Crab cakes are off the menu in a kosher kitchen, but king oyster mushrooms make a surprisingly good substitute. The meaty stems are roasted and shredded into flaky pieces, then mixed with panko, egg, mayonnaise, chives, lemon, Old Bay and a little kelp powder for an ocean-like flavor, and pan-fried until golden.
The Mushroom Technique
Use the stems of king oyster mushrooms, which are dense and hold together well; save the caps for another dish. Roasting them first drives off moisture, and shredding them with a fork creates flaky, crab-like strands. Chill the mixture before shaping so the cakes hold together in the pan.
Kosher Notes
Crab and all other shellfish aren’t kosher, which is why this dish uses mushrooms. These cakes are pareve. Use mayonnaise and seasonings with a reliable hechsher. If you can’t find kelp powder, add a pinch more salt and a squeeze of lemon.
Make-Ahead
The mixture can be made a day ahead. Leftover cakes keep for 2 days; reheat them in a skillet over medium heat to keep them crisp.

Ingredients
What I use for this recipe
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Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Trim and clean the king oyster mushroom stems, removing any tough bottom portions. Cut stems into 3-inch pieces and place on a baking sheet.
- Roast mushrooms for 15-18 minutes until they're tender and slightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Using a fork, shred the roasted mushroom stems into flaky, crab-like pieces. You want irregular, chunky shreds rather than fine pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded mushrooms with ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, beaten egg, mayonnaise, chives, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, kelp powder (if using), smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently until everything is well combined and the mixture holds together when pressed. If it seems too wet, add a bit more panko. If too dry, add another tablespoon of mayonnaise.
- Form the mixture into 8 small patties, about ½ cup each. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Place remaining ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs on a plate. Gently coat each chilled patty with breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, carefully add 4 patties to the pan, leaving space between each.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the bottom. Flip carefully and cook another 3-4 minutes until second side is golden. Repeat with remaining patties.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
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