40+ Hedgehog Mushroom Recipes

The sweet and mild hedgehog mushroom is perfect for pairing with a variety of savory recipes from breakfast quiche to tortellini.

Hedgehog mushrooms are one of many edible wild mushrooms that grow across Europe, America and Canada and remain popular with mycologists and foragers alike.

The hedgehog mushroom (Hydnum sp.) is one of the easiest to identify, and having no toxic lookalikes makes it an ideal mushroom for beginning foragers.

Hedgehog mushrooms are called so due to the soft needle-like teeth under the cap which slightly resemble a hedgehog. Unlike other mushrooms with horizontal gills, hedgehog mushrooms have vertical hanging teeth, making them vastly easier to identify.

They’re lighter in color, with a pale peach to a darker orange tone. You’ll also see them referred to as sweet tooth mushroom, wood hedgehog or pied-du-mouton – sheep’s foot in French, as some varieties resemble a cloven sheep foot due to their off-center stems.

In flavor, these mushrooms are similar to chanterelles, with a mild, slightly sweet and nutty taste. There are a few varieties of hedgehog mushroom, including the classic hedgehog mushroom (Hydnum repandum), the belly button hedgehog (Hydnum umbilicatum) and the white hedgehog (Hydnum albidum), which as its name suggests is completely white. All varieties of hedgehog are edible though and possess only slight differences in flavor.

Choosing the Best Hedgehog Mushrooms

The fruiting season of the hedgehog mushroom is expansive, with mushrooms lasting into the winter in milder climates. In the Eastern United States, the picking season lasts from July to November, while milder Western parts may see mushrooms stretching into February.

When collecting hedgehog mushrooms, select mushrooms that are free of rot and try to remove as much dirt as possible before placing them in your bag or basket. Many foragers simply cut off the bottom of the stem which tends to harbor the most dirt.

Once home, you can remove the rest of the dirt with a clean, dry brush. It is not recommended to wash mushrooms as this can make them soggy. When preparing, some remove the spines from the underside of the mushroom with a spoon or knife. These are somewhat bitter tasting and can fall off in the cooking process leading to flaky sauces or textures disliked by chefs.

Others don’t mind them, so to each their own. All parts of the hedgehog mushroom are edible.

As with other mushrooms, don’t store hedgehog mushrooms in airtight containers – paper bags are the ideal means of storage as they absorb excess moisture while allowing mushrooms to breathe.

Hedgehog Mushroom Recipes

Hedgehog mushrooms possess a mild, sweet, nutty flavor. They pair well with other mild ingredients like cream, cheese, butter, parsley and garlic. You can toss mushrooms into soups and stews, pasta and savory tarts, or pair them with larger protein dishes.

For many chefs unable to locate expensive chanterelle mushrooms, hedgehog mushrooms are considered a feasible substitution. You can also include hedgehog mushrooms along with several other wild foraged varieties for a blend of savory flavors.

Like most foraged mushrooms, always cook hedgehogs before eating, as eating hedgehogs raw can lead to an upset stomach.

Hedgehog Mushroom Breakfast Recipes

You can start off your morning with hedgehog mushrooms on toast or cook them into an oaty breakfast bowl. Top with an egg, sliced avocado or cheese for a delicious morning meal. Hedgehog mushrooms can also be added to a number of egg dishes, from scrambled eggs to frittatas. Substitute hedgehog mushrooms for chanterelles in this savory scrambled eggs dish made with yellow onion, fresh chives and black pepper.

Hedgehog mushrooms can also be baked into quiches and savory tarts. Pair with sweet, mild onions or leeks, cheese and rosemary. Feeling adventurous? There’s even a recipe for hedgehog mushrooms sauteed with plantains, courtesy of the Ohio Mushroom Society.

Hedgehog Mushroom Soup and Salad Recipes

Hedgehog mushrooms make a delightful addition to soups and salads. Make a wild mushroom soup with hedgehog mushrooms, garlic, onion, vegetable stock, white wine and heavy cream, or try blending with hazelnuts. A dairy-free soup can also benefit from these foraged mushrooms – try one with wilted greens, white beans and tomatoes. Cream of mushroom soup and wild mushroom bisque are two more enjoyable options in which hedgehog mushrooms can be used.

For salads, you can try a simple sauteed salad of kale and hedgehog mushrooms in butter and olive oil. For more filling fare, try a wintry bean salad made with black beans, sauteed hedgehogs, toasted almonds and dried figs. There is also grain salad and mushroom salad with olives, parsley and lemon juice. Just remember to always cook hedgehogs before using them in salads – they should not be eaten raw.

Soup

Salad

Hedgehog Mushroom Pasta Recipes

Another wonderful means of working hedgehog mushrooms into your meals includes pasta. Hedgehog mushrooms can be cubed and made into a sauce with heavy cream to coat your favorite pasta, be it penne, tortellini or linguini. Hedgehog mushrooms can also be included in a pasta filling to stuff ravioli or manicotti.

Looking for a less dairy-based pasta option? Sautee hedgehog mushrooms in olive oil, white wine, garlic and parsley, and add al dente pasta to your pan once ready. Top with other veggies like sugar snap peas and carrots or add a dash of parmesan cheese.

Hedgehog Mushroom Savory Main Courses

There are plenty of dinner recipes that include hedgehog mushrooms as this mild, sweet mushroom pairs well with a variety of fish, poultry and other proteins. Serve sauteed hedgehog mushrooms with poached halibut over a bed of kale greens or with salmon and Brussels sprouts. You can include hedgehog mushrooms along with other forged mushrooms in stews and pot pies.

Hedgehog mushrooms also pair exceptionally well with gamey faire like quail and venison, but work with simpler chicken and lamb dishes as well. Pan-fry mushrooms in butter or oil and use to top meats or make into a wild mushroom sauce to coat chops, steaks and meatloaf.

Vegetarian Hedgehog Mushroom Recipes

Mushrooms have a robust enough flavor to hold down a dish on their own, so many vegetarian dinners make good use of this foraged treat as well. Squash slabs and hedgehog mushrooms are a dreamy pairing and make for a meal of their own. Hedgehog mushrooms with fingerling potatoes are a filling side dish as are sauteed spinach with hedgehogs.

Try including hedgehog mushrooms in risotto and polenta recipes topped with parmesan or aged provolone. Cold days that call for stews can include a mix of wild mushrooms for a hearty and cozy meal. Swap hedgehog mushrooms for chanterelles in a savory mushroom bread pudding for a palatable side dish. You can even include hedgehog mushrooms in vegetarian pizza.

Hedgehog Mushroom Snack Recipes

Hedgehog mushrooms can be incorporated into a number of savory and snackable dishes. Try including these mushrooms in a wild mushroom pate or cheesy baked mushroom dip. Serve with crostini, crackers and charcuterie. Hedgehog mushrooms can also be mixed into a savory relish to top meats and sandwiches.

On the topic of sandwiches, try substituting hedgehog mushrooms for chanterelles in this melty vegetarian mushroom sandwich – a velvety, gooey treat for sure. For appetizers, consider hedgehog mushroom puffs or wild mushrooms with pancetta for a small and savory meal.

Cultured & Fermented Hedgehog Mushroom Recipes

You won’t find a vast amount of fermented recipes which include hedgehog mushrooms, but there are at least two that exist. A popular choice includes pickling hedgehog mushrooms in brine. The recipe provided below is a savory olive oil pickle with garlic, black peppercorn, whole mustard seeds and bay leaves. These pickled mushrooms can be stored for up to six months and enjoyed over crusty bread, sourdough toast or pasta.

I’ve also located a recipe for mushroom-cooking mead which can be made with any edible mushroom, honey, garlic, raisins and wild yeast. This savory cooking mead can be substituted for cooking wine in several recipes.

Preserving Hedgehog Mushrooms

Sometimes as a result of climate and environment, you end up with quite the bounty of mushrooms. Although hedgehog mushrooms have a pretty long shelf life, keeping well in the refrigerator for two to three weeks, sometimes longer storage solutions are needed.

The hedgehog mushroom isn’t one that is recommended for drying since they don’t rehydrate well. The texture often ends up tough and rubbery which isn’t ideal for cooking. The most recommended course of preservation is to cook hedgehog mushrooms and freeze them in small easily thawable batches. You can also try cooking mushrooms and storing them in olive oil in addition to pickling.