Recipe: Not-So-Crabby Lion’s Mane Cakes (Oil-Free, Plant-Based, Vegan)

Get the printable recipe & more info here: bit.ly/CrabbyK...
It has been a while, but we are back with another recipe! The video for this one was actually filmed back in March 2022 when we rented out an Airbnb in Rochester, MN to film at for a week. We filmed SO many great new recipes for you, but life has gotten in the way and thrown us a few curveballs since then. Do not fear! We will still be sharing all of the recipes, just at a slower pace than originally planned.
These “Not-So-Crabby” Cakes are actually made with Lion’s mane mushrooms, which is one of our favorite ingredients to work with. We are very lucky to have a local place in St. Louis called VL’s Urban Farm that sells amazing, VERY high quality mushrooms, including these giant beauties. They actually have an online shop where you can buy grow kits for some of their mushrooms, so check them out here even if you aren’t in St. Louis! vlsurbanfarm.com
It’s hard to believe this giant fluffy thing is a mushroom, but when you cook it with the proper techniques, it turns into the tastiest completely plant-based, vegan, oil-free “Not-So-Crabby” cakes you’ll ever have!
We do realize that Lion’s mane can be hard to find and VERY expensive, so we did some experimenting with other ingredients and found a substitute that is more readily available and a whole lot cheaper. Check out the video and blog post for more info.
We hope you enjoy the video and get a chance to try out the recipe!
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We are a married couple who started on a life-changing whole food, plant-based weight loss journey in June 2018.
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NOTE: We are not doctors, dietitians or nutrition experts. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult with your doctor before changing your diet. (Read more at bit.ly/KrockDis...)

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Get the printable recipe & more info here: bit.ly/CrabbyKrocks

[@kathymills1925]

I am from Maryland and those mushrooms look just like crab! I’ll have to see if I can find them. Crabs are VERY expensive so the mushroom’s high cost is still probably less than crab meat. They look delicious!! Continued prayers to you both! 🥰🤗

[@aureliaglenn2220]

They're almost as tasty as crab! You can find them at farmers markets; King Farm in Boyds, MD sells them, and other mushrooms. Happy fungi hunting!

[@heatherangellight8558]

Loved this so much! Each mushroom, just like each nut, offers a specific health benefit for our bodies. Lions mane is best for our brains (walnuts are the best nut for our brains). Thanks for posting these between the health updates! Prayers and love and light sent to you both! 💗

[@heatherangellight8558]

@Peace and Serenityno actually cashews are bad for kidneys because of their High Oxalate amounts. Macadamias are better for kidneys because they’re low in phosphorous. Instead of being sarcastic just research the studies. Walnuts are not pricey …. Maybe you’d enjoy some each day. Peace and serenity to you - love your user name!

[@cindystrother7710]

Prayers for Jessica hope she gets well fast 💗

[@harrietj6519]

Those look AMAZING!!! I wonder if lions mane would be a good alternative for jackfruit. Just not a fan of jackfruit. My heart goes out to you as you fight the c battle. Hits close to home as my sister was diagnosed around the time you were. Unfortunately, she passed less than 6 weeks later. You got this, you are providing the nutrients your body needs to repair its self! Keep strong!! You got an AMAZING partner beside you! You are BLESSED!!

[@baykittygirls9520]

These not-so-crabby cakes look awesome! Continuing to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

[@stephanieschwartz6212]

My husband and I forage for chanterelles every Fall and once in a while we will hit the jackpot and find a lions mane or as us locals call it Bears head mushroom. My husband came home and made “crab” cakes and they were delicious! I usually make mine out of hearts of palm but anyway you slice it they’re wonderful!

[@MardiK2000]

I buy Lion's Mane mushrooms in their dried form at my local Asian market in Indianapolis. All they need is rehydrating for a couple of minutes in a bowl of water and then squeezing the water out (I also save the stock water) and then they can be prepared any way I choose. I like to cook them in a skillet and press down on them to get good surface browning on both sides. The taste is just lovely and the texture is very chicken-y. Seasoning is up to the person making them. The next time I am in St. Louis, I will definitely be buying them in their fresh state. Thanks for showing that. My heart is with you Jessica and also so much with all the people who love you. Your video of your trips to the Mayo Clinic brought back so many memories of taking my adult daughter there many times. She is well now and my heart hopes for the same for you. As a mother, I think often of your mother as you all deal with this.

[@LindaKaraDiFranco]

May I ask how much they cost, and for how many ounces?

[@tiachantelou119]

Blessings to you both ❤️

[@sandyallen1488]

Wow…I am on the hunt for Lion’s Mane. This looks fantastic Brian❤️

[@davidthescottishvegan]

Yummy 😋 recipe Brian. Hopefully despite the situation with Jessica's health both of you are doing well. Love 🥰 the video and sending love 💞❤️, prayers & positive vibes your way.

[@gigiknowsbest7391]

well it’s 2:46am in U.K. and now i’m hungry for not so crabby crabcakes! wow!

[@lillianwright2641]

This recipe is amazing!! Praying all the best for you two. As I'm praying for Jessica, I'm hoping for an update about Brian too. Last I recall (I don't watch every single video, just a casual follower for a few years) was Brian doing intermittent fasting to activate autophagy?? I don't recall. Jessica, my family and I are cheering for you. Can't imagine how hard it has been for you.

[@darlenepreston8836]

thanks for fixing a fun healthy meal. 🧸🧸🌻

[@g-maw5458]

WOW ....it really looks like real crab cakes. ❤️

[@bflogal18]

I have purchased mushroom growing kits from a company called Root Mushroom Farm. We love shiitake mushrooms in vegetable stir fry. The kit grew so many mushrooms, we ended up giving some away! The kits are a little pricey, but they are worth it! And it turns out that growing mushrooms is fun! I will definitely try growing lions mane mushrooms, just so that I can try this recipe! You remain in my prayers!

[@andreawalker7138]

I was never a fan of crab, but these Not-So-Crabby Cakes look so good that I really want to try these. Thanks for the recipe!

[@LuckyLarry]

I have been trying to remember the name of a band I saw on DavidnLetterman a good long while ago !!!! Yes!! It was the swell season!!!!the song is Low Rising!!!! Thankyou Jessica!!!!

[@LuckyLarry]

12 years ago was their performance on Letterman!!! 12 years!

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

We had seen them just before filming this video. In fact, our tattoos are a line from one of Glen Hansard's songs. 😀 There is just something so special about the two of them when they perform together.

[@sherrijones3568]

Picked up the last lion's mane mushrooms at the farmer's market last Saturday. It was only half a pound so cut the recipe in half. Normally, I try new recipes exactly as written but my pumpkin seeds were old so I used pecans instead. Since the recipe doesn't require cooking beyond the mushrooms, it offered an opportunity to taste tje muxture prior to forming the patties. After tasting, I ended up adding a sprinkling of dulse flakes to add a hint of seafood flavor, along with a little extra Old Bay seasoning. I thoroughly enjoyed the four tiny patties it made. I had lemon tahini sauce so used that to accompany the cakes. Next time I will get the yogurt so I can make the dill sauce. Thanks so much for a new way to enjoy lion's mane. Wishing you both the very best on your shared journey to heal Jessica from cancer.

[@mtnlayde01]

My mouth was watering with the First Bite 👍👍

[@sandrastephens217]

Hi Jessica and Brian! I'm wondering if you think canned jack fruit would also be a good substitute for this recipe? Thank you for all the great content you share with us. Love to you both. XOXOXO 😘

[@dto71]

That's a good idea: jackfruit also has that stringy, crablike texture.

[@sturkfeld]

Thank you for the recipe. I have heard that lion's mane mushrooms are so good for you. I'm with Jessica, I don't like mushrooms, but I'm going to try this recipe.

[@texassews535]

That was the best looking thing I’ve seen as I LOVE crab. Joe’s Crab Shack shut down all over the city except in one place in the heart of town. I used to frequent it regularly. Now to find some Lion’s Main Mushrooms. That may be a bit difficult.

[@Flyig_Walrus]

Old Bay is life

[@djn1534]

You're right, Brian. Peef isn't an appropriate ingredient for this recipe. Save the peef for some stuffed peppers. Nothing better than a pepper stuffed with a little ground peef. lol

[@thecraftyannapolitan5453]

These. Look. AWESOSOME!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@merylrose9605]

Praying for Jessica.

[@donnanorris4733]

Glad to see some yummy recipes :-).

[@olsonbee1]

I love mushrooms. And I love these lions mane mushrooms. Occasionally my local produce delivery will offer them. So ooo delicious!!! Thanks for the recipe!!! It looks amazing.

[@sadie4me2]

These look amazing!

[@smallfootprint2961]

Love the looks of these. Now to find the ingredients. Yum! Be well.

[@CastledarkDweller27]

GOOD LUCK with that! When i told the worker at my local store that i wanted to make a special recipe & asked if they had lions mane mushrooms, the teenage worker told me "yes we sell mushrooms in the fruit section but we don't sell lion. i don't even know where you'd get lion meat." WRONG thing to say to us vegans. 😢

[@amieklingler1574]

These look positively delicious 😋 Continued prayers for you and Jessica. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️

[@queenshelaine5539]

That looks so good!!! Now I want to grow Lion’s mane mushrooms!

[@cindystrother7710]

Thank you so much for your fabulous recipe 🙂 AWESOME 😎

[@ABQdoubleG]

I love crab cakes so this is an awesome alternative. Thank you ❤️

[@narelled159]

Lots of great tips too - didn’t think of using toasted Ezekiel bread for crumbs!

[@jilldigwood4328]

Hope you guys are doing well. This looks fab Brian, I can't recall having seen these here in Mallorca, Spain but will certainly be looking everywhere from now on. As you say, great for a special occasion. Much love to you both 💕

[@veggiequeen9897]

They look amazing! I don't think I could get fresh lion's mane, but maybe jack fruit is also an option.

[@leslieb6676]

So great to see a wonderful recipe video again. Thanks so much!

[@errorerror1337]

Awesome recipe! Guessing you could probably use jackfruit as a substitute too.

[@lalabyelulu4021]

I need an air fryer in my life.

[@pamschoenrock218]

I bought myself one at Christmas. Still haven’t used it. 🤷‍♀️

[@bethstratton3391]

Looks a really lovely recipe and so healthy. Wishing you and Jessica well. I hope everything at the Hospital goes as well as it can. I love the positivity and realness of your channel and have made several of your recipes which tasted great.

[@annekern6410]

Looks delicious! Wishing you guys the best!! Stay strong!!! Xoxo

[@beebe4418]

I’m on a hunt here in LV for lion’s mane…I want to try both the mushroom and artichoke versions. I have been tossing around ‘how’ to do crab cakes in my head for like 4 years. I didn’t know of lion’s mane mushrooms but this looks totally delicious ♥️thanks ❤️🙏❤️

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

It's probably best to search for Lions Mane Mushrooms Las Vegas and you might get some hits. 🙂

[@beebe4418]

@@KrocksInTheKitchen haha…Jessica, you are SO RIGHT☺️. After about 2 hours and searching the Asian markets…and one Whole Foods…I went home and googled Lion’s Mane ….a bunch of possibles came up- I called a different WF and sure enough the one on LV Blvd had them. 3 boxes with 6 oz each…=$30. But those crab cakes look like they are worth it♥️🙏🥰 if they are as good as they look, I will probably turn into a mushroom ‘farmer’. 😂😂

[@beebe4418]

I made both versions. Here in LV, Lion’s Mane -1 pound cost $30-vs Artichoke 12 oz bag-around $2.70. When I heated mushrooms to release water, mine turned a tan/gray color (not golden like yours). I used a new 12” laundry mesh bag I had from a pack of them from Amazon to strain the moisture out of both versions (it worked great and now is my ‘kitchen’ bag. I LOVE BOTH versions…the Lion’s mane a bit better, but for just me the artichoke version will be a ‘regular’ for me. Both versions yielded 6 patties formed in my 1/4 measuring cup. Cooked in Air-fryer per 10-12 min. YUMMMM thanks so much for this SPECIAL recipe. I will post pics on your FB♥️

[@sherbau1457]

Thanks!

[@brickgarden]

It looks like cauliflower! I’ve only ever had a bite of lions mane…I swear it tastes like the finest cut of meat 😋

[@jenniferheth8117]

These look phenomenal!

[@terriebuys4052]

Hang in there!!!

[@abbykuo4884]

lion mane mushroom really is delicious

[@andreaprivett4094]

These look delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe!

[@kaypoole7967]

Oh my goodness they look delicious. Thanks for the recipe

[@barrbuff]

yum!! 😋😋

[@TheIndecisiveWigWearer]

Yaaaay!

[@aliceschmid9697]

Peef is critical for QC for any recipe!!!

[@yellowbird5411]

That is true food porn! The visual when pulling them apart, slowly, makes me want to faint. I happen to LOVE crab and lobster, and these just looked so much like them. Thank you for such a visual, sensual food experience.

[@biggun7960]

Sounds delish!!

[@user-lw6ou6nm3c]

This looks amazing! I wonder how well it holds up refrigerated. Think it might be a great party horderve if you can prep in advance. Thanks for that recipe folks. Love and prayers to you. 🥰

[@billdeforest6411]

HAve you tried using a fork to shred? Works great!!!

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

It didn't get the right texture that we wanted.

[@amandaanderson8254]

Only thing missing is some green onion 😉

[@susanmitchell9702]

I think this recipe and that sauce is kind of a big dill (deal) 💓

[@cindyhayward1224]

Those look yummy😋

[@martelvonc]

What? There are mini cups for the vitamix?!?! Okay I need that.

[@sassyjohn1]

This looks delicious! Would you use the whole artichoke (minus the stem)? Yall continue in my prayers.

[@sarahdee374]

and do we cook them at all too?

[@susaneng]

What brand of worcestershire sauce did you find that's without sugar? I can't seem to find any.

[@suzy1335]

Do you think this could be made with canned Jack Fruit?

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

WILL be making those, and we are fortunate to have a number of places in our area of California who carry a plethora of different edible fungi. Speaking of fungi, I recommend the 2021 book Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake

[@Ann-bl1do]

Interesting measuring cup you had for the water. Is it antique green glass? If so, it could be problematic depending on when it was manufactured as uranium was used to get the green color

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Nope, it was a plastic beaker style measuring cup with a green silicone bottom. 😀

[@joelle3135]

I’m thinking oyster mushrooms might work as they have a similar pulled pork look when broken up x

[@Diane-f1g]

Hope Jessica is ok

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

She is currently asleep and doing well. 🙂

[@sybilslifejourney1310]

perhaps jackfruit could worf, what do you mean?

[@ildaharper6061]

❤️❤️❤️✌️✌️

[@Puglover130]

You really surprised me on the sub. I am not vegan but I was thinking you were going to suggest jackfruit as the sub because it looks kind of stringy and “piecey” like crab / chicken

[@tofutuesday]

I wonder if jackfruit would work?

[@LeeAnnahsCreations]

What if you used Jack Fruit in place of the Artichoke hearts ???

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

It should work but I am not sure. I've never tried it. 😆

[@maggietaylor9475]

These look delicious, but I have a bad reaction to any mushrooms I can’t even eat Quorn, sadly 🙁

[@hjcdormouse7337]

Mushrooms are my favourite food that looks awesome however think I will struggle to source some of ingredients in Uk

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

If you are having trouble finding Lion's Mane mushrooms in the UK, you might check out online delivery or grow kits. I found a company that appears to ship across the UK called Merit Mushrooms. You might want to check them out. 😀

[@hjcdormouse7337]

@@KrocksInTheKitchen Thanks so much 21:50 here I have a Standard Poodle that thinks it is lap dog on my knee so one he releases me will look up 🥰

[@robz.3225]

Do you cook the artichoke hearts in a similar way?

[@RJ-444]

Internet: Woah, what’s with all the Lion’s Mane mushroom searches?!

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

😆😆😆

[@aliceschmid9697]

The liquid squeezed out looks slimy. Is it?

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

It is not. It's just thick like gravy.

[@rozchristopherson648]

Although I’m sure you both are aware of this fact, I will state for those who may not be. Mushrooms contain a compound called agaritine which is a known carcinogen. It is in raw mushrooms and the level is only slightly reduced by cooking the mushrooms.

[@queenshelaine5539]

The Journal of Functional Foods has an internet article called Mushrooms and Agaritine: a mini review that you may find interesting. Unfortunately I can’t link it in comments here, but a Google search should find it.

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

I think the thing one needs to take away from the original studies on Agaritine is that the amount they gave the mice was physiologically impossible. The concentrations given were astronomical in relation to possible food intake. When studies were done with physiologically relevant amounts (or simply fed mushrooms), no adverse side effects have been discovered. There is quite a bit a debate in the community on the possible toxicity of agaritine but everyone agrees that mushrooms are good for you.

[@rozchristopherson648]

@@KrocksInTheKitchen Thank you for your reply. Yes, I’ve read those studies concerning mice. I know that they have given the mice quite a large amount of agaritine in comparison to how much a human would consume. Medicinal compounds can be made from mushrooms so yes, they can be beneficial. But I would say they are beneficial in that respect when they have been clinically treated in a laboratory and prepared for medicinal purposes. In that way the beneficial compounds are extracted and preserved while eliminating any toxins. Eating mushroom, raw or cooked, is a different story since in that scenario, the human body must extract what is beneficial and eliminate any toxins. Some human bodies may be able to do this without noticeable problems. Some bodies may not be able to process mushrooms without problems. Typically, the problems may not present themselves for months or years. When a person presents with cancer, doctors typically do not know the source unless it may be occupational exposure to certain chemicals or substances such as asbestos, etc. Otherwise, doctors are not going to research what might have caused the cancer. They are going to treat it; that is their focus. I’m 61 and vegan for about 6 years. Prior to that I had several periods as a vegetarian since college days, falling back into the Standard American Diet at times while a caregiver to my parents and grandmother. I used to eat mushrooms in my spaghetti sauce as a meat substitute but I stooped after watching a health program on Christian television where the PhD dietitian said she would not recommend eating them, especially not raw. My best friend’s husband co-wrote a book with Dr. Joel Fuhrman entitled”Fast Food Genocide.” Dr. Fuhrman states that mushrooms should be steamed at least 5 minutes to reduce the agaritine compounds. I eat mushrooms maybe once a year. Last year at Thanksgiving, I put a small can of mushrooms in my stuffing. Haven’t had any since. I would also like to point out the diet that God gave Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He stated that they are to eat of the “seed-bearing plants.” (Genesis 1:29) Mushrooms are not seed-bearing nor are they plants. They are spore-bearing and are a fungus, not a plant. Their man purpose is to break down organic matter outside such as soil and trees and other plants, but not inside the human body. In any event, I would just want to caution here by saying that the beneficial compounds in mushrooms should be obtained after they have been extracted by scientists in laboratories and processed into a medicinal compound which can be administered by a physician. Eating mushrooms is not a good way to obtain these beneficial compounds since eating also causes exposure to the toxic compounds in mushrooms which can cause health problems over time. Eating animal products or eating mushrooms causes an immune response in the white-blood cells because animal flesh and derivates (eggs, milk) and mushrooms are seen as “foreign invaders” by the body. This immune response does not occur when we eat plants.

[@isabellawagner3444]

🥇💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💝💝

[@mtnlayde01]

They look extra yummy on the salad 🥗👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@maryhelen1011]

This recipe looks so great! Yummy! Jess, I love your hair darling! I hope you're both doing well, sending love!

[@martha_s]

Oh my gosh, these look delicious! I will totally make these when I get home from vacation. Thanks for the helpful and specific blog post, as always!

[@kimrich6095]

I live on the Canadian prairies in the middle of nowhere. To order the Lions mane mushroom kit is $50. Frozen artichokes are nowhere to be found online, but canned ones are. Can I use canned artichokes?

[@KrocksInTheKitchen]

Yes, you absolutely can use canned artichokes. Just make sure that rinse them and cook out some of the residual liquids. 🙂

[@lindadykes4040]

Thanks and hugs and blessings for you and your family 💖 May Jesus protect you both under the shadow of his wings.

[@hollyhock4160]

Look so real and I am convinced they will be as yummy as you said!!😋

[@MaryDavidson911]

Hope you’re both doing well

[@juliejoseph2201]

I wonder if you could use jack fruit.

[@Earthling3996]

Um... why is Peef hung upside down on the kitchen utensils rack? 🤪 Plush bear abuse!!! 😣....................🐻😉

[@ilfaitfroid9739]

This looks fantastic! Excited to try it.

[@debbieguthrie2307]

Peef. These look delicious. Great video kids

[@debbieguthrie2307]

I also saw a recipe using zucchini to make the crab cakes.

[@gramnenew6196]

I love vegan dishes but I am not a full-timer. Lol. I was wondering if the lions mane would be good with a bbq sauce? I was thinking the mushrooms, seasoning, a light bbq sauce, caramelized onion with a slice of smoked Gouda maybe?

[@sherrijones3568]

I recommend you pour your barbecue sauce over something less delicately flavored and expensive. Soy curls or jackfruit would be good choices for that.

[@LiamsMom1]

Yummy!! Those mushrooms look awesome. Thanks for sharing this. 🙂🍄💛 Besides artichoke I bet jackfruit will work too . 🤔

[@maryisagpg]

I may have missed where you guys are at but lions main isn’t that costly. I can buy a decent piece for dinner for around $5 at Berkeley Bowl. Been recently getting into it and it’s definitely a good meatless option. While I’m not into crab cakes this did give me a good idea for making lobster tails. Thanks for the video and I hope Jessica has made a full recovery.

[@phillippinter7518]

That's definitely over a pound of lions main and a pound of genuine crab meat where I live is well over $20

[@karenphillips8481]

Wishing you both well with continued prayers.

[@CastledarkDweller27]

Love Jessica's rockin eating happy dance xox

[@retrotvfun795]

Love the recipe,don’t like the music x

[@leslieewing9088]

I love the name of this recipe - Not So Crabby! I HAVE to try this. I will probably use the artichoke hearts as I have some in my freezer right now. Thanks for posting.

[@brendaclement6753]

I’m very curious to see how these turn out with artichoke hearts. Please reply here how it works for you.