Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (2024)

  • Creamy Soups
  • Winter Soups
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Like magic, it's creamy without a lot of cream.

By

Elise Bauer

Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

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Updated November 28, 2023

Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (2)

28 ratings

Cream of mushroom soup has been a favorite of mine as long as I can remember. Of course when we were growing up it was Campbell's and it came in a can.

Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (3)

But even as an 8 year old I took great pride in heating my own soup, and discovered for myself how much better it was if you added milk instead of water, and how important it was to slowly add the milk while stirring so it wouldn't form clumps.

As a grown-up I still love mushroom soup, and happily make it from scratch using lots of fresh mushrooms, shallots, garlic, chicken stock and cream. Many people add a dash of sherry or nutmeg to mushroom soup.

Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (4)

The Best Mushrooms for This Soup

Our recipe calls for a couple pounds of cremini or button mushrooms. Either will do, though I think cremini (young portobello mushrooms) are a little tastier.

We also recommend adding a handful of fresh shiitake mushrooms to the soup. Even though they are more expensive than regular mushrooms, their flavor is much more intense and deepens the rich flavor of this soup.

All About Mushroom VarietiesREAD MORE:

A Chef's Tip for the Best Mushroom Flavor

I discovered a tip from a chef friend that just a little tarragon will help bring out the flavor of the mushrooms, so we've added a little dried tarragon to the soup base. Not everyone has this herb though, you can easily substitute thyme (or put in a dash of nutmeg).

Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (5)

Substitutions and Suggestions for Cream of Mushroom Soup

We've gotten a lot of great suggestions from readers over the years who have made this soup and made their own variations. Here are a few:

  • Add or substitute some wild mushrooms (you can also try this version)
  • Add shredded chicken for extra protein
  • For a richer soup, swap the chicken stock for beef stock
  • For a lighter soup (or a vegetarian version), swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock
  • For a dairy-free version, swap the cream with coconut milk
  • For another dairy-free version, add some rice during cooking, then blend
  • If the soup tastes a little bland to you, add a splash of rice vinegar or cider vinegar
  • If you don't have tarragon, try thyme, oregano, or rosemary

Is This Like Canned Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup?

Condensed cream of mushroom soup is quite a bit thicker than this soup. We don't recommend using it as a substitution.

Storing and Freezing Cream of Mushroom Soup

This soup will keep refrigerated for up to five days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

If you'd like to freeze this soup, don't add the cream. Wait until it's defrosted, heated, and ready to serve to whisk in the cream.

Love Mushrooms? Try These Recipes

  • Vegetarian Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna
  • Mushroom Risotto
  • Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
  • Vegan Mushroom Barley Soup
  • Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time55 mins

Servings6 servings

If you want to make ahead and freeze, don't add the cream. Wait until it's defrosted, heated, and ready to serve to whisk in the cream.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 4 tablespoons butter

  • 2 pounds (900g) cremini (or button) mushrooms, cleaned, roughly chopped or sliced 1/8-inch thick

  • Small handful shiitake mushrooms, chopped

  • 3/4 cup minced shallots (6 ounces, 170g)

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (3 teaspoons)

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 3/4 teaspoon dried tarragon

  • 4 cups (1 liter)chicken stock(orvegetable stockfor vegetarian option)

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (more or less to taste)

Method

  1. Sauté the mushrooms:

    Heat olive oil on medium high heat in a 5-6 quart thick-bottomed pot. When the oil is hot, swirl in the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the mushrooms, stir to coat with the olive oil and butter.

    Cook the mushrooms on medium high heat until they are lightly browned and have released most of their water, about 10 minutes.

    Remove 1 cup of the cooked mushrooms from the pot and set aside (they will be added back in later).

    Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (6)

  2. Add shallots, garlic:

    Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced shallots and the garlic to the pot, stir to combine, cook for about a minute.

  3. Add salt, tarragon, stock:

    Add the salt, dried tarragon, and the stock to the pot. Increase the heat to medium high, bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

    Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (7)

  4. Purée soup:

    Using an immersion blender or working in batches with a standing blender, purée the soup until smooth.

    Then return to the pot. (If the soup is too thick for you, add some water or more stock to thin the soup to the desired level of thickness.)

    Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (8)

  5. Stir in cream and reserved mushrooms:

    Whisk the cream into the soup and add the black pepper. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the reserved cooked mushrooms.

    Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

    Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (9)

    Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (10)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
340Calories
26g Fat
20g Carbs
10g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories340
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g34%
Saturated Fat 11g57%
Cholesterol 48mg16%
Sodium 532mg23%
Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 3mg16%
Calcium 64mg5%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 1036mg22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Forget Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: This Homemade Version Is So Much Better (2024)

FAQs

How to make canned cream of mushroom soup better? ›

One way to enhance the flavor of canned cream of mushroom soup is to add fresh mushrooms. Slice some cremini or button mushrooms and sauté them in butter until they become golden brown and tender. Then, stir them into the soup.

How can you tell if canned cream of mushroom soup is bad? ›

This is what you need to look for - bulging cans, or a pinhole leak. Throw those away. Stores used to discount dented cans, because there was a possibility of a puncture. Yes, I bought dented cans on sale - and used them right away.

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

Is cream of mushroom soup healthy? ›

Mushrooms exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and, acting as a prebiotic, can improve gut health. They're also a good source of potassium and B vitamins. Most notably, mushrooms are the only plant-based source of vitamin D, a vitamin that we get primarily from being exposed to sunlight.

Is condensed cream of mushroom the same as cream of mushroom soup? ›

These two products aren't identical, but they are very similar. Condensed cream of mushroom soup is a concentrated form of cream of mushroom soup. When you add a cup or two of liquid such as water, broth, or stock to condensed mushroom soup, it becomes cream of mushroom soup!

How to jazz up cream of mushroom soup? ›

Herbs: The best herbs we have found over the years to compliment those incredible flavours is a combination of thyme and parsley. Of course, if you don't like those, you can also use rosemary, oregano, tarragon, chives or cilantro. Use what you love!

Do you add water to Campbell's cream of mushroom soup? ›

SIMPLE PREPARATION: A good partner puts in the prep work for you. Just add the appropriate amount of water, then simmer and serve for a deliciously filling soup in an instant. For a creamier result, combine half portions of milk and water.

How do you make canned soup taste like homemade? ›

How To Make Canned Soup Taste Like Homemade
  1. Sauté some onions and/or garlic: Low and slow is the way to go. ...
  2. Add protein: Leftover chicken or steak, some cooked diced ham or bacon or sausage (just a little — that soup is already salty). ...
  3. More vegetables: This is a great place for leftover cooked veggies.
Apr 25, 2023

Can I eat 2 year expired canned soup? ›

Good news: Shelf-stable canned goods are safe more or less indefinitely, lasting up to five years or more according to the USDA.

What foods can you not eat after the expiration date? ›

Keeping all that intel in mind, ahead are 13 foods that do not fare well after their expiration dates, according to experts.
  • Infant Formula. ...
  • Meats. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Soft Cheeses. ...
  • Deli Meat. ...
  • Fiddleheads. ...
  • Strawberries. ...
  • Ground Spices.
Apr 20, 2023

Why is my cream of mushroom soup curdling? ›

If your sauce or soup contains an acidic ingredient like wine, tomatoes, or lemon juice, the milk is more likely to curdle. To counteract the effect of the acid, you can use a starch along with the acid.

Can you just eat cream of mushroom soup? ›

You're better off making your own

If you want to eat cream of mushroom soup by itself, Heikkinen says homemade is the best bet for something that tastes good and is low sodium and additive-free.

Why does cream of mushroom soup get watery? ›

A. Watery cream soups can come from a couple of different reasons. One of them is that the thickener that was utilized (be it a fat and flour roux or a liquid and flour or corn starch slurry) was inadequate. By inadequate I mean that there was not enough starch to hold the liquids in the desired thickened suspension.

Is cream of mushroom the same as creamy mushroom soup? ›

The difference is the cream. Mushroom soup has a thin clear broth.

What is a good substitute for cream in soup? ›

To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.

What can I use instead of mushroom sauce? ›

Cream of Chicken

It will add a richness to your dish, just without the taste of mushrooms or their earthiness. Use it in a 1:1 ratio. This Vivacious Life notes that the cream of chicken works well in many recipes and can be used to replace the cream of mushroom.

What is the purpose of cream of mushroom soup? ›

In North America, it is a common canned condensed soup. Cream of mushroom soup is often used as a base ingredient in casseroles and comfort foods. This use is similar to that of a mushroom-flavored gravy.

What are the ingredients in no name cream of mushroom soup? ›

Ingredients: Water, Mushrooms, Canola Oil, Enriched Wheat Flour, Cornstarch, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Cream (milk, Cream), Buttermilkpowder, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Seasoning (cookedmushrooms, Mushroom Extract, Salt, Natural Flavor, Canola Pil, Canesugar, Potato Flour, Onion Powder), Yeast Extract, ...

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