Cream of Mushroom
There’s nothing like a homemade bowl of cream of mushroom soup to warm you up — whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a chilly winter night. Using our fresh mushrooms from the farmers market or dehydrated gourmet mushrooms from our online shop, you can create a rich, flavorful soup that’s just as good today as it will be a few months from now (thanks to easy freezer storage!).
This recipe highlights the unique textures and flavors of oyster, lion’s mane, or shiitake mushrooms — all grown and dried right here on our farm. Whether you picked them up in person or ordered online, they’ll shine in this simple, hearty dish.
🍄 Ingredients
1 lb fresh mushrooms (oyster, lion’s mane, or shiitake)
(OR 3 oz of our dehydrated mushrooms, rehydrated in warm water for 30 minutes)2 tbsp butter or olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (or half & half for a lighter version)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional: 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
Optional garnish: sautéed mushrooms, swirl of cream, fresh thyme
🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms: Roughly chop.
Dehydrated mushrooms: Soak in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain and chop. (You can use the soaking liquid in place of some broth—just strain it first!)
2. Sauté the Aromatics
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add Mushrooms & Herbs
Add the chopped mushrooms and thyme. Cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown.
4. Simmer with Broth
Pour in the broth (plus any strained soaking liquid if using dried mushrooms). Bring to a simmer and cook for 15–20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
5. Blend (Optional)
For a smooth soup, blend with an immersion blender or carefully puree in batches. For a chunky texture, leave it as-is or blend only part of it.
6. Add Cream & Adjust Seasoning
Reduce heat and stir in the cream. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. If you’d like it thicker, stir in a slurry of flour or cornstarch with water and simmer briefly.
❄️ How to Freeze in Glass Jars (Safely!)
Our customers often ask how to store this soup for later — yes, you can freeze it! Here’s how to do it in glass jars without breakage:
Let the soup cool completely before filling jars.
Use wide-mouth glass jars — they freeze more safely than jars with narrow necks.
Leave at least 1 inch of headspace at the top of each jar. This gives the soup room to expand as it freezes.
Screw on the lids loosely (just finger-tight).
Freeze upright and leave undisturbed until fully frozen.
Label with the date — use within 3 months for best quality.
To use, thaw in the fridge overnight or thaw gently in a bowl of room-temp/warm water.
🥣 Serving Ideas
Ladle over roasted potatoes or rice.
Serve as a starter with crusty bread.
Add leftover chicken or wild rice for a heartier version.
Cream of mushroom soup is more than just a cozy meal in a bowl. It’s also a versatile ingredient that can elevate a lot of comfort food recipes. Here are some great ways your customers can use your homemade mushroom soup beyond just serving it solo:
🍴 5 Delicious Recipes That Use Cream of Mushroom Soup
1. 🥬 Green Bean Casserole (From Scratch)
Ditch the canned soup and use your homemade cream of mushroom for a richer, fresher version of this holiday classic. Just mix steamed green beans with the soup, add sautéed onions or crispy fried shallots, and bake until bubbly. Top with more fried onions before serving.
2. 🍗 Smothered Chicken or Pork Chops
Pour your soup over seared chicken breasts or pork chops in a skillet, cover, and simmer until the meat is tender. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice for a full, hearty meal.
3. 🍚 Mushroom & Wild Rice Bake
Combine cooked wild rice, sautéed veggies, and shredded chicken (optional) with the soup. Top with breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of cheese, then bake until golden. It’s an easy, one-dish dinner.
4. 🥧 Savory Mushroom Pot Pie
Use the soup as the base for a vegetarian pot pie. Mix with roasted veggies and pour into a pie crust or baking dish. Top with pastry or biscuits and bake until golden and bubbly.
5. 🥄 Quick Pasta Sauce
Thin the soup slightly with a splash of pasta water or milk and toss with cooked pasta. Add sautéed spinach, peas, or protein (like ground turkey or lentils) for an easy creamy mushroom pasta dish.
🛒 Grab Your Mushrooms
You can find our fresh mushrooms every other week at the Clarksville Farmers Market or at Duke Farm Store or order our dehydrated mushroom packs online. Whether you’re cooking tonight or meal-prepping for colder months, our mushrooms bring out deep, earthy flavors in this classic soup.
Happy cooking, and thank you for supporting local farms! 🍄