We use this recipe that I found in the More with Less Cookbook to substitute for any cream of ____ (chicken, celery, mushroom, etc) soup. I make up a big portion of the mix and store it in my fridge until I need it. While this takes a bit more time than opening a can and pouring it in, it’s better for you and substitutes perfectly!
The Mix:
1.5 c. dry milk
.75 c. flour
1 t. salt
.5 c. melted margarine
When you need a can of cream soup combine 1/2 cup of mix with 1/2 – 3/4 cup of water and heat in a saucepan until smooth, creamy, and thickened. If you want chicken, celery, or mushrooms in the soup add small amounts in while you heat the soup (we usually just skip that).
I just highly recommend purchasing the More with Less Cookbook – it’s amazing! You should find a way to get your hands on a copy.
The irony of you posting this is too much! I was just wondering yesterday how to make Cream of chic. soup to avoid MSG. Thanks for sharing this!!!
[...] piece 1 lb elbow macaroni 2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz) 1 cup sour cream 1 can cream of chicken soup 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted 1 cup dry plain bread [...]
can you use real butter instead of margarine?
Yes, Ma’am! We have used both and it turns out beautifully!
Doesn’t powdered milk contain MSG? I read somewhere that it did. I am also trying to get to the MSG free stage in our lives and am searching for a good sub for creamed soups. If you have a good dry milk that doesn’t cause you to have symptoms I would love the name brand. Thanks
No, it doesn’t have MSG. Dry milk is milk plus added vitamin A and D. I purchase either Carnation, Great Value, or the Aldi brand and none of them have caused me any problems.
I found your site through passionatehomemaking. Lindsay says that powdered milk does contain msg (except Thrive from shelf reliance). I tried the carnation website and can’t find a list of ingredients. How did you determine there is no msg in carnation and or great value. I would like to use powdered milk in baking again but was worried about msg after reading Lindsay’s info. Thanks
Right now we have the ALDI brand powdered milk and it lists three ingredients: dehydrated milk, vitamin A, and vitamin D. I also have not experienced any migraines as a result of using which further leads me to believe that it is MSG free.
[...] morning I made some powder for cream of __ soup, some Mexican rice, and cooked up some quinoa (organic – working on that 101 things [...]
Hi-
I was wondering how long this lasts in the fridge? I am so excited to have this recipe! I don’t eat any poultry and I don’t like celery or mushrooms and I can never make a recipe that calls for these.
Thanks!!! Jennifer
I have kept this mixture as long as three months in the fridge without having any problems – its so great! Enjoy!
Thanks for the tip! I just downloaded a pot roast recipe from Paula Deen that I would have wished that I could make before because it has cream of mushroom soup.
Jennifer
Saw a website that said any cheese except for imported Italian would have MSG. Tell me it ain’t so.
I have not noticed any of the names for MSG on the cheese that we have been purchasing and have not had any headaches as a result of eating it – I am not certain that there are absolutely no ingredients that “may” contain MSG in those cheeses. I buy our cheese at Costco and have had no problems (yay-I love cheese!). This would be something interesting for me to read more about.
[...] chicken breast halves 6 oz. thinly sliced ham 5 oz. swiss cheese slices 1/2 c. cream of chicken soup 1/2 c. white wine 1/2 c. sour cream 1 t. minced garlic 1/4 t. ground nutmeg 1 t. salt 1/2 t. pepper [...]
[...] posted a cream of ___ soup a while back that involved making a mix to keep in the freezer and adding liquid to the mix when it [...]