Simple Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipe (2024)

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Now that you’ve harnessed yourself with all the information on lion’s mane mushroom, here is a simple lion’s mane mushroom recipe to help get you started on the culinary side of these exquisite fungi. This recipe yields an incredibly buttery, rich, and meaty side dish!

Simple Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love This
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • How To Make Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipe
  • Recipe Tips, Substitutions, and Variations
  • Storage and Reheating Instructions
  • What to Serve with Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
  • Simple Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipe Recipe

Side dishes don’t have to be complicated and this simple lion’s mane mushroom recipe fits the bill for that. Sautéed in a medley of butter, garlic, and thyme, this simple recipe will have you buying all the mushrooms just to make more! There is something so special about the buttery, meatiness of this dish and also how you can choose to incorporate it into another dish or eat it on its own. To be honest, we could not stop snacking on these! They’re almost like chips, and if you close your eyes, you could kind of pretend they are.

In general, mushrooms, not just lion’s mane mushrooms, are such a great ingredient to put in your everyday meals. They are so extremely versatile. Not convinced or maybe haven’t thought of more ways to incorporate into your everyday cooking? Here’s a list that may convince you:

  • Meaty. Yes, even though they aren’t actual meat, mushrooms have a meatier consistency and often times can be substituted for real meat if you are vegetarian or vegan or just trying to incorporate more of a plant-based diet.
  • Blank slate. Mushrooms to me are like pasta and rice. They’re blank slates. They take on whatever flavors you add to them and soak it up and really transform a dish.
  • Great bulking up ingredient. As I mentioned above, mushrooms can be a meat substitute but not only that, mushrooms are great to bulk up dishes. I’ve made dishes where I felt like I needed more volume so I would put mushrooms into a food processor and pulse a few times to get it into a finer ground to add to my dishes.
Simple Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipe (2)

Why You’ll Love This

There’s definitely a lot to love about this fungi varietal, but more specifically here are the reasons why I love this simple lion’s mane recipe:

  • Simple. As the title of this recipe suggests, this recipe is…simple. Nothing hard about it, nothing too extraordinary, but even still, just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it doesn’t have flavor.
  • Flavorful. Let’s be real — when you toss anything in garlic, butter, and fresh thyme, you’re going to end up with an incredibly flavorful dish. And being that mushrooms are being cooked in this mixture, you are going to get a little bit extra flavor since mushrooms will soak it all up.
  • Great beginner recipe. If it’s your first time dabbling with cooking with lion’s mane mushrooms, then this simple mushroom recipe is the perfect starting point for you.
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Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple recipe, even simpler ingredients to make this lion’s mane mushroom recipe. Make sure to scroll down to view the full recipe for exact measurements.

  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Fresh thyme
  • Lion’s mane mushrooms

How To Make Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipe

Here is a general overview of the steps involved to make this mushroom recipe. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

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Prepare the mushrooms. Take a lion’s mane mushroom and gently begin to split it in half by pulling it apart with your fingertips. Hold it in the palm of your hands and using your thumb, gently pull it apart. Pull the mushrooms into several smaller pieces.

Enhance the flavor of the butter. Begin by sautéing butter, oil, garlic, and thyme sprigs on low heat in a cast iron skillet. Continually move around the thyme and garlic to prevent burning. Sauté this for about 5 minutes then remove the thyme sprigs. Using a slotted spoon, you may remove the garlic if you feel that they’re on the verge of burning.

Cook the mushrooms. Add the mushrooms to the skillet, taking care to not overcrowd the skillet. You may have to cook in three separate batches like I did. Let the mushroom sit on one side for 3-4 minutes so it gets nice and crispy brown then flip and repeat. Repeat until all mushrooms have been cooked. You’ll need to add more butter and oil with each batch.

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Recipe Tips, Substitutions, and Variations

  • Don’t wash your mushrooms. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to wash mushrooms. Sure, there’s dirt on them but because they’re such porous little guys, running them under water will cause them to take in all the water (which also doesn’t help if you want to brown your mushrooms). All you have to do is take a damp paper towel and wipe their exterior. You can also gently tap it against the sink to get the excess dirt off.
  • Use different varieties. This recipe is not just for lion’s mane mushrooms. You can use whatever mushroom varietal you have and make this simple recipe. Combining different varieties is also a great idea.
  • Work in batches. This helps the mushrooms get brown and crispy vs. essentially steaming them. Because of how many mushrooms I had, I had to cook in three batches in a 12-inch skillet.
  • Use whole, smashed garlic or garlic powder. Okay, so, minced garlic tends to burn over high heat and this is why this recipe calls for sautéing everything then removing it from the skillet. If you prefer, you can take garlic cloves and smash them and cook them whole to prevent burning. Alternatively, use garlic powder.
  • Use a high-smoke point oil. Avocado oil works nicely for this reason and since the heat does get a little high to brown the mushrooms, the avocado oil helps the butter not get burned.
  • Trust the process. It can sometimes take a while for mushrooms to get brown, but trust the process and leave the mushrooms be. They’ll get brown and crispy in due time!
  • Make it vegan. To make this dish vegan, use vegan butter.
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Storage and Reheating Instructions

You may store garlic thyme butter lion’s mane mushrooms in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Highly suggest eating them or adding it into another dish before then, otherwise, it could get too mushy.

To reheat, pop in the microwave to warm through or warm through on the stovetop.

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What to Serve with Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

In addition to being great on their own, mushrooms are great side dish additions to many recipes as well. Here are some great ways to incorporate mushrooms into your other dishes:

  • Bowls. Why not add a few spoonfuls into a Middle Eastern Inspired Ground Beef Bowl, Easy Salmon Rice Bowls, Falafel Buddha Bowl, Blackened Shrimp Bowls, or Burrito Bowls.
  • Pasta, rice, and chicken. Mushrooms are always a good idea when adding them into pasta, rice, or chicken dishes such as: Mushroom Risotto, Creamy One Pot Mushroom and Leek Pasta, Marsala Chicken Rigatoni and Mushroom Pasta, and Creamy Skillet Mushroom Chicken.
  • Soups and stews. As previously mentioned, mushrooms can help make dishes more hearty and what better way than with soups and stews? Instant Pot Creamy Mushroom and Chicken Wild Rice Stew is a cozy option!
  • Pizza. Mmm, I LOVE mushrooms on pizza, especially my Triple Mushroom and Herb Grilled Pizza.
  • Sandwiches. This Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, and Swiss Melt is the ultimate grilled cheese.

Simple Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipe (9)

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4.25 from 4 votes

Simple Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipe

By: Julie Chiou

Buttery, meaty, and flavorful – this simple recipe for cooking lion's mane mushrooms will have you eating these off the plate like chips!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons salted butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
  • 6 sprigs of fresh thyme, plus more for topping
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or smashed whole (see note below)
  • 8 ½ ounces (241 g) lion's mane mushrooms

Instructions

  • Take a lion’s mane mushroom and gently begin to split it in half by pulling it apart with your fingertips. Pull the mushrooms into several smaller pieces.

  • Begin by sautéing 2 tablespoons (28g) butter, 1 tablespoon avocado oil, garlic, and thyme sprigs on low heat in a cast iron skillet. Continually move around the thyme and garlic to prevent burning. Sauté this for about 5 minutes then remove the thyme sprigs. Using a slotted spoon, you may remove the garlic if you feel that they're on the verge of burning.

  • Add the mushrooms to the skillet, taking care to not overcrowd the skillet. You may have to cook in three separate batches like I did. Let the mushroom sit on one side for 3-4 minutes so it gets nice and crispy brown then flip and repeat. Repeat until all mushrooms have been cooked. You’ll need to add more butter and oil with each batch.

Notes

Minced garlic tends to burn over high heat and this is why this recipe calls for sautéing everything then removing it from the skillet. If you prefer, you can take garlic cloves and smash them and cook them whole to prevent burning. Alternatively, use garlic powder.

Nutrition

Serving: 121grams, Calories: 541kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 55g, Saturated Fat: 24g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 24g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 90mg, Sodium: 283mg, Potassium: 419mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

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Simple Lion's Mane Mushroom Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the best ways to eat lion's mane? ›

Sauteeing or roasting is a great place to start if you've never cooked lion's mane mushrooms before. If you're feeling more adventurous, you could try making your own lion's mane “crab” cakes with them, or using them in a vegan lobster roll.

What can I mix Lion's Mane with? ›

Lion's mane mushroom powder can be mixed into hot water, tea, coffee, a smoothie, or other beverages. It can also be added to soup, stew, or gravy.

What is the most effective way to take lion's mane mushroom? ›

In Chinese medicine, the mushrooms can be consumed and enjoyed raw, cooked, dried or soaked in water - usually to be consumed as a tea. We recommend adding one scoop of powdered Lion's Mane Mix into your favourite mug and mixing with hot water, before adding in your morning tea or coffee.

Is it better to eat lion's mane raw or cooked? ›

Yes, it is safe to eat lion's mane mushroom raw, but it is generally recommended to cook it to improve its texture, flavor, and digestibility. Cooking also increases the bioavailability of some of its beneficial compounds.

What to avoid with Lion's Mane? ›

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with LION'S MANE MUSHROOM. Lion's mane mushroom might slow blood clotting. Taking lion's mane mushroom along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

How to tell if lion's mane is bad? ›

One of the most apparent signs of a spoiled Lion's Mane mushroom is discoloration. If you notice your mushroom turning yellow or brown, it's likely past its prime. A few small spots might not be a cause for concern, but extensive darkening indicates it's time to discard it.

Who Cannot take lion's mane? ›

Although Lion's Mane is generally safe, it may not be the best choice for everyone - if you have a blood clotting disorder, you're allergic to mushrooms or you're pregnant, you should proceed with caution.

How does lion's mane make you feel? ›

Reducing anxiety and depression

The women who got the lion's mane cookies reported lower levels of depressive symptoms and stress compared to the placebo group. Hericenones and erinacines, two kinds of chemicals in lion's mane mushrooms, may be responsible for any antidepressant effect, researchers believe.

Can I put Lion's Mane in hot coffee? ›

It can also help reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to a variety of health problems. In conclusion, Lion's Mane mushrooms and coffee are a perfect combination for anyone looking to boost their brain function, improve their memory, and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.

How long does it take for lion's mane to kick in? ›

Does lion's mane work immediately? While some people may feel a difference incredibly quickly after only a few days, this is rare. Most users will need to take lion's mane regularly for several weeks or 2-3 months before feeling a significant effect and reaping the long-term benefits.

What time of day is best to take lion's mane? ›

It's true; morning is the best time of day to take Lion's Mane if you want to get the most benefit from it. If you're looking to seize the day, sharpen your mind and improve your overall thinking power, then, yes, morning is the ideal time to incorporate Lion's Mane into your routine.

What helps Lion's Mane absorption? ›

Lion's mane is best absorbed when taken in the form of an extract. In particular, by taking a hyperconcentrated extract, such as the one we use in our granola, you'll be able to absorb nutrients you may not get by taking a supplement or a powder version of this adaptogenic mushroom.

What is the healthiest way to eat lions mane? ›

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO EAT LION'S MANE MUSHROOMS?
  1. On top of some crusty bread and drizzled with some balsamic vinegar or glaze. A rustic sourdough loaf or something savory like this kale and feta bread are great options.
  2. In a sandwich. ...
  3. In a stir fry. ...
  4. Make a mushroom pasta using lion's mane. ...
  5. As a side dish.
Mar 23, 2023

How to prepare lion's mane to eat? ›

Heat butter or olive oil and sauté chopped lion's mane until it turns golden. Make a traditional risotto, adding the mushrooms at the end of the cooking process.

Does boiling lion's mane destroy nutrients? ›

While cooking Lion's mushroom is it can eliminate the germs, it could also eliminate a couple of vitamins. But the best part of cooking Lion's mane or any other mushroom is it can break down Chitin, which is a fibrous substance of polysaccharides. The human body naturally can not break down Chitin.

How much Lion's Mane should you eat a day? ›

For instance, when taken as an oral supplement, it is recommended to take between 500-1000 mg daily for optimal benefits. However, for those looking to consume Lion's Mane to treat neurological conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, higher doses of up to 3000mg per day may be required for maximum benefit.

Does cooking lion's mane destroy nutrients? ›

Does cooking lion's mane destroy nutrients? While boiling or microwaving any mushroom can cause it to lose nutrients, such as vitamin B and potassium, frying or sautéing lion's mane mushrooms can actually help to break down its tough fibers and make it easier for your body to digest and absorb most nutrients.

How do I add Lion's Mane to my diet? ›

Like most culinary mushrooms, Lion's Mane can be chopped and sautéed. Keep in mind, though, that they'll retain the flavor of whatever oil you use, so it's best to choose a mild-flavored one. Because Lion's Mane mushrooms are tough and meaty in texture, they may require a longer cooking time than other mushrooms.

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