Quick Answer
Cream of mushroom soup often contains dairy ingredients like milk, cream, or cheese. However, there are dairy-free and vegan versions available that use non-dairy milk or cream substitutes. Checking the ingredients list on the can or packaging will specify if the soup contains dairy.
Ingredients in Traditional Cream of Mushroom Soup
Traditional cream of mushroom soup recipes call for ingredients like:
- Mushrooms – the main vegetable ingredient
- Onion and garlic – provide flavor
- Flour – a thickening agent
- Chicken or vegetable broth – adds savory flavor
- Milk or cream – gives the soup a creamy texture
- Butter – adds richness and body
- Cheese – some recipes also include cheese like cheddar or parmesan for extra creaminess
The milk, cream, butter, and cheese are all dairy ingredients commonly found in cream of mushroom soup. These ingredients make the soup smooth, creamy, and give it a rich, indulgent taste and texture.
Dairy-Free Alternatives
While traditional recipes call for dairy like heavy cream, milk, and butter, there are ways to make cream of mushroom soup without dairy:
- Non-dairy milk – soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk can provide creaminess instead of dairy milk
- Non-dairy butter – spreads made from plant-based oils like olive oil or coconut oil
- Nutritional yeast – adds a cheesy, savory flavor
- Vegetable broth – use veggie broth instead of chicken broth
- Flour/starch – rice flour, cornstarch, or arrowroot powder for thickness
- Plant-based creamer – made from oat, soy, coconut, rice, almond
With these substitutions, you can achieve a rich, velvety texture and get the classic cream of mushroom flavor without using dairy products.
Checking the Ingredients List
To know for sure if a cream of mushroom soup contains dairy, check the ingredients listed on the can or packaging.
Names for dairy-based ingredients include:
- Milk
- Cream
- Butter
- Cheese (cheddar, parmesan, etc.)
- Whey
- Casein
- Lactose
- Milk solids
- Milk protein
If any of these are listed, then the soup contains dairy.
Condensed cream of mushroom soup almost always contains dairy. Read the label carefully to determine if a condensed soup is dairy-free.
Meanwhile, names for non-dairy ingredients include:
- Soy milk
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk
- Rice milk
- Oat milk
- Vegetable oil
- Vegetable broth
If the ingredients contain these non-dairy items instead of dairy components, then that cream of mushroom soup is dairy-free.
Some labels to look for include:
- Dairy-free
- Plant-based
- Vegan
These terms indicate a dairy-free cream of mushroom soup.
Nutrition Information
Looking at the nutrition label can also provide information about dairy content.
If a cream of mushroom soup contains dairy, it will have higher amounts of:
- Calcium – milk products are high in calcium
- Vitamin D – found naturally in dairy
- Saturated fat – from butter and cheese
- Cholesterol – milk and cheese contain dietary cholesterol
- Protein – dairy is a good source of protein
Meanwhile, plant-based versions will be higher in:
- Fat from vegetable oils
- Carbohydrates like rice, oats, or potatoes
- Vitamin E, iron, potassium from nuts, seeds, grains
- Fiber from ingredients like mushrooms, onions, soy
So if the nutritional profile shows high saturated fat, cholesterol, vitamin D and calcium, it likely contains dairy. But if the levels of these are low and it’s higher in plant-based fats, carbs, and minerals, it’s likely dairy-free.
Common Brands and Products
Here is an overview of some popular brands and whether they make dairy-free cream of mushroom soup:
| Brand | Dairy-Free Options? |
|---|---|
| Campbell’s | No – Contains milk and chicken stock |
| Progresso | No – Contains milk, whey, cheese |
| Pacific Foods | Yes – Offer vegan and organic creamy mushroom soup |
| Imagine | Yes – Dairy-free and vegan mushroom soups |
| Amy’s Kitchen | Yes – Dairy-free Portobello mushroom soup |
| Health Valley | Yes – Organic mushroom soup, vegan |
As you can see, most major brands like Campbell’s contain dairy. But there are more natural, organic brands offering dairy-free, vegan alternatives. Check the product details for certification as vegan or dairy-free.
Homemade Dairy-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
Making your own dairy-free cream of mushroom soup at home is also an easy option.
Here is a recipe for reference:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb mushrooms (white, cremini, or shiitake), sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in flour and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Gradually whisk in vegetable broth. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add soy milk, soy sauce, thyme and season with salt and pepper.
- Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth and creamy.
- Simmer for 10 more minutes, adjusting seasonings.
- Garnish bowls of soup with extras like mushrooms, croutons, or parsley.
This hearty mushroom soup gets its creamy texture from puréed vegetables, soy milk, and flour instead of heavy cream. It’s easy to customize with different types of mushrooms, additional spices, or nutritional yeast for a savory flavor.
Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup Substitutes
In recipes calling for canned cream of mushroom soup, you can substitute a few options:
- Homemade dairy-free version – use the recipe above or your own plant-based soup recipe.
- Condensed mushroom soup – use dairy-free canned condensed soup.
- Cashew cream – blend soaked raw cashews with mushroom broth for thickness.
- Coconut milk – full fat canned coconut milk.
- Pureed tofu – blend silken tofu with mushrooms and broth.
Start by replacing the same amount of canned soup with one of these alternatives. You may need to adjust consistency or flavor with added non-dairy milk, broth, herbs, etc.
Uses for Cream of Mushroom Soup
Cream of mushroom soup is a versatile ingredient used in many comforting recipes. Here are some popular ways to use it:
- Casseroles – mix with vegetables, plant-based protein, and top with biscuits or stuffing.
- Pot pies – use as part of the creamy filling along with veggies and crust.
- Stroganoff – mix with sautéed mushrooms and serve over egg noodles.
- Gravy – the perfect way to make vegan, dairy-free gravy for holidays.
- Risottos – add creamy mushroom flavor to risottos instead of dairy.
- Potatoes – top baked potatoes, add to mashed potatoes.
- Enchiladas – in mushroom veggie enchiladas as a creamy sauce.
Substitute dairy-free canned or homemade cream of mushroom soup in any recipe that calls for it!
Storing Cream of Mushroom Soup
Here are some tips for proper storage:
Unopened canned soup:
- Store in a cool, dry place like the pantry.
- Avoid direct sunlight and heat to prevent reducing quality.
- Unopened shelf-life is 2-3 years.
- Check ‘best by’ date on can.
Opened canned soup:
- Refrigerate leftover soup in airtight container.
- Use within 4-5 days.
- Soup may separate – stir before reheating.
Homemade cream of mushroom soup:
- Let cool completely before refrigerating.
- Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Can also be frozen for 2-3 months.
- Thaw overnight in fridge before using.
Proper storage keeps cream of mushroom soup fresh and safe to eat. Discard if you notice changes in appearance, texture, or smell.
Conclusion
Traditional cream of mushroom soup contains dairy ingredients like milk, cream, and butter to create a smooth, creamy texture. However, there are several dairy-free, vegan options available from brands using plant-based milk and creams. Check the ingredients list to see if milk, cheese, whey or other dairy components are included. When using canned soup, substituting homemade or dairy-free condensed mushroom soup in recipes is an easy way to make any dish vegetarian and lactose-free. With a few simple swaps and adjustments, you can still enjoy delicious creaminess without the dairy.
