Creamy Hungarian Mushroom Soup Recipe
This Creamy Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish made with sautéed cremini mushrooms, Hungarian paprika, and fresh herbs, enriched with sour cream for a smooth, velvety texture. Perfect as a starter or light meal, this traditional soup brings rich Eastern European flavors to your kitchen using everyday ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1.5 pounds cremini mushrooms, sliced (or bella mushrooms, or portobello)
Seasonings and Thickeners
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika (or regular sweet paprika)
- Salt, pepper, and ground chili pepper, to taste
Liquids
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Tamari sauce
Finishing Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot and sauté for 7–8 minutes until they release their moisture and turn golden brown, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add Flour and Paprika: Sprinkle the flour and Hungarian paprika over the mushrooms. Stir well to coat the mushrooms and cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste and deepen the flavor of the paprika.
- Add Broth and Milk: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Add the milk and Tamari sauce, then stir to combine all ingredients evenly. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish Soup: Remove the pot from heat after simmering. Stir in the sour cream, lemon juice, fresh parsley, dill, thyme, salt, black pepper, and ground chili pepper. Mix well until the soup is smooth and all ingredients are well combined.
- Rest and Serve: Let the soup rest for a couple of minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired and serve with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use Hungarian sweet paprika for an authentic flavor, but regular sweet paprika can be a substitute if needed.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit Tamari sauce if it contains non-vegetarian ingredients or substitute with soy sauce.
- Sour cream can be swapped with a dairy-free alternative for lactose intolerance.
- The soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, rye bread, or a fresh green salad.
- Adjust the chili pepper amount to your heat preference or omit for a milder taste.
- To make the soup thicker, use less broth or add a bit more flour when coating the mushrooms.
Keywords: Hungarian mushroom soup, creamy mushroom soup, traditional Hungarian soup, cremini mushrooms, paprika soup, sour cream mushroom soup, easy mushroom soup
