Bamboo shoots are juvenile bamboo plants that are harvested before they are two weeks old. Cooked bamboo shoots are slightly sweet and have a crunchy texture. They are typically used in Asian cuisine as a side dish, or as part of a stir-fry. Fresh bamboo shoots can be safely stored in your refrigerator for up to two weeks, but canned shoots have very long expiration dates. If you do a little bit of research you should be able to find several uses for canned bamboo shoots in your cooking.
Find a recipe that you would like to try. Websites such as Thai Table and Epicurious have several bamboo shoot recipes you can use.
Buy the bamboo shoots. You can usually find bamboo shoots alongside other canned vegetables. If you are having difficulty finding them, try an Asian supermarket or specialty store in your city.
Cook bamboo shoots in boiling water for 20 minutes. Leave the pan uncovered to get rid of the bitterness.
Taste the bamboo shoots to see if the bitterness is gone. If not, cook for an additional five minutes.
Include the bamboo shoots in your dish according to the recipe you selected. They are often included in salads, prepared with soy sauce as a side dish and included in stir-fry.