Chef John's Creamy Mushroom Soup

This mushroom soup is creamy, rich, and deliciously savory thanks to the caramelization of the mushrooms in butter that unlocks their earthy flavor.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 272 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth, or more to taste
• 1 cup water, or more to taste
• 2 (16 ounce) packages sliced fresh mushrooms
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme, tied in a bundle with kitchen twine
• 1 salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves for garnish, or to taste
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter
• 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Add onion to the mushrooms; cook until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Stir flour into the mushroom mixture and cook, stirring often, to remove the raw flour taste, about 2 minutes.

Step 3

Add thyme bundle and garlic cloves, then pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 1 cup water. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Remove and discard thyme bundle.

Step 4

Ladle into bowls, and garnish with reserved mushroom slices and thyme leaves.

Step 5

Gather all ingredients.

Step 6

Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms and 1 pinch salt in the melted butter until mushrooms release their juices, 5 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring often, until juices evaporate and mushrooms are caramelized, 15 to 25 minutes. Set aside a few attractive mushroom slices for garnish later, if desired.

Step 7

Purée soup with a blender in batches until smooth and thick.

Step 8

Stir in cream. If too thick, add a little chicken broth or water. Season with salt and black pepper.