Hungarian Mushroom Soup Recipe
This Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a hearty and comforting dish featuring a rich blend of cremini and shiitake mushrooms simmered in a flavorful broth infused with Hungarian paprika, fresh herbs, and a creamy finish of sour cream and lemon. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup balances earthiness with bright citrus notes and a velvety texture.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hungarian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Mushrooms and Aromatics
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- 1 1/2 pounds cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and diced
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons Hungarian or sweet paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Thickening and Finishing
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Sauté Mushrooms and Onion: Melt the butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and both types of mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms become tender and begin to brown, about 16 to 20 minutes, developing rich flavor and texture.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine, stirring and scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This adds depth and complexity to the soup base.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Stir in the vegetable stock, reduced sodium soy sauce, Hungarian paprika, dried dill, fresh thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. These ingredients create the aromatic profile essential to Hungarian cuisine.
- Simmer and Reduce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the soup slightly reduces and flavors meld together beautifully.
- Prepare and Add Thickener: In a separate small bowl, whisk the flour and whole milk until smooth. Gradually stir this mixture into the soup and cook for about 10 minutes until the soup thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Finish with Cream and Citrus: Lower the heat to low and stir in the sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped fresh parsley. Season the soup with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, balancing richness with brightness.
- Serve Immediately: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, garnished if desired with extra parsley or a dollop of sour cream for an inviting presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute cremini mushrooms with button or portobello mushrooms if desired.
- For a vegan modification, replace butter and sour cream with plant-based alternatives and use non-dairy milk.
- Adjust the paprika quantity depending on how smoky or mild you prefer the soup.
- Wine can be omitted and replaced with additional vegetable stock for a non-alcoholic version.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
Keywords: Hungarian mushroom soup, creamy mushroom soup, paprika soup, vegetarian soup, comfort food