Homemade Condensed Soup Base

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 11/03/19
Cream Soup Base
Cream Soup milanfoto / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
114 Calories
7g Fat
11g Carbs
2g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 114
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 354mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 2g
Calcium 56mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Until food companies finally begin to use BPA (Bisphenol A) free cans, prepare your cream soups from scratch and use fresh and frozen vegetables. Make this simple cream soup base to use in your main dish and side dish casseroles instead of condensed cream soups. Feel free to add chopped cooked mushrooms or herbs to this soup base for different flavors.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 1/2 cup low-fat or fat-free milk
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (freshly ground, to taste)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

  3. Stir in flour.

  4. Keep stirring until smooth and bubbly.

  5. Remove the pan from heat and slowly add the chicken broth and milk while stirring or whisking to keep the mixture smooth.

  6. Return the pan to heat.

  7. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until it has thickened.

  8. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed to taste.

  9. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • Use in casseroles in place of condensed cream soups.
  • This cream soup base can be varied by using vegetable broth, sauteéd chopped celery, celery seed, or sauteéd chopped mushrooms. Add herbs and or seasonings, as desired.