Creamy Mushroom Soup Thyme (Printable)
A velvety, aromatic soup featuring earthy mushrooms and fresh thyme. Ideal for a comforting starter or light meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 pound mixed fresh mushrooms (cremini, button, or wild), sliced
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
→ Dairy
05 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
→ Liquids
07 - 4 cups vegetable broth
→ Herbs & Seasonings
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes & Enhancements
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
12 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large pot, melt the butter (and olive oil, if desired) over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and celery; cook until softened, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until a fragrant aroma develops.
03 - Add the sliced mushrooms and fresh thyme leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their natural juices and achieve a golden hue, which should take about 10 minutes.
04 - Season the mushroom mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
05 - Pour in the vegetable broth, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and gently simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
06 - Remove the pot from the heat. Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup until it reaches your desired smoothness. Alternatively, transfer the soup in batches to a countertop blender and process until smooth.
07 - Stir in the heavy cream and gently heat the soup for 2–3 minutes. Ensure the soup does not come to a boil after adding the cream.
08 - Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as necessary, adding more salt or pepper if desired.
09 - Ladle the creamy mushroom soup into individual bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- It's a secret weapon for busy weeknights, tasting incredibly gourmet with minimal effort.
- The way the earthy mushrooms marry with fresh thyme creates a symphony of flavor that feels both rustic and refined.
02 -
- Never bring the soup to a rolling boil after you've stirred in the heavy cream; it can cause the cream to separate and ruin the velvety texture.
- The secret to really deep mushroom flavor is allowing the mushrooms to brown properly, releasing their moisture and concentrating their umami.
03 -
- Before adding the broth, a splash of dry sherry or white wine to deglaze the pot can add a fantastic layer of complexity and brighten the mushroom flavors.
- If you're short on time but want deeper flavor, dry sauté a portion of your mushrooms until really golden and set them aside, adding them back in at the end for an intensified mushroom punch.