Dairy-Free Mushroom Soup
Dairy-Free Mushroom Soup is made with just a few simple ingredients like fresh mushrooms, leek, fresh herbs, and vegetable broth, along with an unexpected ingredient to make it thick and creamy without milk or dairy-free milk. This easy, homemade soup is healthy, low-calorie, and accidentally vegan.
This homemade cream of mushroom soup is one of those comfort foods that everyone loves. A mushroom lovers dream soup and one of my all-time favorite recipes. A vegan cream of mushroom soup recipe where you won’t even miss the dairy because it is just as thick, creamy with amazing depth of flavor. There’s no need for full fat milk or heavy cream, which makes it lower in fat and calories.
This recipe came about by accident, and I wasn’t trying to make a vegan soup. I had some friends coming over for dinner, and as it can happen, I was informed that one of my guests is lactose intolerant. Well, there went my cream of mushroom soup idea (or so I thought).
That’s when I remembered my recipe for Zucchini and Sweet Potato Soup, where I had learned that cashew nuts make a really good soup thickener, and it turned out really well
There’s no need for any type of milk when it comes to thickening soup; all you need is raw cashew nuts. They soften as the soup cooks and are blended into the soup, resulting in the perfect creamy texture.
I find that almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or soy milk are all too thin to add body and thickness to the soup. Blended cashews create a thick consistency without the need for starches like potatoes, all-purpose flour, or tapioca flour.
Cashew nut substitute
If you don’t want to use nuts of any kind, you can substitute a small potato. Just peel, chop, and add in place of the cashews. Coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk is a consideration, but you may detect a light coconut flavor.
Best mushrooms for creamy mushroom soup
Any of your favorites will work; cremini mushrooms, baby bella mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms are my favorite choices. White button mushrooms will work, but they don’t have as much mushroom flavor, in my opinion. You can also use a variety of mushrooms.
I promise, you won’t miss the cream in this creamy vegan mushroom soup, and for those of you who are not able to tolerate dairy and missed out on all those creamy soups, this recipe is for you.
I’ve tried the recipe a few times, and this is the best-tasting version so far. To give the soup texture, I reserve some of the cooked chopped mushrooms before blending the soup. It’s nice to have a meaty mushroom bite.
Flavor tip
If you’re a fan of black pepper, go a little heavier and it really enhances the and brings fantastic flavor to the mushrooms.
Fresh herbs
I like fresh rosemary paired with mushrooms. Fresh thyme is also a delicious option, or use both.
Blending vegetable soup
There are two ways of doing this. To cut down on dishes, I like to use my immersion blender and blend it right in the pan it cooks in. If you blend using a regular blender, make sure the soup is cooled slightly, as hot liquids expand quickly when blended.
Leftover mushroom soup
Store in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 5 days. This dairy-free cream of mushroom soup is also perfect for making a vegan green bean casserole.
Freezing mushroom soup
Next time you make this soup, make a double batch and freeze the other half. I’m always glad when I do this. Just seal well in a freezer-safe container and it will keep for up to 3 months.
Dairy-Free Mushroom Soup
Fresh mushrooms cooked with leek, garlic and rosemary in vegetable broth thickened with cashews.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds (453 grams) mushrooms, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium leek, washed and chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- ⅔ cup of raw cashews (or 1/2 cup potato, peeled and chopped)
- 4 cups (2 pints) vegetable stock
Instructions
- To a large saucepan, add the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add all the mushrooms, sauté until soft and browned. Remove ⅓ of the mushrooms and set aside to add to soup later.
- Add the leeks, salt and pepper. Continue to sauté until leeks are soft. Add the garlic and rosemary, cook for 2 minutes. Add the cashews (or potato) and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- If you have an immersion blender, use this to blend the soup in the pan. If not, transfer 1/4 to a blender and blend until smooth, if it's too thick, add a little water to get the consistency you like. Transfer to a bowl and continue with the rest of the soup.
- Put all the soup back into the soup pan, add the mushrooms that were set aside. Reheat and test for seasoning, add salt if needed. Serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1 cupAmount Per Serving Calories 193Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 2mgSodium 359mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 3gSugar 4gProtein 6g
17 Comments on “Dairy-Free Mushroom Soup”
I have made this twice, once with cashews and once with potatoes. both turned out perfect. the rosemary is just enough to not overpower the mushroom flavor. I added a picture to pinterest if anyone wants to see it’s not as pretty as the pics here ๐
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/183029172343127148/
It really is my favorite, thank you for sharing your experience.
I’ve made this a few times, it’s my favorite mushroom soup recipe. I used a potato the last time because I didn’t get cashews and it’s just as good.
I just made some today and I love it too and I’m not even vegan ๐
This is a really good mushroom soup. My wife is vegan so I made it for her and I enjoyed it too. I substituted leeks for onions and it still turned out very nice. I’ll make it again.
I’m so glad. I’m not vegan or vegetarian and enjoy this soup so much too.
I love mushroom soups but I never tried them in a vegan version. I think it’s about time to start with your beautiful recipe ๐
I love using raw cashews to make “creamy” recipes. Your soup looks amazing, the texture is fabulous!
This soup looks so creamy and delicious! Will try this soup sometime.
So cold today and a bit of a snow. Perfect weather for this lovely soup!
Oh I’m loving the sound of this! I tried to make a vegan creamy mushroom soup the other day using cauliflower. It was awful! Cashews sound like a much better alternative!
This is so pretty. This whole recipe is a departure for me. I haven’t made homemade mushroom soup or a creamy soup like this. A new culinary world awaits!
I love this idea. I really want to try it.
I am into making vegan soups lately and this looks so delicious, nicely done!
As a healthy blogger (and eater!), I’m always looking for great new ways to make really creamy dishes (from pasta sauces to soups to dips) without using the typical, full-fat dairy products that most people think of when they think “cream.” This recipe is just a phenomenal idea – so much healthier and still so wonderfully rich and creamy! Definitely pinning this!
I love mushroom soups but I am REALLY loving the sound of this one with no cream! I’ve never used cashews in this way before but I cannot wait to try it!
This looks awesome! I’d love to have this for lunch today. Nom nom!