Lion's Mane “Crab” Cakes Recipe

Audrey Ferguson |  Updated on: December 28, 2021

Don't be fooled by this recipe's title – there's no crab around here! Lion's mane mushrooms are thought to have numerous health-promoting properties. However, another advantage of this fantastic fungus is that they resemble seafood. Many consumers describe it as tasting like lobster.

In this recipe, lion's mane mushrooms are used because they also resemble crab meat, creating a fishy, crab-cake-style dish that's completely vegetarian. There's also an easy trick to make it vegan, so read on to find out how you can make these delicious lion's mane “crab” cakes.

Plus, we cover key information on lion's mane mushrooms to show you why consuming them is such a good idea.

How to Make Lion's Mane Mushroom “Crab” Cakes

This lion's mane “crab” cakes recipe uses mushrooms to replace seafood. It's one of the best ways to cook lion's mane and ensures their flavor shines through in the purest way possible. Coupled with breadcrumbs and a few vegetables, these "crab" cakes are also healthy, filling, and super satisfying.

Serve these cakes alongside a fresh green salad for a summery treat. And don’t forget to top them with spicy mayonnaise such as aioli, sriracha, or even a vegan alternative. They also pair fantastically with a few lemon wedges for drizzling.

It requires just 15 minutes of prep before cooking, so you can start cooking the lion's mane “crab” cakes in no time.

Ingredients

• 1lb lion's mane mushrooms
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup scallion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, minced
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup mayonnaise (can be vegan)
• 2 tbsp fresh herbs (e.g. parsley, chives, cilantro), chopped
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 egg (or flax egg)
• Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Use your hands to tear the lion's mane into small chunks that look like crab meat. Brush the dirt away using a damp cloth.
2. In a bowl, combine the mushrooms with the other dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise (or vegan alternative), Worcestershire sauce, and egg. Mix, then pour the wet mix over the mushroom mixture. Slowly combine the two. Taste the mixture and season with as much salt and pepper as you need.
3. Hydrate the breadcrumbs by placing the mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes and allowing it to rest. This makes it easier to mold the cakes.
4. Using your hands, form the mixture into 4oz patties. Don’t worry if they aren't perfect circles. If the batter is too wet for you to form solid patties, add more breadcrumbs and repeat step 3; if it is too dry, add more mayo or a splash of water.
5. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Cover the bottom of a non-stick, oven-safe skillet with olive oil or other vegetable oil (sometimes olive is too full of flavor) in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Carefully cook each cake until golden, frying for about 4-5 minutes on the first side. Transfer the half-cooked cake to a baking sheet, flipping it over, and place in the oven for about 5-10 minutes to cook through. This gives it just over 5 minutes per side.
6. Remove and serve with salad. Drizzle the cakes with hot sauce and serve with wedges to squeeze out some lemon juice.

Lion's Mane “Crab” Cakes Recipe: Chef's Tips

Although this dish is straightforward to make, there are some tips to ensure that you nail these lion's mane mushroom “crab” cakes every time. Read our list below before cooking to make sure you get everything right.

• For a spicier, more flavor-packed treat, try adding smoked paprika or wholegrain mustard.
• Go steady with the breadcrumbs. You can always add more dry ingredients later, but you can't take them out once they're in.
• For a perfect circle every time, use a ring mold. If you don't have one, cut a plastic bottle to make a ring.
• When forming the cakes, press them into a compact, firm patty. The firmer the patty, the meatier the cake.
• If you don’t want to taste the uncooked mixture because of the raw egg, you can warm it through in a pan first to cook the egg. Tasting the mixture is essential so that you can adjust the seasoning and make the best-tasting crab cakes.
• Lion's mane can hold a lot of water. So, if you want to make drier cakes, boil the mushroom chunks in water for a few minutes and then squeeze out as much water as you can. This process is known as sweating the mushrooms.
• If using flax eggs, be careful not to add too much or too little moisture to the batter. This will take some careful measuring, so add the wet ingredients slowly.

The Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushrooms

Before you make our lion's mane mushroom “crab” cakes, you might be wondering why this mushroom species has become popular.

Some of its possible benefits include promoting brain health. While more studies in humans are needed, it's promising that there may be potential in this area.

Physically, lion's mane could have other benefits because it's rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory polysaccharides. These both may have some positive effects on health.

The properties of lion's mane have led them to become popular in the natural wellness industry. Some people choose to take lion's mane in the form of capsules because this is a more straightforward day to consume them on a daily basis.

However, unlike other functional mushrooms, lion's mane mushrooms are delicious. That much is clear from our lion's mane “crab” cakes! For more lion's mane mushroom recipes, make sure to check out the other postings on the VidaCap website.

Where to Find Lion's Mane Mushrooms

This fungus is somewhat of a delicacy. They are difficult to track down in regular stores and supermarkets. You may encounter this shaggy mushroom in health food stores and high-end cuisine places.

It's possible to order fresh lion's mane mushrooms online, but they may be a little expensive.

If you're lucky and live in the right spot, you might be able to forage this distinctive mushroom in the wild. It grows freely in the northeast United States and Canada. Foraging mushrooms can be dangerous, so make sure to do your research beforehand.

Final Thoughts About Lion's Mane “Crab” Cakes Recipe

Our lion's mane “crab” cakes recipe is bound to surprise anyone who tries it. You might struggle to believe it's not real crab meat! The lion's mane lends a beautiful flavor and texture to the crab cakes, while the breadcrumbs ensure a crispy, filling coating.

While this recipe is super delicious, you might want another way to benefit from lion's mane mushroom daily. If mushroom supplements are your thing, don't forget to browse the range of VidaCap mushroom supplements right here on the official site.