Foraging Beefsteak Fungus Mushrooms

Beefsteak Fungus Growing on an Oak tree

Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica is a unique shelf mushroom that looks similar to raw meat. These mushroom is also known as ox tongue fungus, beefsteak polypore and tongue mushroom. Beefsteak Fungus strangely mimics animal products like other edible mushrooms such as Chicken of the Woods and Lobster Mushrooms. Beefsteak Fungus mushrooms have a inner texture that looks similar to a skirt steak, but they have a more citric, acidic taste.

How to Identify Beefsteak Fungus

Young Beefsteak Mushroom

Beefsteak fungus color can range from pinkish red to blood red to reddish brown. Beefsteak Fungus is a kidney shaped polypore that is soft to the touch. The underside of the mushroom has white pores that contrast with the deep red color on the top. The pores turn reddish brown as they age. The beefsteak mushrooms are often sticky and gelatinous and when you squeeze them it can ooze a dull red juice.

Where can Beefsteak Mushroom be found?

Healthy new growth of Beefsteak Fungus

Beefsteak Steak Mushroom is fairly common in the United Kingdom and North America, but it can also be found in Australia, Europe, North Africa and South Africa. This mushroom grows mostly on chestnut and oak trees and tree trunks. Its early stages it'll look like a pink tongue coming out of the tree, as it matures it'll fan out into this kidney shape and turn a deep red color. I usually find this mushroom in Late Summer; as early as July and as late as September in North America.

How Does Beefsteak Fungus Taste?

The inside of Beefsteak Fungus

This Beefsteak has an acidic taste with a citric sour flavor. The texture is similar to meat when you cut into this and look at the inner flesh of the mushroom it even looks like raw meat. It has creamy white marbling that looks a lot like beef. Unlike other mushroom species, Fistulina hepatica is one of the few wild mushrooms that can be eaten raw. I prefer it cooked especially with steak. It doesn't taste exactly like beef, but it is a good meat substitute.

Beefsteak Fungus Steak and Egg Recipe

Beefsteak Fungus Cooked with Chanterelle Mushrooms

Beefsteak Fungus "Steak" and Egg Sandwich is one of my favorite ways to cook this fungi. I often add bacon as well for a delicious breakfast sandwich. Beefsteak mushrooms also pair well with any meat especially organ meats. They are very sponge-like and can soak up a lot of flavors that are cooked in.