Once you make these homemade versions of condensed cream soups, you’ll never open a can again!
Condensed Cream Soups Done Better
Condensed “cream of” soups are a very common ingredient in many recipes.
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Lots of crock pot and casserole recipes call for this and while I don’t mind using the canned variety, even the lower-sodium varieties, I’d rather control the salt and seasonings myself. Many of my readers ask if there was an alternative to the canned stuff, but I really couldn’t recommend anything to them; until now.
Having a homemade version is the ideal solution, but most versions I tried were pretty blah. Then I found this recipe and it’s delicious!
Cream of Mushroom
Perfect In Many Ways
This recipe is so perfect because you can add literally any veggie or meat to the basic recipe.
This recipe was the answer to my prayers for a couple of reasons. The main reason was I needed cream of onion soup for a recipe, but it’s not available locally for me.
Another major reason this recipe is a godsend to me is because I would rather control the seasonings in everything I make since I find many store-bought products way too salty. This is especially true for canned cream soups and the low-sodium varieties lack oomph too.
Cream of Onion
A Flavorful Stock Is Important
A lot of flavor in this comes from the stock, so make sure to use something that’s very flavorful.
You can use vegetable or chicken stock for any variety you make. I used veggie stock to make the cream of onion and chicken stock to make the cream of mushroom.
I use low-sodium stock almost exclusively because I always remember my mother saying you can add salt but you can’t take it out.
Even though the concentrated stocks I use are lower sodium, they are still very flavorful. My favorites are Kitchen Accomplice and Better Than Bouillon.
You can also make these concentrates with additional herbs and spices! Roasted garlic would be a nice addition to cream of mushroom or cream of chicken!
Cream of Mushroom
Shelf Life
The chief concern with homemade is shelf life.
Of course this requires refrigeration so shelf life is limited. So what I am doing is making up the varieties I need for the week.
I would estimate that a week is about the limit you can keep this. I haven’t tried freezing it yet, but if you make it up and freeze it, I’d welcome your feedback on how the soup is once defrosted.
Keep in mind that this recipe produces a very thick mixture–just like the canned consistency. If you want to serve it as a soup (and it’s got an excellent flavor) just add a cup of milk or half-and-half to the concentrate.
Cream of Onion
Try It In Some Recipes
Now that you have these great-tasting condensed cream soup recipes in your arsenal, why not head over to All Free Casserole Recipes and try some of their spectacular collection of recipes! Here’s a couple that caught my eye–a Three Ingredient Tater Tot Casserole and this Cheesy Onion Casserole. These will taste even better when you substitute your homemade soup versions.
The Recipe
- 2 tbs butter (I use unsalted)
- ½ cup chopped "add-ins" (i.e. mushrooms, onions, chicken, celery, etc.)
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 tbs concentrated stock (see NOTES)
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup whole milk or half-and-half (see NOTES)
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- Melt butter over in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add your "add-ins" and concentrated stock and cook for about 5 minutes. If your "add-ins" are veggies, cook them till they are soft.
- Whisk in the flour--this will be VERY thick.
- Slowly whisk in the water--again, this will be very thick--so you don't get lumps, then repeat with the milk or half-and-half. Continue cooking until mixture bubbles, then cook for 1 minute.
- Add salt and pepper--if desired. Remember you can always add that later.
- Use as-is wherever condensed cream soup is called for.
- To reconstitute and use as a soup, stir in 1 cup of milk or half-and-half.
Low-fat milk is an acceptable substitution if this is to be used for cooking, however, if you wish to reconstitute this to eat as a soup, it probably won't taste as good.
Thank you! I prefer making everything from scratch and since I have allergies and sensitivities to various chemicals and ingredients such as msg, this recipe is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Simple, easy to follow and can be made gluten-free, as well. Also, I always keep the Organic version of Better than Bouillon beef, vegetable and chicken on hand, especially for soups and stews.
I am so glad I found this recipe because it helps so many people who have dietary/medical issues and now have a way to make some great recipes!
Where would I be able to buy better than boullion I live in ontario canada? ??
Any very good beef “base” would be good Lynne. I thought they sold most American brands in Canada, but can you get Oxo? That’s very good too. I will ask the Canadian bloggers I’m friendly with for recommendations for you and post back on this thread.
Lynne, one of my Canadian friends uses Campbells.
Thanks for the recipe! I always avoid recipes that call for canned soup, mainly because of the sodium.
And I live in BC, canada, and I buy better Than Bouillon at superstore and at costco.
Thanks so much for the referral on where you buy this. The friend I asked is in Alberta so I’m not sure if what she can buy there can be found in Ontario. I always bought the low-sodium canned soups but they really lacked flavor, but this homemade is so good, I’d reconstitute it and actually eat it as soup–where I wouldn’t with Campbells.
Can you use corn starch in place of the flour? If so, how much/
Thank you!
I wouldn’t recommend cornstarch Rosie, because cornstarch will break down with long cooking times–if you are going to use this for crock pot recipes. If you’re worried about gluten content, you could use a gluten-free flour or potato starch or St Vincent’s Arrowroot (not sure if the last 2 are actually gluten free. Mind you, you can always re-thicken if you use the cornstarch and cornstarch is a 1-to-1 substitution with flour so it’d be the same amount.