Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Featured in Comforting Soups & Hearty Stews.

This cozy dish brings together fresh mushrooms, creamy textures, and spices like paprika and dill. A satisfying meal in less than an hour.

A chef holding a plate of food.
Updated on Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:21:33 GMT
Creamy mushroom soup in a bowl, topped with herbs, sour cream, and bread slices on a wooden board. Pin it
Creamy mushroom soup in a bowl, topped with herbs, sour cream, and bread slices on a wooden board. | linacooks.com

I stumbled onto this Hungarian Mushroom Soup on a cold day when I wanted something both snug and sophisticated. It's turned into our clan's top pick for comfort food. The blend of earthy mushrooms with warm paprika and fresh dill all wrapped in that creamy sour cream base creates something truly wonderful in each bite.

What Makes Us Come Back for More

This soup has a unique way of mixing deep earthy flavors with fresh herbs and that soft paprika heat. It's become what I cook when we want fast comfort with a touch of class. Even folks who usually avoid mushrooms ask for another helping when they smell this bubbling away.

Your Shopping List

  • Fresh Mushrooms: Cremini are my pick but regular white ones work great too.
  • Sweet Onions: They turn golden and sweet when cooked.
  • Real Butter: Adds that homey richness.
  • Fresh Dill: Gives those zingy bright touches.
  • Hungarian Paprika: The heart of our soup - don't skimp here.
  • Full-Fat Sour Cream: For that dreamy smoothness.
  • Whole Milk: Gives just the right body.
  • Good Broth: Pick vegetable or chicken, both are fantastic.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Just a bit to give it body.

Creating Your Bowl of Comfort

Getting Started
Let those mushrooms and onions brown in butter until they're golden and smell amazing. Your house already feels cozier.
Spice Time
When paprika and dill meet the hot pan, you'll catch the most wonderful scent in the air.
Growing Our Soup
Add your tasty broth and watch the flour do its thickening trick.
Making It Smooth
Mix in sour cream and milk carefully, watching it turn into velvet.
Time to Eat
Top with fresh dill snippings and enjoy pure comfort by the spoonful.
A pot of creamy mushroom soup with sliced mushrooms and a golden spoon stirring it. Pin it
A pot of creamy mushroom soup with sliced mushrooms and a golden spoon stirring it. | linacooks.com

Authentic Hungarian Flavor

That gorgeous Hungarian paprika isn't just adding color - it's what makes this soup special. My Hungarian buddy taught me to always buy the real deal, not any old paprika. It adds such depth and warmth, making each spoonful taste like it came straight from a grandma's kitchen in Budapest.

Great Side Matches

We can't help dunking crusty bread into this smooth soup, watching it soak up all that flavor. A simple cucumber salad on the side works so well for contrast. This soup turns any dinner into something memorable, whether it's just family or you've got company.

Tips From My Kitchen

Don't rush those mushrooms and onions - let them get properly golden, it's totally worth waiting for. Always grab full-fat dairy products, they really bump up the richness. That sprinkle of fresh dill at the end isn't just for looks, it adds a burst of flavor and color to every serving.

Customize Your Bowl

I sometimes throw in different mushroom types when I feel like treating myself. For my vegan pals, coconut cream steps in nicely for the dairy. Tossing in some diced potatoes or barley makes it extra filling when we want something that really sticks to our ribs.

Storage Smarts

This soup stays good in your fridge for three days and actually tastes better over time. Just warm it up slowly, stirring now and then to keep it smooth. I don't bother freezing it though, as the dairy never comes back quite right.

The Universal Appeal

Something about this soup draws everyone to the table. Maybe it's how the earthy mushrooms mix with tangy cream or how the paprika adds that gentle warmth. Whatever magic is happening, this meal always brings comfort and happy faces.

Making it a Meal

This soup loves friends like crusty bread, warm rolls, or bright cucumber salad. When I have guests over, I'll pop open a crisp white wine and watch everyone smile at their first taste.

All Are Welcome

What's great about this soup is how it fits so many eating styles. My veggie friends love it, and with a few quick changes, it works for plant-based diets too. It's comfort food that nobody has to miss out on.

Family Heritage

Each time I cook this soup, I think about all the Hungarian cooks before me who tweaked and perfected it over years. It's more than just food - it's a bowl full of history and love that warms us from inside out.

A pot of creamy mushroom sauce is being stirred, showcasing sliced mushrooms in a rich brown liquid. Pin it
A pot of creamy mushroom sauce is being stirred, showcasing sliced mushrooms in a rich brown liquid. | linacooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Could I swap mushrooms for other types?

Sure, feel free to try button mushrooms, portobello, or even an assortment of wild mushrooms. Each variety adds its own flair.

→ What's the trick to stopping sour cream from curdling?

Keep the heat low and stir as you add the sour cream. Just make sure the soup isn’t bubbling hot—it’s key for smooth results.

→ Can I store this soup in the freezer?

Yes, pop it in the freezer for up to a month. Let it thaw in the fridge and then slowly heat it while stirring. Don’t worry if it looks separated—it’ll come back together as it warms.

→ What’s a good substitute for white wine?

Add some extra broth and a dash of white wine vinegar or a squeeze of lemon. It’ll taste great even without the wine.

→ How do I make this vegetarian-friendly?

Replace the chicken stock with veggie stock and check that the Worcestershire sauce is vegetarian. Everything else stays the same.

Conclusion

A warm, velvety soup flavored with rich Hungarian spices, offering comfort in every spoonful. Perfect for chilly days.

Hungarian Mushroom

Creamy, comforting soup featuring traditional Hungarian spices, fresh mushrooms, and a tangy touch of sour cream.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Hungarian

Yield: 4 Servings (5 cups)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
02 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
03 2 teaspoons paprika.
04 ½ cup dry white wine.
05 4 tablespoons salted butter.
06 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour.
07 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced.
08 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional).
09 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, minced.
10 2 teaspoons dried dill.
11 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock.
12 ¼ cup sour cream.
13 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional).
14 1 large yellow onion, chopped.
15 1 cup whole milk.

Instructions

Step 01

In a big pot, warm the butter on medium. Toss in the onions and mushrooms, cooking for roughly 8 minutes until the onions soften.

Step 02

Pour in the stock and wine, then add Worcestershire, paprika, dill, thyme, and salt. Let it boil briefly, then lower the heat to simmer. Cook for 10 minutes so it reduces a third.

Step 03

Mix the flour into your milk until smooth. Stir this into the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes to get the mixture to thicken up.

Step 04

Lower the heat. Slowly mix in the sour cream and lemon juice (if you're using it) until it's all blended well.

Step 05

Scoop into serving bowls, and if you like, sprinkle parsley on top.

Notes

  1. Yields 5 cups—double it if you want more for a main meal.
  2. Keeps frozen for up to one month.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big cooking pot.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter, milk, sour cream).
  • Includes wheat (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 363
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 11 g