Rich Earthy Mushroom Soup (Printable Version)

Rich, creamy soup with mixed mushrooms, herbs, and cream. Perfect comfort food ready in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables & Mushrooms

01 - 1 lb mixed fresh mushrooms (cremini, button, shiitake), cleaned and sliced
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced

→ Dairy & Liquids

06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 4 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 2 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)

→ Herbs & Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - In a large pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the mushrooms and thyme. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned and their moisture has evaporated.
03 - Pour in the sherry if using. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly.
04 - Add the vegetable broth and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
05 - Remove the bay leaf. For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to purée part or all of the soup to your preferred consistency.
06 - Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. Heat through without boiling.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours on it, but comes together faster than you'd expect.
  • The soup is naturally rich and satisfying without feeling heavy—a real comfort without the regret.
  • You can use whatever mushrooms you find, so it's endlessly forgiving and adaptable to what's in your kitchen.
02 -
  • If you blend the soup when it's too hot, the cream can separate and look broken—let it cool for just a minute first, or blend in batches.
  • Mushrooms release water as they cook, and this water is liquid gold—don't drain it away like you might with other vegetables.
03 -
  • The longer this soup sits, the better it tastes—make it a day ahead and reheat gently, and you'll understand why.
  • Brown mushrooms slowly and resist the urge to stir constantly; patience with mushrooms is what separates good soup from great soup.
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