It was cold, the kind that lingers in your bones even with socks on. I stood in the kitchen, craving something warm, earthy, and silky. This mushroom bisque hit the spot—creamy, rich, and packed with that deep umami flavor mushrooms bring when given a little time and butter. It’s comfort in a bowl, without fuss.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Mushroom Bisque
This mushroom bisque is everything a cozy soup should be. It’s creamy and velvety, but not too heavy. The earthy flavor from the mushrooms shines through, balanced with herbs and just the right amount of cream.
It works as a luxurious starter for dinner parties or a weeknight meal paired with crusty bread. Best part? It’s made with pantry staples and doesn’t require anything fancy. Just a Dutch oven, a blender, and a little patience.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Core Ingredients
- Butter: Adds depth and richness
- Mushrooms: Cremini, baby bella, or even a mix of shiitake for extra flavor
- Onion and Garlic: Build that savory base
- Fresh Thyme and Parsley: Keep things bright and balanced
- Flour: For thickening
- Chicken Broth: Adds body and saltiness
- Heavy Cream: For that luscious, smooth finish
- Salt & Pepper: Always taste and adjust at the end
Optional Substitutions & Variations
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken for a vegetarian version.
- Swap in olive oil and coconut milk for a dairy-free twist.
- Try adding a splash of white wine after the onions for extra depth.
- Dried thyme and parsley? Totally fine. Just use ¼ teaspoon each.
How to Make Mushroom Bisque (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 – Sauté mushrooms and aromatics
Start by melting butter in your Dutch oven over medium heat. Add your mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes. They’ll release a lot of liquid—this is normal.
Lower the heat to medium-low and let them cook another 10 to 15 minutes, until that liquid completely evaporates. You’ll be left with tender, browned mushrooms.
Toss in the diced onion, minced garlic, thyme, and parsley. Stir and cook for just a couple minutes, until fragrant.
Step 2 – Build the roux and add broth
Turn the heat back to medium. Sprinkle the flour over the mushrooms and stir constantly. After about 3 to 4 minutes, it’ll start to clump up—perfect.
Now slowly pour in your chicken broth while stirring. This helps prevent any lumps. Stir until smooth.
Step 3 – Blend until smooth
Carefully transfer the soup to a high-speed blender in batches. Blend until silky smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can use an immersion blender, but a high-speed blender gives the creamiest result.
Step 4 – Simmer and season
Pour the blended soup back into the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let it thicken for about 10 minutes.
Taste, then season with salt and pepper. You’re done.
Tips for the Best Mushroom Bisque
- Mushroom matters: Use a mix of cremini, baby bella, or shiitake for a richer taste.
- Be patient with liquid: Let the mushrooms fully release and then cook off their liquid. It concentrates the flavor.
- Don’t rush the blend: Smooth is the goal here. Take your time and blend in batches.
- Avoid overcooking the cream: Just a gentle simmer is enough. Too much heat can break it.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low, stirring often to avoid scorching.
Want to freeze it? Do so before adding the cream. Once thawed, reheat and stir in the cream. Let it simmer for 10 minutes and it’ll taste fresh again.
Mushroom Bisque Recipe Card (Tasty Plugin)
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Mushroom Bisque Recipe – Creamy, Cozy and Remarkable
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This mushroom bisque is creamy, comforting, and full of deep, earthy flavor. Perfect for cozy nights or elegant starters.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
20 ounces sliced mushrooms
½ cup diced onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
¼ cup all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken broth
1 ½ cups heavy cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until they release liquid.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 10–15 minutes until liquid evaporates.
4. Add onion, garlic, thyme, and parsley; cook for 2–3 minutes.
5. Raise heat to medium and stir in flour; cook 3–4 minutes until thick.
6. Gradually add chicken broth while stirring to avoid clumps.
7. Stir in heavy cream until fully combined.
8. Transfer soup to blender in batches and blend until smooth.
9. Return soup to pot and simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes.
10. Season with salt and pepper; serve warm.
Notes
Use a mix of cremini or shiitake mushrooms for deeper flavor.
Substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
For dairy-free, use olive oil and coconut milk.
Let mushroom liquid fully evaporate for the richest taste.
Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 457mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
More Such Recipes
Looking for other cozy soups and sides? Try these:
- Warm up with creamy baked pumpkin risotto for fall comfort meals
- Make a pot of leek and potato soup for a cozy vegetarian option
- Serve it with green beans in creamy parmesan sauce as a savory side dish
- For something hearty, try creamy tomato white bean stew for rich and hearty flavors
FAQ About Mushroom Bisque
What is in mushroom bisque?
Mushroom bisque is made with butter, mushrooms, onion, garlic, herbs, flour, chicken broth, and heavy cream. It’s blended smooth for a creamy texture.
What is the difference between cream of mushroom and mushroom bisque?
Cream of mushroom is often chunkier and quicker to make. Mushroom bisque is smoother, thicker, and usually cooked longer for deeper flavor.
What makes a bisque a bisque?
A bisque is typically a smooth, creamy soup made from pureed ingredients. It often starts with a roux and finishes with cream.
What does bisque mean in food?
“Bisque” means a rich, creamy, pureed soup. It originally referred to seafood soups but now includes vegetable-based versions like this one.
Final Thoughts
This mushroom bisque is one of those recipes that feels both comforting and a little luxurious. It’s simple enough for any night of the week, yet elegant enough to serve at a dinner party.
You can make it ahead, freeze it (before the cream), and serve it with your favorite crusty bread or salad. Whether you’re curled up on the couch or hosting friends, it always hits the right note.
Let me know in the comments if you try it or give it a twist. I’d love to hear how it turns out in your kitchen.
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