This is not the kind of soup that suits well only on cold days. Nope! Whether it’s chilly or warm outside, this homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup is one of those few that I won’t turn my back on. I could use a bowl of this to warm my belly (especially this season here in LA) or serve this as a good starter for a holiday meal or dinner date nights at home.
Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup
Without any trace of exaggeration, this Cream of Mushroom Soup here is far better than those in cans. It’s full of delightful flavors (thanks to its fresh ingredients) and creamy goodness with tender bits of mushroom in every bite.
You might think that I’m crazy with adding a pound of mushrooms here, but, you”ll be surprised how the garlic, onion and fresh herbs shine in this dish as it complements the earthy, “umami” natural flavor of mushrooms. For this recipe, I use fresh brown cremini mushrooms (or also known as Baby Bellas) as they’re perfect for this recipe. But if it’s not available in your neck of woods, you can always substitute it with mini portobello mushrooms or a variety of your favorite mushrooms. Actually, it still works fine either way. Please also take note that I use a combination of evaporated milk and heavy cream in this soup instead of heavy cream alone. I just simply love the spot on creaminess and taste of evaporated milk as the heavy cream adds richness to this elegant Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Is Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup Bad For You?
First off, I’m in no way certified enough to make big claims if a product is healthy or bad for you. But if I see hard-to-read ingredients in a product, that makes me more unlikely to buy it. Canned soups or, processed products in general, have more preservatives than we’re even familiar with. Unlike canned soups, we know what and how much goes into a homemade soup and they’re usually made fresh in the pot. So if you’re going to let me choose between the two, you know that I’m always on the homemade side.
How Long Does Cream of Mushroom Soup Last in the Fridge?
Aside from it’s wonderful texture and rich flavors, this Cream of Mushroom Soup is also a great make-ahead soup. Let it cool first before transferring it to a container and into the fridge for 3-4 days. Moreover, try to do a quick sniff too, to double check before reheating. Remember, this is a cream-based soup. As for freezing it, I don’t highly recommend it as it sometimes separate when you defrost and reheat them.
Recipes Using Cream of Mushroom Soup
What’s great about this recipe, is that you can add or use any leftovers you have for this on other dishes, too. Yep! You can add Cream of Mushroom Soup on creamy pastas, casseroles like this Green Bean Casserole HERE, scalloped potatoes or basically any creamy based recipes that complements well with mushrooms.
Pair this warm and comforting bowl of Cream Mushroom Soup with sliced artisan bread, slightly toasted bread or my easy homemade garlic bread. Or if that won’t be enough for you, toss some croutons on top of the soup to go along with those tender bits of mushrooms. Enjoy!
Tips and Notes:
Damp a paper towel then use this to clean mushrooms one at a time. Wipe the outside and underside to remove any dirt. If using small mushrooms, rinse under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. Bring a large skillet or cast iron on medium to high heat. Then add oil, swirl to coat bottom the pan. Add mushrooms, season with salt and Creole seasoning – stir for a few minutes until slightly brown. Set aside. Add butter to the skillet, followed by onion, cook, stirring until tender and translucent – about 3-5 minutes. Do not brown the onion. Next, add garlic and thyme, stir for about a minute. Stir in flour and continue cooking for another minute until flour and onions are well combined. Pour in chicken stock, followed by evaporated milk, a little at a time until it forms a silky paste and starts simmering. Add bay leaf. Simmer over medium-low heat, for about a 8-10 minutes until the soup reaches the desired thickness. Return mushrooms together with it’s juice back to the skillet followed by chicken bouillon and Worcestershire sauce. Pour in cream. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste. Lower heat and continue cooking until desired consistency has been reached. Add more cream or chicken broth for desired consistency. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot.
