Mushroom Soup

Mushroom Soup
Craig Lee for The New York Times
Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(2,102)
Comments
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If the word “mushroom” conjures for you white buttons in little supermarket tubs, you’re not alone. But there is a big world of mushrooms out there, and you don’t have to be a forager to live in it. Wild mushrooms can be found in spring, summer and fall, but farmed mushrooms, grown mostly in the dark, are always around and a little easier to find than the ones hiding in the woods. So are dried mushrooms, which may be domesticated or truly wild and which are among the most flavorful ingredients you can keep in your pantry. This lovely soup is made with a combination of dried and fresh. It's delightfully simple – it comes together in about a half hour – which allows the complex flavors of the mushrooms to really shine through.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 2 to 3ounces dried mushrooms (like cremini, morel; whatever you like)
  • ½stick butter
  • 1sprig fresh thyme or rosemary
  • 1large yellow onion or 3 or 4 shallots, chopped
  • 1tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1pound fresh mushrooms like shiitake or button, sliced (a variety is nice)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • cup sherry or Madeira
  • 5cups chicken stock, mushroom-soaking liquid or a combination
  • 1cup cream (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

448 calories; 34 grams fat; 21 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 32 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 9 grams protein; 796 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Soak the dried mushrooms in 5 cups very hot water until soft, anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. When they are tender, remove mushrooms from the soaking liquid with a slotted spoon, reserving the liquid; slice or chop if the pieces are large.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, put the butter in a large pot that can later be covered over medium heat. When it melts, add the herb, onions and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to medium high, and add the fresh mushrooms; add the soaked mushrooms when they’re ready. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until the mushrooms have given off their liquid and begun to brown, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. Step 3

    Add the sherry or Madeira to the pot and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom as the liquor starts to bubble. Add the stock or soaking liquid and bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a steady simmer and cook, covered, until flavors have melded, about 15 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Discard the herb. Reduce the heat to low, and purée the liquid with a hand-held mixer to desired consistency. (I like it half-puréed.) Add the cream if you’re using it; stir to combine and let simmer for a few minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning; garnish with parsley and serve.

Ratings

4 out of 5
2,102 user ratings
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Comments

Instead of using hot water, heat up the chicken stock/ broth to soak the mushrooms. Also, use your scissors to cut up the dried mushrooms before you soak them. Much easier than trying to chop soft mushrooms that can still be a little difficult to cut. If you don't have Sherry or Madeira, use a thick balsamic vinegar. It will bring a lot of depth to the flavor.

Excellent! Lots of great umami flavours! A squeeze of lemon juice at the end to brighten, and done!

This soup is delicious; full of earthy mushroom taste and tastes great even without the cream. Using a variety of mushrooms as mentioned yields a depth of flavor that most mushroom soups lack.

Satisfied with the taste, but we prefer a thicker soup.

Had maitake sitting around, so decided it was time for soup! Was lazy, didn't precook the mushrooms, just threw it in w/everything else. Went with thyme and sherry (nice call on the sherry, Mark!). The base was homemade stock from a whole chicken I roasted too long — a serendipity, the best broth I've ever made. Instead of cream, added 3 fistfuls of roasted cashews right at the beginning. They soften up and blend smoothly w/immersion blender. The soup was a rich, creamy texture, full of flavor.

I love mushrooms, but I felt like it was a bit too much. I used two sprigs of fresh thyme, but felt like it needed a lot more. I noticed some people have added lemon juice. That or a nice vinegar would probably be good as well.

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Credits

Adapted from "How to Cook Everything."

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