This Hungarian Mushroom Soup is full of flavor, creamy and so cozy. A variety of mushrooms and a dash of soy sauce make this soup full of umami flavor and insanely satisfying. This modern mushroom soup recipe is wonderful for both weeknights and special occasions.
What Is Hungarian Mushroom Soup?
Paprika is the key ingredient in this mushroom soup that makes it Hungarian. Paprika has been a mainstay ingredient in Hungarian cuisine for centuries.
And while paprika can come from Spain, South America, and California, Hungarian paprika is considered to be of the highest quality (and should be used in this recipe).
You can find Hungarian paprika in most grocery and spice stores now, as well as Amazon.
One of the most common varieties of paprika hails from Spain and is labeled pimenton. Pimenton ranges from sweet to hot, and is a great addition to paella.
However, be sure to use a sweet mild Hungarian paprika for this soup. There’s a place and time for hot paprika, but this soup is best when made with the sweet mild variety—adding flavor while not monopolizing the other players.
We do offer an option to add a dash of smoked paprika—if you have it. It’s not necessary by any means, but it does offer a modern touch of coziness.
Ingredients
Paprika
As we mentioned, Hungarian Paprika is the key ingredient in this recipe. You can purchase it online. If you can’t find it or don’t want to order it, seek out high-quality sweet mild paprika (you can also use a dash of smoked paprika for an added boost of flavor). Just avoid using Spanish paprika.
Mushrooms
We recommend using a mixture of different types of mushrooms. Doing so offers a variety of textures to each bite of soup.
Don’t compromise on freshness and quality in favor of variety of mushrooms. If adding variety means you have to sacrifice on quality it’s just not worth it.
If the best mushrooms you can find are button or cremini, use those! The soup will still be delightfully delicious.
When looking for mushrooms choose those that have a fresh odor, are dry to the touch (not slimy), and are free of any discoloring. If you’ve got leftover mushrooms, put them to use in our creamy Mushroom Sauce for Steak!
Dill
For an added boost of Hungarian flare, add some fresh (or dried) dill. Using fresh not only adds traditional Hungarian flavor, but it also adds a nice dose of freshness.
Dry White Wine
Deglazing the pot with a splash of white wine adds a nice depth of flavor and slight tang (which is then built upon later with sour cream and a splash of vinegar). Use a wine you would like to drink with the soup, but avoid using anything overly expense.
Broth
Opt for low-sodium broth so you can control the amount of salt added. We like this recipe when made with chicken broth, but to keep it vegetarian, use vegetable broth.
Dairy
To make this soup ultra-creamy, we use a combination of milk and sour cream. Make sure you use full-fat sour cream and whole milk for an ultra-creamy soup.
Here at ZK we like to make things “healthy-ish” but in an elevated, enjoyable way. AKA we’re here to create healthy food that tastes delicious, because what’s the point of healthy if you don’t actually enjoy the food?
So, here’s the thing, skim milk and low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt just doesn’t do this soup justice. It’s all about the creaminess with this one.
Vinegar
Unless you are making a tomato-based soup, nearly every soup will benefit from a dash of acid right at the end. For this Hungarian Mushroom Soup I like to use white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar.
Classically, lemon juice is added at the end, and you surely can use that instead, but the white wine vinegar plays nicely with the dry white wine used for deglazing earlier in the recipe.
How to Make Hungarian Mushroom Soup
1. Cook the mushrooms
Cook the onions and mushrooms until the onions are softened and mushrooms have shrunk in size. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a bowl.
2. Make the Roux
Add the butter to now-empty pot. Whisk in the flour and spices and cook 1 minute. Deglaze with the wine then slowly whisk in the broth.
3. Simmer the Soup
Add the mushrooms back into the pot along with a splash of soy sauce. Simmer until the soup has reduced by half.
4. Add the Milk and Sour Cream
Whisk in the milk and sour cream, bring back to a simmer then remove the soup from heat.
5. Finish the Soup and Serve
Finish the soup with a splash of vinegar and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Top servings with fresh dill and parsley and a dollop of sour cream.
Watch How to Make It
Test Kitchen Tips
- Avoid bringing this soup to a boil—you’re just looking for a simmer. This is especially important after you add the milk and sour cream. If you bring the soup to a boil you risk breaking the sour cream (aka it will curdle).
- If your sour cream is being added straight from the fridge and is pretty cold, we recommend whisking it with some milk until smooth. This will make it much easier to incorporate into the soup.
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. We do not recommend freezing any dairy-based soup as it will separate and become grainy during the freezing and thawing process.
Reheating: Reheat over medium-low on the stove top until warmed through. You can also reheat in the microwave, but keep an eye on it, you don’t want it to boil!
Make it Gluten Free
This soup can easily be made gluten-free thanks to sorghum flour! Simply swap the ¼ cup of all-purpose flour out for an equal amount of sorghum flour.
Nutty in flavor, this whole grain flour is a wonderful—and flavorful—thickener for both soups and sauces. You can also use a gluten-free flour blend of your choosing.
Vegetarian Hungarian Mushroom Soup
You’ll see we list either vegetable broth or chicken broth in the ingredient list. We prefer chicken broth here but you can absolutely use vegetable broth to keep this recipe vegetarian.
Try to use low-sodium veg broth, if you can find it (sometimes it’s a challenge!). If you can’t find low-sodium vegetable broth, decrease the salt by ¼ teaspoon.
FAQs
When it comes to creating a creamy, stable soup, making a roux is the only way. When heated too high or reheated too many times, a cornstarch-thickened soup can break. It’s a quick way to thicken a soup, but not a stable way.
Plus, thickened with a roux means you actually add more flavor to a soup. In order to cook out the raw flavor of flour, you toast it for a bit in the pan which adds toasty, nutty flavor.
No, we do not recommend freezing any dairy-based soup as it will separate and become grainy during the freezing and thawing process.
If you want to experience this soup in all its glory, then we recommend seeking it out or ordering it online. If you can’t find it or don’t want to order it, seek out high-quality sweet mild paprika (you can also use a dash of smoked paprika for an added boost of flavor). Just avoid using Spanish paprika.
More Mushrooms Recipes to Try
- Our Mushroom Veggie Burgers are the perfect vegetarian dinner!
- Try our Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms for a healthy anytime appetizer.
- Enjoy the beauty mushrooms with our recipe for Pan-Fried King Oyster Mushrooms. These decadent mushrooms are meaty and so special.
- If you’re looking for another appetizer, try these Mushroom & Apricot Goat Cheese Crostini.
- Our Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup is loaded with golden-brown sautéed mushrooms. Soul-soothing goodness!
- Mushrooms are a great vegan and vegetarian ingredient. Use them in our Sweet Potato Ravioli with Seared Mushrooms.
- Enjoy pasta night with our Vegetarian Mushroom & Eggplant Pasta Bolognese. Hearty, cozy and loaded with flavor.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Description
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds mixed mushrooms*, trimmed and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 cups diced yellow onions
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour *gluten free notes below
- 4 teaspoons sweet mild paprika*
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, or 2 teaspoons dried dill
- kosher salt and cracked black pepper
- ½ cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add mushrooms and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and mushrooms have shrunk in size by half, about 15 minutes.
- Transfer onions and mushrooms to a bowl.
- Add butter to now empty pot and melt over medium heat. Whisk in flour, paprika, dill, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Deglaze pan with wine, whisking, until evaporated.
- Whisk broth in by increments, allowing flour mixture to adequately dissolve into broth before adding more. Stir in soy sauce and reserved mushroom mixture. Bring soup to a simmer and cook until liquid has reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
- Whisk in milk and sour cream, bring soup back to a simmer then stir in vinegar. Off heat, add parsley and season with pepper to taste.
Would you like to save this?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Skip the wine and replace with additional broth. Season to taste with a bit more vinegar.
- Use dried dill instead of fresh.
- Instead of using both olive oil and butter, use one or the other for both cooking steps.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published October 24th, 2016. It has since been updated for clarification.
Cannot wait to make this for Cam!! Yummm!
Oooh! I’ve been craving all things soup lately and know my family will love this. It looks incredible!
Simply delicious…will definitely be sharing this with friends and family…thanks Lauren!
So hearty and comforting!
Hi Lo, just wondering about 2% milk? In Australia, I’m sure we have an equivalent, but what is 2% milk exactly please?
Thank you, looking forward to making this…..
Hi Kate!
2% milk is a low-fat milk here in the states. I would recommend using a low-fat (but not non-fat) milk. You can also use half-and-half or cream, if you use either of these, I would decrease the amount down to 3/4 cup or 1 cup.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Making this tonight for the second time in two weeks—my family has been raving about it! I did add in some roasted cauliflower just because I love it in soup. Great recipe!
Hi Donia! I am so glad you are enjoying the soup—love the idea of adding roasted cauliflower. I will have to do that the next time I make this! 🙂
I’m so sad because I can only find paprika from either China or Spain. What do I do in this case? Have you ever used fresh paprika (bell peppers?)
🙁
Hi Ana! I would use the Spanish paprika that you mentioned! Spanish paprika will work well—it will add more flavor and even a bit more spice. If you’re concerned about spice, decrease the amount slightly to 3 tsp. or so. I haven’t tried this with bell peppers, but they would make a great addition!
This soup was delicious!! For sure make this again! Dubbel the recipe and freeze it!!
Definitely my new favorite mushroom soup!! Thank You!
Would almond flour work in this? I’ve never heard of the other flour.
Hi Logan—if you’re wanting to keep this gluten-free without using sorghum flour I would try a 1:1 baking flour or skipping the flour step and whisking in a cornstarch slurry (about 2 tsp. cornstarch whisked together with 2 tsp. water) into the soup right at the end. If you want it thicker, add a bit more cornstarch slurry. Unfortunately, almond flour doesn’t have thickening capabilities. I hope that helps!
Wow. Made this today and it’s got all of the flavours my grandmother used to use in her kitchen. So nostalgic and comforting. Will be making this again!!
Hi Katrina! I’m SO glad to hear you enjoyed it!! When it comes to food, nothing beats nostalgia!!
This has such a sophisticated taste for not much time in the kitchen! Used a combination of white button and gorgeous little beech mushrooms. Loved it!
Hi Kelly! I am so glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂
My family loves this recipe, as do I. Changed soy sauce to tamari sauce to make it completely gluten free and I also added wild rice.
Hi Maria! I love the idea of adding wild rice—I will have to try that the next time I make this!
Absolutely loved this!! Easy, nutritious and delicious.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Sahara!! 🙂
Made it per the recipe and it was delicious! A keeper for sure!,
Hi Frankie! I’m so glad you enjoyed this! Thanks for trying it and leaving a comment! 🙂
This soup was unbelievable. I served it with some warm ciabatta and it was a huge hit. So full of flavor!
Made this as stated in the recipe….would love to post a pic, but they ate every single bit of it :)…SO Delicious!! It will be a regular in our soup rotation.
We often have LOTS of mushrooms and this is my favorite recipe to use them! YUMMY. It tastes so incredibly (tastes posh) and it’s easy to make. Everything from Zestful Kitchen speaks to me! Thanks for making me a good cook/baker 😉 <3
MOST AMAZING SOUP EVER! this is my second time making it this year and both times they have been absolutely amazing
Oh my gosh, Sierra, you just made my year! This is the best comment! I’m so glad you love it!
Hi there! I made this soup for my boyfriend who hates mushrooms and he loved it! Do you have any other recipes that might mask them at all? Thanks!
Yay! I LOVE that! I’m currently working on two new recipes using trumpet mushrooms and I’m hoping to publish them sometime in Feb. (I can’t wait to share them!) In the meantime, this vegetarian mushrooms bolognese is a favorite of mine. It’s loaded with texture and flavor. Everytime I make it, my husband can’t believe there isn’t meat in in.
https://zestfulkitchen.com/eggplant-bolognese/
This slow cooker turkey wild rice soup is also great! You can also use cooked chicken instead of turkey (I usually pick up a rotisserie chicken). https://zestfulkitchen.com/slow-cooker-turkey-wild-rice-soup-recipe/
Enjoy!
I made this for the family in between Christmas and new year and they all loved it. So I’m making it again! I only have smoked paprika (my favorite spice) so I only used that and it tasted delicious. It’s the best mushroom soup recipe ever. Thanks.
Hi Gb! I’m so happy to hear your family loved it! Great idea using all smoked paprika—I bet that really amps up the flavor!
Great soup. Creamy with a slight twang from the vinegar. It’s relatively low prep and quick to put together. It shows well too and could easily be for company as well as just every day
I added 1 cup of chopped Chinese broccoli along with the mushrooms and it gives it a slight chewy texture. I used nonfat milk substitute and 2/3 of the oil in the pan and it worked well. The author may like whole fat but so does my hips. It’s not needed to make a wonderful soup.
Thanks for the note Aly! Glad you enjoyed it!
Absolutely delicious!
I know I just reviewed this recipe in March but I made it again tonight and can’t express how much we love this mushroom soup. It is divine!!!!
Can you use Hungarian paprika in this soup? Thanks
Absolutely, that would work great!
Used cremini and foraged cauliflower mushrooms. Fast easy and good!
My fiance doesn’t like mushrooms (and a lot of other really yummy things). When he’s away for work, I look for recipes that I know he won’t like. A treat, just for me. I will be making this again, because wowowowowow the flavor is so balanced. Top two soups I’ve ever made. Huge fan!
What a fun thing to look forward to when cooking for yourself! No off limit ingredients! I’m so glad you enjoyed this soup recipe. Such a craveable meal. I also love cooking with mushrooms, so if you’re looking for another (when your fiance is gone), I recommend trying my pan-fried king oyster mushrooms. They are so savory and have the most lovely fried texture.
https://zestfulkitchen.com/pan-fried-king-oyster-mushrooms-recipe/
This was AMAZING. 10/10. My family and I loved it! Thanks for the amazing recipe.
Woo!! So glad you and your family loved it!!
This was my first recipe I’ve made from your soup collection and it didn’t not disappoint! One of the best mushroom soups I’ve ever had!!!
Wooo! I’m so happy to hear that!!!
Good shit. Make it.
Tonight I made this soup for the second time and it is absolutely incredible.Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.What I would like to know, however, is why do you not recommend smoked paprika from Spain?