby herbal concoction with a lemony bite.

What is the English name for shiso leaf? ›

In English, it is sometimes called the "beefsteak plant", because purple-leaf varieties resemble the blood-red color of meat. Other common names include "perilla mint", "Chinese basil", and "wild basil". The alias "wild coleus" or "summer coleus" probably describe ornamental varieties.

What does shiso taste like? ›

What Does It Taste Like? Shiso leaves have a fresh, citrusy flavor with hints of cinnamon, cloves, and mint. They have a somewhat astringent flavor and bitter finish, particularly the red shiso leaves. The texture is similar to fresh mint leaves, while dried shiso has a more subdued flavor.

What is similar to shiso? ›

In most cases, mint is a good alternative, although keep in mind that mint tends to have a sharp flavor whilst shiso is more subdued and astringent. As garnishes, basil and Korean perilla can also be used as substitutes.

What is the best variety of shiso? ›

There are two varieties of shiso leaves that are red and green, both having a distinct taste and aroma. However, the most commonly used in cooking is the green shiso leaf.

Can I freeze shiso leaves? ›

Shred the shiso leaves and place them on the bottom half of a piece of paper towel. Fold over the top half of the paper towel to wrap the shiso leaves. Fold the paper towel with the shiso inside a few times, put it in a freezer bag and freeze it. The frozen shiso leaves are hard and crunchy.

How long does shiso last in the fridge? ›

Shiso leaves do not stay fresh at room temperature very long because they dry out very easily, but you can extend the life of your fresh shiso (to about four days) by placing them in the refrigerator, preferably inside a damp cloth to keep them moist.

What do Japanese use shiso for? ›

In Japanese cuisine, we sometimes see shiso added as garnish for ramen, adding a contrast to rich soups and broths. Just as shiso is used to mellow out strong flavors, frying whole shiso leaves as tempura can also help mellow out the strong flavor of the leaf.

Does shiso repel bugs? ›

Since shiso naturally repels insects as it a part of the mint family, it does not attract any and will not cause harm to other plants near it in this regard. However, shiso may be apt to get Downey mildew. For this reason, it is important to ensure that it has ample space in the garden and is not overwatered.

How long does fresh shiso keep? ›

To store the leaves, wrap the unwashed leaves in a moistened paper towel or a sealed plastic bag and keep in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for no more than four days.

How long does shiso last? ›

Simply cut up some garlic cloves, and place with several shiso leaves in soy sauce. Leave for at least a day; store in the refrigerator. The leaves don't last that long in the soy sauce (about a month), though you can make them last a bit longer by quickly blanching the leaves in boiling water beforehand.

What is the benefit of shiso? ›

Shiso leaves are rich in calcium and iron, and are used in Chinese medicine to treat asthma, colds, flu and other respiratory ailments. How to Prepare: Shiso has a unique flavor: pungent and grassy, it contains strong flavors of spearmint, basil, anise and cinnamon.

Does shiso taste like cumin? ›

A member of the mint family, shiso has a unique flavor similar to basil and cilantro with subtle hints of cumin and cloves. Also known as beefsteak plant, shiso is a common garnish in Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cooking.

What is the difference between shiso and perilla? ›

Shiso (perilla leaf) has green perilla (青紫蘇) with green leaves and red perilla (赤紫蘇) with reddish-purple leaves. Shiso is originally reddish purple in color, and green perilla is a variant of red perilla. The red color of red perilla is due to the pigment shisonin, a type of anthocyanin.

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