There’s something incredibly comforting about a rich, velvety bowl of mushroom soup, especially when it’s made from scratch. This Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe is one of those cozy classics that’s surprisingly easy to pull off but feels truly special every time you serve it.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe isn’t just any soup—it’s layered with deep, caramelized mushroom flavor and a silky blend of textures that make it so satisfying. I’ve made plenty of mushroom soups over the years, and this one strikes the perfect balance of freshness and creaminess without feeling heavy.
- Deep flavor: Caramelizing the mushrooms brings out an intense earthiness that makes every spoonful memorable.
- Perfect texture: A blend of pureed vegetables with tender sliced mushrooms adds creaminess and bite.
- Simple ingredients: You might already have everything in your kitchen for an easy midweek meal.
- Flexible and customizable: Easy to tweak for dairy-free, vegetarian, or extra-spicy versions.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe shines thanks to fresh, earthy mushrooms paired with a simple mirepoix base of carrots, celery, and onion for subtle sweetness and balance. Butter and olive oil create the perfect fat combo to sauté and caramelize, while spices and a touch of beef bouillon base add depth. The final swirl of Greek yogurt or sour cream keeps the soup creamy but bright.
- Cremini mushrooms: These have a richer flavor than white button mushrooms, perfect for caramelizing and mashing into the soup.
- Carrots, celery, and onion: Classic mirepoix that adds sweetness and aromatic background notes.
- Garlic: Gives just the right hint of pungency without overpowering the mushrooms.
- Butter and olive oil: The combination helps with browning and adds a silky mouthfeel.
- Worcestershire sauce: A secret weapon for umami enhancement that deepens the mushroom flavor.
- Fresh thyme: Earthy and herbal tones that complement mushrooms beautifully.
- Spices like paprika, dill, oregano, and red pepper flakes: Create warmth and complexity.
- Flour: For thickening the soup into a luscious, creamy consistency.
- Beef bouillon base: Adds a savory depth that lifts the mushroom broth without needing actual beef.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: Keeps the soup flavorful yet light and balanced.
- Milk and Greek yogurt or sour cream: Added at the end for creaminess and a gentle tang.
- Balsamic vinegar and lemon juice: A splash of acid to brighten and balance the richness.
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish: Adds a fresh finish and a pop of color.
Make It Your Way
What I love most about this Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your taste or pantry. Whether you’re vegan, craving a smoky twist, or want to load it up with more herbs, this recipe adapts beautifully.
- Dairy-free variation: Swap milk and yogurt for coconut milk or cashew cream for a luscious vegan alternative I've tried with great results.
- Spicier version: I sometimes add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when I want a little kick.
- Mushroom mix: Feel free to mix in shiitake, portobello, or oyster mushrooms if you like a variety of textures and flavors.
- Thickness: For a thicker soup, you can add a bit more flour or reduce the broth a little before pureeing.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Mushrooms and Mirepoix
I start by slicing about one-third of the mushrooms thinly—these will caramelize beautifully. The rest get roughly chopped to blend into the soup. For the mirepoix, I toss the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic into my food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Don’t stress if it’s uneven; it all gets pureed later.
Step 2: Caramelize the Sliced Mushrooms
Over medium-high heat, I melt 2 tablespoons of butter with olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot, then spread the sliced mushrooms out evenly so they brown nicely without steaming. Patience here is key: I let them brown undisturbed for a few minutes before flipping. Once golden on both sides, I stir in Worcestershire sauce for a flavor boost, then remove the mushrooms to a bowl.
Step 3: Sauté the Chopped Mushrooms and Mirepoix
Next, I reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining butter and olive oil. In go the chopped mushrooms plus the vegetable mix. I let these soften gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. They won’t brown like before, but you want the veggies tender and fragrant.
Step 4: Make the Roux and Build the Broth
Sprinkle the flour and spices over everything and cook for a minute, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Then add the beef bouillon base and chicken broth, scraping the browned bits off the pot’s bottom—those bits pack amazing flavor. Bring it to a boil, then simmer gently, uncovered, for 15 minutes to let flavors meld.
Step 5: Blend Until Silky Smooth
I ladle half the soup into a blender, making sure not to fill past a third capacity, then blend carefully with the lid vented and covered loosely to let steam escape (safety first!). The result is a perfectly smooth base, which I return to the pot and repeat with the second half.
Step 6: Stir in Milk, Yogurt, and Finish
With the heat on low, I whisk in the milk and the room-temperature Greek yogurt (or sour cream if that’s your pick). Then the caramelized sliced mushrooms go back in to warm through. Finally, I splash in balsamic vinegar and lemon juice for brightness, adjust salt to taste, and garnish with fresh parsley or chives before serving.
Top Tip
I’ve made mushroom soups plenty of times but learned these little tips really make a difference between an okay soup and an unforgettable one.
- Caramelize Those Mushrooms: Patience here is everything — letting sliced mushrooms brown undisturbed develops that unbeatable deep flavor.
- Gradual Pureeing: Don’t rush blending; do it in small batches with the lid vented so hot soup doesn’t explode out of the blender.
- Use Room-Temp Dairy: Adding yogurt or sour cream straight from the fridge can cause curdling, so let it sit out for a bit before stirring in.
- Finish with Acid: A splash of balsamic vinegar and lemon juice brightens the soup and balances the richness perfectly.
How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top this soup with a handful of fresh chopped parsley or snipped chives—they add freshness and a little color pop. Sometimes I drizzle a swirl of good quality olive oil or a little extra Greek yogurt if I’m feeling indulgent.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or homemade garlic toast. A simple green salad with vinaigrette balances the richness, and I often serve it alongside warm, cheesy crostinis for guests.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I love serving this soup in small ramekins or mini hollowed-out bread bowls. Garnishing with a mushroom sauté or crispy shallots adds texture and makes it feel restaurant-worthy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover soup keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating it gently on the stove over low heat to avoid breaking the creaminess.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this soup successfully, but I skip adding the yogurt until after thawing and reheating to keep the texture fresh. Freeze in portion-sized containers and thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
When reheating, stir occasionally over low heat and add a splash of milk or broth if it feels too thick. Avoid microwaving to preserve that silky, creamy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! To keep things vegetarian, simply substitute the beef bouillon base and chicken broth with vegetable broth and use vegetarian Worcestershire sauce or omit it. The soup will still taste rich and satisfying.
Cremini mushrooms are my go-to as they offer great flavor and texture. However, you can mix in shiitake, button, portobello, or oyster mushrooms for an even deeper mushroom profile.
Make sure to add the dairy (Greek yogurt or sour cream) at room temperature and stir gently on low heat to avoid curdling. Also, blend the soup well for smoothness, and don’t boil after adding dairy.
Yes! This soup actually tastes even better the next day. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze in portions. Just reheat gently, and add fresh dairy once warm if freezing was involved.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe has become a go-to comfort food for me, especially on chilly days when I want something both cozy and elegant. I love sharing it with friends because it feels special but never complicated. I can’t wait for you to try it yourself—you’ll enjoy the rich flavors and smooth textures as much as I do!
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Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This creamy and flavorful mushroom soup recipe features caramelized cremini mushrooms, a mirepoix base, and a smooth pureed texture enriched with milk and Greek yogurt. Perfect as a comforting appetizer or light main, it combines earthy mushrooms, fresh herbs, and a hint of tangy balsamic and lemon for depth.
Ingredients
Mushrooms
- 1½ lbs. cremini mushrooms, divided
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, roughly chopped to fit food processor
- 3 stalks celery, roughly chopped to fit food processor
- 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped to fit food processor
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
Fats & Oils
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, minced (or heaping ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon – base, granulated, or crushed cubes
Liquids
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Sour Cream: Measure ½ cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt and let it rest at room temperature until needed to ensure smooth blending.
- Slice Mushrooms: Slice one-third of the mushrooms (8 oz.) into ⅛ to ¼-inch thick slices. Chop the remaining two-thirds (16 oz.) roughly for later use.
- Chop Mirepoix: Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic to a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. If no processor is available, finely chop by hand.
- Caramelize Mushrooms: In a large Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, stir to coat, and spread them evenly. Let cook undisturbed until golden brown on the bottom, then flip and repeat. Add Worcestershire sauce and freshly cracked salt, stir, then transfer mushrooms to a bowl without wiping the pot.
- Sauté Chopped Mushrooms and Mirepoix: Reduce heat to medium and melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in the Dutch oven. Add chopped mushrooms and chopped vegetables. Sauté for at least 10 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Make Roux and Add Broth: Stir in flour and spices (thyme, paprika, dill, pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes) and cook for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste. Add beef bouillon and chicken broth while stirring, scraping any browned bits from the pot bottom.
- Simmer Soup: Bring to a boil with the lid on, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer uncovered. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Puree Soup: In two batches, carefully transfer half the soup with vegetables and liquid into a blender, filling no more than one-third full. Leave the blender cap slightly open and cover with a towel to allow steam to escape. Blend until very smooth. Return pureed soup to the pot and repeat with the remaining soup.
- Add Dairy and Sliced Mushrooms: Stir in milk until combined, then incorporate sour cream or yogurt until smooth. Add the reserved sliced mushrooms and cook over low heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and adjust salt to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Using room temperature sour cream or yogurt prevents curdling when added to hot soup.
- If you don't have Worcestershire sauce, a splash of soy sauce can add umami.
- Be careful when blending hot soup; always vent the blender lid to avoid pressure buildup.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth and omit Worcestershire sauce or use a vegetarian alternative.
- Add an extra splash of lemon juice before serving for brightness if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg

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