Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Hungarian Mushroom Soup For Every Occasion.

Because it’s dreary outside, and you need a boost: Hungarian mushroom soup. Because you’re craving something soul-warming and simple: Hungarian mushroom soup. Because you need dinner to be easy tonight: Hungarian mushroom soup. Because you need the meditative, familiar magic of some easy-going chopping and stirring: Hungarian mushroom soup.

Paprika-tinged and soothing, there’s something uniquely cozy about this creamy mushroom soup. There’s a wholesomeness to a bowl of soup on a cold, rainy—or snowy—night. It warms you to cook it, it warms you to eat it, it warms the people you share it with. Bite by bite, the troubles of the day grow more distant. Meaty, earthy mushrooms are lifted up by the herbaceous lightness of dill and the subtle tang of sour cream, while a generous sprinkling of paprika turns the whole fragrant pot a blushing shade of pink. Hungarian mushroom soup is a cool-weather staple in our homes, and we hope it’ll become one in yours, too.

How Do You Make the Best Mushroom Soup?

Soup is pretty magical. Made well, soup can be an especially focused celebration of flavor—think chicken soup, or potato-leek—and if you’re a mushroom lover, it doesn’t get much more drool-worthy than the thought of a whole entire pot of mushroom soup. As for the best mushroom soup in the whole world, you know where we stand. This Hungarian mushroom soup pretty much blows all others out of the water. Here’s how to ensure it turns out beautifully every time:

1. Use good mushrooms. They’re the main event here, so select mushrooms that look firm and clean. We like cremini mushrooms for their darker color and super meaty texture, but regular white button mushrooms are OK, too.
2. Take your time sautéeing the onions and mushrooms—let the heat and butter draw out their natural juices, and then let them get a little bit of color, too. Nice, dark—not burnt, but dark—caramelization means flavor, flavor, flavor. This recipe comes together without much effort—it asks only patience.
3. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: don’t substitute low-fat dairy for the sour cream and milk. Just a few tablespoons of each is all it takes to give this soup a decadent, comforting richness, so don’t skimp. Just enjoy!

What makes Hungarian Mushroom Soup Hungarian?

Paprika! Paprika at its most basic is simply dried, ground peppers, and it is a spice that is believed to have originated in Hungary as early as the 15th century and is today a defining flavor of Hungarian cuisine. All paprika is not created equal, though. Here’s a quick crash course in our favorite smokey, spicy, sweet, pink-ifying spice:

• For our Hungarian mushroom soup, sweet, mild Hungarian paprika is the classic choice. You can look for it at your local grocery store labeled (usually) as “Hungarian sweet paprika”. You can order it online here, too.
• If you prefer a little kick, you can also look for “Hungarian Half-Sharp Paprika” which is a slightly spicier take on the classic sweet Hungarian paprika.
• Many recipes call specifically for Spanish paprika—like paella, for example—also known as pimenton, which is a type of paprika made from a slightly different type of pepper than the Hungarian version. While we love its unique smoky depth of flavor, it’s not right for this Hungarian mushroom soup.

Meatless Monday?

Lusciously creamy, this Hungarian Mushroom Soup makes for a simple weeknight supper—and since it’s vegetarian, it’s especially perfect for meatless Mondays. Round it out into a more substantial meal with some crusty bread, or our herby rolls. A gorgeous, cold cucumber salad makes for the perfect refreshing contrast to the soups’ richness.

If you make this Hungarian mushroom soup, we’d love to hear about it! Be sure to snap a photo, add it to your Instagram feed or stories and tag us @themodernproper and #themodernproper if you do. Also, feel free to leave a comment on the post and tell your friends where you discovered the recipe.