How To Thicken Soups: Tips And Techniques (2024)

Here's how to get the creamiest soup every single time.

Published on September 25, 2014

There are several ways to thicken soups a little or a lot, depending on what consistency you're going for. Here are popular techniques and tips for getting the results you want.

The Best Ways to Thicken Soups

Roux

Aroux is made from equal parts fat and flour and is a common thickener because it not only thickens but stabilizes, too. If cream or cheese is being added to a soup, a bit of roux can ensure it won't "break" or separate. Get step-by-step directions for making roux.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a very effective thickener, and a little bit can go a long way. Add cornstarch to a small amount of cold water or other liquid (wine or stock) and whisk into a thick slurry. Then the slurry can be stirred into a simmering soup, a bit at a time to set the final consistency. Just remember, after you add some of the cornstarch, let the soup return to a simmer.

Potatoes, Rice, and Bread

Cooked potatoes or rice can be mashed or puréed and added to soup for more body. Simmering potatoes and grains in soup will also thicken the liquid slightly. Bread crumbs are used to thicken Italian Wedding Soup.

Full Fat Cream

Stir full-fat cream into warm, not boiling, soup to add richness and body after the soup is fully cooked. Be sure not to boil the soup after adding the dairy to prevent the soup from curdling.

The Soup Itself

A great trick to thickening a soup while intensifying flavor is to use parts of the soup itself as the thickener. Simply remove some of the soup solids—the aromatics, starches, even the meat—and puree. Use a countertop blender, food processor, or immersion blender for this task. Puree with care if using a countertop blender—the hot soup solids can actually spin out of the blender and make a big mess or cause burns. For best results, fill the blender no more than halfway (blend in batches if necessary). Hold down the blender lid with a thick towel while blending, and keep the lid on for several seconds after the blender is turned off.

Frozen Hash Browns

Here's a hot tip for a soup thickener you've probably never thought of: frozen hash browns or leftover mashed potatoes. You can use these frozen favorites or leftover sides to quickly thicken creamy soups to create a heartier flavor and the perfect soup consistency. Give this trick a try in this split pea recipe or any soup or stew you're putting in the slow cooker (or cooking slowly nearly all day) that might need something extra to thicken it up.

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How To Thicken Soups: Tips And Techniques (2024)

FAQs

How To Thicken Soups: Tips And Techniques? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

What is the 4 other thickening agents for soup? ›

  • Cornstarch. Cornstarch is the most common thickening agent used in the industry. ...
  • Pre-gelatinized Starches. Pre-gelatinized starches are mixed with sugar and then added to the water or juice. ...
  • Arrowroot. ...
  • Agar-Agar. ...
  • Algin (Sodium Alginate) ...
  • Gelatin. ...
  • Gum Arabic or Acacia. ...
  • Gum Tragacanth.

Does milk thicken soup? ›

Dairy is used to create a creamy, silky, decadent texture in soup. But it's also used as a thickening agent. So the right substitution will depend on your ultimate goal – creamy versus thickening.

What causes soup to thicken? ›

Rice, lentils, and beans release a lot of starch and naturally thicken soups simply from simmering, but you can also mash half the cooked rice/lentils/beans before adding to the soup for a simple way to thicken your dish. Alternatively, blend half or all of the soup for a smoother texture.

What is the best way to thin a soup that is too thick? ›

Add more liquid: The simplest solution is to add more liquid, such as water, broth, or milk. Start by adding a small amount and gradually add more until you reach the desired consistency. Use a blender: If you have a blender, you can puree the soup in batches, adding more liquid as needed.

What 2 ingredients are used to thicken the soup? ›

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

How much cornstarch to thicken 4 cups of soup? ›

If you're cooking hot liquids like sauces, stock or broth, 1 tablespoon of corn starch per cup of liquid will give you a thin to medium consistency that's appropriate for soups or very thin sauces. 2 tablespoons per cup will give you a thicker, more gravy-like consistency.

How to thicken 4 cups of broth? ›

Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon. slurry to 4 cups of soup.

What is the best food thickener for the elderly? ›

THICK & EASY® Instant Food & Beverage Thickeners are easy to use and safe for those with swallowing difficulties. Thicken up all varieties of hot and cold foods and liquids to be enjoyed without affecting the taste. The powder blends quickly and smoothly to achieve nectar, honey or spoon thick consistencies.

What is the healthiest thickening agent? ›

Easy-to-access alternatives are wheat flour, arrowroot flour, and rice flour. These are good alternatives to cornstarch because they are more nutritious and contain fewer carbohydrates and calories. Xanthan and guar gum are much stronger thickeners than cornstarch, but they can be harder to obtain and use.

What is the healthiest way to thicken soup? ›

The absolute healthiest way to thicken soup is by using a traditionally made bone broth powder like the one from Bluebird Provisions.
  1. Oat Flour, Quinoa Flour or Chickpea Flour.
  2. Applesauce or Mashed Bananas.
  3. Eggs.

How do you thicken soup without boiling it? ›

Corn-starch slurry is an easy way to thicken soups and sauces quickly. Mix equal parts corn starch and cold water (1 tablespoon is a good starting point) in a bowl until all the corn starch is dissolved and the resultant liquid is consistent. Then pour slowly in soup while storing continuously.

Will cooking soup longer thicken it? ›

Many home cooks find themselves wondering how to thicken a soup, and there are a few different ways: cooking the soup longer to remove excess liquid, blending some of the solid ingredients of the soup, or using food scraps like bread or potatoes to thicken the soup, but if you don't have time to wait, you can use a ...

What can I add to soup to make it thinner? ›

Chunkier soups, like black bean or lentil, tend to lean thick—and, it must be said, gloopy. To thin them out (and dial down the intense salinity), add more water or low-sodium stock while they're heating. (If you overdo it, don't stress: Continue simmering until the liquid has reduced to your desired consistency.)

How do you make soup taste fuller? ›

Ok, this may be a little obvious, but just adding water is going to make your soup go a little further. If you stick to a 50/50 ratio between water and whatever flavoured liquid you're using in your soup (be it tomatoes, a stock type, or a cream), you're unlikely to dilute it to the point of making it unpalatable.

Does soup get thicker the longer you cook it? ›

Many home cooks find themselves wondering how to thicken a soup, and there are a few different ways: cooking the soup longer to remove excess liquid, blending some of the solid ingredients of the soup, or using food scraps like bread or potatoes to thicken the soup, but if you don't have time to wait, you can use a ...

How can I make my soup more creamy? ›

Add Stale Bread: A few slices of bread also help make a soup creamy. Tear them into pieces and let them soak in a cup or two of the hot soup before pureeing and stirring back into the main pot. 4. Add Yogurt: Plain yogurt works much like cream when added to soups like our avocado soup, but with a lighter result.

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