Russian Dried Mushroom Soup

By
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/1/21
Mushroom Soup

cislander / Getty Images

Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins
Total: 3 hrs
Servings: 6 servings
Yield: 6 cups
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
244 Calories
3g Fat
58g Carbs
7g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 244
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 375mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 58g 21%
Dietary Fiber 9g 31%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 3mg 15%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 1170mg 25%
*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.)

In Slavic countries, mushroom hunting and preservation by drying are national pastimes. During the winter, and at other times when fresh mushrooms are not available, these dried jewels of the forest are made into flavorful soups and sauces.

While most have experienced either cooking or eating fresh mushrooms, the intense flavor that occurs after dehydrating (or drying) mushrooms is absolutely delightful. By drying mushrooms, the flavor is condensed, similar to how the flavor of a pan sauce becomes more intense when you reduce it.

This dried mushroom soup is a great option for vegetarians or those who enjoy meatless meals. Simple to make, with only a few ingredients, this soup is easy to put together and allowed to simmer while you're preparing a salad or dessert to go along with the meal.

So rich in taste, this dried mushroom soup is often served at the meatless Russian Christmas Eve Holy Supper known as sochelnik or sochevnik. And, with nearly 10,000 known species of mushrooms, the possibilities for incredible variations on this soup are endless.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried mushrooms

  • 8 cups cold water

  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • 1 clove garlic, or to taste

  • 2 tablespoons chopped onion

  • 1 tablespoon margarine, or oil

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Break dried mushrooms into small pieces and rinse thoroughly with cold water to remove dirt granules.

  3. Cover mushrooms with 8 cups cold water, salt, and garlic.

  4. Cover and simmer for 2 hours or more until mushrooms are tender. Add more salt to taste.

  5. When soup is done, sauté the chopped onion in butter or oil, whichever you're using, until browned and add to soup.

  6. Simmer for just a few minutes.

  7. Serve with mini pirzohki or pelmeni dumplings that are made with a non-butter dough and stuffed with non-meat fillings. Enjoy.

Tip

How to Store and Freeze

Make sure the soup has cooled down before refrigerating or freezing it.

  • This mushroom soup can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days.
  • You may also freeze any leftover soup in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.