Classic Cream of Mushroom Soup
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Prep Time: 10-12 minutes of chopping
Cook Time: 30-40 Minutes
Serves 4-6
Perfect for cozy dinners or impressing your guests, this soup is a simple but elegant dish that brings out the depth of each ingredient.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 lbs. cremini or button mushrooms (or a combination) sliced thin
- 1 cooking onion, finely diced
- 1 large leeks (white part only), finely chopped
- 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 4 tbsp. flour
- 4-5 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup 35% cream
- 1-2 tsp. Sherry Wine Vinegar
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Oil & water, as needed
How to Cream of Mushroom Soup
1. Cook the Mushrooms
To a hot pot add a drizzle of oil, followed by the sliced mushrooms, sprinkling them with a little kosher salt to help release their moisture. Stir for a minute, then add ¼ cup of water to the pot. Now, let the mushrooms work their magic—allow them to cook undisturbed for about 6 minutes. They’ll turn a gorgeous deep brown as they caramelize and develop rich flavor. You may need to do this in batches, as you want to cook in about a single layer.
2. Sauté Leeks and Thyme
Once your mushrooms are beautifully browned, add the finely chopped onions, leeks, fresh thyme and garlic to the pot. Sprinkle with another pinch of salt and sauté until the leeks are softened but not browned—this will take just a few minutes.
3. Add Butter and Flour
Also known as a roux, now add butter, allow to melt then sprinkle flour over top and stir and cook for 1 minute.
4. Simmer with Chicken Stock
You're now making a Veloute: Pour in the chicken stock slowly, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and bring the soup to a simmer. Let everything cook together for about 20 minutes, allowing the mushrooms to soften further and the flavours to meld.
5. Stir in the Cream
For the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the cream. It will make the soup velvety smooth and rich. You can either leave the soup with the beautiful texture of sliced mushrooms or blend it coarsely for a creamier consistency—your call!
6. Finish with vinegar , taste and serve
Add in 1 tsp. of vinegar to start (this helps to balance the richness). Taste the soup and season with freshly ground black pepper and additional salt if needed. Serve it hot in warmed bowls. Pair with crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal!
Mushroom Soup Pairings
Looking to serve this soup as part of a bigger meal? Here are some great pairings:
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for dunking and soaking up every drop.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Add a little extra indulgence to your meal by making gourmet grilled cheese with Gruyere or brie cheese.
- Side Salad: Lighten things up with a simple green salad to balance out the richness of the soup.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of Cream of Mushroom Soup to warm you up on a chilly day. With layers of flavours from caramelized mushrooms, cream and vinegar, this soup is a perfect combination of cozy and gourmet. Trust us, your family and friends will be asking for seconds!
Happy cooking!