6 Easy Ways To Add Lion's Mane To Your Diet

Lion’s Mane mushrooms, which have long been celebrated in Asian cultures for their diverse medicinal uses, have recently attracted increased attention amongst researchers for their impressive brain-boosting benefits—from protecting against dementia to delaying the progression of Alzheimer's and even relieving symptoms of mild depression and anxiety. 

Fortunately, these powerhouse mushrooms are incredibly versatile, making it as easy as ever to incorporate them into your diet and nourish your noggin. These are six of our favorite ways to prepare and enjoy them: 

Perfect for stir-frys or to toss with pasta/greens 

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. Low and slow is your best bet to allow the moisture time to cook off. Once the water evaporates, that’s when you’ll want to add seasonings like butter, salt, or spices (if you season too early, the mushrooms won’t absorb anything). When the edges begin to brown, the mushrooms are done cooking (1). 

Perfect for soup stocks or bone broth 

Adding mushrooms to your homemade soup imparts a deep, umami-rich flavor to the stock–a result of the hot water slowly extracting the flavor and nutrients of the mushroom. 

This same preparation can apply to bone broth as well, which is why you’ll find many store-bought bone broth brands infused with Lion’s Mane, along with other superfood mushrooms. 

3. Gently steep in powdered form

Perfect for tea 

The part-sweet, part-savory, and all-around “meaty” flavor of Lion’s Mane becomes even richer and more full-bodied when gently steeped in hot water for tea. 

Powdered Lion’s Mane extract is best here, as it easily dissolves into hot water. A suggested ratio is three grams of the powdered extract (about ¾ teaspoon) for every two cups hot water. Steep for about ten minutes.  

4. Blend in powdered form

Perfect for coffee or smoothies 

Blend one teaspoon Lion’s Mane mushroom powdered extract to your morning coffee or smoothie for an extra boost. 

For smoothies, toss in one tablespoon chia seeds while you’re at it for an extra dose of brain-boosting omega-3s.

5. Pan-fry 

Perfect for a “steak-like” presentation 

Because of their meaty texture and flavor, Lion’s Mane mushrooms lend themselves perfectly to a “steak” preparation. Simply wipe down with a damp paper towel or cloth, then slice width-wide into ½-inch “steaks.” Heat oil in a pan and sauté on either side until tender. To finish, season with salt and pepper (2).  

6. Bread and bake

Perfect for tacos  

Swap out your everyday taco fillings with Lion’s Mane mushrooms! For the breading, combine cornmeal with spices like paprika, garlic powder, oregano, and cumin. For the wet mixture, almond milk and a bit of cornstarch and flour. Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces, then dredge in the wet mixture before tossing into the breading. Ensure they’re coated evenly with the mixture before sautéing until tender. Serve with your typical Taco Tuesday sides, dips and salsas (3).