Easy Cream of Mushroom Soup | Olive & Mango

Updated. Originally 3rd November 2021

This homemade cream of mushroom soup recipe is full of flavor and so easy to make. It’s so creamy, rich, hearty and comforting. The deep earthy flavours of a classic cream of mushroom soup recipe can’t be beat, especially when it’s ready in no time. This recipe is vegan and gluten free friendly, it’s quite adaptable. You can make it as simple as you like or as extra as you like. This simple yet rich soup is perfect for chilly days as an easy lunch or dinner.

Cream of mushroom soup has always been my favourite. I adore mushrooms and I use to look forward to getting a delicious cream of mushroom soup every week at a small lunch spot in the basement of a court house that was close to the office I worked at years ago. It was run by two sisters who worked their tails off to make delicious soups and sandwiches and the best white chocolate macadamia nut cookies I have ever had. I looked forward to their mushroom soup because it was exactly the way I liked mine – simple flavours, just enough creamy but not porridge like creamy – just brothy enough and also still had mushrooms in it, and also just enough cream. I love cream but cream doesn’t really love me so I was experimenting with a vegan version for that reason. I use regular butter in this soup and coconut milk for the cream – and I usually use chicken broth for extra flavour – clearly I make a bad vegan! That is not to say that a fully vegan version of this soup is any less delicious- it absolutely is and I love that I can enjoy cream of mushroom soup without all the heavy cream if I want to. And so can you – so let’s talk more about this cream of mushroom soup.

Creamy Homemade Mushroom Soup Ingredients

Just a handful of ingredients are needed to make your own version:

• MUSHROOMS: Fresh brown or cremini mushrooms are perfect for this recipe. You could also use mini portobello mushrooms/ baby Bella, white button mushrooms, wild mushrooms, or a combination of your favourite mushroom varieties. I also like to add dried porcini mushrooms or a medley of dried mushrooms. Once reconstituted, and added to the soup they add a nutty, earthy, and savory, umami-forward flavors. They are totally optional to add.
• BUTTER: feel free to use a vegan butter or replace it all together with olive oil for a vegan version
• HERBS: I love fresh thyme for my soup but you can also use rosemary, oregano, tarragon, chives or cilantro. Use what you love!
• COCONUT MILK / HEAVY CREAM: Full fat coconut milk helps make this mushroom soup extra creamy and dairy-free. Do not use lite coconut milk. For non vegan option you could add heavy whipping cream – when I go the heavy cream route – I blend part of the soup first then add the heavy cream in after the soup has simmered and blended to avoid any chance of it curdling while it simmers at higher temps if you add it in earlier with the broth.
• FLOUR: We need flour to create that delicious, creamy texture mushroom soup is loved for. Feel free to use a gluten free flour or choice or you can also use cornstarch too.I recommend 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup water (slurry). If unsure about quantities for your liking, add the cornstarch slurry in tablespoon increments, stirring in between, until you’ve achieved your ideal texture.
• BROTH: You can use low sodium stock, vegetable broth or chicken broth and many times I will add beef broth for a deeper richer flavour in this soup for the soup base.
• GARLIC & SHALLOTS: They are a must for building the flavours in this soup. Replace the shallots with a yellow onion if you prefer.
• WINE: The wine adds really nice flavour. I like using dry Sherry wine, dry white wine, or Marsala for reds and a some Pinot if I’m using white. But really any thing you have on hand will work. You can leave it out as it is optional and no need to replace wine with more broth.
• EXTRA ADD INS: A teaspoon of Dijon mustard adds loads of flavour so does a teaspoon or more of miso paste. Feel free to add either while sautéing the mushrooms. Nutmeg is often added to mushroom soup and it’s a great warm spice – just a pinch is all I would use. I like to finish the soup off with a dash of tamari for extra Unami flavour but that is optional   

How to Make Creamy Mushroom Soup

1. Prep Dried Mushrooms: Start by reconstituting the dried porcini mushrooms if using. Pour just enough hot water/ boiling over them to cover them and set aside.
2. Saute Mushrooms, Shallots & Aromatics: In a large, deep pot over medium high heat, add the butter, olive oil or vegan butter to heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic, thyme, shallots and salt and pepper. Stir together and sauté until mushrooms begin to release their natural juices and become fragrant and tender, about 7-12 minutes.
3. Add Liquids & Simmer: Pour in the vegetable stock or broth and the coconut milk. Stir together and bring to a boil, then a simmer for 5-10 minutes.
4. Blend Portion of Soup: Scoop out some of the soup (with some mushrooms) and pour into your blender. If you have a glass blender, ensure it cools down a bit first! Blend then pour back into soup pot and stir. You. An also use a stick blender too. If using heavy cream in this recipe stir it in at this point. Heat through.
5. Serve: Serve the soup warm garnished with fresh herbs and with crusty bread.

Tips for making a great mushroom soup:

• Don’t under saute the mushrooms!Give them some time to cook and caramelized for maximum flavour and richness to your soup.
• This creamy mushroom soup lasts about 4 to 5 days in the fridge and also freezes very well.
• To freeze, allow the soup to cool completely before adding to container, or flatten individual portions in freezer-safe plastic bags. This soup will keep about 2 months in the freezer. If making this with heavy cream I would freeze without the cream in it -reheat stove top and then stir in the heavy cream then.
• While this isn’t a super thick soup, it’s not a thin broth, either. For a thicker soup, I would recommend reducing broth by about ¾ cup. You can add back a little broth at a time if it’s too thick.

For more delicious creamy comforting soup recipes check these out: