Hearty Barefoot Contessa’s Mushroom Soup Recipe for Fall Warmth

The aroma of sautéed mushrooms in this Barefoot Contessa mushroom soup recipe fills the kitchen with warmth and comfort.

Earthy, rich flavors dance through each spoonful, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Ina Garten’s style shines through with carefully selected ingredients that blend seamlessly.

Creamy and velvety, this soup delivers a luxurious texture that wraps you in pure deliciousness.

Wild and cultivated mushrooms create a depth of flavor that turns a simple soup into a gourmet masterpiece.

Every ingredient is chosen to maximize taste and satisfaction.

You’ll love how quickly this soup comes together, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Grab your pot and get ready to savor a truly exceptional soup that will become a beloved recipe in your collection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 6

What’s in Barefoot Contessa’s Mushroom Soup

• Mushrooms: Earthy forest treasures that provide the soul of the soup, choose fresh, firm mushrooms without blemishes or soft spots.
• Onion: Aromatic flavor enhancer that creates a sweet, deep foundation for the soup, select firm, heavy onions with no green sprouts.
• Garlic: Pungent flavor booster that adds complexity and depth, look for plump, compact bulbs without soft or sprouting cloves.

• Butter: Rich, velvety fat that helps develop deep flavors and provides smooth texture, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best results.
• Cream, Crème Fraiche: Luxurious dairy elements that transform the soup into silky elegance, select fresh, high-fat content dairy for maximum richness.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that awaken and balance the soup's flavors, use freshly ground black pepper and high-quality sea salt.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Fruity drizzle that adds brightness and luxurious sheen, choose cold-pressed, authentic olive oil.
• Croutons: Crunchy textural element that provides delightful contrast, use homemade or artisan bread cubes for best flavor.
• Parsley, Chervil: Fresh herb garnishes that bring color and subtle herbal notes, select bright green, crisp herbs.

Gear Needed for Mushroom Soup Preparation

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking and simmering the soup, with enough space to handle all ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to precisely chop mushrooms, onions, and garlic into even pieces.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables safely.
• Blender: Critical for creating a smooth, creamy soup texture after cooking.
• Tea Towel: Used to cover blender lid opening when blending hot soup to prevent splatters.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir ingredients while cooking and prevent sticking.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately measuring salt and pepper.
• Ladle or Soup Bowls: For serving the final soup and adding garnishes.

Cooking Process for Mushroom Soup Made Simple

Mushroom Magic Comfort Soup

• Mushroom Preparation Slice mushrooms into delicate quarter pieces, creating a rustic foundation for your cozy soup.
• Flavor Foundation Warm a spacious pot and gently sauté fragrant garlic and sweet onions in creamy butter until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful aroma.
• Mushroom Symphony Introduce chopped mushrooms into the pot, allowing them to dance and release their earthy essence, stirring occasionally during their 10-minute transformation.
• Simmering Harmony Sprinkle salt and pepper, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let the ingredients meld together in a peaceful 15-minute simmer.
• Creamy Embrace Stir in luxurious cream, letting it swirl and integrate with the mushroom melody for an additional 5 minutes.
• Silky Transformation Carefully transfer the soup to a blender, using a folded towel to protect from splashes, and puree until smooth and velvety.
• Final Touch Return the blended soup to the pot, allowing it to warm and settle for a brief moment before serving.
• Elegant Presentation Pour the soup into beautiful bowls, drizzle with a hint of olive oil or cream, and garnish with fresh herbs and crispy croutons.

Tips and Tricks for Mushroom Soup Flavor

• Choose a mix of cremini, shiitake, and porcini mushrooms for deeper, more complex flavor profiles that elevate the soup's richness.
• Let the soup cool slightly before blending to prevent steam pressure and use an immersion blender for easier, safer processing directly in the pot.
• Deglaze the pot with white wine or add a splash of sherry after cooking mushrooms to introduce additional layers of savory complexity.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a plant-based version that maintains a creamy, luxurious texture.
• Top with crispy pancetta bits, roasted garlic chips, truffle oil drizzle, or toasted herb breadcrumbs to transform the soup's final presentation and taste experience.

Presenting Barefoot Contessa’s Mushroom Soup

• Elevate Your Mushroom Soup Experience
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a warm, rustic baguette or sourdough for dipping and soaking up the rich, creamy soup.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chervil on top for a burst of color and herbal freshness that complements the earthy mushroom flavor.
• Create a Cozy Meal: Complement the soup with a light side salad or a small cheese plate to transform it into a satisfying and elegant lunch or dinner.
• Enhance with Toppings: Add crispy croutons or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for extra texture and a gourmet touch that elevates the soup's presentation.

Storage Tips for Mushroom Soup

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover mushroom soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain its fresh flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Later: Pack the soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to restore its creamy texture.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the soup over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add a splash of water or cream if the soup seems too thick after refrigeration. Avoid boiling to keep the delicate cream-based soup smooth and velvety.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop mushrooms and aromatics in advance and store in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. This streamlines cooking and helps you whip up this comforting soup more quickly during busy weeknights.

Velvety Barefoot Contessa Mushroom Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s creamy mushroom soup celebrates earthy flavors with wild and button mushroom varieties. Rich French-style ingredients blend seamlessly, offering comfort in each luxurious spoonful you’ll savor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 30 g / 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• ¾ cup crème fraiche or full-fat cream
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• Croutons
• Bread for dunking
• Cream or extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Fresh parsley, chervil (optional), or thyme leaves

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Mushroom Preparation: Carefully quarter and dice mushrooms into uniform pieces to guarantee consistent cooking and optimal texture throughout the soup.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Melt butter in a robust pot over medium-high heat. Sauté minced garlic and onions until translucent and releasing their fragrant essence, approximately 3 minutes, while avoiding any browning.
3. Mushroom Integration: Add diced mushrooms to the pot, stirring periodically for 10 minutes. Allow the ingredients to release their natural moisture and develop complex flavor profiles without excessive caramelization.
4. Seasoning and Simmering: Introduce salt and black pepper, then elevate heat to generate a vigorous boil. Reduce temperature to medium and let the soup simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to intensify and harmonize.
5. Cream Incorporation: Gently fold in heavy cream, continuing to cook for an additional 5 minutes. This process creates a luxurious, silky consistency while marrying all ingredients into a cohesive mixture.
6. Blending Technique: Transfer soup to a blender, using caution to prevent splattering. Remove blender lid’s center insert and cover opening with a folded kitchen towel. Puree until achieving an impeccably smooth and velvety texture.
7. Final Refinement: Return blended soup to the pot, allowing it to simmer briefly to stabilize temperature and ensure a perfect serving consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
8. Elegant Presentation: Ladle soup into individual serving bowls. Embellish with a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or cream swirl. Garnish with crisp croutons and freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chervil. Accompany with crusty artisan bread for an indulgent dining experience.

Notes

• Chop Mushrooms Precisely: Uniform quarter-inch cuts ensure consistent cooking and smooth texture throughout the soup.
• Sauté Without Browning: Gentle heat prevents garlic and onions from burning, maintaining a delicate, aromatic flavor profile.
• Blending Safety Tip: Use a towel over blender lid opening to prevent hot soup from splattering during puree process.
• Cream Integration Technique: Fold cream gently and simmer briefly to create a silky, rich consistency without separating the mixture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg