Ingredients
Scale
Mushrooms & Aromatics
- 2 cups fresh button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Base & Thickener
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Dairy & Seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Mushrooms: Clean and slice the fresh mushrooms evenly to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture.
- Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until golden brown and moisture has evaporated.
- Make the Roux: Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the mushroom mixture and stir well to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste and to thicken the base without clumps.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable broth, breaking up any lumps. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes until flavors meld and soup thickens.
- Stir in Cream and Seasonings: Lower heat and add heavy cream or milk. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs such as thyme or parsley. Heat through carefully without boiling to avoid curdling.
- Blend (Optional) and Serve: For a smooth soup, use an immersion blender to puree part or all of the soup in the pot. Otherwise, serve chunky for a rustic texture. Garnish as desired and enjoy.
Notes
- Use fresh mushrooms for best flavor and texture instead of canned or dried.
- Sauté mushrooms in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding and steaming.
- Add broth gradually when mixing with flour to avoid lumps.
- Cook onions and garlic slowly to build a flavorful base.
- Adjust salt and pepper at the end for balanced seasoning.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and cream with coconut milk or almond cream.
- Customize with different mushrooms, herbs, spices, or proteins like chicken or bacon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour or cornstarch as thickener)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Cream of Mushroom Soup, quick soup recipe, creamy mushroom soup, easy mushroom soup, comfort food