Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Melt the Butter: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Cook the Onion and Mushrooms: Add the diced onion and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have released their moisture and the onions are soft and translucent.
Add Garlic, Paprika, and Thyme: Stir in the minced garlic, 2 teaspoons of sweet Hungarian paprika, and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the spices are well incorporated.
Step 2: Thicken the Soup
Add the Flour: Sprinkle ¼ cup of all-purpose flour over the mushroom mixture and stir to coat evenly. Cook for about 2 minutes to remove the raw taste of the flour.
Add the Broth: Gradually add 4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the soup to a simmer, and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
Step 3: Add the Cream and Seasonings
Stir in the Cream: Slowly pour in 1 cup of half-and-half or heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for added depth of flavor.
Season to Taste: Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed. Simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Step 4: Finish with Sour Cream and Serve
Add Sour Cream: Remove the soup from heat and stir in ¼ cup of sour cream to give the soup extra creaminess and a slight tang.
Garnish and Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with a slice of crusty bread on the side.
Cooking Notes
Mushroom Variety: Use any type of mushrooms you prefer—button mushrooms, cremini, or a mix of wild mushrooms for a more complex flavor.
Paprika: Hungarian paprika is key to this recipe. It’s sweeter and more flavorful than regular paprika, so try to use it if possible. If you like a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of hot paprika or cayenne.
Sour Cream: Adding sour cream at the end gives the soup a nice tang. Be sure to stir it in off the heat to prevent curdling.
Variations of Creamy Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Vegan Hungarian Mushroom Soup
For a vegan version of this soup, you can easily make a few substitutions
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