How To Thicken Soup: 5 Ways According to a Chef

When the temps drop under 60ºF it’s a telltale signal that soup season has formally begun, and few issues are extra nourishing for the soul (and physique) than a hearty soup that actually sticks to each your bones and the perimeters of the one that you love Le Creuset Dutch oven.

So, how will you flip a rooster noodle soup right into a creamy rooster noodle soup recipe? Albert Nguyen, chef-instructor of Culinary Arts on the Institute of Culinary Education, says it’s soup-er straightforward. Forward, Nguyen dishes out all of his expert-backed suggestions and methods for thickening soup. (You should definitely learn up on what to do with all your leftover soup earlier than you start—you will thank us later.)

5 fast and simple methods for easy methods to thicken soup in mere seconds

1. Add puréed veggies to only about any inventory

A superb strategy to thicken soups (and add an additional enhance of vitamin) is by including puréed veggies to their base. “One in every of my favourite methods to thicken soups is so as to add a puréed vegetable—ideally ones which might be excessive in starch and decrease in fiber,” Nguyen says. “This normally incorporates extra taste and typically relying on the soup you’ll be making, makes use of greens that might have in any other case gone to waste, or greens that already existed in your soup.”

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For instance, Nguyen says for those who’re making rooster soup, mixing a number of the celery, carrots, and onions (aka, mirepoix, a basic trifecta of substances for a lot of soup recipes) will help add some consistency and richness to a usually liquidy soup.

2. Whisk in some powdered mashed potatoes

Earlier than you scream bloody homicide, Nguyen says powdered mashed potatoes are a secret weapon for making wealthy and creamy soups to maintain in your again pocket. “One other actually good ingredient to have available that simply thickens soups and doubles as an incredible coating for frying meals is powdered mashed potatoes.” Certainly, we’re equally shook. In accordance with the chef, the dehydrated potato flakes act as the right starchy ingredient for thickening soups, all whereas including a “homey potato taste.” Swoon.

Used up the complete field of immediate mash final Thanksgiving? No downside. Nguyen explains that including just a few spoonfuls of any leftover mashed potatoes into your soup can even assist do the trick.

3. When unsure, you possibly can’t go incorrect with a cornstarch slurry

By far the simplest strategy to thicken soup that ensures a non-grainy result’s by including in cornstarch slurry. The secret is guaranteeing the slurry combine has the ample proportions: two components liquid (chilly or room temperature) to 1 half cornstarch. Then, all you must do is combine it up till it’s absolutely dissolved earlier than pouring it into your boiling pot of soup. “Add it to the soup little by little and convey it as much as a boil to activate the starch,” Nguyen says. Bear in mind: Somewhat goes a great distance.

4. Use your leftover starches

Received some leftover white rice and even pasta (and, in fact, mashed potatoes)? Nguyen says they’re the most effective do-it-yourself soup methods for thickening up the consistency. “When making your soup, scoop out about an eighth of your complete quantity of liquid and use it to boil these leftovers till they’re smooth. When it’s smooth, simply mix them and add them again into your soup,” Nguyen says. The one factor that could be simpler to do than this genius cooking hack is make this three-ingredient soup recipe.

5. Use a blender to emulsify the substances

In accordance with Nguyen, by far essentially the most helpful tools for thickening soups in a family can be an immersion blender. “They’re nice since they’re hand-held and might be plugged in and dropped at the soup pot for mixing. It is also good when making smaller volumes of soup,” he says. That stated, a blender can work wonders too. “Alternatively, a blender works properly additionally, and undoubtedly does a greater job of mixing issues smoother. But, I nonetheless want the hand immersion blender for its compact dimension and suppleness within the kitchen.”

Just a few soup texture suggestions

Is it higher to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch?

In terms of attaining a wealthy and creamy texture and scrumptious taste, Nguyen says you’ll need to be further cautious when utilizing flour over cornstarch to thicken a soup. “Flour makes soups thicker and holds them at that viscosity higher. Nevertheless, it does add the flavour of flour to your soup and typically requires you to first make a roux which for some folks can look like further work,” he explains. That’s why he tends to gravitate towards cornstarch, which he says is far simpler to work with and gained’t alter the flavour of your soup. Although, needless to say cornstarch gained’t make soups as thick as flour would.

When working with thinner broths, cornstarch would work properly. Nevertheless, for those who’re seeking to make one thing with a “fuller” physique, like a broccoli cheddar soup, then flour in a roux (particularly a lighter, white or blonde roux) can be one of the best ways to go to realize a extra creamy and velvety mouthfeel, Nguyen says.

Does boiling assist thicken soup?

When working with cornstarch, flour, or different starchy substances, boiling is important to thicken the combination. “When you add your most well-liked thickener it must be introduced as much as a boil for it to alter the consistency of your soup,” Nguyen says. After a few minute or two of boiling, you must start to see outcomes—if it hasn’t thickened to your liking by then you might want so as to add extra of the thickening agent.

Needless to say you might want to regulate the seasoning of your soup for those who proceed so as to add extra substances. That stated, even for those who don’t have flour or cornstarch available you possibly can at all times depend on some easy science (aka evaporation) that may assist thicken soup by merely lowering the liquid.

Does soup thicken because it cools?

Soup that accommodates some quantity of starch, whether or not or not it’s potatoes, rice, pasta, or an added thickener like cornstarch or flour will certainly thicken as soon as it cools. “It will not be a major quantity however starches as soon as activated (dropped at a boil) will retain this viscosity and proceed to thicken barely extra because it cools. It is much like a custard or pudding: The cornstarch makes the soup runnier when sizzling. However when it cools, it will get a thicker consistency,” Nguyen says.

What to do in case your soup is simply too thick

If worse involves worse, and you discover that your soup has overly thickened, Nguyen says the one strategy to repair it’s by including extra liquid. “Ideally you’ll be including a flavorful liquid resembling inventory. If you do not have inventory, then water must do,” he says. However, keep in mind: this’ll dilute the flavors and seasonings—which is why tasting as you go is a chef’s primary rule within the kitchen.

To keep away from this case altogether, Nguyen says to at all times add the thickener of your selection in small increments, giving it time to boil and prepare dinner in between. If want be, you possibly can at all times add extra.

Feeling assured about your soup-making talents? These anti-inflammatory soup recipes are calling your title.

Creamy, nourishing soup coming proper up: