Occasionally, a soup recipe may taste great but fall short in terms of texture. If your soup is too thin, there are several easy ways to thicken it without altering the flavour. One of the simplest methods is to simmer the soup to reduce the liquid, which thickens the texture while concentrating the flavour. Just keep an eye on it to prevent it from reducing too much.

If you’re looking for a more specific solution, here are six methods to achieve the perfect soup consistency:

Blend All or Part of It: For chunky soups, blending some of the solid ingredients with the broth can create a heartier texture. Alternatively, use a potato masher directly in the pan, especially for soups with starchy ingredients like potatoes or beans.

Add Cream or Yogurt: Stirring in cream or thick yoghurt adds richness to creamy soups. Be cautious not to boil the soup after adding these ingredients, as this can cause them to split.

Add Flour or Cornflour: A quick way to thicken soup is by mixing a tablespoon of flour or cornflour with a bit of the broth, then stirring it back into the pot. Simmer for a few minutes to let the starch thicken the soup.

Use a Butter and Flour Paste: Known as beurre manié, this paste is made from equal parts butter and flour. Stir it into simmering soup to thicken while adding richness and smoothness.

Blend in Bread: Mild bread or sourdough can be torn into pieces, soaked in the soup, and blended to thicken it, especially in tomato-based soups, without altering the flavour too much.

Add Lentils or Rice: Blended cooked lentils or rice can be used to thicken soups. Red lentils are great in tomato soups, while rice works well in vegetable-based soups.

Happy cooking!