Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

Introduction

This creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a comforting classic that’s perfect for chilly days. Packed with tender broccoli, sharp cheddar, and a rich, velvety texture, it’s a satisfying meal that’s easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
• ⅓ cup peeled grated carrot (or substitute pre-cut “matchstick” carrots)
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground mustard
• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, plus additional for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook until melted.
2. Step 2: Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle flour over the butter and onions, then whisk until smooth with no lumps.
4. Step 4: Slowly add milk while whisking continuously. Whisk until the mixture thickens.
5. Step 5: Add chicken broth, heavy cream, broccoli, carrots, salt, sugar, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground mustard. Whisk to combine.
6. Step 6: Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until thickened.
7. Step 7: Transfer soup in batches to a blender, or preferably, use an immersion blender to puree about 75%, leaving some broccoli pieces intact for texture.
8. Step 8: Stir in grated cheese on low heat until melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor and meltability, or try a blend with smoked cheddar for a subtle twist.
• For a vegetarian version, swap chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• Puree more or less of the soup to your preference for texture.
• Add cooked bacon or crispy croutons as a topping for extra crunch.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. The soup may thicken when chilled; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to reach your desired consistency.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup dairy-free?

You can substitute the milk and cream with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free cheese or omit cheese, though the flavor and texture will differ.

Can I freeze broccoli cheddar soup?

Freezing is possible but may affect the texture of the dairy and broccoli. If you choose to freeze, store in an airtight container for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently and stir well before serving.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 64 reviews

This creamy and comforting Broccoli Cheddar Soup combines tender broccoli florets and sharp cheddar cheese in a rich, velvety base made from butter, onions, flour, milk, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is thickened on the stovetop and partially pureed for a perfect balance of smooth texture and chunky vegetable pieces.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soup Base

• 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream

Vegetables

• 4 cups broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
• ⅓ cup peeled grated carrot (approximately 1 grated carrot or substitute pre-cut matchstick carrots)

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (plus more to taste)
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground mustard

Cheese

• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated (plus additional for topping)

Instructions

1. Melt Butter: Place butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook until fully melted to create the base for the soup.
2. Sauté Onions: Add the diced onion to the melted butter and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes, developing a flavorful foundation.
3. Create Roux: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter and onions, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and no lumps remain, which will help thicken the soup.
4. Add Milk: Slowly pour in the whole milk while whisking continuously to combine. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency.
5. Add Broth and Vegetables: Stir in the low sodium chicken broth, heavy cream, broccoli florets, grated carrots, salt, sugar, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground mustard until fully combined.
6. Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the soup until it has thickened, allowing the flavors to meld.
7. Puree Soup: Carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender or preferably use an immersion blender directly in the pot. Puree about 75% of the soup to achieve a creamy texture while leaving some broccoli pieces intact for texture.
8. Add Cheese and Final Seasoning: Stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese over low heat until the cheese has melted smoothly into the soup. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot with additional cheddar cheese on top if desired.

Notes

• The carrot adds a subtle sweetness and additional nutrition but can be substituted with pre-cut matchstick carrots for convenience.
• Using an immersion blender helps control the texture, allowing you to leave some broccoli pieces intact for a hearty bite.
• Low sodium chicken broth is recommended to better control the saltiness of the soup.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.

Keywords: broccoli cheddar soup, creamy broccoli soup, homemade broccoli soup, comfort food soup, cheesy soup recipe