This Adaptogenic Mushroom Soup Will Cure Your Seasonal Anxiety - Home & Texture
Recipes Adaptogenic Mushroom Soup

This Adaptogenic Mushroom Soup Is Good for Your Soul and Stress Levels

Enjoy a comforting soup while getting a mood boost.

October 15, 2024 at 2:44 PM PST
Recipes Adaptogenic Mushroom Soup

This Adaptogenic Mushroom Soup Is Good for Your Soul and Stress Levels

Enjoy a comforting soup while getting a mood boost.

October 15, 2024 at 2:44 PM PST

As we enter the season of earlier sunsets, the risk of seasonal depression slowly increases. One effective way to combat this stress is through our diet, and what better way to comfort our feelings than with something warm and nourishing like a hearty soup? Soups not only provide physical warmth but also offer emotional comfort, making them an ideal choice for boosting mood during the darker months.

If you’re looking for an even bigger boost, consider adding mushroom-based adaptogens to your soup. These powerful ingredients can help relieve stress, anxiety, and fatigue. In addition to incorporating your favorite mushrooms into the soup, you can add a mushroom powder or elixir, creating a pot of immunity-boosting, mood-enhancing goodness.

Related: 7 Cozy Soups That’ll Keep You Warm This Winter

mushroom soup
Photo credit: Lauri Patterson

In the recipe ahead, we’re enhancing your normal mushroom soup with adaptogenic mushroom supplements. This combination is ideal as the soup’s rich flavor helps balance the sometimes strong taste of adaptogens while creating a comforting and nourishing meal.

If you try the recipe and love it, give us a shoutout and tag us on Instagram @homeandtexture for a chance to be featured.

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens, natural substances typically found in herbs or mushrooms, gained popularity during the 2020s pandemic as people focused on wellness. These compounds help the body adapt to stress and maintain balance. Adaptogens are characterized by their non-specific action against stressors, normalizing effects, and safety for long-term use.

Common adaptogenic mushrooms like reishi, chaga, cordyceps, and lion’s mane are believed to boost immunity, reduce fatigue, and enhance mental clarity.

What to Look for in Mushroom-Based Supplements?

When selecting mushroom supplements, it’s essential to research and choose high-quality products from reputable sources. Many grocery stores, such as Walmart, offer adaptogen blends or single-mushroom extracts.

You might start with a multi-mushroom blend or explore individual mushroom supplements based on your specific wellness goals.

For this recipe, consider using a mushroom blend that includes varieties like reishi, cordyceps, or lion’s mane.

adaptogenic mushroom soup
Photo credit: Westend61

Adaptogenic Mushroom Soup:

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 thyme leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 lb. crimini mushrooms of choice, trimmed and sliced
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 1 lb. mixed mushrooms of choice, sliced or torn into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 serving mushroom-based adaptogenic blend

Instructions

To make mushroom soup with an adaptogenic blend, start by heating three tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, garlic, and thyme, cooking until the onion softens. Then, add crimini mushrooms, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until they release their liquid and start to brown.

Pour in white wine, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer until reduced by half. Add mixed mushrooms and the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil, cooking until all mushrooms are tender. Stir in soy sauce and the mushroom-based adaptogenic blend. Add 4-5 cups of water or vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup to your desired consistency.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then stir in chopped parsley. Serve the soup hot, drizzled with additional olive oil if desired.

Related: Colorful Dinnerware to Liven up Your Kitchen