The Best Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipe Tastes Like Steak

Is there anything better than a mushroom steak? This lion’s mane mushroom recipe is one of the best sautéed mushrooms I’ve ever tried. The mushrooms are first marinated in balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, herbs, olive oil, and garlic, then pan-seared in butter. The effort transforms the shaggy and spongy mushroom into a tender, meaty fine steak that can be piled onto crusty bread, layered into a hearty sandwich, or tossed in a salad. 

Whenever my friend group holds a backyard BBQ party at my home, line’s mane mushroom steak is a must for one of my friends, Sophie, as she prefers vegan steak. Camping in the woods has been a yearly shared hobby, and cooking this steak over the campfire is the perfect way to enjoy my favorite time of the year. This recipe is close to my heart because it reminds me of all the whimsical memories of the forest, the smell of pine, the humid air of the woods, the warm campfire against the cold air, and the laughter of my closest friends. It is not just a recipe but a healing process and a way of connecting with nature.

 At the start, I made the mushroom steak by compressing it with the bottom of a heavy pan. Since I found that the non-compressing technique is as effective, my life has been much easier. It means there is no need to pack those heavy bottom pans for compressing and putting in much effort. The easiest way is to cut the mushroom into horizontal slices, most accurately half-inch wide.  

What is Lions Mane Mushroom?

Lions mane mushroom is a shaggy white mushroom with dangling spines of a few millimeters on the outer surface that resembles a lion’s mane. Resemblance with the mane of a lion is the inspiration for its name. 

• A Meat Alternative: It is an edible mushroom with a meaty texture that can be used as an alternative to meat. It is not wrong to call it “Vegan meat.”
• What Do Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Taste Like? They have a foresty, earthy flavor. Most people say they taste like crab meat or seafood. 
• Medicinal Properties: No wonder they have been used in making supplements for centuries, as they have potential health benefits. As studies suggest, they are neuroprotective and involved in healing nerve injuries.  They help improve brain health by building strong memory, creativity, and a good mood. It protects from Alzheimer’s and Dementia because it is related to memory. They can help with anxiety, depression, gut health, immunity, inflammation, and cognitive functions of the brain. 
• Names: They are like pom-pom. That’s why they are also called pom pom mushrooms. Other names that describe them are monkey head mushroom and bearded tooth mushroom. 
• Where They Grow and How to Find: They grow on hardwood trees and dead and decaying logs. In late summer and fall, you can find them at a specialist farmer or grow them yourself using their growing kit. 

Why Will You Love This Recipe?

• A Dreamy Vegan Steak: This is the perfect steak for vegans. Use vegan butter for searing instead of real butter. Get the taste of meat without eating the real meat!
• No Heavy Bottom Pan Pressing: You do not need to press the heavy bottom pan to make the steak, even when you can just cut the slices. 
• Easy to Make: You can create this iconic steak with just a few pantry ingredients. I am sure you have all the ingredients in your pantry. You need to buy a good-quality lions main mushroom, and that’s it!
• Perfect for Camping in Woods: The best place to make it is in the scenic, calm woods. Make this meal and outdoor cooking memorable.
• Fine Meal at Home: Impress your loved ones with this restaurant-quality meal presented like a chef.

How To Clean Lion’s Mane Mushroom 

The lion mane mushroom is like a sponge that absorbs liquid in its pores. It has a high-water content. Avoid getting them in contact with water, as they can become soggy and may not give you the perfect vegan steak. It’s best to clean the mushroom with paper towels and brush off all the dirt and debris. 

Ingredients

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• 1 lb. line mane mushroom
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp butter, unsalted for sautéing

Instructions

1.Clean the Mushroom

Brush off dirt or debris from the lion mane mushroom. Dip the tip of the brush in water and remove any particles of dirt without soaking the mushroom in water. 

2.Cut the Mushroom

Remove any tough base attached to the log, wood, or growing kit, it was standing on. Place the pom-pom mushroom on a cutting board and cut it into ½-inch thick horizontal slices. Make sure that the slices are even so they cook nicely and brown on the outside while tender on the inside.  

3.Prepare the Marinade

Mix olive oil, minced garlic cloves, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce,

chopped thyme, and rosemary in a small bowl. 

4.Marinate the Mushroom Slices

Pour the marinade over the lion mane mushroom slices and toss gently until they are fully coated. Cover with plastic cling wrap and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to let the flavors soak in.

5.Sear on Pan

Heat a skillet and butter in it without burning the butter on medium heat. Sear the marinated lion mushroom steak on it for 4-5 minutes on each side or until it becomes brown, tender, and glazed. 

6.Cut and Serve

Once the steak is tender, cut it into thin strips or keep it whole. For a complete plant-based meal, serve with mashed potatoes, salad, or stir-fried vegetables. 

Expert Tips for lion’s mane cooking

• Add two garlic cloves and a sprig of rosemary to the pan while searing because it will add that aroma to the butter, which is perfect for searing this vegan steak. 
• Don’t make the pan overcrowded with lion’s mushrooms; make it in batches. 
• Pour a spoonful of sizzling butter over the mushroom steak to make it extra glossy. Baste while searing to make it extra tender, brown, and glazed. 
• Don’t cut the steak immediately after cooking. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to spread the juice and flavors evenly. 
• Make it more appetizing by presenting it like a chef. Cut it into thin strips and arrange it on a serving plate with side greens, salads, stir-fried veggies, or mashed potatoes. Don’t make the plate overcrowded; finish with a cooked rosemary sprig or garlic cloves you added while cooking. 

Storage suggestions

Store the leftover vegan steak in an airtight vessel in the refrigerator. Before storage, let it cool completely because it may turn soggy and mushy. It is perfect to eat for 3-4 days in the fridge. If you are about to freeze for the long term, undercook the mushrooms and freeze for 2-3 hours or until it is hard, and then place them in a freezer-safe container and label them. In this way, they will be fine to eat for 2 months. Reheat them in a pan with some oil to regain the crispy edges.

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