Easy Reishi Mushroom Recipes (Drinks, Tinctures & Tips)

How to prepare fresh reishis

Cleaning and cutting – Rinse the mushrooms thoroughly under cold water to remove dirt or debris. Pat them dry and slice them into thin pieces using a knife. Fresh reishis have a cork-like texture, making them tougher than typical mushrooms. Thin slices make it easier to use them in recipes.

How to prepare dried reishis 

Rehydration – If you have dried reishis, you can soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes to rehydrate. 

Grinding – To make reishi powder, use a high-speed blender or grinder. Powdered reishi are great for teas, tinctures, or to add to medicinal mushroom blends.

Whole reishi mushrooms

Texture – Whole reishi mushrooms have a bitter taste and a cork-like texture that is tough and woody. Even after extended boiling or simmering, they are still dense and fibrous, which is why they are typically strained out of teas, soups, or broths.

Usage – Whole reishis are good for recipes where the mushrooms will be simmered or steeped for a long time to extract their medicinal compounds (like in teas or broths). They are also easier to remove from the recipe because they remain intact.

Powdered Reishi Mushrooms

Texture – Reishi in powdered form is finely ground, which makes it easier to mix them into recipes like teas, lattes, or smoothies.

Usage – Powdered reishi are versatile and work well sprinkled into soups, rice bowls, and other mushroom-based dishes.  

Benefits of reishis

Support immune health– Reishis contain beta-glucans, triterpenoids, polysaccharides, which help to modulate the immune system.

Stress support – Reishis are adaptogens, which help the body resist stress and improve cognitive function and energy levels.

Antioxidant properties – Reishis are rich in antioxidants and help combat oxidative stress and inflammation.

Support liver health – When used in small amounts, studies suggest reishis can help protect the liver from damage and improve its overall function.

Heart health – More studies are needed, but reishis may help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Adaptogenic properties – Reishis are a great mushroom to help reduce stress throughout the whole body and boost your overall health.

Here are some of my favorite recipes that you can make using both fresh mushrooms and dried mushrooms.

5 Simple Reishi Mushroom Recipes

Reishi Tea Recipe

Reishi tea is a nice hot beverage for the winter and is a simple way to consume the medicinal properties of the mushrooms!

Ingredients

• 1-2 slices of dried mushrooms or 1 tablespoon of reishi powder
• 4 cups of water
• Optional: lemon juice, maple syrup, or honey for flavour

Instructions

1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Add the reishis and reduce the heat to a simmer. If you’re using mushroom powder, I recommend using a tea bag to make straining off the tea faster. Let it simmer for 30-60 minutes to extract the beneficial compounds from the mushrooms.
3. Strain the reishi extract and discard the mushroom pieces.
4. Add lemon juice or maple syrup to taste.

Reishi Mushroom Hot Chocolate

I love this one for adding some extract nourishment to a homemade hot chocolate. And like reishi mushroom tea, this is a good one for the colder months.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of reishi powder
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup or raw honey
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk the reishi powder, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract into the milk mixture until smooth.
3. Pour into a mug and enjoy!

Reishi Mushroom Soup

This is a nourishing hot soup that is another good recipe for the fall and wintertime. 

Ingredients

• 2 slices of dried reishi mushrooms
• 1 cup of sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms (or rehydrated dried shiitakes)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until they are fragrant.
2. Add the shiitake mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes.
3. Add in the reishi and broth and bring everything to a boil. Then turn the heat to a simmer and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
4. Strain out the reishi pieces and serve hot. 

Reishi Mushroom Tincture

For a simple and more potent way to access the medicinal properties of reishis, you can make a dual extraction tincture with the mushroom. This method uses both a hot water extraction and an alcohol extraction which helps to ensure your final tincture has the most amount of beneficial compounds. Here’s how to make it: Easy reishi tincture guide (for beginners).

Reishi Latte with Adaptogenic Properties

This is a great recipe for adding adaptogens to your morning or afternoon hot drink!

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon reishi powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• Optional: A pinch of turmeric root for extra anti-inflammatory benefits

Instructions

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan. Whisk in the reishi powder, cinnamon, and optional turmeric.
2. The easiest way to froth the mixture is to use a handheld frother or blender.
3. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup and enjoy.

Reishi Mushroom Grain Bowl

This is a hearty grain bowl featuring whole mushrooms and nourishing ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice
• 1/2 cup sauteed oyster mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon reishi powder
• 1 cup steamed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, etc.)
• Drizzle of olive oil or tahini
• Sprinkle of salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare your grains and vegetables.
2. Mix the reishi powder into the olive oil or tahini for a flavourful dressing.
3. Put everything together and enjoy.