If you’re craving a cozy bowl that comforts and delights with every spoonful, this Creamy Mushroom Soup with Croutons and Fresh Herbs Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. It’s a velvety blend of earthy mushrooms, smooth cream, and fresh herbs, balanced perfectly with crispy croutons that add that irresistible crunch. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you just want something simple but elegant, this soup brings warmth and joy with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this soup lies in using simple, wholesome ingredients that each play a crucial role—the butter to mellow and enrich, the variety of mushrooms for that deep umami flavor, and fresh herbs that awaken the senses with brightness.
- Unsalted butter: Acts as the flavor base and helps soften the onions and garlic beautifully.
- Onion (chopped): Adds sweet, savory depth to the soup’s foundation.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Provide aromatic warmth without overpowering the mushrooms.
- White mushrooms: Deliver a delicate earthiness and tender texture when cooked.
- Swiss Brown (Cremini) mushrooms: Bring a richer, slightly nuttier flavor to balance the whites.
- Vegetable stock: The heart of the liquid, tying all flavors together with a subtle savory note.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to elevate each flavor element.
- Crème fraîche or cream: Gives the soup its signature creamy texture and luxurious mouthfeel.
- Croutons: Crisp and toasty, they add textural contrast and a delightful crunch.
- Extra virgin olive oil or cream (for drizzling): Provides a beautiful finishing touch and enhances richness.
- Fresh parsley, chervil, or thyme leaves: Infuse the soup with fresh, herbaceous notes that brighten the palate.
- Bread for dunking: Because no soup experience is complete without it!
How to Make Creamy Mushroom Soup with Croutons and Fresh Herbs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Mushrooms
Start by slicing your mushrooms into quarters, then dice them into smaller chunks. This ensures they cook evenly and blend more smoothly later. Taking time here guarantees a consistent texture that’s just perfect for the velvety soup you’re about to create.
Step 2: Sauté Onion and Garlic
In a large pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes. You want them softened and fragrant, but avoid browning—the aim is a gentle sweetness, not caramelization.
Step 3: Cook the Mushrooms
Next, add your prepared mushrooms to the pot and cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Don’t worry if they don’t brown; with the pot crowded, they’ll release moisture and soften instead. This step enhances that earthy, robust flavor essential to this creamy mushroom soup.
Step 4: Let It Simmer
Pour in the vegetable stock, then sprinkle in the salt and black pepper. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer gently without a lid for 15 minutes. This time allows the flavors to meld and the soup to develop depth naturally.
Step 5: Stir in the Cream
Now stir in the crème fraîche or cream. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes—this enriches the texture and rounds out the mushrooms’ earthiness with a subtle tang and silkiness.
Step 6: Blend Until Smooth
Carefully transfer the soup in batches to your blender. Be sure to remove the cap from the blender lid’s feeding hole and cover it with a folded tea towel to release steam safely. Blend until the soup is perfectly smooth and creamy, creating that signature comforting texture.
Step 7: Reheat Gently
Return the blended soup to the pot and let it simmer for a minute or two to warm through and calm any bubbles. This step ensures your soup is piping hot and beautifully smooth for serving.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Ladle the soup into bowls, then garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or cream. Scatter crunchy croutons on top and sprinkle with fresh parsley or chervil if you’re feeling fancy. Don’t forget a crusty piece of bread for dunking—every bite is a delightful combo of creaminess and crunch.
How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Soup with Croutons and Fresh Herbs Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishes elevate the dish beyond the ordinary. A swirl of cream or a drizzle of good quality olive oil adds richness and gloss, while fresh herbs like parsley or thyme give a pop of color and refreshing notes. Croutons bring that satisfying crunch, making each spoonful irresistible.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette or a rustic bread basket. Either combination balances the rich soup and completes the meal with contrasting textures and flavors that feel just right.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the soup in hollowed-out small bread bowls for an edible container full of flavor. You can also top with sautéed mushroom slices for extra texture or sprinkle with toasted nuts like pine nuts for a subtle crunch and surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your leftover creamy mushroom soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or comforting dinners later in the week.
Freezing
This soup freezes fairly well. Just cool it completely, place in freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently to preserve the creamy texture.
Reheating
Reheat your soup slowly over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning or separation of the cream. If it feels too thick, add a splash of vegetable stock or water to loosen it up just right.
FAQs
Can I use other types of mushrooms in this Creamy Mushroom Soup with Croutons and Fresh Herbs Recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix different mushrooms based on what’s available or your personal taste. Shiitake, portobello, or even chanterelles can add unique flavors and textures, making the soup your own.
Is it necessary to use crème fraîche or can I substitute with something else?
You can swap crème fraîche with heavy cream or even coconut cream for a dairy-free option. Just keep in mind that crème fraîche adds a subtle tanginess that enriches the overall flavor beautifully.
How do I make homemade croutons for this soup?
Cut day-old bread into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and your favorite herbs, then bake in a hot oven until golden and crisp. They’re so easy to make and elevates the soup with that perfect crunch.
Can I prepare this soup in advance and reheat later?
Definitely! This Creamy Mushroom Soup with Croutons and Fresh Herbs Recipe is ideal for making ahead. Just store in the fridge and reheat gently when ready. The flavors often taste even better the next day.
What herbs work best as fresh garnishes?
Parsley is classic and adds vibrant freshness. Chervil and thyme are great if you want a slightly more refined, aromatic lift. Feel free to experiment to find your favorite herb combo.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting about a bowl of Creamy Mushroom Soup with Croutons and Fresh Herbs Recipe that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. It’s simple to make yet deliciously elegant, perfect for sharing with loved ones or treating yourself. Give this recipe a try—you’ll soon wonder how you ever lived without it!
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Creamy Mushroom Soup with Croutons and Fresh Herbs Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy Mushroom Soup recipe combines a mix of white and Swiss Brown mushrooms sautéed with onion and garlic, simmered in vegetable stock, and finished with cream for a rich, velvety texture. Garnished with fresh herbs, croutons, and a drizzle of olive oil or cream, it’s the perfect comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and ideal for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 30g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 400g / 14 oz white mushrooms
- 200g / 7 oz Swiss Brown/Cremini mushrooms
- 3 1/4 cups vegetable stock
- 1/4 tsp salt (cooking/kosher)
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 cup crème fraîche or full-fat cream
Garnishes and Serving
- Croutons
- Cream or extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
- Parsley (roughly chopped), chervil, or thyme leaves
- Bread (for dunking)
Instructions
- Chopping mushrooms: Cut the white and Swiss Brown mushrooms into 4 slices each, then dice those slices into 3 or 4 pieces to ensure even cooking and a nice texture in the soup.
- Saute onion and garlic: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes until softened but not golden brown, allowing the flavors to develop gently.
- Cook mushrooms: Add the prepared mushrooms to the pot and cook for 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Avoid browning the mushrooms, as the pot will be crowded, and color is not needed for this soup’s delicate flavor.
- Simmer soup: Pour in the vegetable stock, add salt and black pepper, and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer gently without a lid for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the mushrooms to soften.
- Add cream: Stir in the crème fraîche or cream and continue simmering for another 5 minutes, which enriches the soup and gives it a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Blend soup: Transfer the soup in batches to a blender. Remove the cap from the feeding hole and cover the hole with a folded tea towel to avoid splattering. Blend until the soup is completely smooth.
- Finish simmering: Return the blended soup to the pot and simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes until the bubbles from blending settle and the soup is hot and ready to serve.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or cream, sprinkle croutons and chopped parsley, chervil, or thyme. Serve with bread for dunking to complete the comforting meal.
Notes
- Note 1: Using a combination of white and Swiss Brown (Cremini) mushrooms adds depth and complexity in flavor to the soup.
- Note 3: Full-fat crème fraîche or cream gives the soup its rich, velvety texture but can be substituted with a dairy-free alternative for a lighter version.
- Note 4: Croutons add a delightful crunch and texture contrast when garnishing the soup.
- Note 5: Covering the blender lid’s feeding hole with a towel when blending hot liquids helps prevent splatters and ensures safe blending.
