Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipe: Make Lion’s Mane Crab Cakes

This article provides a recipe for how to make lion’s mane mushroom crab cakes. These are crab-free delights, but the seafood-like taste and texture of lion’s mane makes this mushroom the perfect ingredient for a vegetarian version of the original seafood dish. This recipe was adapted from The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods: Edible Plants, Lichens, Mushrooms, and Seaweeds by Nicole Apelian, Ph. D.

The lion’s mane I used in this recipe was grown from a lion’s mane grow kit from North Spore. Of course, you can use lion’s mane that you’ve foraged or purchased elsewhere.

Ingredients for Lion’s Mane Mushroom Crab Cakes Recipe

1 lb. (500 g) lion’s mane mushroom, finely chopped (note: using a food processor will be faster but chopping by hand is fine)
5 to 8 scallions, chopped
6 gloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Hakurei turnip (can substitute another kind of turnip or radish)
One quarter of a lemon with seeds removed, chopped finely
2-3 tbsp. juice from (organic) jar of olives (optional but tasty)
3/4 cup bread crumbs (I made gluten-free, vegan cornbread to make this gluten-free and vegan)
2 large eggs, beaten (I omitted this to keep it vegan)
3-4 tbsp. fresh dill, chopped
3/4 tbsp. fine salt
Oil for stir-frying, olive oil or coconut
2 tbsp. coconut oil, softened or melted (or butter, softened) for cake mixture

Recipe Directions

Lion's mane mushroom being chopped for lion's mane mushroom crab cakes

Once you have your finely chopped lion’s mane, add to a large frying pan initially without oil on low heat. Add chopped lemon. Cook for 15 min.
Add frying oil, garlic, scallions, Hakurei turnip (or substitute), and juice from olive jar (optional). Cook for 5 min. Take off heat and allow to cool.

First step in recipe for lion's mane mushroom crab cakes, sauté on low heat for 15 min

Lion's mane mushroom will start to turn pinkish.

After 15 min cooking, add garlic and scallions to the lion's mane mushroom and cook for 5 min. Allow to cool.

In a mixing bowl, mix stir-fried lion's mane mushroom with the remaining ingredients.

In a mixing bowl, combine lion’s mane mixture with the remaining ingredients. Form into roughly 3 inch diameter cakes that hold together relatively well (it’s OK if you lose a chunk here or there).
Fry on both sides on medium-low to medium heat, 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve immediately with lemon slices (optional).

Following the recipe, take your lion's mane mushroom crab cake mixture and form into patties.

Fry your lion's mane mushroom crab cakes on a lightly oiled pan.

Flip each patty after 2-3 minutes. Aim for even browning on outside.

The final result, our lion's mane mushroom crab cakes following our recipe

Enjoy! If you would like to learn about the neurological benefits of lion’s mane, check out this article. If you are interested in growing your own lion’s mane with a grow kit, check out this article!