Barefoot Contessa’s Cozy Mushroom Soup Recipe for Fall Nights

Mushroom soup captures the earthy, velvety essence of woodland treasures in every spoonful.

Wild mushrooms dance with aromatic herbs, creating a symphony of deep, comforting flavors.

The robust character of these fungi creates a sophisticated base that warms you from within.

Smooth textures and intense umami notes elevate this classic dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Delicate yet powerful, each ingredient contributes its unique personality to the final composition.

Seasonal ingredients and careful technique transform an everyday soup into a memorable gastronomic journey: prepare to be delighted.

Why Mushroom Soup Is Deep and Earthy

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This mushroom soup delivers ultimate comfort with its velvety smooth texture and rich, deep flavor that wraps you in warmth like a cozy blanket.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Transforming simple ingredients into a luxurious soup happens in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want restaurant-quality results without complicated techniques.
• Versatile Gourmet Experience: Elevate this soup from everyday meal to elegant starter by playing with elegant garnishes like crispy croutons, fresh herbs, or a delicate olive oil drizzle, turning a basic recipe into a sophisticated dish that impresses at dinner parties or quiet weeknight meals.
• Ingredient Harmony: The careful layering of mushrooms, onions, and cream creates a sophisticated balance of earthy, savory notes that showcase how minimal ingredients can produce maximum flavor when prepared with thoughtful technique.

What’s Inside Ina’s Mushroom Soup

Main Ingredients:

• Mushrooms: Fresh, earthy base of the soup with rich umami flavor. Choose firm, clean mushrooms without dark spots or wrinkles.

• Onion, Garlic: Foundational flavor enhancers that provide depth and complexity to the soup. Select fresh, firm onions without soft spots.

• Cream, Crème Fraiche: Creates smooth, luxurious texture and adds richness. Use full-fat cream for best results.

Secondary Ingredients:

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting the soup's natural flavors. Use freshly ground black pepper for more intense taste.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds fruity, peppery note and smooth finish to the soup. Choose high-quality, cold-pressed olive oil.
• Croutons: Provides crunchy texture contrast. Homemade or store-bought work well.
• Parsley, Chervil: Fresh herbs that add bright, herbal notes and visual appeal. Choose vibrant green, crisp herbs.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps sauté aromatics. Use unsalted butter for better control of seasoning.

Easy Steps to Creamy Mushroom Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Mushroom Medley

Carefully slice mushrooms into delicate quarters, then finely chop into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Select a mix of fresh mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, or white button for rich, earthy flavors.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat a large pot over medium-high flame. Melt butter until it becomes golden and fragrant. Add finely minced garlic and diced onions. Gently cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Create Mushroom Magic

Introduce chopped mushrooms to the pot. Stir gently and allow them to release their natural juices. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the mushrooms to become tender and develop a deep, complex flavor. Don’t worry if the pot seems crowded – this helps retain moisture.

Step 4: Build Flavor Depth

Sprinkle in salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium. Let the soup simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 5: Incorporate Creamy Elegance

Gently stir in heavy cream or luxurious crème fraiche. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, creating a velvety smooth texture.

Step 6: Transform Texture

Carefully transfer the soup to a blender. Remove the center lid insert and cover the opening with a folded kitchen towel to prevent splattering. Blend until silky smooth, working in batches if necessary.

Step 7: Final Warming Touch

Return the blended soup to the pot. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, letting the soup reach a perfect serving temperature and allowing any remaining bubbles to settle.

Step 8: Artful Presentation

• Extra virgin olive oil drizzle
• Swirl of cream
• Crispy croutons
• Fresh chopped parsley or delicate chervil

Serve alongside crusty bread for a complete and comforting dining experience.

Tips for Intensifying Umami Flavors

• Slice Mushrooms Precisely: Use a sharp knife to cut mushrooms into uniform, thin slices for even cooking and a professional-looking soup.
• Control Heat Carefully: Maintain a gentle simmer to prevent burning and preserve the delicate mushroom flavors throughout cooking.
• Enhance Depth with Wine: Add a splash of dry white wine while sautéing mushrooms to deepen the soup's rich, earthy flavor profile.
• Cream Blending Technique: Slowly incorporate cream off the heat to prevent curdling and create a silky, luxurious texture.
• Storage Secret: Cool the soup completely before refrigerating, and it will keep well for 3-4 days, with flavors developing even more intensely overnight.

How to Store Mushroom Soup Without Separating

• Freezer Storage: Seal the soup in heavy-duty freezer bags or sturdy containers, removing all air to prevent freezer burn. Label each container with the date and contents to track freshness. Pro tip: Portion the soup into individual servings for easy, quick defrosting and minimal waste.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Transfer the soup to glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain optimal flavor and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Keep the soup in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, away from the door where temperature fluctuates.
• Reheating Method: Thaw frozen soup gradually in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching.

Mushroom Soup Variants That Work

• Rustic Wild Mushroom Blend: Combine multiple mushroom varieties like shiitake, porcini, and chanterelles for a complex, earthy flavor profile that elevates the classic recipe.
• Herb-Infused Woodland Soup: Incorporate fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage during the cooking process to add aromatic depth and woodland-inspired notes to the mushroom base.
• Truffle Cream Mushroom Elegance: Finish the soup with a drizzle of truffle oil and sprinkle of black truffle shavings for a luxurious, restaurant-quality experience that transforms the simple soup into a gourmet dish.
• Spicy Asian-Inspired Mushroom Soup: Add a touch of ginger, a splash of soy sauce, and a hint of chili oil to create an exciting cross-cultural version with bold, warming flavors that complement the mushroom's natural richness.

Recap of Mushroom Soup Moments

Barefoot Contessa’s mushroom soup whispers comfort from first spoonful.

Rustic kitchen wisdom dances through each creamy layer of earthy mushroom magic.

Ina Garten’s signature style transforms simple ingredients into culinary poetry.

Smooth textures and rich flavors create an intimate dining experience that connects home cooks with gourmet traditions.

Professional techniques blend seamlessly with approachable preparation, making restaurant-quality soup accessible to all skill levels.

Passionate chefs and curious kitchen explorers: grab those ingredients, savor each moment of preparation, share this delightful recipe with friends, and let deliciousness inspire your next culinary adventure!

Barefoot Contessa Mushroom Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic mushroom soup blends earthy wild mushrooms with rich cream and herbs for a luxurious starter. Comforting warmth meets sophisticated flavor, inviting you to savor each velvety spoonful of this elegant French-inspired dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 400 g / 14 oz white mushrooms, chopped
• 200 g / 7 oz Swiss Brown/Cremini mushrooms, chopped
• 3 ¼ cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 30 g / 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Finishing and Garnish Ingredients:

• ¾ cup crème fraiche or full-fat cream
• Croutons
• Bread for dunking
• Cream or extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Fresh parsley, chervil (optional), or thyme leaves

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Instructions

1. Prepare the mushrooms by quartering them and then dicing into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and texture.
2. Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Introduce minced garlic and finely chopped onions, sautéing for approximately 3 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant, without allowing them to brown.
3. Incorporate the diced mushrooms into the pot, stirring intermittently for about 10 minutes. The dense arrangement will prevent significant browning, which is acceptable for this preparation.
4. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Elevate the heat to create a rolling boil, then reduce to medium and allow the soup to simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, developing deep flavors.
5. Gently fold in heavy cream (or crème fraiche), continuing to cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld the ingredients and create a rich, velvety consistency.
6. Carefully transfer the soup to a blender, working in batches if necessary. Remove the center insert from the blender lid and cover the opening with a folded kitchen towel to prevent potential splattering. Puree until achieving a completely smooth and silky texture.
7. Return the blended soup to the pot, allowing it to simmer for 1-2 minutes until the surface becomes calm and the soup reaches an optimal serving temperature.
8. Elegantly plate the soup into individual bowls. Enhance the presentation by drizzling with extra virgin olive oil or a swirl of cream. Garnish with crisp croutons and freshly chopped parsley or delicate chervil. Serve alongside crusty bread for an indulgent dipping experience.

Notes

• Precision matters when chopping mushrooms, ensuring uniform pieces cook evenly and create a harmonious texture throughout the soup.
• Leaving the pot uncovered during simmering allows moisture to evaporate, intensifying the rich, deep flavors of your ingredients.
• Tackle blending strategically by processing small amounts at a time, preventing messy kitchen accidents and guaranteeing a silky-smooth result.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more seamlessly, so let vegetables rest for a few minutes before processing.
• Opt for a high-powered blender to transform your soup into an ultra-creamy masterpiece with minimal effort.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg