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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Soup

    Creamy Broccoli Soup

    Published: Jan 4, 2019 · Modified: Sep 15, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 83 Comments

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    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Vegetarian
    A bowl of creamy broccoli soup with a text title overlay.

    A hearty Creamy Broccoli Soup and just over 300 calories for a big filling bowl - this is healthy comfort food and ready in under 20 minutes too. The creaminess will make it feel much more indulgent than it actually is. Soup is an easy way to increase your vegetable intake, it's cheap to make and it's warming for those cold autumn/winter days.

    Two bowls of soup topped with grated cheese and a drizzle of oil.

    This is the creamiest of creamy soups and that is just thanks to the milk and a little bit of grated cheese - no cream needed. When all blended together it gives it such a creamy texture that this soup feels far more indulgent than it actually is and it's one of your five a day too.

    You could mix things up a bit and do half broccoli and half cauliflower. It would change the colour and flavour, but it would make a nice change. We all know how well cauliflower and cheese go together too.

    If you want to get more broccoli in your diet, this is an easy way to do it. Fancy trying some more broccoli recipes? Why not try our Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Broccoli Pasta Bake or Broccoli Cheese.

    Jump to:
    • What you will need
    • How to make broccoli soup - Step by step
    • Why should you try it?
    • Health benefits of broccoli
    • What to serve it with
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More soup recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    What you will need

    • Broccoli - The star of this dish. To make this the best it possible can be, then try to choose the perfect broccoli. Choose a broccoli head with tight, green florets and firm stalks. Your broccoli should feel heavy for its size. Avoid broccoli with dried out or browning stem ends or yellowing florets.
    • Potato - This helps to really thicken the soup up. You could leave it out if you prefer a more brothy soup.
    • Onion - You could swap this for shallots if you prefer, and this would give the soup a slightly sweeter taste.
    • Milk - This is what helps to make the soup creamy. You can make it more indulgent by swapping the milk for cream.
    • Vegetable stock - Try to use the best quality stock you can buy. If you are making this for young children, then use a low salt stock.
    • Garlic - To save yourself some time, use some of that lazy ready chopped garlic in a jar.
    • Mustard - We used wholegrain mustard, but Dijon would work well too.
    • Cheese - We used a mature cheddar, as it has a nice strong flavour, which means you can get away with using less of it.
    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.

    How to make broccoli soup - Step by step

    One: Heat some oil in a large pan and cook the onion, garlic and potato for 3 minutes.

    A large pan with chopped onion and chunks of potato cooking in it.

    Two: Then add the stock, mustard and salt and pepper and simmer for 2 minutes.

    Stock added to the pan.

    Three: Add the milk and the broccoli and cook for 10 minutes.

    Broccoli added to the pan.

    Four: Blend until smooth then stir in the grated cheese.

    Blended soup in the pan.

    Five: Pour into bowls and top with grated cheddar.

    The soup in a bowl with more cheese on top and a spoon in the bowl.

    Watch our web story for a quick how-to of making this Broccoli Soup.

    Why should you try it?

    • Easy way to eat more vegetables - We can all struggle to eat enough vegetables sometimes, and this is an easy recipe to give you a veggie boost. It is also one of your five a day.
    • Quick - This broccoli soup is ready in under 20 minutes
    • Super creamy and comforting - Total creamy comfort food, but no cream used
    • Low calories - This is a low calories meal option with just over 300 calories for a huge filling bowl.
    • Healthy - Broccoli is a great source of vitamins K and C, a good source of folate (folic acid) and also provides potassium, fibre.

    Health benefits of broccoli

    This creamy soup is low in calories and fat and even people that don't love broccoli have said that they love this soup. If one of your goals is to get extra vegetables in to your diet, then this is a recipe for you to try. It really doesn't feel like you are eating vegetables.

    Superfood is a bit of a buzz food that is thrown around, but there is no denying that broccoli is nutrient dense. It's a great source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6 and K, as well as iron, zinc and fibre, which can support digestive health.

    Did you know that broccoli is also a good source of protein, although an incomplete one.

    You could add even more veggies by throwing some spinach or kale in there too. It would give it even more of a vibrant green colour too, not to mention a vitamin boost.

    Grated cheese and a drizzle of oil on top of a bowl of soup.

    What to serve it with

    Warm crusty French bread is the best thing to dip in this creamy soup. However, if you want to keep it lighter, but still want a bit of texture to it, then why don't sprinkle some croutons on top.

    We make our own easy croutons by chopping up some bread in to squares and drizzling over a little olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic granules and dried herbs. Put them in the oven for about 5 minutes to crisp up. Perfect for adding to soups and salads.

    Why not try making our Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia to dip in it.

    When it comes to toppings, some raw broccoli and grated cheese (although stilton goes really well with broccoli soup) is our go-to combo. However, some crispy grilled bacon is an amazing addition. It adds some nice texture to it.

    FAQs

    How to make broccoli soup kid friendly?

    You wouldn't think that creamy broccoli soup was kid friendly, but it really is. In our house anyway! Add a ladle to a bowl and then top with cooked pasta to make it more filling. It's more of a pasta soup stew combo, which makes it easier for little kids to feed themselves.

    Can you make creamy broccoli soup vegan?

    This soup is all about the creaminess, but that doesn't mean that you couldn't easily make a vegan broccoli soup. Simply swap the semi-skimmed milk for almond/soya milk, or use extra stock and add a dollop of oat creme fraiche once it is blended. Swap the cheese for a good melty vegan cheese too.

    How to store broccoli soup?

    This soup is always best eaten fresh, however if you do have leftovers then you can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it cool down and then store in an air tight container in the fridge.

    Can you freeze creamy broccoli soup?

    Yes, broccoli soup freezes really well. Allow it to completely cool first and then portion it out in to air tight containers or freezer bags (these are great for space saving as you can lay them flat) and then it will keep in the fridge for up to 3 months. Let it defrost and then you can reheat it in the microwave or heat it through on the hob.

    How to cut broccoli

    It depends on the size of the head of your broccoli. Ours was fairly large, so we cut florets off and then quartered each of them. If you were using a smaller head of broccoli, then you might just need to halve them.

    Is broccoli soup gluten free?

    Yes, this can be gluten free if you use a gluten free stock and mustard. Make sure you grate the cheese yourself rather than using a bag of pre-grated cheese as that is sometimes coated in flour to stop it from sticking together.

    How to thicken broccoli soup

    To thicken the soup, you will need to make a cornflour slurry. Simply mix together equal parts cornflour flour and water and then whisk that mixture in to the soup. Usually 2 tablespoons of cornflour and 2 tablespoons of water mixed together does the job. You can use this tip for thin stews too.

    Can you make broccoli soup in advance?

    Yes, you can make this in advance and then leave it to cool in the pan, cover and refrigerate the whole pan. Then, when you want to serve it you can put the whole pan (uncovered) on the hob and heat it through.

    Extra tips

    • You could add some cauliflower too to use a mixture of vegetables.
    • Prefer a stronger flavour? Use Stilton instead of mature cheddar.
    • If you are making this for young kids, mix some little bits of pasta in to it, to make more of a pasta soup stew.
    • You could make this vegan by using almond/soya milk and vegan cheese.
    • Try using shallots instead of onions for a sweeter flavour.
    • Top with some toasted seeds to add some crunch.
    • Give this a green spinach boost by adding some spinach to it. It will make it a really vibrant green colour too.
    • Use a stick blender to blend this soup. If you are going to use a jug blender, make sure it cools down first, as putting hot soup in can cause it to explode.
    • Add a drizzle of olive oil for presentation.

    More soup recipes

    • Creamy Courgette Soup
    • Asparagus Soup
    • Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup
    • Carrot and Lentil Soup

    If you’ve tried this creamy broccoli soup, or any other recipe on the blog, then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - we love sharing photos when people make our recipes. You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    A bowl of creamy broccoli soup topped with grated cheese and a drizzle of oil.

    Creamy Broccoli Soup

    The creaminess of this Creamy Broccoli Soup will make it feel much more indulgent than it actually is.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    4.48 from 105 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of a mustard bottle.
    Mustard
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 366kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 800 ml vegetable stock
    • 200 ml semi-skimmed milk
    • 1 medium potato peeled and chopped
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves crushed
    • 1 large head of broccoli chopped
    • 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
    • 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
    • 60 g mature cheddar cheese grated

    Instructions

    • Heat some oil in a large pan and cook the onion, garlic and potato for 3 minutes.
    • Add the stock, mustard and salt and pepper and simmer for 2 minutes.
    • Add the milk and the broccoli and cook for 10 minutes.
    • Blend until smooth, then stir in the grated cheese.
    • Pour into bowls and top with more grated cheddar (optional).

    Notes

    • You could add some cauliflower too to use a mixture of vegetables.
    • Prefer a stronger flavour? Use Stilton instead of mature cheddar.
    • If you are making this for young kids, mix some little bits of pasta in to it, to make more of a pasta soup stew.
    • You could make this vegan by using almond/soya milk and vegan cheese.
    • Try using shallots instead of onions for a sweeter flavour.
    • Top with some toasted seeds to add some crunch.
    • Give this a green spinach boost by adding some spinach to it. It will make it a really vibrant green colour too.
    • Use a stick blender to blend this soup. If you are going to use a jug blender, make sure it cools down first, as putting hot soup in can cause it to explode.
    • Add a drizzle of olive oil for presentation.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 243mg | Potassium: 1082mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1900IU | Vitamin C: 382mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 2.3mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emmeline

      January 04, 2019 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      This looks so yummy! I love broccoli - add this gorgeous creaminess and I'm all in!

      Reply
    2. Jacqueline Debono

      January 04, 2019 at 9:15 am

      5 stars
      I love broccoli soup, especially with cheese in it! I sometimes make it with gorgonzola which is delicious too (if you like gorgonzola!) Yours looks so yummy and creamy!

      Reply
    3. Katie Bryson

      November 20, 2014 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      I adore broccoli and stilton soup, but your version sounds great - love the mustard for that hit of extra flavour! I think I might have to make me a batch of this for the firefighter...

      Reply
    4. Mazino Oyolo Kigho

      November 19, 2014 at 11:07 pm

      5 stars
      I have never tasted brocolli before. It is not available in my country.

      Reply
    5. Elizabeth

      November 19, 2014 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      MMmm I love cream of broccoli soup, myself. I make mine with watercress in it too. I like the addition of mustard in yours, I bet that really enhances everything (love mustard!)

      Reply
    6. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche

      November 19, 2014 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      I often avoid making creamy soups because I don't want to add a load of cream to my food - I never knew that adding milk worked just as well! This looks lovely.

      Reply
    7. ohsogawjess

      November 19, 2014 at 3:26 pm

      This looks so yum! We have just eaten a parsnip and lemon soup which is the one thing the Hubs can cook!

      xXx

      Reply
    8. Sonia

      November 19, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      Ooh this looks lovely, I love Broccoli but have never has it in soup before. I must try as I was moaning the other day about always having the same old soups lol x

      Reply
      • Mazino Oyolo Kigho

        November 19, 2014 at 11:09 pm

        I wish I can taste this

        Reply
    9. fashion-mommy

      November 19, 2014 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      That sounds amazing, I totally love Broccoli soup so am definitely going to be trying this out.

      Reply
    10. Beccy

      November 19, 2014 at 11:49 am

      Look at that colour. It looks so healthy.

      Reply
    11. Kelly

      November 19, 2014 at 11:48 am

      Do you have a recipe for a creamy chicken soup? Similar to the ones you can buy in a can.

      Reply
    12. Kelly

      November 19, 2014 at 11:48 am

      Chicken noodle soup is my favourite kind of soup. There is just something so comforting about it.

      Reply
    13. Tracy

      November 19, 2014 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      I think by putting cheese in this I might actually be able to get my husband to eat broccoli. I would love this, but I think he might turn his nose up at it lol.

      Reply
    14. Gina

      November 19, 2014 at 11:28 am

      I am making this for lunch today. It sounds really good!

      Reply
    15. lucie

      November 19, 2014 at 9:43 am

      5 stars
      Broccoli has to be my all time favourite soup - especially when its home-made! We make ours with oats and coconut milk and its the most delicious creamy thing in the world!

      Reply
    16. JayanthiSindhiya

      November 19, 2014 at 4:39 am

      Lovely and a healthy soup,so colourful

      Reply
      • Dannii

        November 19, 2014 at 11:17 am

        Thanks :)

        Reply
    17. Brittany

      November 19, 2014 at 4:32 am

      I don't trust people that don't like broccoli...HA!

      Reply
    18. Kathy @ Olives & Garlic

      November 19, 2014 at 2:11 am

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite soups and now my daughter is becoming a huge fan of it. Making your recipe tomorrow night.

      Reply
    19. [email protected]

      November 19, 2014 at 12:23 am

      5 stars
      I make a tasty broccoli cheddar soup in the crockpot. I will have to try this version of it.

      Reply
    20. Kelley @ Chef Savvy

      November 18, 2014 at 11:27 pm

      5 stars
      Looks wonderful! Who knew broccoli soup could be healthy? I have been eating soup like crazy can't wait to try this one!

      Reply
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    Welcome! My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist, along with travel, home and family life and general happiness.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food and lifestyle blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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