If you’re a mushroom lover like me, you’re going to absolutely adore this Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe. It’s rich, velvety, and packs a depth of flavor that feels fancy but is so simple to make on a cozy weeknight. I first experimented with this recipe when I wanted a dairy-free version that didn’t compromise on creaminess, and I swear, it quickly became a family favorite. Stick around—I’ll share all my favorite tricks to help you nail it every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday kitchen staples with no fancy extras.
- Comfort Food at Its Best: So creamy and hearty, it’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
- Dairy-Free Option: Creamy without cream, perfect if you’re avoiding dairy or want something lighter.
- Flexibility: Easily customize with your favorite mushrooms or spices to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe is all about balance—earthy mushrooms, aromatic onions and garlic, plus that little secret kick from white wine and soy sauce. Each ingredient plays a role in making the soup deeply flavorful and satisfying.
- Olive oil: Adds a fruity base note and helps sauté the veggies without overpowering.
- Butter: I love how it adds richness and helps caramelize the onions beautifully.
- Onion: Chopped finely, it gives a mild sweetness that softens the earthiness of mushrooms.
- Garlic: Just a few cloves, but it brings that classic warm savory aroma you want in soup.
- Mushrooms: White button work great, but don’t hesitate to experiment with cremini or shiitake for deeper flavor.
- Salt and pepper: To season the soup perfectly, be generous but taste as you go.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Just a pinch wakes up the flavors without making it spicy.
- Flour: Coats the mushrooms for thickening and gives the soup its silky texture.
- Dry white wine: Adds brightness and complexity—totally worth including if you have it on hand.
- Vegetable or chicken broth: The liquid base—low sodium means you control the saltiness better.
- Soy sauce: A secret umami booster that deepens flavor without tasting like soy sauce.
- Fresh thyme: The herbaceous finishing touch that pairs wonderfully with mushrooms.
Variations
I love to tweak this Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. It’s very forgiving and you can make it your own with minimal effort!
- Make it creamier: When I’m craving something ultra-luxurious, I stir in half a cup of heavy cream at the end for a traditional cream-of-mushroom soup vibe.
- Gluten-free version: I swap the flour for cornstarch or arrowroot powder and it thickens up just as nicely without any gluten.
- Different mushrooms: My personal favorite variation is using a mix of shiitake and cremini mushrooms—it adds layers of flavor and a meatier texture that my family goes crazy for.
- Spicy kick: Adding extra cayenne or a dash of smoked paprika gives the soup a gentle heat that’s unexpected but delicious.
How to Make Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté your aromatics and mushrooms
Start by melting olive oil and butter together in a large pot over medium heat—this combo gives you a nicely balanced fat base. Toss in your chopped onions and cook them for about 5 minutes until they soften and become slightly translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for just 30 seconds; you want that garlicky aroma without it burning. Next, add your sliced mushrooms along with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne if you’re using it. Stir everything and let it cook for around 10 minutes, until the mushrooms have released their moisture and started to brown.
Step 2: Thicken and deglaze
Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well to coat everything evenly—that’s your thickening agent kicking in. Pour in the white wine and use your spoon to scrape up any bits stuck to the pot; that’s flavor gold right there. Let it simmer for a minute until the wine cooks down a bit.
Step 3: Add broth, soy sauce, and thyme, then simmer
Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, add soy sauce and fresh thyme, then bring everything to a boil. As soon as it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep flavors melding and prevent anything from sticking.
Step 4: Blend and finish
After simmering, carefully scoop out about 2 cups of the soup and transfer it to a blender or mini food processor. Pulse until smooth and pour it back into the pot, stirring well to create that signature creamy texture without any cream added. This trick keeps the soup satisfying and silky while being a bit lighter.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
- Use fresh thyme: Fresh herbs lift the flavor way more than dried, especially thyme in mushroom soup.
- Don’t skip the white wine: It adds subtle acidity and complexity; if you don’t have wine, a splash of lemon juice works in a pinch.
- Blend only part of the soup: Pureeing half keeps some mushroom texture, making the soup feel homemade and cozy.
- Salt gradually: Adjust seasoning at the end once the broth reduces so your soup isn’t too salty.
How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish my creamy mushroom soup with a swirl of good-quality extra virgin olive oil or a drizzle of truffle oil for that extra touch of indulgence. Fresh chopped parsley or chives sprinkled on top add a lovely pop of color and freshness, too. Sometimes I crumble a few crispy croutons or sprinkle grated Parmesan to keep things interesting.
Side Dishes
This soup goes beautifully with a warm crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich on the side—comfort food perfection! For a lighter option, a simple mixed greens salad with a tangy vinaigrette pairs nicely too.
Creative Ways to Present
When I serve this at dinner parties, I love pouring the soup into small espresso cups as an appetizer or placing it in hollowed-out mini sourdough loaf bowls. It looks fancy but is super easy and everyone always asks for the recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover creamy mushroom soup keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to 4 days. I store mine in an airtight container and make sure to cool it before refrigerating to keep it fresh and flavorful.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this soup several times with great results. Just cool completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. When thawed, the texture holds up nicely thanks to the pureed portion.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the soup thickened too much in the fridge or freezer, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it right before serving.
FAQs
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Can I use any type of mushrooms for this creamy mushroom soup recipe?
Absolutely! While white button mushrooms are classic and budget-friendly, using a mix like cremini, shiitake, or even portobello can add wonderful depth and texture to your soup. Just make sure to clean them well and slice evenly for uniform cooking.
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Is this soup recipe dairy-free?
Yes, this version is naturally dairy-free since it uses olive oil and butter instead of cream. If you want it creamier, you can add heavy cream or a dairy substitute, but I find this method completely satisfying and lighter.
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How do I thicken the soup without flour?
You can replace the flour with gluten-free options like cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca starch. Just make a slurry with cold water before adding it to the hot soup to prevent lumps. This keeps it gluten-free and just as creamy.
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Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Definitely! It actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded. You can refrigerate it for up to four days or freeze it for a few months. Just be sure to reheat gently to keep the texture smooth.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe comes together with simple ingredients to create something comforting and elegant. It’s such a rewarding recipe because it feels like a treat but is totally accessible. Whether you’re looking for a cozy dinner or an impressive starter for friends, give it a try—I promise you’ll want to make it again and again!
Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This Creamy Mushroom Soup is a comforting and flavorful dairy-free recipe made by sautéing mushrooms, onions, and garlic, then simmering them with vegetable broth, white wine, and fresh thyme. It is thickened with flour and partially pureed for a smooth yet rustic texture. A healthy and delicious alternative to traditional cream-based soups.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 24 ounces mushrooms, cleaned and sliced 1/2 inch thick (white button mushrooms recommended)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 pinches of cayenne pepper (optional)
Thickening and Flavor Enhancers
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten free flour for GF option)
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth (or low sodium chicken broth)
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted and combined. Add the chopped onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot along with salt, pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir well and sauté for 10 minutes until the mushrooms release their juices and begin to brown.
- Add Flour to Thicken: Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. This will help thicken the soup as it cooks.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and mix well, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pot to incorporate the deep flavors.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the broth, add the soy sauce and fresh thyme. Stir to combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and allow flavors to meld.
- Blend for Creaminess: Carefully transfer about 2 cups of the soup to a blender or mini food processor and puree until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot and stir well to combine, maintaining some texture in the remaining soup.
Notes
- For a traditional rich cream of mushroom soup, add 1/2 to 1 cup heavy cream at the end of cooking.
- White button mushrooms work best but other mushrooms can be used as well.
- Low sodium chicken broth was used in the recipe; vegetable broth works for a vegetarian option.
- To make this soup gluten free, substitute the flour with gluten free flour or create a slurry using tapioca starch, corn starch, or arrowroot powder.
- This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
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