It’s about time you met this broccoli cheddar soup recipe. It’s rich and indulgent, but not so much that it weighs me down.
My husband declared it the best he’s ever had, and started throwing out one-liners in between spoonfuls:
- “It’s the velvet of the soup world.”
- “All the sin without any of the guilt.”
- “This may be the universe’s best delivery system for broccoli.”
- “It’s like a warm blanket after being outside on a long winter day.”
I tried to make a great broccoli soup six months ago. I gave up after several failed attempts, and recently tried again after discovering Sarah Jampel’s method in Bon Appétit. Thank you for showing me the way, Sarah.
I have high standards for broccoli cheese soup. I wanted soup that met the following qualifications:
- Sufficiently green and full of fresh flavor
- Cheesy!
- Luxuriously smooth but with some texture from tender florets
- Preferably free of flour and heavy cream
I wanted all that, and I didn’t want to feel like I was eating a bowl of queso (don’t get me wrong, sometimes that’s exactly what I want to eat). This recipe checks all the boxes!
Watch How to Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
Perhaps the coolest feature of this soup is that it makes use of the broccoli stems that we usually toss. Less waste, more nutrients, can’t lose.
In fact, I feel good after I eat this soup, similar to how I feel after enjoying a big kale salad. Cruciferous veggies work miracles, I tell you, and did you know that broccoli contains loads of vitamin C? We could all use some extra right now.
Fresh & Healthy Broccoli Cheese Soup Ingredients
This flavorful soup is made without heavy cream, milk or flour—or even vegetable broth. You’ll just need a few basic ingredients to make it:
- Butter contributes to the irresistible flavor and silky texture. Technically, you could replace it with two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, but I like butter better here.
- Onion and garlic form a savory base layer. Since we’re blending them all up later, we don’t need to chop them finely. In fact, you can just smash the garlic with the side of your chef’s knife (be careful), peel off the skin and throw it into the pot. So easy!
- Russet potato, peeled and cooked until tender, lends a luxuriously creamy texture once blended. This is a trick I’ve used in my vegan mac and cheese and vegan queso recipes—it really works.
- Lots of broccoli, of course. The stems contribute body and extra broccoli flavor. We’ll purée half of the broccoli florets, and cook the rest in the pot for texture.
- Water brings it all together. I’ve been experimenting with using water instead of vegetable broth in soups lately, and so far I’ve been impressed. Store-bought vegetable broths can contribute unwanted color, off-putting flavors and excess salt. Water has none of these issues. Plus, it saves you a few bucks.
- Sharp cheddar cheese offers maximal cheddar flavor and a creamy texture. You can start with four ounces (half of a block) and add more to suit your preferences. Hand-grated cheese is best, since pre-shredded cheeses are coated in powders that can cause the cheese to glop together once melted. Buy white cheddar if you can. Yellow cheddar might turn this soup an unfortunate color, but I haven’t tried to be sure.
This soup is vegetarian and gluten free as written. You can even make it dairy free/vegan with substitutions (really!). See the recipe notes for details.
Equipment Notes & Suggestions
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This recipe yields a substantial amount of soup (around 10 cups). If you are serving two people or don’t want a lot of leftovers, you could easily cut the ingredients in half. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- I swear that soups always taste better when they’re cooked in a Dutch oven. I used my 5.5-quart Le Creuset for this recipe. A large, heavy-bottomed soup pot will also work well.
- You’ll need a lid for the pot. In a pinch, you could use a metal baking sheet.
- If you are making the full batch, you’ll need to blend it in batches in your stand blender. I could not blend the full batch at once in my Vitamix. Transfer the blended portion to a heat-proof pitcher or container as you blend the rest, then combine it all in the soup pot.
- Or, you could use an immersion blender. The trouble with immersion blenders is that they never yield soup as creamy as you could accomplish in your stand blender. I wish it weren’t true!
Safety note: Never fill a stand blender past the maximum fill line, or you could end up with a giant mess (and a hot one, if you’re making soup). You need to know how your blender works. My lid’s design allows for steam to escape, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll want to remove the center piece so the contents don’t build pressure as they blend. Cover the hole with a tea towel, but don’t place your hand over it because the steam is hot.
What to Serve with Broccoli Soup
This soup is a light meal on its own, or would make a proper meal with a sandwich or crisp salad. Here are a few options that are deliberately not very cheesy, for the sake of balance.
- Chickpea Salad with Carrots and Dill or French Carrot Salad
- Green Goddess Hummus Sandwich or Hummus Quesadillas
- Honey Mustard Brussels Sprout Slaw or Simple Seedy Slaw
Craving more creamy soups?
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Roasted Carrot Soup
- Roasted Cauliflower Soup
- Roasted Pumpkin Soup
- Lightened-Up Tomato Soup
Please let me know how your soup turns out in the comments! I love hearing from you.
Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 bowls 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: American
This broccoli cheddar soup recipe is so satisfying! It’s loaded with fresh broccoli, and creamy thanks to a potato and cheddar cheese (no cream, no flour!). Recipe yields about 10 cups (quite a bit) and is easily halved.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, coarsely chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (reduce or omit if sensitive to spice)
- 1 ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt, divided, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 pounds broccoli with stalks (3 large or 4 medium)
- 1 large (about 12 ounces) russet potato, peeled and cut into 1 to 2-inch chunks
- 6 cups water
- 4 to 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese, depending on your mood
- Thinly sliced chives or green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon of the salt, and about 10 twists of black pepper.
- Stir to combine, then cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and are just starting to turn golden, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, slice off and discard the rough bottom ends of broccoli stalks. Use a vegetable peeler to peel off the tough outer skin on the stalks, then discard those bits. Slice the stalks off and cut them into pieces about 1 to 2-inches big. Set aside.
- Working with the broccoli tops now, cut as closely to the base of the florets as you can. Slice any remaining stalks into chunks to match to the rest. Reserve the broccoli florets—we’ll use them in a bit.
- Add the chunks of broccoli stalk and potato to the pot and stir. Pour in 6 cups water and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Raise the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot.
- Simmer until the broccoli stalks and potatoes are tender throughout and easily split apart when pierced with a fork, about 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the reserved florets into small pieces (I chop them all in one direction, then turn the cutting board and chop again).
- Once the potato and stalks are tender, add half of the florets to pot, stir, cover, and cook until they’re bright green, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat. Working in a couple of batches (never fill your blender past the maximum fill line or it could explode!), carefully transfer several cups of the mixture—both the liquid and solids—to your stand blender. Blend until completely smooth, then transfer the mixture to a heat-proof vessel temporarily as you blend the rest. Alternatively, use an immersion blender (it just won’t be as lusciously creamy). Return the purée to the pot.
- Return the pot to medium heat and add the remaining florets. Cover the pot and cook until they’re bright green and easily pierced through by a fork, another 4 to 7 minutes. Add almost all 4 ounces of the grated cheddar cheese (reserve a small handful for garnish) and stir until smooth. Carefully taste (it’s hot) and stir in more cheese if you’d like more indulgent flavor/creamy texture, more salt for more overall flavor, and/or more black pepper for kick.
- Divide the soup into bowls and top with a sprinkle of cheese, plus some thinly sliced chives and/or red pepper flakes, if desired. Leftover soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (though the color darkens a bit with time). I haven’t tried freezing this soup but suspect it will work fine—please let us know in the comments if you do.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit’s broccoli cheddar soup by Sarah Jampel.
Make it dairy free/vegan: Replace the butter with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. When blending the soup, add ½ cup raw cashews (soaked for 4 hours if not using a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix, then rinsed and drained), 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and a scant ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard. Omit the cheese.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Mary
This is a fantastic recipe! I love a soup that is rich and creamy without adding a bunch of 1/2 and 1/2 or whipping cream. No waste either when you use the broccoli stems! Thanks for this recipe!
Kate
You’re welcome, Mary!
Stephanie Adams
First time I have tried it, let alone make it. Will defaintly be making it again. I halved the ingredients and was perfect. Thank you
Hannah
Made this and it was delicious! Can it be frozen or does that affect the texture?
Kate
Hi Hannah, I don’t find soups with dairy freeze the best all the time. If you try it, let me know what you think!
Katie U
I frozen it a month ago in a couple different containers. It was great each time I unfreeze. Super yummy! I added carrots to tonight’s batch.
Daphne
Fabulous easy recipe, used up some slightly yellowing broccoli and it turned out delicious. Thanks!
Kate
You’re welcome, Daphne!
Jen
Hi Katie,
I’ve made this recipe a couple of times and loved it! I have a friend who is not just gluten free like me, but also diary AND nut free. If I make the soup following the dairy free guidelines, can I just use the nutritional yeast and lemon juice and omit the cashews? Will it still turn out ok?
Thanks!
Kate
Hi Jen, I haven’t tried it without the cashews. You could try my Cream of Broccoli Soup. That may work as well.
Hannah
Thanks for letting me know!
Kathleen Sutton
Hi! This tastes great without the cheese :)
I added a jalapeño.
I cut the chunks of broccoli small but not small enough it seems because they needed more time to cook and the soup kept sticking to the bottom of the pan. Requiring close watching. Perhaps specify how small?
Kate
I’m sorry to hear that. I wonder if you had the heat to high?
LInda
Would it be possible to put ingredients in a soup maker ?
Kate
I haven’t tried one, so I’m not sure!
Tanis
Tried the Broccoli Cheese soup, I had never had it before but had heard good things. Trying to eat more veggies I made this soup, and it was fantastic! Really creamy and filling. Thanks!
Kate
You’re welcome, Tanis! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Chinmay
Thank you for this recipe! It is hands down the best broccoli soup recipe that I have tried! It is a family favorite by now and our go to recipe whenever we end up with extra broccolis :)
PS: ginger works pretty good as well (instead of or in addition to garlic).
Kate
Thank you, Chinmay! I’m glad you were able to enjoy it with some adjustments too.
jennifer Goldyn
This soup is AMAZING! A total hit for my entire family! Thank you so much!!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Jennifer!
Lena v
Wow this is a nice easy recipe and tastes great
Kate
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Lena! I appreciate your review.
Kerri
This was SO good! Such a great idea to use potato here (and extra perfect because I didn’t have a single variety of milk on hand let alone half and half). I made the recipe exactly as is with the small swap of using 4 cups of no salt added vegetable broth + 2 cups of water. Thanks for this amazing recipe that was exactly what I was looking for!
Kate
Great to hear, Kerri! I appreciate your review.
Louise M
Added some chicken bouillon to the water… a GREAT recipe, thanks! I was able to just use a bag of pre cut broccoli, found a 2 pound bag, an easy choice :-)
Kathy
I’d love to try this but I am allergic to white potatoes any substitution ideas for me? I can eat sweet potatoes which I like and rutabaga (flavor not my favorite) but I am wondering what might make a good functional replacement for what the potato does. Thanks!
Kate
Hi Kathy, I do find it works best with potatoes. You could try omitting it. Let me know how it goes. Sorry I don’t have a better solution for you!
Kathy
Thanks Kate! I added 10 oz sweet potato instead. Although it doesn’t add the same kind of creaminess as a russet would, I think it was better to have it for balance. My family loves broccoli, so I am very happy to have a recipe that is so creamy and good for us and doesn’t sit like a brick in our stomachs! (Our teen likes to make a Panera knockoff, this is so much better!)
Loving your cookbook, and your roasted cauli soup is our favorite soup in the universe! Thanks for making it easier to up the healthiness of our dinners with sooooo much flavor!
Yvonne
Riced cauliflower works pretty well.h
Jane
Try using a zucchini or some cauliflower instead of the potato – I used one medium zucchini and it turned out thick and creamy. Also replaced the water with chicken stock – yum.
Mary
Maybe parsnip…Haven’t tried it but it might add some thickening without adding a strong flavor.
Mafeesh Moushkella
Fantastic recipe. A regular now in our houseold.
Thank you.
dana
Oh, my heck! i so agree with your husband, and am rhapsodizing this soup right now. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe. it’s truly delightful!
Arvid
Wonderful recipe, thanks Kate! I added a bit of ground coriander after simmering the onions and that worked well. Will definitely make this again.
Kate
You’re welcome, Arvid! I appreciate your review.
linda valentine
Simple delicious soup, I cut back on the cheese & butter but still delicious, thanks for the recipe, I hate flour as a thickener in soup, this is perfect x
Chidera
First time ever making broccoli cheese soup and I was surprised how much flavor this soup had! I didn’t have any potatoes on hand so I just chopped up some baby carrots and used those instead. I had a lot of fun making this soup and can’t wait to enjoy this more frequently with my family.
Kate
I’m glad you were able to enjoy it, Chidera!
Shaz
This soup is delicious. Perfectly salted. I don’t even add cheese. The garlic makes it!
Kate
I’m glad to hear you loved it, Shaz!
Wendy Crombie
I am now making this soup for the 2nd time for my daughter in law who has just had gastric sleeve surgery this week. She sent me the recipe to try, my trial run was a total winner with my husband, he was impressed!! It freezes amazingly as well!
Kate
I hope she has a speedy recovery! I’m glad this soup was just what was needed, Wendy.
Virginia Perez-Santalla
I have had broccoli-cheese soup before but never made it myself. This recipe makes an absolutely excellent soup! Sooo creamy! Delicious! My husband loved it and he doesn’t like broccoli to begin with.One of my sons had it and he couldn’t stop saying how good it was! This recipee is a keeper. Thank you!
Kate
Hooray! I’m glad you loved it, Virginia.
Carol
Made this last night (as i had a lot if broccoli). My non-soup loving family all loved it! This is a keeper. Love ypur philosophy if keeping it to very simple ingredients. (I did put in half a cup of actual frozen chicken stock i had on hand, for extra nutition). We have a vegan in the family, and it was easy to veganise one pot … thank you for the vegan conversion tips. The vegan flavourings are very nice. I love that there is no milk and flour combo in here. And the addition of the whole florets at the end gives some structure. I served with croutons which was great (sour dough bread cubes fried in garlic infused olive oil)
Thank you for this recipe. A great winter meal for our family.
Kate
That’s great, Carol! I appreciate your review.
Grace
Some said it’s like eating queso and they are spot on… this recipe is incredible!! It’s perfect to pair with a toasted sandwich!! I cant get over how good this was and even my husband who hates vegetables loved it.
Kate
Great to hear, Grace! I appreciate your review.
Annie
Wonderful. I used stock instead of water and so didn’t need to use as much salt. Wonderfully creamy and tasty – thank you x
Connie Herrera
So, I’ve made this a few times now, sometimes with more broccoli, more cheese, different cheese. It’s always my favorite!!!
Kate
Great to hear, Connie! I appreciate your review.
Rosie
Just made this for the first time today, accidentally bought too much broccoli and have come down with tonsillitis, best meal I’ve had in days and by far the easiest and one of the tastiest soups I’ve had. My housemates absolutely loved it! Rich and creamy and just all around an amazing soup! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!
Charis
Just pulled a jar of this that I made back in January out of the freezer and reheated it in the microwave before adding the cheese — so good on a cool, overcast day like today! To make it freezer-friendly, I stopped before the addition of cheese in step 8. With some vigorous mixing, it was just as good as the day it was made. Excellent recipe, and definitely a keeper — thank you!
Samantha
I burned my mouth on it a little, but from what I can tell, very good! I think the only issue was that I didn’t cook the second addition of broccoli florets quite long enough, so they were a little crunchy. Hopefully they’ll soften up a bit in the fridge. I also added a can of cannelini beans, because why not. Thanks for the recipe!
KT
This recipe is not only really great, it’s also very adaptable and forgiving. I will definitely make it again.
Some notes:
I halved the recipe because who needs 10 cups of broccoli soup. Even so, I still ended up with about 7 cups.
I didn’t have a russet and used 6oz of unpeeled baby gold potatoes.
I used all florets because I had a big Costco bag of them and needed to use them up. I didn’t chop small, just put them in with the potatoes to cook for 25 minutes or so, and pureed with an immersion blender.
I ended up using the higher amount of a good sharp English cheddar cheese (4 oz for a half recipe) to get the flavor profile that I liked.
I ended up with 3 containers of soup leftover. I’ll freeze a couple of them for later. It would be really good with garlic croutons too.
Kate
Thank you for sharing how you made it, KT! I appreciate your review.
John
Delish ! My dairy addicted wife pronounced it delightful. My version took way too long as I used frozen broccoli and planned my work poorly. It is somewhat forgiving so supper was excellent. Thanks for this dish
Kate
I’m glad this one was a hit, John! I appreciate your review.
Heidi
Lovely soup! I added a generous handful of fresh spinach and a ripe avocado to enhance the greenness and creaminess. It was delicious!
Tara Eason
Is it possible to make this in a crock pot and where would I look for this Dutch oven as I have never seen or used one?
Kate
I find I get the best flavor from my dutch oven.
Adrian
Freaking Delicious!!!
I added 3 carrots, as my wife and I like them and we had a bumper crop this time – so, carrots added to EVERYTHING! However, it didn’t detract at all from the broccoli flavour. The butter alone was a very good suggestion. Really lovely, tasty soup. I’ll be doing it again. Thank you SO much. PS: I will be freezing 5 containers of the soup (yes, I made a big pot of it!). I freeze all my bulk soup dishes and have had no problems with them, dairy or not.
Sara
Haven’t tried this yet, but Kate, I wanted you to know — I went looking for a broccoli cheddar soup recipe to help use up the overabundance of cheese in my fridge, and as soon as I saw your site on my google search, I went “oh good! I love her stuff!” and I knew my search was done. Thanks for the awesome work you do. :)
Jan
This will be a staple in our house!! Delicious!! I added extra cheese and more salt and pepper. I had fresh broccoli, actually had to wait for them to bring it in from the field. I’ll buy more this week.
Elissa
My daughter loves the Panera Broccoli and Cheddar soup. She is picky but gave this a hearty 2 thumbs up! : )
Hank G.
Love this soup. Made it several times. I want to make it today but only have Costco frozen broccoli. Will that work? and do I still remove outer skin from stems?
Kate
Hi, you can try it. Let me know what you think!
Mary J~
This looks amazing! I’m excited to try it. Does anyone have a comment regarding using Yukon Gold potatoes instead of Russet potatoes?
Colleen
Delicious and a great way to use up some slightly yellowing broccoli.
Wendy
Can I substitute frozen broccoli for fresh?
Kate
Frozen, once thawed, should work. Watch the cooking time as it may get done quicker. Let me know what you think!
Amanda
Enjoyed this! Didn’t miss the cream at all. Used 6 ounces of cheese. Didn’t have the full amount of broccoli so I cut back on the water.
Kate
Thank you for sharing how you made it, Amanda.
Maggie
I substitute one cup of the water with whole milk for a creamy soup. You could use cream if you were really decadent.
Stephanie
I thought this recipe would be good to try but would it be ok to use either vegtable or chicken broth instead of water and if so would I use the same amount of cups? I’m so used to using broth in everything that I would be afraid the soup would have less taste with just water..
Kate
Hi Stephanie, I find this has great flavor. But if you prefer to try with broth, that works too.
Deb
This is really good. I have also made it with frozen broccoli and it turned out well. I add some grated carrots for health benefits. I freeze a couple of containers when I make a double batch and it tasted fine to me. Thank you for the healthy recipe!
Kate
You’re welcome, Deb! I appreciate your review.
Janet Sampson
Absolutely amazing broccoli & cheddar soup.
And yes it freezes beautifully.
I added a handful of spinach to the mix just before I blended it – it deepens the colour. 2nd time I’ve made it this month.
Love it x
Kate
I’m happy you loved it, Janet! Thank you for your review.
Nancy Biasatti
This recipe sounds good. I’m making it now. I’ll let you know my comments as soon as I’ve tasted it. Thanks again.
Kate
Great to hear, Nancy!
Janelle
I just made this to relax on a chilly Sunday. My husband declared it to be his favorite soup I’ve ever made! Even my very picky kiddo ate his whole bowl. Creamy, hearty, savory, flavorful, nutritious, and delicious— everything you could want in a soup!! Thank you!
Kate
Great to hear, Janelle! I appreciate your review.
Cait Pendergast
I made this with an immersion blender and the texture was just ok, but then I put it in a quart mason jar and gave it an extra blend and it was divine! The texture was velvety, airy, and luscious and the flavor was so much yummier. Next time I’ll transfer it to mason jars rather than try to blend it in the pot… and there will absolutely be a next time!
Kate
Great idea! Thank you for sharing, Cait. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Dianne
SOOO good – really!! It’s impossible to describe the beautiful smooth texture and mouth feel of this soup. Unbelievable. Quite a while ago, I tried this with an immersion blender and it was a fail. But my new Versa blender killed it. And I was able to change up proportions since I didn’t have quite that much broccoli on hand. You will not be disappointed.
Kate
Great to hear, Dianne!
Carlotta
This soup is a nutrition powerhouse and tastes amazing. The 1st time I made it, I was lazy about prepping the stems and skipped it with so-so results. The 2nd time I made the soup, I was careful to prep all the stems (peel, chop) and I understood the recipe better once I saw how the stewed stems & potato along with the butter-sautéed onions and 1/2 the florets create such a full bodied creamy base after blending. I used the Costco English Cheddar for the cheese. The resulting soup is a big improvement on the standard broccoli cheddar soup. It’s so rich and bursting with cheesy flavor without the gut-glut of too much dairy. My husband raves about it. Great leftovers too, as it gets better in the frig. Fantastic recipe, thanks Kate.
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Carlotta! I appreciate your review.
Fadinani''
I made it as per your instructions and it’s blooming lovely. We had some for lunch and I’ve jarred the rest to have at a later date. I will definitely make this again. THANK YOU XX
Kate
Great to hear! I’m glad you loved it.
Paddy Bateman
WOWEE!!! Five stars for sure! Made half of recipe and the flavour was out of this world! Love the kick the chili peppers give it and also gave it a few more twists of fresh ground pepper. Can not believe there is no cream or milk in it. This will become a staple in my house. Husband thoroughly enjoyed how rich the flavour was. So easy and used a nice sharp old cheddar, white cheese as suggested….AMAZING! Just wondering could you do the same, only use cauliflower? Thank you for such an excellent recipe!
Kate
I’m excited you loved it, Paddy! Thank you for sharing.
Sher
Soup was great, I didn’t use the butter. I added chicken bullion and seasoned salt. Topped with sharp cheddar cheese. Yummmmm
Kate
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Sher! Thank you for your review.
Sharon
Wonderful soup! I make it again and again! Thank you! So nice to have a broccoli cheese without having to make a roux.
Kate
I’m glad you loved it, Sharon!
Laura G
Wonderful! Richly flavored, deep green color (sometimes my veg soups come out kind of beige) velvety texture (used my Vitamix). I loved that it’s not cluttered up with a lot of ingredients/tastes–celery, herbs, etc. It’s forgiving, too–I had to sub onion powder for onion, had a slightly high ratio of potato to broccoli. I always add cayenne to creamy soups at the end, so omitted the red pepper flakes. Also added a squeeze of lemon.
Kate
I’m glad you love this soup, Laura! Thank you for your review.
Abby
Fabulous Broccoli Chedder soup! Thanks for the recipe! I added some bacon in with the onions! The men in the family devoured it
Kate
That’s great to hear, Abby! I appreciate your review.
Suzanne Black
Great recipe with lots of options. I added celery and carrots. Also, nutritional yeast, (which has a buttery flavor and is loaded with B vitamins) and thyme. Oh, also used organic chicken stock. Excellent recipe to doctor to your preferences.
Panda
this recipe looks great . i was ust wondering if I could replace the cheddar by Parmesan
Kate
I recommend this recipe best as written. If you try it, let me know!
Jaishree
Just made this soup. It is delicious. Followed the recipe pretty much. Just added a little more chili flakes and a tsp of veg broth to the water.agree, it did not need half and half. Yummy. Thank you as always Kate
D
Easy and delicious! I air-fried the broccoli florets before putting into the soup, which added a nice roasted depth of flavor.
Kate
That’s great to hear, D! Thank you for sharing.
Lynn
I’m not usually a cheese and broccoli soup person – too rich in general – but this was excellent. I had super fresh broccoli, and some sharp cheddar, and it was outstanding. Will make again. Thanks for another terrific recipe.
Kate
You’re welcome, Lynn! I’m glad you love it.
Marie
I have made this soup several times and it is a family favorite. I love the use of potatos and stems to make the creamy base. It is a delicious and healthy version that my family loves.
Kerry
I made this broccoli cheeze soup today and it’s delicious! I used a smoked aged cheddar and a little extra pepper flakes for an added kick, and served with a toasted crusty garlic bread.
Kate
I love to hear that, Kerry! I appreciate your review.
Josephine Gee
Incredible soup!! We all loved it. The calorie and protein count are also great. Easy to make and well worth the effort. Tastes so rich and full of flavour. Thank you for another great recipe.
Kate
You’re welcome, Josephine! I appreciate your review.
Andrea
Loved the recipe!
Hannah
Delicious! We loved the Velveeta version of broccoli soup growing up, and I have been looking for a replacement recipe that offers the same creamy comfort from my childhood without all the ick. This one was just right!
Jess
I’m going to make this for my 3 kids ,husband and self tonight! I plan to add a few carrots and freeze whatever is leftover to add to my fourth trimester meal stash! I’m very pregnant and looking forward to enjoying this both tonight and postpartum!
Kate
I hope it was a hit!
Carrie
Can I blend in all florets instead of half. Kids might be more likely to eat.
Andrea
Incredible balance of creamy without being too rich! Love all of your recipes, thanks for sharing!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Andrea!
Gina Benedict
My teen daughters asked me to make Brocolli Cheese soup, but make it lighter on their bellies, so I decided to give this one a whirl! Delicious!! We all absolutely loved it! Thank you!!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Gina!
Edyta
Way too much garlic and onion. Way too much .
Kate
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe as written. I appreciate your feedback.
Jetaime
Being that I’m so new to trying my hand in the kitchen, having this recipe along with your wording made everything go so smoothly! I ended up getting both proud of myself and satisfied. Thank you!!
Kate
Great to hear, Jetaime!
Dolly
This is my first time to rate a recipe and write a review. I felt I needed to comment because this soup is fantastic! I was asked to make Broccoli Cheese soup for a meeting. I was apprehensive about making the soup because I feel the soup is too heavy and it irritates my stomach. I prepared this soup a week before the meeting so I could taste what I would be serving to others. It is very delicious! I shared it with my neighbors and received raving compliments. I put pepper jack and sharp cheddar cheese in the soup and on top when served. Thank you for the delicious recipe.
Kate
I’m excited you loved it, Dolly! Thank you for your review.
Karen
We loved this soup- just perfect on a snowy night with a loaf of fresh-baked bread. It’s delicious but doesn’t weigh you down like a cream-filled soup would. I left the florets bigger, because I thought I wanted more texture, but I should’ve listened to Kate! Smaller would’ve been better.
Pam
Amazing recipe as always! Preparation method is spot on I agree with Kate that the vegetable stock gives the soup a not so wonderful color. But the flavor is very good. I added a carrot at the same time as the broccoli stems as I didn’t have a potato. Thank you so much for helping me and my family eat healthy!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Pam!
Yolanda
This is by far the best broccoli soup I have made.
It’s devine! So creamy, velvety actually, and beyond satisfying.
Thanks for a great recipe Kate! Can’t wait to try your other recipes.
Kate
That’s great to hear, Yolanda!
Sam
I replaced about 1 cup of the water with nonfat cottage cheese for extra protein and it really added some nice creaminess to the soup as well- would highly recommend it!
If you try it, let it come up to room temp and then add it in when you’re blending so it doesn’t split
MrD
Hadn’t made broccoli soup for years. I don’t add salt but add cup of liquid chicken stalk for one of the cups of water. Like the cashew idea too
Ken Garrod
Arrived home damp & cold found broccoli in fridge found your recipe online gave it a try really warming and creamy, thanks, had to use Maris Piper potato as we are in Norfolk England.
Heather
Just love this recipe!
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Heather!
Karen Schroyer
I am looking forward to trying this recipe! Do you have a preference on using bagged shredded cheese vs grating a block of cheese? I’m wondering if the weird powder they put on the store-bought bags melts as nice and creamy as grating my own?
Kate
I don’t recommend bagged as it won’t melt as well due to the powders put in to prevent caking.
Julia
I had some baby shiitakes on hand, sautéed them and topped each bowl of soup with them. Delicious soup!
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Julia!
Carol
Winner, winner soup for dinner! I’ve made this twice and just about to make it again. I love the method. I sautéed onions in a Dutch oven for extra richness along with quickly smashed garlic. So easy! The red pepper flakes add a perfect balance of flavour and hint of spice. It’s so great, it barely needs the added cheese.
Kate
Hooray! I’m glad you loved it, Carol.
Carolyn
I love that this recipe calls for potato instead of cream for that creamy texture. I didn’t have a dutch oven but a heavy soup pot worked fine. I added extra salt and cheese but otherwise followed the instructions and it came out great. This is a healthier, vegetarian alternative to Panera’s and Im happy to serve to my kids. Thanks!
Kate
You’re welcome, Carolyn!
Josie
This came out great! I used cooked white beans instead of potato (about the amount of a potato:)) because I don’t have any potatoes on hand, but it is delicious still! Thanks for a great recipe.
Mary Collins
I Am planning on making this soup this week and before i had decided what soup i was going to make, I made chicken stock. This recipe doesn’t call for it but my question is, will it matter if I use chicken stock instead of water?
Kate
It should work too. Although you can use water too.
Angela
Would it work if I substitute 2% milk for the water? I’m trying to use up milk before it goes bad. Thanks!
I love your vegetable lasagne and enchilada recipes! Thank you!
Kate
I recommend this best as written. I hope you try it!
Bianca
Phenomenal. So simple yet so satisfying and flavorful! I had a bunch of leftover steamed broccoli. I didn’t need to cook in the broth so I simply added most of it to the blender with the broth component. I reserved some to chop up and add to the blended soup. I also needed to use up vegetable broth so I had partial broth/partial water. So, so good.
Ashlyn
So good! I’m a new chef trying to meal plan so when I live alone I have healthy affordable recipes and your website has been super helpful! Thanks so much!
Lisa
How many cups of broccoli go into the pot with the potatoes?
Kate
I didn’t measure in cups as broccoli can vary in size. Weight is a better option here.
Wendy Purves
This recipe is absolutely fantastic!
So delicious and creamy.
I am not a huge lover of steamed broccoli so this recipe helps me get all the nutrients from broccoli in a yummy way!
Instead of 6 cups water I used 4 cups unsalted vegetable broth, 1/4 cup sherry and 1 3/4 cups water.
What can I say….I always like to put a slight spin on recipes!!
Kate
Great to hear you enjoyed it, Wendy! I appreciate your review.
Karen Burkart
Needed to use up a Costco sized bag of broccoli. Looked for a broccoli soup recipe and came across yours. I haven’t yet added the cheese but I may not – I’ll just serve it grated with the soup. Forgot to add cream but it’s thick and creamy so I won’t – mainly b/c I don’t have any. I tried it after puréing it and it’s awesome and nutritious! I ripped up some stale baguette and voila! It’s perfect! Leaving town so I’ll have to freeze it but there’s no dairy in it so I think it’ll be okay!
Tricia
In one word… YUMMO!
I made the soup today ready to freeze 4 out of the 6 portions for the coming weeks. Adding in the potato definitely added a creaminess without using cream (which upsets my tummy). I used 2 cups of water and 4 cups of chicken stock and loved the flavour. Thank you for sharing your recipe. xx
Kate
You’re welcome, Tricia! I appreciate your review.
Catherine Cox
Thank you so much for this delicious soup recipe! I bought a 32 oz bag of broccoli and when I got it home I realized it was too much for just two! So I made broccoli burritos, frittata, omelettes and broccoli salad! But I still had a lot left!!! So I turned to your site, my favorite vegetarian site and there it was!!! Broccoli cheese soup!!! So thank you for helping me use up a ton of broccoli!!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Catherine!
Laura
Hi Kate.
So far I have made this delicious brocoli soup and your granola . Both a hit in our family. Incredible flavour. Thank you for taking the time to conjure up these recipes they are a delight .
Teresa
Excellent! Great taste, creamy, and nutritious. I used an immersion blender as I don’t have a regular blender and it turned out great.
Kate
That’s great to hear, Teresa! I appreciate your review.
Rebecca
Delicious soup! I’ve made this twice now when overwhelmed with broccoli from the garden. Only comment is that it always takes much longer for my stalks to soften, maybe because I don’t do the tedious peeling? My husband likes a little sriracha on top – very decorative : )
Christine J Van Hees
This is my “go to” broccoli soup, it’s a hit with the whole family and so easy!
I freeze it in 2 person portions and add the cheese on the reheat.
Love that is there no cream, so healthy!
I have your cookbook and never hesitate to try one of your recipes for the first time, even when guests are coming over. I know it will always be fantastic!