Forest Floor Mushroom Stew

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-29 · Updated 2026-03-29

A rich, earthy stew featuring wild mushrooms, leeks, and a hint of thyme, inspired by the resilience of hardy plants in winter. This French-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 70 minutes, pairs mushrooms, leeks, shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 French cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz, mixed (cremini, shiitake, oyster) mushrooms
2, sliced leeks
2 small, diced shallots
2, peeled and diced carrots
2, diced potatoes
1 tbsp, fresh or 1 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup white wine
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp crème fraîche

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Equipment for this recipe

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large pot, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 shallots and 2 leeks, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Stir in 2 diced carrots and 2 diced potatoes, cook for 3 minutes. Add 12 oz mixed mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes until browned.
Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup white wine, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1 tbsp thyme. Add 2 bay leaves. Simmer for 25-30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Step 4: Remove bay leaves. Stir in 2 tbsp crème fraîche and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Forest Floor Mushroom Stew take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Forest Floor Mushroom Stew?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mushrooms from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Forest Floor Mushroom Stew?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Forest Floor Mushroom Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Forest Floor Mushroom Stew vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.