Easy Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipe

A lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom variety named for its shaggy, hair-like skin resembling the mane of a lion. Other than growing in clusters on the sides of hardwood trees (particularly maple, oak, and birch), home cooks can find these unique mushrooms at grocery stores and local farmers’ markets in the late summer.

Additionally, consuming lion’s mane mushrooms has many potential health benefits, including improved brain health and cognition.

Lion’s mane mushrooms have a delicate, earthy, slightly meaty flavor that shines through in both cooked and raw dishes. Diners commonly compare the flavor of lion’s mane mushrooms to seafood, particularly lobster or crabmeat. This fungi’s dense, shaggy texture makes it an excellent choice for high-heat cooking methods like frying, roasting, and sautéing.

Some of the most popular ways to prepare lion’s mane mushrooms include:

1. 1. Lion’s mane crab cakes: The seafood-like flavor of lion’s mane mushrooms makes them the perfect veggie-based meat alternative for appetizers like vegan crab cakes.
2. 2. Lion’s mane bisque: Simmer these fresh mushrooms with aromatics in broth and cream to make a comforting bisque. Learn how to make mushroom bisque.
3. 3. Lion’s mane rice: Mushroom rice is a pilaf-style, one-pot side dish with enough satisfying flavor to stand alone as a main course. This rice dish gets its flavor from a hefty pile of sliced mushrooms and broth. Chicken stock, beef broth, or even a bouillon cube will add a nice depth of flavor to the mushroom rice. Learn how to make mushroom rice.
4. 4. Lion’s mane sandwich: Sautéed, thinly sliced lion’s mane mushrooms make a flavorful vegan sandwich meat alternative. Simply add the cooked lion’s mane mushrooms to toasted bread, and top with the condiments and sandwich toppings of your choice.
5. 5. Lion’s mane stir-fry: This hearty fungi holds up well under the high heat of a stir-fry and has a versatile flavor that pairs well with various veggies, proteins, sauces, and seasonings.

Make the most of your fresh lion’s mane mushrooms by following these simple preparation and cooking tips:

1. 1. Clean the mushrooms properly. These mushrooms have a porous exterior, so soaking or rinsing them underwater will make them soggy. Instead, use a mushroom brush to clean off any dirt and debris. If the mushrooms are particularly soiled, use a slightly damp paper towel to clean off any excess dirt. Learn how to clean mushrooms.
2. 2. Cook with high heat. To create properly browned, caramelized mushrooms, cook them over high heat. Their sturdy texture will hold up well under extreme temperatures.
3. 3. Give the mushrooms room to cook. Mushrooms will release liquid as they cook, so give them plenty of room in the pan to breathe, which will prevent them from becoming soggy and not browning properly.
4. 4. Experiment with additions. This versatile mushroom complements a wide variety of seasonings (like garlic powder and paprika), herbs (like sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme), condiments (like soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce), proteins, and vegetables (like shallots and chives).

To maximize the lifespan of your fungi, store the mushrooms in a sealed paper bag in the back of your refrigerator, rather than in the produce drawer. Storing the mushrooms in the back of the fridge will provide them with a cool environment with plenty of airflow. Lion’s mane mushrooms will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.