Cozy Mushroom Medley Soup Recipe: Forest Flavors in a Bowl

Steaming bowls of hearty mushroom medley soup warm the soul on chilly evenings, blending earthy flavors that dance across your palate.

Wild and cultivated mushrooms mingle in a rich, velvety broth that promises comfort with every spoonful.

Fragrant herbs and a splash of cream add depth to this rustic dish.

Each ingredient carefully selected creates a symphony of woodland-inspired tastes.

The soup simmers gently, releasing an aroma that fills the kitchen with anticipation.

Creamy, robust, and packed with umami, this recipe turns simple ingredients into a gourmet experience that beckons you to grab a ladle and savor every luxurious bite.

Smart Ways to Store Mushroom Medley Soup

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover mushroom soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring optimal flavor and food safety.
• Freeze for Later: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months, making meal prep a breeze for busy days.
• Reheat with Care: Gently warm the soup on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid high temperatures to prevent separation of cream and maintain smooth texture.
• Revive Consistency: If the soup thickens after refrigeration, simply whisk in a little warm water or additional half-and-half to restore its original creamy consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 9

What to Use in Mushroom Medley Soup

• Water: Provides the foundational liquid for creating a light, delicate soup base.
• Sherry: Adds depth and complex wine-like flavor to enhance overall soup profile.
• Red Onion: Contributes sweet, sharp undertones that build aromatic complexity.
• Carrots, Celery: Create classic vegetable depth and subtle earthy sweetness.
• Bay Leaves, Peppercorns: Infuse subtle herbal and spicy background notes.

• Mushroom Stems, Caps: Core ingredient providing rich, umami flavor and hearty texture.
• Mushroom Base: Concentrated essence amplifying natural woodsy mushroom characteristics.
• Brandy: Introduces warm, sophisticated alcohol note that elevates mushroom flavors.
• Butter: Provides silky richness and helps develop golden caramelization.

• Arrowroot: Natural thickening agent creating smooth, glossy soup consistency.
• Half and Half: Delivers luxurious creaminess and softens intense flavors.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds tangy, savory undertone with subtle depth.
• Sea Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing and brightening overall taste.
• Chives, Parsley: Fresh herb garnish offering bright, crisp finishing touch.

Must-Have Tools for Mushroom Medley Soup

• Heavy-bottomed stock pot: Essential for simmering broth and cooking soup without burning.
• Strainer: Crucial for filtering clear broth and removing stems and vegetables.
• Whisk: Needed for smoothly incorporating arrowroot slurry and preventing lumps.
• Sharp knife: Perfect for slicing mushroom caps and chopping onions precisely.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Small bowl: Used for tempering half and half and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure liquid ingredients.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and sautéing vegetables gently.

Make Mushroom Medley Soup the Easy Way

• Broth Preparation

Create a flavorful liquid base using water, sherry, mushroom stems, red onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Let the mixture simmer until the liquid reduces by one third. Strain and set the clear broth aside.

• Mushroom Magic

Slice mushroom caps into delicate pieces, preparing them for the upcoming culinary adventure.

• Sauté Symphony

Melt butter in the pot and dance the red onion and mushroom slices together, creating a golden and tender mixture.

• Brandy Spark

Splash brandy into the pot, allowing the alcohol to quickly evaporate and intensify the flavors.

• Flavor Infusion

Pour the reserved broth back into the pot, adding mushroom base, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

• Soup Transformation

Whisk in the arrowroot slurry, watching the soup thicken and become luxuriously smooth.

• Creamy Finale

Gently blend half and half with a portion of hot soup, then fold this creamy mixture back into the pot, creating a silky texture.

• Elegant Presentation

Sprinkle chopped chives or parsley on top, then serve the soup piping hot to delighted guests.

How to Personalize Mushroom Medley Soup

• Sauté mushrooms on high heat without overcrowding the pan to achieve a deep golden-brown color, which intensifies the umami and nutty undertones.
• Swap half and half with coconut cream or cashew milk for a vegan-friendly version that maintains the soup's rich, creamy consistency.
• Select a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir to complement the earthy mushroom flavors and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days, gently reheating on low heat to preserve the delicate texture and prevent separation.

Serve Mushroom Medley Soup Warm and Inviting

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice a warm, artisan baguette or rustic sourdough to dip into the rich, velvety soup and soak up all the delicious flavors.
• Create a Cozy Meal: Serve alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy texture and add a fresh, crisp element to the dining experience.
• Elevate with Wine Pairing: Choose a light-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or a dry Chardonnay to complement the earthy mushroom notes and enhance the overall dining pleasure.
• Add Protein Option: Top with crispy bacon bits, grilled chicken strips, or toasted pine nuts for extra protein and a delightful crunch that adds depth to the soup's silky consistency.

Velvety Mushroom Medley Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty mushroom medley soup celebrates earthy forest flavors with rich, creamy texture. Comforting ingredients blend seamlessly, offering warm nourishment you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) shiitake and oyster mushrooms, stems reserved
• 1 lb (454 g) button mushrooms, stems reserved
• 2 red onions
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups (473 ml) sherry
• 1 cup (237 ml) brandy
• 8 cups (1.9 l) water
• 1 cup (237 ml) fat free half and half
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
• 2 tsps (10 ml) mushroom base
• 1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsps (10 g) sea salt
• 3 bay leaves
• 10 peppercorns
• ¾ tsp (3.75 g) pepper
• 5 tsps (25 ml) cold water mixed with arrowroot for thickening
• ½ cup (30 g) chopped chives or parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Broth Preparation: Combine water, sherry, mushroom stems, red onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a stockpot. Simmer and reduce liquid by one-third, creating a deeply flavored base.
2. Strain and Refine: Filter the aromatic broth through a fine-mesh strainer, preserving its clear, concentrated essence.
3. Mushroom Transformation: Slice mushroom caps into uniform quarter-inch pieces, preparing them for optimal cooking and texture development.
4. Flavor Layering: Melt butter in the stockpot and sauté red onion and mushroom caps until they achieve a golden-brown caramelization, releasing rich, complex flavors.
5. Aromatic Deglazation: Pour brandy into the pot, stirring to incorporate and allowing alcohol to evaporate, intensifying the soup’s depth.
6. Liquid Integration: Merge the reserved broth, sautéed mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, blending all flavor profiles.
7. Texture Enhancement: Whisk arrowroot slurry into the simmering soup, creating a smooth, velvety consistency that coats the palate.
8. Cream Infusion: Temper half and half by gradually mixing with hot soup, then reincorporate into the pot. Simmer carefully to prevent curdling and maintain a luxurious mouthfeel.
9. Elegant Presentation: Garnish with finely chopped chives or parsley, adding a fresh, vibrant finishing touch to the hot, aromatic mushroom medley soup.

Notes

• Stem Selection: Reserve mushroom stems for an intensely flavored homemade broth, maximizing ingredient utilization and depth of taste.
• Broth Technique: Reduce liquid slowly to concentrate flavors, creating a robust base that elevates the entire soup’s complexity.
• Deglazing Magic: Use brandy to release caramelized bits from the pot, unlocking rich, hidden flavor dimensions that transform the soup’s taste profile.
• Slurry Secret: Whisk arrowroot carefully to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth texture without compromising the soup’s delicate consistency.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg