Lesya The Ukrainian Mushroom Soup (Yushka) is one of those unforgettable soups that leave a lasting impression with its wonderfully aromatic and rich taste. It’s a fantastic comfort food, perfect for the cold winter days when you need something to warm up your body and soul. This nourishing dish is a delight to the senses and relatively quick to prepare, making it an ideal choice for family dinners and entertaining guests. The Mushroom Yushka is basically a thick and savory broth, to which you can add other vegetables, such as potatoes. Its heartwarming qualities make this soup a perfect fit for any menu.
The preparation of the traditional Ukrainian Mushroom Yushka begins with gently simmering onions, carrots, and mushrooms. This step is vital for developing the soup’s depth of flavor. However, instead of a skillet, we use a casserole dish, which is perfect for simmering the vegetables and mushrooms and then transitioning to cooking the soup. This choice also leans towards healthier cooking, as the casserole dish’s coating is better than that of a typical non-stick skillet. If you prefer to sauté vegetables in a skillet you may want to stick to your preferences. Please watch our video on how to make this mushroom soup on Youtube – we show the process in every detail:
In this recipe, we also avoid using butter and flour. A couple of spoons of vegetable oil and some sour cream are all it takes to create a rich, flavorful base. Potatoes add body to the broth, they are boiled in the soup, mashed, and then reintroduced for thickness.
Choosing the right mushrooms is key to this dish. For our Mushroom Yushka, we’ve chosen shiitake mushrooms for their similarity to the taste of traditional boletus mushrooms. You can also choose fresh portobello or brown mushrooms as alternatives, although they may not be as flavorful as shiitake. In addition, you will need white onion (or leek), carrots, potatoes, parsley, sour cream, and a selection of spices.
Start by chopping the onion or leek, grating the carrots. Then sauté them in a casserole dish with some vegetable oil, add black pepper and marjoram, which complement the taste beautifully. Once the mushrooms and sour cream are added, sauté the mixture for a little while – during this process the aroma becomes just irresistible! Then chop potatoes and add them to the mix, and add water. Simmer the soup until the potatoes are tender. Take a few pieces of potatoes, mash them and put them back to the soup for thicker texture. To finish, add fresh parsley and allow the soup to rest until all the flavors meld together perfectly. This Ukrainian Mushroom Yushka is more than a simple soup; it’s a tribute to rich, homemade meals that bring warmth and comfort on a chilly day. If you like soups and want to learn more about Ukrainian soups in particular, please visit our page Soups in Ukrainian Cuisine.
Ukrainian Mushroom Soup (Yushka): A Heartwarming Winter Delight
Equipment
- 1 casserole dish
- 1 skilet
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Cutting board
Ingredients
- 200 g shiitake mushrooms or brown mushrooms
- 1 litre water
- 2 small carrots
- 1 white onion or leek
- 4 potatoes
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tsp marjoram
- 1 tsp black pepper
- fresh parsley
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: finely chop the leek or white onion; peel and grate carrots; clean and chop shiitake mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large casserole dish, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped leek or onion and grated carrots, and sauté them gently until they start to soften. Stir in the marjoram and black pepper, blending them well with the sautéed vegetables.
- Add the chopped mushrooms to the casserole dish. Add sour cream and mix well, close with a lid, continue to sauté the mixture for about 10 minutes. The mushroom will begin to soften and will release their aroma.
- Meanwhile, peel and dice the potatoes into medium chunks.
- Add the potatoes to the vegetables in the casserole dish, stir really well. Then pour in 1 litre of water, ensuring all the ingredients are well submerged. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes until the potatoes become tender. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper.
- Remove a couple of potato pieces from the soup, mash them, and return them back to the soup to thicken the broth.
- Chop fresh parsley and add it to the soup for more flavor. Close with the lid, turn off the heat and let the soup rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve warm: ladle the hot soup into bowls, making sure each serving has a good mix of mushrooms, other vegetables and broth.
Savoring Ukrainian Mushroom Yushka: Best Served Fresh or Reheated?
Serving Ukrainian Mushroom Yushka is all about savoring its warmth and rich flavors. This soup should be enjoyed warm or hot, straight from the oven. If you’ve stored leftovers in the refrigerator, reheat the soup to bring back its comforting warmth and aroma. Consuming this soup fresh is best, as the flavors are most vibrant at this stage. The potatoes may dominate the taste over time, particularly by the next day. However, if you prefer a more mushroom-forward flavor, consider adjusting the recipe for future preparations by adding more mushrooms and reducing the number of potatoes. This tweak not only alters the flavor balance but also offers a delightful variation for those who are particularly fond of mushrooms. Whether served fresh or reheated, this Yushka is a heartwarming dish sure to please.
Conclusion:
We hope you enjoy making and savoring this heartwarming Ukrainian mushroom soup as much as we do. We’re happy to hear your thoughts and experiences, so please feel free to share them in the comments below. Also, remember to explore our other recipes for more culinary adventures! We have a wide range of dishes that cater to diverse tastes and preferences. For a visual experience, visit our YouTube channel, where we bring these recipes to life with step-by-step videos, tips, and more. Your support and engagement on our YouTube channel help us grow and continue to bring you the best in home cooking. Happy cooking, and we look forward to seeing you both here and on our YouTube channel!
