Rich Earthy Mushroom Soup (Printer Friendly)

Velvety mushroom soup with mixed varieties, cream, and fresh herbs. Ready in 45 minutes for ultimate comfort.

# What You 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 - ½ cup heavy cream
10 - 2 tablespoons dry sherry, optional

→ Herbs & Seasonings

11 - ½ 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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until the butter is fully melted and begins to foam.
02 - Add the onions, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent.
03 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
04 - Stir in the mushrooms and thyme. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned and their released moisture has evaporated.
05 - Pour in the sherry if using. Allow it to simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to reduce slightly and cook off alcohol.
06 - Add the vegetable broth and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to develop flavor.
07 - Remove the bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, purée part or all of the soup to achieve your desired consistency, from chunky to silky smooth.
08 - Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through gently without allowing the mixture to boil.
09 - Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each portion with fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd think, leaving you time to actually sit and enjoy a bowl while it's still steaming.
  • The umami depth tastes like you spent hours nursing it, but the secret is just letting those mushrooms do the browning work.
  • One pot, minimal fuss, and it somehow feels fancy enough to serve to people without pretending you slaved away.
02 -
  • Don't skip the browning step on the mushrooms—rushing past it means you lose the caramelization that makes this soup taste like it took all day.
  • Cream can break if your soup is boiling when you add it, so keep the heat gentle at the end or add the cream slowly while stirring to help it incorporate smoothly.
03 -
  • Toast your thyme and bay leaf in the hot oil for a few seconds before adding vegetables—this small step wakes up the dried herbs and makes them taste fresher.
  • If your mushrooms release a lot of liquid as they cook, don't panic; let them keep cooking uncovered and that liquid will evaporate, concentrating the flavor even more.
Go Back