This is the best lion’s mane recipe as it’s perfect for tacos and a variety of other meaty dishes. It is super easy to make, nutritious, and 100% plant-based. Make it for a quick Mexican-inspired weeknight dinner with a side of beans and homemade salsa!
Lion’s Mane Tacos
Lions mane is one of the best mushrooms to use for making plant-based meat, especially in taco form. It’s meaty, and has lots of umami flavor, plus it’s easy to make. Lions mane mushrooms feel somewhat spongey, I call them the pillows of the mushrooms because they’re so soft. This lion’s mane recipe is perfect for bringing out the meatiness in plant-based cuisine!
This fungus boasts long, cascading spines that form a striking resemblance to a lion’s mane, hence its name. Unlike traditional mushrooms, which have caps and stems, lion’s mane mushrooms grow in clusters, with their spines fanning outwards in a mesmerizing display.
You can buy these at most Asian markets, Whole Foods, and other health food stores like Sprouts. I highly recommend purchasing a grow kit to grow them at home – it will save you lots of money!
Make this lion’s mane recipe for anyone and I can almost assure you that they’ll enjoy it just as much as regular meat or chicken. I love to use this as a meat substitute for many dishes such as quesadillas, enchiladas, steak sandwiches, and more. This lion’s mane recipe can be a filling for so many other dishes! They are also rich in nutrients and antioxidants in case you need another reason to try them 🙂
How to Clean Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Washing mushrooms doesn’t always have to involve water: They are porous, so they function as sponges, soaking up water, which makes it difficult to get them crispy in the cooking process. With that in mind, here are a few tips for getting your lion’s mane mushrooms clean enough to cook:
- Use a paper towel. Lightly wipe off the dirt with a damp paper towel or damp cloth on your mushrooms. Don’t go too heavy with the water or the pressure, as you don’t want to damage your mushrooms.
- Use a mushroom brush. Use this specialty tool to brush off any excess dirt lightly. If you don’t have a mushroom brush, a pastry brush works just as well.
- Try a quick rinse. You shouldn’t have to give your mushrooms a deep cleaning but sometimes they have excess amounts of dirt. If you really need to rinse them, place them in a colander and rinse them briefly under running water if necessary.
Lion’s Mane Recipe step-by-step
- Clean your mushrooms as directed above
- Add all sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until combined.
- Add oil to a pan on medium-high heat
- Place lion’s mane mushroom in hot oil, and place a heavy item on top to press the mushroom into the pan.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on that side and then flip over and add the sauce.
- Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until desired crispiness is achieved.
- Place the mushrooms on a cutting board and slice them into bite-sized pieces.
Other ways to make this Lion’s Mane Mushroom
- Try air frying or baking them in the oven. Air fry at 375 F for 8-12 minutes depending on the desired texture. Be careful to not burn them as they are easy to burn!
- Bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes or until golden around the edges.
- Add mushrooms to burritos bowls, tacos, burritos, nachos, or a plate of rice and beans!
Nutritional Value of Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a delicious way to add lots of nutrients to your diet. They are classified as fungi but nutritionally classified vegetables as they have a similar nutrition profile. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are mainly made up of water which makes them low in calories, and easy to cook with. Additionally, lion’s mane mushrooms are renowned for their potential cognitive benefits, with studies suggesting they may support brain health and cognitive function. Delicious and nutritious is just the way we like it. This Lion’s Mane recipe will blow your mind!
Adding mushrooms to your diet can be easy as they have a similar taste and texture to meat, so it truly does not feel like you are eating vegetables! Although this Lion’s Mane recipe is my favorite, there are so many other mushrooms to try.
My favorite types of mushrooms to cook with are king oyster, lion’s mane, portobello, and shiitake. As you can see they all have different textures and make great tacos that substitute carne asada, chicken, barbacoa/birria, and even lengua:
The Best Lion’s Mane Recipe
I highly recommend you save this lion’s mane recipe because this mushroom is now easily available. If you haven’t yet tried my Shredded King Oyster Mushroom recipe, what are you waiting for? I choose these for their meaty texture, umami flavor, and nutrition profiles. Find these mushrooms at your local Asian market or Trader Joe’s for the best value. I have also seen them at Whole Foods, Sprouts but tend to be pricier.
The most budget-friendly way: grow them at home! You can buy many at-home grow kits that are so worth it in the long run.
In conclusion, Lion’s Mane mushrooms offer a unique and delicious way to enjoy plant-based tacos. Their meaty texture and ability to absorb flavors make them a fantastic alternative to traditional meat fillings. As a Mexican dietitian, I love using Lion’s Mane in my recipes because it not only honors the rich culinary traditions of Mexican cuisine but also aligns with my passion for promoting nutritious, plant-based eating. Whether you’re exploring new ingredients or looking to incorporate more plants into your diet, Lion’s Mane tacos are a flavorful and satisfying choice that everyone can enjoy.
Pair these mushroom tacos with:
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Lion’s Mane Tacos
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 tacos 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This is one of the best lion’s mane recipes as it’s perfect for tacos and a variety of other meaty dishes. It is super easy to make, nutritious, and 100% plant-based. Make it for a quick Mexican-inspired weeknight dinner with a side of beans and homemade salsa!
Ingredients
- 1 pound of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms (about 6 medium mushrooms)
For sauce:
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp soy sauce, tamari or liquid aminos
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
For tacos:
- 8–10 corn tortillas
- ½ small onion
- Cilantro
- Salsa of choice
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Clean your mushrooms as directed above
- Add all sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until combined.
- Add a tablespoon of avocado/neutral oil to a pan on medium-high heat
- Place lion’s mane mushroom in hot oil, and place a heavy item on top to press the mushroom into the pan. I use cast iron pans or my molcajete.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on that side and then flip over and add the sauce.
- Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until desired crispiness is achieved.
- Place mushrooms on a cutting board and slice them into bite-sized pieces.
- Add to a warm tortilla along with salsa, lime, cilantro, and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: mains
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
First time making this recipe and I will make it again!
Can you grill the mushrooms?
Yes of course you can 🙂
These are hands down the most delicious vegan tacos I’ve had. Please do yourselves a favor and make this recipe. I promise you will have it on regular rotation. The depth of favor and texture from the tacos is amazing (I felt like I was eating meat). You have to make her salsa verde to go with these. Trust me! I also love the fact that she includes useful information and tips with her recipes, and that you have the option to adjust the recipe accordingly to your servings needs.
You are the best! thank you for trying them 🙂 I hope you try some of my other recipes on here too amiga.
Hi, I am confused about when you add the sauce. It says to mix it all together.. then what? Please advise.
Hi Rae! Thank you for your question 🙂 In step 5 you will see it says “Cook for 3-4 minutes on that side and then flip over and add the sauce.” I hope you give them a try! you’ll love them
It totally does. Thank you for pointing that out!
Hi Ana, where can I purchase Lion’s mane mushrooms? I googled it but all that comes out are supplements.
Hi Alma, You can find it at Safeway, Sprouts, Asian grocery markets and even grow it yourself using growing kits! I like Northspore growing kits. I hope this helps!
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