
Is that crab? No! These Lion’s Mane Crab Cakes are made from Lion’s Mane Mushroom which look and taste very similar to crab. If you shred the Lion’s Mane into thin pieces it will resemble crab meat and makes a vegetarian version of the delicious classic crab cake recipe!
Ready in under 25 minutes, these crab cakes are a great way to soak up all of the powerful nutritional benefits of these mushrooms with an incredible savoury and juicy texture and completely meat-less!
Why This Lion’s Mane Crab Cake Recipe Works:
- With almost the identical taste and consistency of crab, Lion’s Mane mushrooms create a perfect substitute for meat in this vegetarian crab cake.
- Lion’s Mane mushrooms readily take on the flavors of any spices and herbs added in this recipe, making it flavorful, savoury and decadent!
- As Lion’s Mane has been shown to improve memory, boost concentration and protect the nervous system this is a delicious recipe with powerful health benefits.
Ingredients for this Lion’s Mane Crab Cake Recipe
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom
- Ritz Crackers
- Egg
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon Mustard
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Fresh Parsley
- Hot Sauce
- Optional: Lemon Wedges
How to Make Lion’s Mane Crab Cakes
- With your fingers, shred the lion’s mane mushrooms to resemble crabmeat, and add to a large bowl. To the bowl, add crushed Ritz crackers (I just use my hands to crumble.) Add the egg, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, Old Bay, parsley, liquid aminos and hot sauce. Mix thoroughly. Divide the mixture into four and use your hands to form patties.
- To make the Remoulade Sauce, in a medium sized bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle in the cooking oil. When oil is shimmering, carefully add the patties. Cook and flip periodically, until both sides are browned and crispy, about 8 minutes total.
- Serve with lemon wedges and Remoulade Sauce.
FAQs
What are the benefits of Lion’s Mane?
- Lion’s mane has been shown to improve memory, boost concentration and protect the nervous system
- The name lion’s mane comes from the mushroom resembling the cascading mane of a lion, though some varieties look like puffy pom-poms or some say they even resemble a brain — which is totally appropriate, because it has the ability to promote growth and development of new brain cells, regenerate neurons in your body as well as protect existing brain cells. This makes Lion’s Mane a brain-boosting mushroom for learning and memory.
- Lion’s Mane is also exceptionally high in protein and is an incredible source of non-animal essential amino acids!
What does Lion’s Mane taste like?
Lion’s Mane has a similar resemblance and taste to seafoods like crab and lobster. Once cooked this mushroom is tender, juicy, meaty and delicate. This is why this mushroom is the perfect substitute for crab in this vegetarian version of a crab cake! It also is able to absorb the incredible flavors and spices added into this recipe.
More Mushroom Recipes
- The Most Perfect Sauteed Mushrooms
- Kale Salad With Mushroom Omelette
- Mushroom Tofu Potstickers
- Miso Soup with Mushroom and Tofu
- Japanese Noodles with Shimeji Mushrooms

Lion's Mane Mushroom Crab Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Crab Cakes
- 6 ounces fresh Lion's Mane Mushroom
- 12 Ritz crackers
- 1 egg beaten
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley minced or 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp liquid aminos or soy sauce
- few dashes of hot sauce
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 4 lemon wedges
Remoulade Sauce Recipe
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp sweet gherkins, pickles or sweet relish minced
- 1 tsp pickle juice or lemon juice
- 1-2 tsp Cajun or Creole Seasoning or your favorite dried herb seasoning
- ½ tsp fresh garlic minced
Instructions
- With your fingers, shred the lion’s mane mushrooms to resemble crabmeat, and add to a large bowl. To the bowl, add crushed Ritz crackers (I just use my hands to crumble.) Add the egg, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, Old Bay, parsley, liquid aminos and hot sauce. Mix thoroughly. Divide the mixture into four and use your hands to form patties.
- To make the Remoulade Sauce, in a medium sized bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle in the cooking oil. When oil is shimmering, carefully add the patties. Cook and flip periodically, until both sides are browned and crispy, about 8 minutes total.
- Serve with lemon wedges and Remoulade Sauce.
This mushroom is really hard to find fresh in stores, but I have seen the dried one which seems to need a lot of presoaking to rehydrate before it can be used and some people say it is bitter. I don’t know how true that is.
This recipe works because I have most of the ingredients on hand.
These were delicious! My husband said he liked them more than real crab cakes. I am a serious crab lover and I really enjoyed these. This is a definite keeper recipe!
Finally made this recipe…It’s a keeper!
The texture of the shredded Lions Mane Mushroom was that of Lobster or Crab. The flavor of the final product following the recipe was simply outstanding! The Remoulade Sauce was also delicious…
Everything was easy to make and delicious!
Hello! We are so happy that you loved it , and we agree – it is so similar to any crab!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts – enjoy!
SK TEAM
I just received my order of fresh, whole Lions Mane Mushrooms!
They smell delicious!
I had placed an order for 3-mushrooms (8 oz. each) for a total of 24 oz. and although they took a few weeks to get, they are fresh, were very well packed & arrived in perfect condition!
I look forward to making this recipe in the next couple of days and I hope to leave a review.
perfect recipe. thanks!
I just found a place for fresh, whole Lions Mane Mushrooms.
They are grown in the State of New York, near the Finger Lakes and they ship!
I just ordered some and I can’t wait for them to arrive so I can make this recipe!
Here is their link:
https://bristolmushrooms.com
Good luck!
I’d really like to make this recipe…
We love mushrooms but, have never tried Lion’s Mane.
This looks like the perfect opportunity!
Could you kindly provide a reliable source for quality Lion’s Mane Mushroom?
Thank you!
I’ve seen lion’s mane mushrooms occasionally in Whole Foods. Sometimes (as opposed to frequently) I see them at farmer’s markets.
Is there a substitute for ritz crackers or can it be left out without ruining the dish?
As a lover of crab cakes and mushrooms, This recipe sounds absolutely delicious. Unfortunately I’ve never heard of Lion’s mane mushrooms. Is it a specialty thing? Where can I buy them?
Linda Andres, I, too, would like to know where to get whole, fresh, Lion’s Mane Mushrooms…I see the powders, pills, capsules and “kits” to grow your own, all over the internet but, not the whole, fresh version.
It is a wonderful post and very helpful, thank you for sharing all of this information.