There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of mushroom soup that’s rich and velvety without feeling heavy. This Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe nails that balance perfectly, using simple ingredients and technique to create a truly satisfying experience that you’ll want to come back to again and again.

A creamy mushroom soup is served in a light tan bowl that holds a thick, creamy off-white soup with visible small dark mushroom pieces and light green herb sprigs floating on top, sprinkled with coarse black pepper. A silver spoon with a black handle rests inside the bowl on the right. The bowl is placed on a blue and white striped towel and a beige knit cloth with white circles is nearby. In the background, there is a slice of crusty light brown bread with an airy inside and a small rosemary sprig beside it, all set against a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Every time I make this creamy mushroom soup, it feels like wrapping myself in a cozy blanket on a chilly evening. The magic here is how natural ingredients transform into something indulgent without needing heavy cream – it’s comfort food done right.

Simple Ingredients: Using mushrooms, onions, and broth keeps it easy but flavorful.
Velvety Texture: Blending part of the soup creates creaminess without dairy.
Flexible Flavor: A pinch of cayenne or fresh thyme lets you tailor the kick and herbiness.
Quick and Cozy: Ready in under an hour, perfect for weeknights or a simple dinner.

A light brown bowl filled with creamy beige mushroom soup containing visible pieces of darker mushroom chunks and sprinkled black pepper. A silver spoon lifts some soup, showing its smooth texture and mushroom bits. Two slices of rustic white bread with holes rest behind the bowl, with a small sprig of green herbs on top. Everything is set on a white marbled texture with a hint of a beige and white striped cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe is built around mushrooms' earthy depth balanced by onions’ sweetness and garlic’s punch. The addition of white wine and soy sauce brings umami layers, and blending part of the soup gives it that luxurious texture. Here's why each ingredient matters:

Flat lay of fresh whole garlic cloves with papery skins, a large glossy brown onion halved to show texture, a pile of cleaned whole cremini mushrooms sliced thickly, a few sprigs of fresh green thyme, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of yellow butter chunks, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white flour, a small white ceramic bowl with clear pale white wine, a small white ceramic bowl with light amber vegetable broth, a small white ceramic bowl holding dark soy sauce, and a tiny heap of mixed coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: Adds a fruity base note and helps sauté the veggies gently.
Butter: Gives richness that pairs beautifully with mushrooms without overpowering.
Onion: Provides natural sweetness and body to the soup.
Garlic: A little kick to round out the flavors.
Mushrooms: The star ingredient — fresh and sliced for the perfect texture and depth.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors.
Cayenne pepper (optional): Just a pinch adds warmth and surprises your palate.
Flour: Helps thicken the soup without heaviness.
Dry white wine: Adds acidity and complexity; a quick splash goes a long way.
Vegetable or chicken broth: The soup’s body and flavor base.
Soy sauce: A salty umami boost that deepens the flavor.
Fresh thyme: Herbal freshness to brighten the earthiness of mushrooms.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this soup depending on the season or my mood. You can swap out herbs or even add a splash of cream if you want it even richer. Don’t hesitate to tweak the spices or broth depending on what you have handy—it’s surprisingly forgiving!

Variation: I sometimes add sautéed leeks or a handful of spinach for an extra veggie boost—it adds a lovely color and fresh flavor.
Dairy-free: This recipe is already creamy without cream, so it's perfect if you’re avoiding dairy.
Spicy kick: Adjust the cayenne pepper to add more or less heat to suit your taste.
Wine-free option: If you prefer, swap white wine with a little extra broth or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics with Love

Start by melting olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large pot. The combo of these fats gives a beautifully balanced base—olive oil for depth, butter for richness. Toss in your chopped onions and let them soften for about 5 minutes until they turn translucent with a hint of sweetness. Then stir in the minced garlic for just 30 seconds—too long and it can turn bitter. This simple step fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and sets the foundation for the soup’s flavor.

Step 2: Cook Mushrooms to Perfection

Add the sliced mushrooms, season with salt and pepper (and cayenne if you’re using it), and sauté for 10 minutes. This step is key because cooking down the mushrooms releases their moisture and intensifies their flavor. Don’t rush it—you want them nicely softened and slightly browned, not steamed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.

Step 3: Thicken and Build Flavor

Sprinkle the flour evenly over the mushroom mixture, stirring well to coat everything. This little step is what gives the soup that luxurious, creamy body. Pour in the dry white wine and stir to combine, scraping up any tasty brown bits stuck to the pot—that's where a lot of the flavor lives! Then add the broth, soy sauce, and fresh thyme. Bring everything to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes. This slow simmer allows all the flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 4: Blend for Creaminess Without Cream

Once the soup is cooked through, scoop about two cups into a blender or mini food processor and puree until smooth. Then stir this back into the pot. This blending process gives you that rich, velvety texture without needing heavy cream—trust me, it feels indulgent but stays light. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Top Tip

I’ve been making this soup for years, and a few little tips make all the difference in how it turns out every time. Paying attention to these helped me avoid lumps and dull flavors, so I want to save you from that frustration.

Don’t skip the sauté: Properly cooking the mushrooms and onions first builds incredible flavor—it’s worth the extra few minutes.
Use a good blender: A strong blender or food processor is key to get that silky texture; otherwise, bits remain chunky.
Deglaze with wine carefully: Pour the wine slowly and scrape the pan to avoid burning and bitterness.
Season thoughtfully: Wait until blending to add final salt and pepper to get the seasoning just right.

How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe

creamy mushroom soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle a little fresh thyme or parsley on top just before serving for a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes a drizzle of truffle oil or a swirl of Greek yogurt or sour cream adds a decadent touch that’s irresistible. Crunchy toasted bread crumbs or chopped nuts can add a nice texture contrast too.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with a warm crusty baguette or garlic bread for dipping. I’ve also enjoyed it alongside a crisp green salad or a simple grilled cheese sandwich for an ultra-comforting meal. Roasted vegetables on the side work well when you want something hearty yet healthy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like serving this soup in little cups or even hollowed-out mini bread bowls—a fun way to impress guests! Garnishing with edible flowers or microgreens adds an elevated look. You can also layer it with caramelized mushrooms on top for a visual wow and extra mushroom flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover soup keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I store it, I make sure it’s cooled to room temperature first and then seal tightly to lock in the freshness. Reheat gently on the stove to keep the flavors bright.

Freezing

This soup freezes really well! I portion it into individual containers so I can grab a serving anytime. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and warm up slowly on the stovetop or microwave. The texture might separate slightly after freezing, but a quick whisk fixes that right away.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer the stovetop over the microwave. Just warm the soup on low heat, stirring occasionally to keep it smooth and creamy. If it feels too thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up without sacrificing flavor.

Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe