Short Description
This mushroom soup is rich, creamy, and earthy with deep umami flavor. I love making it during colder months for a comforting and satisfying meal that feels gourmet but comes together easily in one pot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I enjoy how versatile this soup is — it works as a cozy starter or a light dinner. The blend of mushrooms and cream creates a silky texture, and it’s a great way to use up fresh mushrooms. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and can be made vegetarian with vegetable broth.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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olive oil
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butter
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onion
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garlic
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fresh mushrooms (cremini, white, or mixed)
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thyme (fresh or dried)
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vegetable or chicken broth
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heavy cream (or half-and-half)
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salt and pepper
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fresh parsley (optional)
Directions
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I heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
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I sauté the onions until translucent, about 5 minutes.
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I add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
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I stir in the sliced mushrooms and thyme, cooking until the mushrooms are browned and their moisture has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
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I pour in the broth and bring it to a simmer, cooking for 15 minutes to blend the flavors.
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I use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or leave it chunky if I prefer).
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I stir in the cream, adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
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I serve it hot, garnished with fresh parsley if I have some on hand.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings. It takes 10 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook, so it’s ready in around 40 minutes.
Variations
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I sometimes use a mix of wild mushrooms like shiitake or oyster for a deeper flavor.
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For a vegan version, I swap the butter for more olive oil and use coconut milk or a plant-based cream.
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I occasionally add a splash of white wine with the mushrooms for extra depth.
Storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. If it thickens too much, I just add a little water or broth to loosen it up. It also freezes well for up to 2 months.
FAQs
How do I thicken mushroom soup without cream?
I like to blend part of the soup and return it to the pot, or stir in a little flour or cornstarch slurry during cooking.
Can I use canned mushrooms instead of fresh?
Fresh mushrooms give the best flavor, but in a pinch, I’ve used canned mushrooms (drained) and it still turns out tasty.
Is mushroom soup healthy?
Yes — especially if I use olive oil and low-fat cream. It’s packed with fiber, antioxidants, and protein from the mushrooms.
Can I freeze mushroom soup with cream?
I can, but I stir it well after thawing and reheat gently to prevent the cream from separating.
What’s the best mushroom variety for soup?
I often use cremini or a mix of cremini and white mushrooms. For more depth, I sometimes add a few dried porcini mushrooms soaked in warm water.
Conclusion
This mushroom soup is the kind of recipe I keep coming back to. It’s rich, comforting, and easy to customize. Whether I’m serving it with crusty bread for lunch or as a starter for a dinner party, it always hits the spot.
PrintMushroom Soup
This Mushroom Soup is rich, creamy, and packed with earthy, umami flavor. A one-pot comfort dish perfect for chilly days, it’s easy to make, naturally gluten-free, and customizable to be vegetarian or vegan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, European
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb fresh mushrooms (cremini, white, or a mix), sliced
- 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add sliced mushrooms and thyme. Cook until mushrooms are browned and moisture has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
- Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes to blend flavors.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or leave chunky if preferred).
- Stir in cream and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use olive oil instead of butter and plant-based cream or coconut milk.
- Add a splash of white wine while sautéing mushrooms for extra flavor.
- For deeper flavor, include wild or dried mushrooms (like soaked porcini).
- To thicken without cream, blend part of the soup or stir in a cornstarch slurry.
- Freezes well — stir thoroughly after thawing and reheat gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
