If you’re lucky enough to find wild lion’s mane mushroom, dehydrating it is one of the best ways to save it for later. Lion’s mane is that fluffy, white, pom-pom looking mushroom. It looks kind of like a snowball hanging on hardwood trees. Fresh lion’s mane is amazing sautéed like crab or scallops, but it doesn’t last long in the fridge, so drying it lets you enjoy it for months.
*****Quick Disclaimer: only harvest wild mushrooms if you are 100% sure of the ID. We live in a location where Lion’s Mane Mushrooms are commonly found and have experience identifying them in the wild. When in doubt, check with a local expert. Mushrooms are wonderful… but misidentification is not worth the risk.
What Is Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane has gotten really popular for a reason. People love it because:
- it’s a nutritious culinary mushroom
- it contains interesting compounds studied for brain and nerve support
- many folks say it helps with focus, mood, and clarity
What You’ll Need:
- fresh lion’s mane mushroom
- a knife
- dehydrator or oven that can run on low heat
- storage jar or airtight container
How To Dehydrate Lion’s Mane:
- Clean gently
Brush off dirt and debris. Avoid soaking it in water — lion’s mane is like a sponge and will get soggy. - Trim any bad spots
If parts are brown or buggy, just cut those off. - Slice into pieces
About ¼–½ inch thick works well. Smaller pieces = faster drying. - Lay pieces in a single layer
Spread them on dehydrator trays or a baking sheet if using the oven. No overlapping. - Dry at low heat
- Dehydrator: 110–125°F
- Oven: lowest setting with the door cracked slightly
- Let them dry 6–12 hours
They’re done when they’re completely dry and snap rather than bend. - Cool and store
Let them cool fully (so no trapped moisture), then store in glass jars or airtight bags in a cool, dark place.
How To Store Lion’s Mane:
- Airtight jar or vacuum-sealed bag
- Keep away from moisture, light, and heat
- Label with date (future you will be proud of you)
Properly dried mushrooms can last a year or more in good storage.
Ways To Use Dried Lions Mane:
Once dried, you’ve got options:
- Rehydrate & cook — soak in warm water 15–20 minutes, then sauté like you would fresh
- Powder it — grind dry mushrooms and add the powder to smoothies, teas, broths, or capsules
- Add to soups & stews — toss in pieces while cooking and they’ll rehydrate in the broth
- Make seasonings — mix powdered lion’s mane with garlic, salt, and herbs
- Tinctures & teas — some people use it to make herbal preparations
The texture after rehydrating is surprisingly meaty — amazing in stir-fries, pasta dishes, or anything where you’d normally use mushrooms.
Dehydrating lion’s mane is one of those easy, satisfying kitchen projects — just a little prep now and you’ve got jars of beautiful mushrooms ready for soups, teas, or cozy winter meals later. Every time you open the jar, it feels like you saved a bit of the woods for another day.
COMMENTS