Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (2024)

Disclaimer: This article may contains affiliate links.That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Jump to Recipe

I’ve been playing around with this mushroom soup without cream recipe in the back of my mind for some time – ever since I had a similar one at a fine dining restaurant in Copenhagen earlier this year.

The rich, creamy texture and deep flavours of porcinis and thyme are still on the tip of my tastebuds and I’ve been on a quest to recreate that soup since then.

This recipe, I believe, does it. And the result is a rich and creamy mushroom soup without any dairy products at all. In fact, it is actually completely vegan. Using a combination of both dried porcini mushrooms along with browned crimini and sh*take mushrooms, the soup is also super easy to make and can be finished in under an hour.

So if you’re looking for a deeply flavourful and creamy soup, this mushroom soup recipe without cream, milk or any other dairy products is sure to be a hit.

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (1)

How to Make Mushroom Soup Without Cream

We’re going to start this soup by softening our porcini mushrooms (you can buy dried porcinis here). Add some vegetable stock to a small saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer.

Remove the pot from the heat, add your dried mushrooms and cover the pot. Let the mushrooms soften for at least 15 minutes – in the meantime, we’ll get the rest of the soup together.

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (2)

Now, in a large saucepan or Dutch oven, add some olive oil and set it over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add some sliced fresh mushrooms.

I use a mixture of crimini and sh*take mushrooms, but you could even use white button mushrooms here. Because we’re going to thoroughly brown them, they will get a good amount of mushroom flavour.

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (3)

Cook the mushrooms, stirring frequently, until they begin to release their moisture, shrink in size and start to brown. Be patient with this – the whole process will take around fifteen minutes.

It is essential that you adequately brown your mushrooms as this is the basis for the flavour in the soup. It’s also the same process that I use in my mushroom sauce recipe and in my mushroom bucatini recipe and my quiche recipe.

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (4)

Once the mushrooms are golden brown, toss in some sliced shallots along with a few generous pinches of salt. Cook the shallots until they are very soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes or so.

Next, add a bit of minced garlic to your mushrooms and shallots. Cook this just until it’s fragrant, no more than a minute.

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (5)

Toss in a number of thyme sprigs tied together with some butcher’s twine (for easy removal) and cook for another 30 seconds or so, just to release the oils from the thyme leaves.

Then, sprinkle a bit of flour over the mushrooms. This will act to thicken the soup when the time comes. Stir the flour into the mushrooms and cook for a few minutes, just get the raw flavour out of it.

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (6)

Deglaze the pan with a bit of dry white wine. Cook this, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until the wine has all but evaporated and the strong alcohol smell has cooked off.

Then, pour over your soaked porcini mushrooms and their soaking liquid along with some vegetable stock.

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (7)

Bring everything to a simmer and season generously with salt and pepper (make sure to taste the broth!).

Let the soup simmer for about fifteen minutes, just to get everything softened and to allow the thyme to really infuse its flavour.

Once the leaves have started falling off of the thyme bouquet, it’s time to turn off the heat. Remove the thyme and, working in batches, transfer your soup into a blender.

Blend on high until the soup is completely pureed, emulsifiers and creamy – about two minutes.

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (9)

Return the pureed soup to the pot and bring to a simmer once more. Taste to adjust for seasoning – adding more salt and pepper if needed. Then, all you need to do is serve and enjoy!

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (10)

Mushroom Soup Without Cream

Yield: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

This mushroom soup is deeply flavourful and incredibly complex while still being very easy to make!

Ingredients

  • 1 litre (4 cups) vegetable stock, divided
  • 40g (1.5oz) dried porcini mushrooms
  • 30ml (2 tablespoons) extra virgin olive oil
  • 250g (8oz) mixed mushrooms, such as crimini and sh*take, sliced thin
  • 1 large shallot, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 15-20 fresh thyme sprigs, tied together in a bouquet garnis
  • 20g (2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour
  • 150ml (1/2 cup) dry white wine

Instructions

  1. Add 250ml (1 cup) of the vegetable stock to a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Cover and bring to a gentle simmer. Remove from the heat and add the porcini mushrooms. Cover the pot and allow the mushrooms to rehydrate in the hot stock for at least 10-15 minutes, while you are building the rest of the soup.
  2. While the porcinis are soaking, add the olive oil to a large saucepan or Dutch oven and set over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the sliced mixed mushrooms. Stirring occasionally, cook the mushrooms until they have released all of their moisture, shrunk considerably in size, and have begun to turn a deep golden brown - about 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Once the mushrooms have browned, add the shallot along with a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot has softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the garlic to the pot and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Toss in the thyme bouquet and stir it to combine.
  5. Sprinkle flour over the mushroom mixture and stir to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, until the raw flour smell has cooked off and it begins to smell toasty.
  6. Pour over the white wine and stir to combine with the mushrooms, scraping up any browned bits that have accumulated on the bottom of the pot. Cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the strong alcohol smell has dissipated.
  7. Pour over the remaining 750ml (3 cups) of vegetable stock along with the porcini mushrooms and all of their soaking liquid. Stir to combine and bring everything to a simmer. Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes, until the leaves begin to fall off of the thyme sprigs. Taste the broth to adjust for seasoning, adding salt and pepper where necessary.
  8. Using tongs, remove the thyme bouquet from the pot and discard. Likely working in batches, ladle the soup into a blender and blend on high for about 2 minutes - until the soup is thick and creamy.
  9. Add the pureed soup back into the pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Taste to adjust for seasoning, adding salt and pepper where needed. Serve and enjoy.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 164Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 713mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 4g

Nutritional information is automatically generated and provided as guidance only. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

This rich cream of mushroom soup without cream (or dairy of any kind) is easy to make and incredibly flavourful. It’s sure to become a quick favourite!

Are you wondering how to make mushroom soup without milk or cream? Have any questions about this recipe? Let us know in the comments!

Like It? Pin It!

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (12)

Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Soup Without Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of cream in mushroom soup? ›

Vegetable Broth – Adds a deeper flavor to the soup, though you could get away with beef broth as well. Water even works in a pinch, but add a bit of seasoning to the soup. Milk – We usually have 2% on hand, so that's what we use. Any variety should be fine, though the soup will be creamier with higher fat milks.

What can I put in soup instead of cream? ›

This article reviews 10 of the best substitutes for heavy cream.
  • Milk and butter. ...
  • Soy milk and olive oil. ...
  • Milk and cornstarch. ...
  • Half-and-half and butter plus butter. ...
  • Silken tofu and soy milk. ...
  • Greek yogurt and milk. ...
  • Evaporated milk. ...
  • Cottage cheese and milk.

What can I use instead of milk or cream in soup? ›

  • The some Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream.
  • Milk and butter. ...
  • Soy milk and olive oil. ...
  • Milk and cornstarch. ...
  • Half-and-half and butter. ...
  • Silken tofu and soy milk. ...
  • Greek yogurt and milk. ...
  • Evaporated milk. ...
Jan 13, 2023

How can I thicken soup without cream or milk? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How can I thicken soup without cream? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

How to make mushroom soup taste better? ›

What are some herbs and spices that can be used to enhance canned cream of mushroom soup? There are several herbs and spices that can enhance the flavor of canned cream of mushroom soup. Popular options include thyme, rosemary, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and paprika.

What is a substitute for half-and-half without cream? ›

The No-cream Substitute

To make a half and half substitute without heavy cream, combine butter (salted or unsalted is fine) and scant 1 cup of milk. Add melted butter to a 1-cup measuring cup and fill it the rest of the way with milk. If using whole milk, this will put you at about 13% milk fat.

What is a substitute for 1 cup of heavy cream? ›

If you have butter and milk (whole milk or even half-and-half work best), you can make your own heavy cream substitute. To make 1 cup of heavy cream, melt 1/4 cup of butter and slowly whisk in 3/4 cup milk. This works for most baking or cooking recipes that require heavy cream, but it will not whisk into stiff peaks.

Can I use sour cream instead of heavy cream? ›

Sour cream is an easy replacement for heavy cream. It can be easily stirred into a dish and offers another flavor profile to soups, stews and sauces. Plus, using it as a heavy cream substitute is a great way to use up that lingering tub in the fridge.

What is a substitute for half-and-half in soup? ›

For the ultimate DIY sub, use equal parts light cream and whole milk. If it's heavy cream that's in your fridge, for 1 cup half-and-half, substitute ¾ cup milk plus ¼ cup heavy cream.

Does soup need cream? ›

At this point, I love adding a splash of cream. You can skip it or use a dairy-free option like coconut milk. The soup is thick, creamy, and delicious. It's amazing all by itself, but I love topping it with some homemade croutons.

Can you add milk to soup to make it creamy? ›

Whole milk or half-and-half also thicken up the soup. I've even made it with half the amount (1/2 cup or 120ml) heavy cream in a pinch. (Add more chicken broth if you use heavy cream; see recipe Note.) Nice and thick, without being too heavy.

What is a vegan substitute for half and half in soup? ›

For all the vegans and lactose-free folks out there, you can mix one part coconut cream with one part of your preferred plant-based milk to approximate half and half. Soy, almond, cashew, oat, or rice milk will all work.

What 2 ingredients are used to thicken the soup? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

What is the best thickener for vegetable soup? ›

Cornstarch is a great option as it is a natural thickening agent, but you'll want to be careful about how much you use. Start with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch whisked together with cold water to create a slurry. Then, gradually add the slurry to the soup, letting it boil for one to two minutes before adding more.

What is the best substitute for cream of mushroom soup in green bean casserole? ›

Mushrooms: Instead of mushroom soup, use fresh button mushrooms instead. Broth: I use chicken broth because it's always in my fridge, but for a vegetarian green bean casserole, use vegetable broth.

Can you make beef stroganoff without cream of mushroom soup? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, (85/15)
  2. 1 tbsp olive oil.
  3. 1 medium yellow onion, diced.
  4. 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced.
  5. 2 tbsp all-purpose flour.
  6. 1 ¼ cup beef broth.
  7. 1 cup heavy cream.
  8. ⅓ cup sour cream.
Sep 9, 2023

Can you thicken cream of mushroom soup? ›

A little flour thickens up the soup base to a creamy consistency, even without heavy cream.

Can you substitute sour cream for cream of chicken soup? ›

Can you substitute sour cream for cream of chicken soup? If you're short on time and you don't have a can of cream of chicken soup, sour cream works just fine! It won't have a chicken-forward flavor, but one cup of sour cream creates the same texture and body as a can of cream of chicken soup.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 5403

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.