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 it’s insane. A few updates modernize this classic soup, making it wonderful for both weeknights and occasions.
What makes this mushroom soup Hungarian?
The key ingredient in this soup that makes it Hungarian is paprika. Paprika has been a mainstay ingredient in Hugarian cuisine for centuries. And while paprika can come from Spain, South America, and California, Hungarian paprika is considered to be of the highest quality.
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 with the sweet mild variety—adding flavor while not monopolizing the other players.
I 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 to the cozy soup.
How to make the best Hungarian Mushroom Soup:
There are a few steps to creating the best mushroom soup. They’re all simple, but they do deserve a little time and attention.
Use good quality mushrooms
Don’t compromise on freshness and quality in favor of variety of mushrooms. I love using a mixture of mushrooms for this soup because they add textural interest. However, 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.
Make a roux to thicken the soup
First off, what’s a “roux,” and what does it do? A roux is a mixture of fat and flour that is slowly cooked over low to medium heat and is used to thicken soups, stews and sauces.
When making a soup, I will most often add my flour right in with the sautéed veggies, cook it a bit, then stir in my liquid and simmer. But, to ensure a super creamy soup free of any lumps, I chose to clear out the pot (don’t worry you don’t have to clean it), cook the flour and spices in some butter, then slowly whisk in the liquid before adding the veggies back in.
Doing it this way puts my mind at ease, it’s a foolproof way to ensure you get a creamy soup free of any raw lumps of flour.
Skip the nonfat stuff
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. To make you feel a bit better, I do use 2% milk which when combined with sour cream, adds the perfect amount of creamy goodness. Additionally, I swapped half of the butter for olive oil—I’ll take any chance I can get to add some heart-healthy fruity olive oil to the mix.
Finish with a bit of acid and something fresh
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 (or red) 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.
Gluten Free Hungarian Mushroom Soup
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.
Vegetarian Hungarian Mushroom Soup
You’ll see I list either vegetable broth or chicken broth in the ingredient list. I 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 veg broth, decrease the salt by ¼ teaspoon.
More mushrooms recipes you may like…
- Mushroom Veggie Burgers
- Mushroom & Goat Cheese Crostini Appetizer
- Sweet Potato Ravioli with Seared Mushrooms
- Moroccan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
- Wild Mushroom Stuffing
- Savory Breakfast Bowl with Crispy Shiitakes
- Vegetarian Mushroom & Eggplant Pasta Bolognese
Make sure to tag me @ZESTFULKITCHEN ON INSTAGRAM or comment below if you make this Hungarian Mushroom Soup!
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Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Directions
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 or sorghum flour for gluten-free
- 4 teaspoons sweet mild paprika**
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc
- 3 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 ½ cups 2% milk
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
- ½ cup chopped 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, 15 minutes.
- Transfer onions and mushrooms to a bowl.
- Add butter to now empty pot and let melt over medium heat. Whisk in flour, paprika, dill, salt, and pepper and 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.
Notes
- *I like to use a mixture of whatever mushrooms I can find! Here I used a mixture of cremini, shiitake, oyster and white beech. You can use all of one kind or a mixture of whatever you like best. If you aren’t sure what you like, try a mix of cremini and white button, these are the most common type of mushrooms and also the most mild in flavor.
- ** I like to use a mixture of regular paprika and smoked paprika. I use 3 teaspoons regular and 1 teaspoon smoked.
Nutrition
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!