Chef John's Creamy Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

• 0.25 cups unsalted butter
• 2 packages sliced fresh mushrooms , 16 ounce
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 medium yellow onion , diced
• 1.5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme , tied in a bundle with kitchen twine
• 2 cloves garlic , peeled
• 4 cups chicken broth , or more to taste
• 1 cup water , or more to taste
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves for garnish , or to taste

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms and 1 pinch salt in the melted butter until mushrooms release their juices, 5 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring often, until juices evaporate and mushrooms are caramelized, 15 to 25 minutes. Set aside a few attractive mushroom slices for garnish later, if desired.

3. 3

   Add onion to the mushrooms; cook until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Stir flour into the mushroom mixture and cook, stirring often, to remove the raw flour taste, about 2 minutes.

5. 5

   Add thyme bundle and garlic cloves, then pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 1 cup water. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour. Remove and discard thyme bundle.

6. 6

   Purée soup with a blender in batches until smooth and thick.

7. 7

   Stir in cream. If too thick, add a little chicken broth or water. Season with salt and black pepper.

8. 8

   Ladle into bowls, and garnish with reserved mushroom slices and thyme leaves.