25 Must-Try Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipes

Lion’s mane is more than meets the eye. The mushroom is an excellent meat substitute as it is hearty, has a full texture, and can absorb any type of flavor. It has similar qualities to seafood and can replicate different textures of meat in many different dishes. Whether you have been using lion’s mane mushrooms for years or are new to the ingredient, you are bound to eat up these 25 Must-Try Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipes. 

There are so many options for what to do with lion’s mane mushrooms. Not only are they a great meat alternative, but they are actually super beneficial to your health. They have properties that help support the brain, gut, and heart health, according to Healthline. This makes eating the mushrooms even better, knowing they are good for your body. 

All of the recipes on this list will make your tastebuds happy. Introduce your palate to the mushrooms with a simple dish like Pan Fried Lion’s Mane Mushrooms or go all out with a big splash and cook up Vegan BBQ Pulled Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tacos. The recipes do an excellent job of highlighting the mushroom and making them the true star of the dish. Dig in! 

1. Pan Fried Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

If you are new to lion’s mane mushrooms, this pan-fried version of the dish is the perfect introduction. To give the lion’s mane a bit more texture, the mushrooms are sliced, dipped into an egg mixture, and then seasoned with a flour coating full of spice. The mushrooms are then pan-fried until slightly golden brown with a perfect crisp. This recipe recommends dipping the mushrooms in a ketchup-mayo mixture, but feel free to use anything that works for your pallet. 

2. Lion’s Mane Crab Cake

Lion’s mane mushrooms are super versatile when it comes to replicating different varieties of meat. They are an excellent swap for many proteins, as seen here in these lion’s mane crab cakes. The mushrooms do a great job of emulating a similar texture of the crab meat. In fact, they look so similar you will have a hard time finding a difference between the two on a plate. 

3. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steaks

Thanks to this lion’s mane mushroom recipe, vegans and vegetarians don’t have to worry about missing out on steak night. While they may not look all that similar in appearance, the taste is there. That is because this recipe uses the same seasoning that goes on a steak. The mushroom’s meaty texture does an excellent job of absorbing the flavor and mimicking the steak consistency. 

4. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Pasta

This lion’s mane mushroom pasta is truly the best of both worlds. It’s a hearty bowl of pasta filled with lion’s mane mushrooms and topped with a creamy sauce. The lion’s mane adds an element of protein to the pasta dish, making it extra hearty. It’s perfect for a simple weeknight meal when you don’t feel like fussing in the kitchen. 

5. Vegan BBQ Pulled Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tacos

If you love tacos as much as we do, you’ll easily fall in love with this recipe. It’s a great recipe for a weeknight dinner or a group meal with friends. Don’t worry about the lion’s mane mushroom not being enough of a meat substitute. The “pulled mushrooms” are just as flavorful and work wonders in a taco shell alongside all the traditional taco fixings. 

6. Cheesy Stuffed Lion’s Mane Mushroom Burgers 

If you love burgers of all shapes and sizes but looking to stay away from red meat, this lion’s mane cheesy stuffed mushroom burger will be your new favorite meal. This recipe treats the mushroom just like ground beef and seasons them with a smoky mushroom sauce that makes it seems like the mushrooms just got off the grill. Did I mention that these burgers are stuffed with a vegan white cheddar cheese sauce? It’s the play on a traditional cheeseburger that you never knew you needed. 

7. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Sandwich 

Need some lunch inspiration? We’ve got you covered with this lion’s mane mushroom sandwich. I know you are wondering how a pile of mushrooms is good enough for a sandwich. These lion’s mane mushrooms are good enough, and maybe even better than traditional meat toppings that would typically go on a sandwich. The mushroom “meat” is topped with avocado, tomato, arugula, vegan mayo, and chopped green onions. It’s a sandwich you’ll find yourself craving over and over again. 

8. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Swiss Burger 

Mushrooms and Swiss cheese are a classic combination when it comes to a burger. While this may not be your most traditional burger, the combination still holds up. The mushrooms get an extra meaty flavor thanks to cooking the lion’s mane in loads of butter. The butter really lends to the flavor giving it a similar texture to the real thing in each and every bite.  

9. Lion’s Mane Tacos With Citrus Slaw 

These lion’s mane tacos with citrus slaw are a meal that the whole family will fall in love with. The recipe creates taco meat by shredding up pieces of the lion’s mane mushroom and coating it with a seasoning of chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, coriander powder, and a little bit of citrus. It then gets placed in the oven, where it bakes up to a nice golden crispy texture. Top it with the citrus slaw, and you’ve got a meal that is worthy of a Michelin star!

10. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Risotto 

Feel like having a restaurant-quality meal but don’t feel like leaving the house? Whip up a batch of this lion’s mane mushroom risotto for a dish that will trick your tastebuds in the best way possible. The risotto cooks in a saucepan used for cooking the mushrooms and accompanying vegetables, allowing the rice to pick up extra flavor along the way. One bite of this risotto, and you’ll convince yourself that you are a five-star chef! 

11. Vegan Lion’s Mane Mushroom Sushi

This recipe turns sushi on its head in the best way possible. Instead of fish, lion’s mane is used as the roll’s main protein. Alongside the mushrooms sit sweet potatoes and chives for a bite that is full of umami. The vegan sushi proves that there is not always a need to have fish in every single sushi roll. 

12. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Soup 

If you love miso soup, you’ll love this lion’s mane mushroom soup even more. This soup recipe takes the basic miso soup recipe and levels it up by adding noodles, fresh cilantro, and of course, lion’s mane mushrooms. The soup gets some extra protein from the addition of tofu and a burst of flavors from ginger, limes, scallions, garlic, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce. It’s a true bomb of flavors in each bite. 

13. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steaks on Polenta 

Don’t think vegetarian meals cannot be super filling and satisfying? Just take a look at this lion’s mane mushroom steaks on polenta, for example. The mushroom-forward dish is super hearty in a very comforting way. The lion’s mane steaks soak up the flavor like a sponge while cooking in a sauce of butter, garlic, rosemary, sage, and red pepper flakes. The “steaks” are then placed on top of a bed of creamy polenta for a mouthwatering bite. 

14. Spicy Cumin Lion’s Mane Mushrooms 

These spicy cumin lion’s mane mushrooms will play tricks on your eyes but not your tastebuds. From the looks of it, the skewers look like they are packed with meat, while, in fact, they are packed with spicy lion’s mane mushrooms. One bite, and you’ll see that trick in action. The mushrooms get their meaty look from cooking the veggies in a thin batter covered in a delectable spice mixture and pan-frying them to perfection. 

15. Roasted Lion’s Mane Mushrooms with Sherried Shallots 

Don’t worry about leaving out your vegetarian friends during your next dinner party with this recipe. These roasted lion’s mane mushrooms with sherried shallots will be an excellent side dish or main course that will keep your guests super satisfied. The meaty mushrooms bake until they are perfectly golden brown. Then, they are topped with melt-in-your-mouth shallots cooked in a sherry reduction. It’s a combination of flavors that work seamlessly on the tongue. 

16. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Chowder 

Clam chowder can sit this one out, as lion’s mane mushroom chowder is here to take its place. Since the mushrooms have a meaty texture similar to crab meat and other seafood, it makes it a great alternative to put in chowder. The lion’s mane mushroom swims in a broth inspired by traditional New England clam chowder. You might as well do yourself a favor and double this recipe, as everyone will want to have seconds and third helpings. 

17. Vegan “Seafood” Paella with Lion’s Mane Mushrooms 

If you love paella but don’t love the seafood aspect, get ready to fall in love with this recipe. This paella is all vegan, meaning there is no seafood in sight. Instead, lion’s mane mushrooms and chorizo seitan take over for the seafood. After one bite of this dish, you won’t even miss the traditional seafood flavor. The mushrooms are seasoned in old bay, making them taste just like the real thing. 

18. Lion’s Mane Orange Chicken 

Next time you are thinking about ordering out for dinner, think again and make this lion’s mane orange chicken instead. While there is no chicken in this orange chicken dish, you won’t even miss it. The lion’s mane replaces the protein and gets covered in a tangy and zesty orange sauce to create a true mouthwatering bite. Serve the mushrooms over a plate of your favorite rice, and you’ve got yourself a takeout meal that is restaurant quality style in the comfort of your own home. 

19. Lion’s Mane Tacos With Avocado Crema Slaw

Tacos are always a good idea, especially when they are stuffed with lion’s mane meat and avocado crema slaw. The meaty lion’s mane mushrooms cook in a spice mixture full of paprika and cumin. Once the mushrooms are ready to go, they are packed into a corn tortilla full of a crispy slaw made out of green and red cabbage, carrots, cilantro, jalapenos, avocado, lime juice, and coconut yogurt. The tacos are a little spicy, slightly zesty, and full of bold flavor, 

20. Blackened Lion’s Mane Steak 

There are so many reasons to fall in love with this blackened lion’s mane steak. They are juicy, full of flavor, and pair perfectly with a side of greens and mashed potatoes to make that traditional steak dinner. The blackened seasoning, along with the vegetable stock and plant-based Worcestershire sauce, makes the mushrooms taste like a big steak right off the grill, dripping and all. 

21. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Soup with Broccoli and Potatoes 

On a cold winter’s day, there is nothing better than warming up with a bowl of comforting soup. Specifically, this lion’s mane mushroom soup with broccoli and potatoes. For this recipe, don’t panic if you can’t find fresh lion’s mane mushrooms. Dried or frozen mushrooms will work just as well and provide the flavor needed to make the hearty soup. Whatever method of mushroom you choose will get blended up with a mixture of broccoli and potatoes to make a creamy broth that will hit the spot every single time. 

22. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Cream Sauce With Beef 

Lion’s mane mushroom cream sauce with beef is a true explosion of flavors. The dish plays off the texture of the lion’s mane mushrooms to make a meaty companion for the beef. If beef isn’t your thing, or you’re looking to make this dish fully vegetarian, skip the beef and double up on the mushrooms. The whole family will enjoy this with or without the beef on the plate. 

23. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Mac And Cheese

You’ve never had mac and cheese quite like this. This lion’s mane mushroom mac and cheese takes the traditional dish and levels it up. The lion’s mane mushrooms add a deep, umami flavor to the dish that is unlike anything you’ve tasted before. The lion’s mane mushrooms have a similar texture to lobster or crab. So, if you love those combinations, chances are you will fall in love with this mashup too.  

24. Lion’s Mane Crab Louie 

Don’t let the name of this recipe confuse you. While it may mention some crab, there is actually no crab in the salad at all — instead, the lion’s mane swaps in to make the perfect replacement. The texture of the mushrooms is so similar to the crab it will be hard to tell the difference. That is because when the mushrooms are blanched in salt water, they take on a similar flavor and texture to crab meat. If you are missing the crab still, feel free to add it back in for a true burst of protein and flavor. 

25. Lion’s Mane Filet Mignon 

Filet mignon might want to watch its back with this lion’s mane mushroom filet mignon on the menu. The dupe recipe takes everything you love about the fancy cut of meat and turns it into a vegan alternative worth every single bite. I know what you are thinking, how can a mushroom steak live up to classic filet mignon? It’s all in the secret ingredient of baking soda that gives the mushrooms a tender flavor during the cooking process. Try it out and taste the difference for yourself.