The Best Mulligatawny Soup Recipe - Craving Tasty (2024)

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If you like mulligatawny soup, or even if you don't like it that much, or you've never tried it, you have to try this recipe. This is the best mulligatawny soup recipe out there. Period.It's that good!

The Best Mulligatawny Soup Recipe - Craving Tasty (1)

Being a Seinfeld fan I've known about mulligatawny soup for a long while... Right, I learned about it from 'The Soup Nazi' episode, like millions of others I suppose. Remember the dialogue between Kramer and Elaine?

ELAINE: Do you need anything?

KRAMER: Well, a bowl of mulligatawny would hit the spot.

ELAINE: Mulligatawny?

KRAMER: Yeah. It's an Indian soup. It's simmered to perfection by one ofthe great soup artisansin the modern era.

Contrary to what I learned from the show and what stuck with me for years, mulligatawny is not an Indian soup. It's a purely English soup made after an Indian recipe. The name roughly translates from Tamil as 'pepper water'. The original Indian recipe is not even a soup, it's a sauce that is served with rice.

According to Wikipedia, the original version of mulligatawnysouprecipe consisted of a broth from lentils, fried onions and curry powder. Today it typically describes athickened soup that is strongly spiced with curry powder and nutmeg. Often you will also see vegetables, nuts and rice added. Some recipes make use of port wine.

So, this incredibly delicious soup is a Western invention, but it comes with wonderful Indian flavors. This is one of my two most favorite soup recipes.

Curry powder

At the local spice store I can buy freshly prepared mild, medium and hot curry powder. I prefer mild hands down. Just my personal preference. If you like your soup spicier, substitute mild curry powder for medium or hot.

An evenbetter alternative would be to make your own curry powder to suit your own taste.

The Best Mulligatawny Soup Recipe - Craving Tasty (2)

Meat

I've used chicken breast, ready-to-eat smoked bacon, chicken thighs and beef meat in this recipe. The winner for me is beef. Followed closely by chicken thighs. Then followed by chicken breast. Chicken breast is good and is an excellent option for calorie conscious people. However, chicken thighs definitely add a lot of flavor and taste juicier.

Sous vide chicken breast and slow roasted chicken breast are both great options if you want tender and very juicy white chicken meat in your soup. Good quality stewing beef or beef chuck is an excellent option as well.

If you have leftover smoked meat (chuck, brisket, pulled pork, pork loin, pork chops, short rib, or kielbasa), use it, it works wonderfully with this soup, lending it a smoky flavor.

If you are using chicken thighs or beef, you can brown them about 1 minute per side over a fairly high heat. Browning chicken breast is a bad idea as it will become dry and rubbery later on, based on my experiments.

Vegetarian mulligatawny soup version

For the vegetarian option, instead of using meat, try adding sauteed oyster or other mushrooms with some onions toward the end of cooking. Satisfaction guaranteed! Don't forget to substitute butter for olive oil and use vegetable broth.

Cream

Based on my research, it's customary to add heavy cream to mulligatawny soup when serving, but I think the cream takes away from the depth of flavors in this amazing soup. My family loves it with the cream added though. I personally don't. You decide for yourself.

The Best Mulligatawny Soup Recipe - Craving Tasty (3)

The Best Mulligatawny Soup Recipe - Craving Tasty (4)

The Best Mulligatawny Soup Recipe

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Course: Soup

Cuisine: American, European

Keyword: mulligatawny soup

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 692kcal

Author: Victor

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs (about 1 lb total, skinless, boneless, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; see notes for substitutions)
  • 1/2 cup yellow onions chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 2 small carrots diced
  • 1 leek thinly sliced (white part only)
  • 1/2 stick butter (unsalted)
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp mild curry powder or medium / hot for more burn in your mouth
  • 5 cups chicken stock (or chicken broth)
  • 1/2 apple cored and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup white rice
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp dried thyme

For serving/garnish

  • 1 cup heavy cream heated (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Saute onions, celery, leek, carrots, and butter in a large pot over medium heat until they start to soften, about 8-10 minutes.

  • Add the flour and the curry, and cook over medium heat for 5 more minutes.

  • Add the chicken broth, mix well, and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 30 minutes.

  • Add the apple, rice, chicken, salt, pepper, nutmeg and thyme. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is done.

  • When serving, add heated cream (optionally) and chopped fresh parsley.

Notes

Substitute chicken thighs for about 2 chicken medium size breasts, about 1 lb in total.

If you prefer beef, use about 1 lb beef chuck or stewing beef, stewed to full doneness prior as it takes longer to cook than chicken.

For a meatless version, use 3 cups sauteed mushrooms instead of meat or chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 692kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 282mg | Sodium: 746mg | Potassium: 1018mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 6824IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 3mg

If you are looking for more cool Seinfeld recipes, check outThe Best SEINFELD Recipes, Crafts, Printables & More!on Bomb Shell Bling.

The Best Mulligatawny Soup Recipe - Craving Tasty (2024)

FAQs

What is mulligatawny soup made from? ›

It's basically a curry soup, most often made with chicken, vegetables, apples, and rice. Not only is it absolutely delicious, it's the perfect example of how one culture acquires food from another and adapts it to their own taste.

What is the key to flavor soups? ›

Aromatics, which include garlic, onion, leeks, carrots and celery, are the basic flavor-building blocks of most soup recipes. Sautéing these vegetables in oil or butter is the first step to boosting your soup's flavor.

What are the ingredients of Heinz mulligatawny soup? ›

Ingredients: Water, Tomatoes (38%), Apples, Beef (6%), Rice (2%), Sugar, Modified Cornflour, Rapeseed Oil, Curry Powder (contains Wheat Flour, Celery, Mustard), Wheat Flour (contains Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Salt, Flavourings, Colour - Plain Caramel.

How many carbs are in Mulligatawny soup? ›

Heinz Mulligatawny Soup (0.5 can) contains 17g total carbs, 16g net carbs, 3.8g fat, 3.8g protein, and 116 calories.

Why is it called mulligatawny? ›

Mulligatawny (/ˌmʌlɪɡəˈtɔːni/) is a soup which originated from South Indian cuisine. The name originates from the Tamil words miḷagu (மிளகு 'black pepper'), and taṇṇi (தண்ணி, 'water'); literally, "pepper-water". It is related to the dish rasam. Main ingredients commonly include chicken, mutton, and lentils.

What country is mulligatawny soup from? ›

Although considered an Indian soup, Mulligatawny Mughlai soup is part Indian and part British. This soup got invented during colonial rule when the British kept requesting the soup as the first course. Originally this soup was just a thin sauce. But it bulks with vegetables and meat to suit British taste over time.

What is the secret ingredient in soup? ›

It may sound a bit strange and unusual for some, but vinegar is a common ingredient in some soup recipes, and there is a good reason for it. If you think about it, vinegar is really a flavor-enhancer (umami). That's why it is so often used in cooking, sauces, and salad dressings. The same is true with soups.

Why is my soup so tasteless? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Start with the basics. Ensure you've added enough salt and black pepper.

How can I make soup more satisfying? ›

11 Ways to Make Your Soup More Satisfying
  1. Gently poach your chicken for better broth. ...
  2. Blend bacon into creamy soups and chowders. ...
  3. Make thick and creamy soups without any dairy. ...
  4. Turn a bag of frozen hash browns into a soup. ...
  5. Make a mellow garlic soup with mayo. ...
  6. Poach an egg directly in your ramen or miso soup.
Jan 26, 2023

Can you still get mulligatawny soup? ›

Tesco Mulligatawny Soup 400G - Tesco Groceries.

What is the history of mulligatawny soup? ›

Mulligatawny means “pepper water” and is believed to be loosely based on a stew the Brits loved that their Tamil servants would often serve. Â They “demanded” a soup course which, before this time in history, had never been a part of Indian food culture.

Is Heinz mulligatawny soup good for you? ›

Heinz Mulligatawny Soup

Said to have more health benefits than chicken, this classic mulligatawny soup certainly seems more appealing giving 1 of your 5 a day. Although, on closer examination it has a high salt and sugar content, this won't bode well if you're watching your weight.

Can you eat soup everyday? ›

What Experts Say. "The concept of eating soup to lose weight has spanned decades, but experts say an all-soup diet lacks nutrients and is not sustainable. They do agree it can be smart to eat vegetable-packed soups for some meals, though, as these are filling, nutrient-dense, and low in calories."

Which soup is best for health? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

Does mulligatawny soup contain meat? ›

Mulligatawny marries both British and Indian ingredients to form a soup that is a bit spicy, a bit sweet, and very satisfying. There are many versions of this popular soup; some contain rice, some coconut milk, others are vegetarian while some include meat.

What soups are the healthiest? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

What is mulligatawny meaning in english? ›

noun. mul·​li·​ga·​taw·​ny ˌmə-li-gə-ˈtȯ-nē -ˈtä- : a rich soup usually of chicken stock seasoned with curry.

What is the national soup of the United States? ›

Then there are the soups that are considered national soups. In the U.S., gumbo is the top national soup, a thick spicy soup from Louisiana. Clam chowder is another. France is into soup in a major way.

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