What is Lion’s Mane (and How to Cook It Like a Steak)

If you’re wondering, “What is lion’s mane?” you’ve come to the right place! I will show you my three favorite ways to cook this unique mushroom (including how to cook lion’s mane like a steak) and fun ways to incorporate it into your everyday meals!

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Everything you need to know about cooking lion’s mane mushrooms and a few of my favorite cooking methods.

Lion’s mane is one of my favorite mushrooms! They are delicious—earthy flavored, with a subtle sweetness, and with the best texture—so succulent! Here is a simple, delicious lion’s mane steak recipe: easy enough for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough for company. Be sure to read through the post for alternative cooking methods

What is Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hieracium erinaceus) look like large, shaggy, white puff balls with an outer texture that mimics a lion’s mane. They are also called pom pom mushrooms, yamabushitake mushrooms, or hedgehog mushrooms. Native to North America, Asia, and Europe, they are often dried and used medicinally or cultivated fresh for culinary purposes. 

They can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw, they taste subtly sweet, almost like crab meat. They offer a plethora of health benefits, including immune-boosting properties and more.

Lion’s Mane Steak Recipe Ingredients

*See recipe card for detailed amounts and instructions.

• Lion’s Mane Mushrooms – can be found at your local farmers market or upscale grocery stores. You can also grow them at home using a mushroom kit. Full disclosure, I have not tried this.
• Extra Virgin Olive oil – for sautéing and adding richness. Feel free to use butter, ghee or a combination of olive oil and butter.
• Salt and Black Pepper – for a pop of flavor, add to taste.
• Soy glaze: a splash of soy sauce (or liquid aminos), rice wine vinegar, and maple syrup.

How to Cook Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

There are three basic ways to cook lion’s mane mushrooms, but my favorite way to cook them is to cook them like a steak, whole, in a skillet. Juicy and flavorful, this way is the best!

How to Cook Lion’s Mane Like a Steak!

Step 1. Oil a skillet and season the pan with salt and pepper. Over medium heat, sear the bottom of the mushroom, pressing it down firmly to compress it so that it’s 1 ½ to 2 inches thick. Weigh it down with another pan!

Step 2: Once you get a good sear, flip the mushroom and sear again, compressing it. It will release its liquid, and you can either cook this off or drain it. Then, drizzle it with a quick soy glaze (see recipe card).

Step 3. Slice and serve! Tender and juicy, it just melts in your mouth!

Alternative Cooking Methods

Pan-Sear Slices of Lion’s Mane

My second favorite way to prepare lion’s mane is to cut it into thick slices, pan-sear it, and top it with a quick “pan sauce”. This can be served over creamy polenta or mashed potatoes for a hearty vegetarian meal that tastes quite “meaty”.

Step 1. Cut lion’s mane into 3/4 to 1-inch slices.

Step 2. Warm olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pan, like a cast-iron skillet. Season the oil with salt and pepper.

Step 3. Place the lion’s mane slices in the hot pan and sear until both sides are golden brown. Reduce heat to cook through. If desired, you can very lightly spray or drizzle the mushrooms with soy sauce or tamari for extra umami, add a little butter, or make the optional pan sauce.

Step 4. Make Pan Sauce! (optional) Set the mushrooms aside. In the same pan, add just enough olive oil to sauté shallots over medium heat until fragrant, golden, and tender. Add broth (or wine or water) and simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer until the sauce reduces by half. Whisk in the butter. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper. Add a couple drops of vinegar if desired (unnecessary if you used wine).

Serve: Spoon the pan sauce over the mushrooms. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or other herbs for garnish.

Shred Lion’s Mane

The third option is to shred lion’s mane – perfect for creating mushroom carnitas or a vegan “pulled pork”. Here’s a quick rundown.

Step 1. Tear the lion’s mane into bite-sized pieces or shred it finely, so that it resembles pulled pork or crab meat.

Step 2. Sauté until tender and crispy. Add a sauce! Think BBQ sauce or a Mexican adobo sauce.

SErving Suggestions

Lion’s mane is a savory and delicious meat substitute!

• Serve it like a steak, as a main course – over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or risotto
• Make mushroom burgers – like we do in this Portobello Mushroom Burger
• Make Carnitas and use them in tacos – like our Chipotle Mushroom Tacos
• Add to Salads – like our Grilled Romaine Salad
• Add to pasta dishes – like our Miso Pasta or Cacio e Pepe
• Use them in grain bowls – like this Miso Mushroom Bowl

Storing leftovers

Leftover lion’s mane will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator!

Enjoy the lion’s mane mushroom recipe, and let us know how you use it in the comments below!

xoxo

Sylvia

More Favorite Mushroom Recipes

40 Irresistible Mushroom Recipes!

Smoked Mushrooms

Wild Mushroom Powder

Mushroom Gravy

Simple Sautéed Mushrooms

Mushroom Toast

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