• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hungry Healthy Happy
  • Slow Cooker
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • FREE eBook
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Slow Cooker
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • FREE eBook
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Slow Cooker
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • FREE eBook
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Let's get social!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Soup

    Creamy Broccoli Soup

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

    5439 shares
    • 156
    • 10
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Fat / Vegetarian
    Jump to Recipe
    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:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make broccoli soup - Step by step
    • Health benefits of broccoli
    • What to serve it with
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More soup recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love 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.

    Ingredients needed

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • 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.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    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.

    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 or easy Slow Cooker Bread 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.

    heart icon

    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 into 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

    • A bowl of creamy courgette soup next to two slices of bread.
      Creamy Courgette Soup
    • A bowl of asparagus soup topped with cream, croutons and Parmesan
      Asparagus Soup
    • Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup in a bowl topped with croutons, herbs and a dollop of cream.
      Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Soup
    • Carrot and Lentil Soup

    If you’ve tried this creamy broccoli soup, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

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

    Creamy Broccoli Soup

    By: Dannii Martin
    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
    4.49 from 107 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: British
    Prep: 2 minutes mins
    Cook: 18 minutes mins
    Total: 20 minutes mins
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 366kcal
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of a mustard bottle.
    Mustard
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
    • 800 ml (3.33 cups) Vegetable stock
    • 200 ml (0.75 cups) Semi-skimmed milk
    • 1 Potato - peeled and chopped
    • 1 Onion - chopped
    • 2 Garlic clove - crushed
    • 1 head Broccoli - chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Wholegrain mustard
    • 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
    • 60 g (0.5 cups) Mature cheddar - grated

    Instructions

    • Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil in a large pan and cook 1 Onion, 2 Garlic clove and 1 Potato for 3 minutes.
    • Add 800 ml Vegetable stock, 1 teaspoon Wholegrain mustard and 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.
    • Add 200 ml Semi-skimmed milk and 1 head Broccoli and cook for 10 minutes.
    • Blend until smooth, then stir in 60 g Mature cheddar.
    • Pour into bowls and top with more grated cheddar (optional).

    Recipe 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.

    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

    The 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.

    You'll love these too...

    • Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup in a bowl with a spoon.
      Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
    • Watercress soup in a large round bowl.
      Watercress Soup
    • A bowl of butter bean soup topped with bacon and chives.
      Butter Bean Soup
    • A bowl of broccoli and stilton soup.
      Broccoli and Stilton Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle Emelia Coates

      April 18, 2020 at 1:10 pm

      5 stars
      I have made this soup twice now and enjoyed it so much. Very nutritious and satisfying with amazing flavours.

      Reply
    2. Martina

      April 10, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious ;) kids loved it and even hubby who is not a soup lower;)

      Reply
      • Dannii

        April 11, 2020 at 9:16 am

        So glad you all enjoyed it. The kids love it here too.

        Reply
    3. Sirscha

      April 08, 2020 at 3:11 pm

      5 stars
      This was really, really really yummy!! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        April 08, 2020 at 4:59 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it :)

        Reply
    4. Jackie

      April 06, 2020 at 9:57 am

      Great recipe. Easy to make. Tried half with Stilton and half with cheddar and enjoyed both. I prefer tender stem so it was a good way to use up the old fashioned broccoli.
      Can't get the stars to work but I'd definitely give it 5!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        April 06, 2020 at 10:34 am

        Oooh, stilton is so good with broccoli soup - great idea.

        Reply
    5. Karen Byrne

      March 19, 2020 at 12:39 pm

      Tasty but for me I’d use half stock far too thin . Added celery and parsley.

      Reply
    6. Sally

      February 09, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      4 stars
      It’s a quick and simple recipe but I ended up only using half of the stock called for and the result is amazing. I would recommend adjusting that to get the creaminess you are looking for.

      Reply
      • Dannii

        February 09, 2020 at 6:54 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed it. That would be too thick for me personally, but it's definitely a preference thing :)

        Reply
    7. Jovita Levanaite

      January 29, 2020 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      Easy, quick and tasty - all I need in a recipe

      Reply
      • Dannii

        January 29, 2020 at 8:20 pm

        Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    8. Diane taber

      October 16, 2019 at 10:37 am

      We are going to try the lovely creamy broccoli and cheese soup.as it just looks so really nice and good.

      Reply
    9. Nina

      May 21, 2019 at 2:42 pm

      I have post my previous comment about the tomato pure to wrong recipe !

      Reply
    10. Nina

      May 21, 2019 at 2:40 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe I added 4 tbs of tomato pure - heaven . Tested so much better

      Reply
    11. Emma Taylor

      April 04, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      I don't normally like many of the soups that I make, but do them anyway to 'use up' any extra veg. Well this recipe is different, a really gorgeous soup which was super simple and quick to make - enjoyed by all! I am away to buy another broccoli just so I can make it again! :)

      Reply
    12. Benjamin Myhre

      March 17, 2019 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      I was a bit of an odd duck when I was a kid. Broccoli was my favorite food. I didn't even need it in a bowl of soup or anything. Just raw.

      I tell you what though... it becomes magical when you turn it into a cheesy soup and this recipe looks absolutely fantastic. I will be adding it to my list of things to make.

      Reply
    13. Andrea

      March 17, 2019 at 12:19 pm

      Love how easy this healthy broccoli soup is! I'm a massive broccoli fan, but for some reason never actually made soup, will need to give it a try ASAP

      Reply
    14. Katie

      March 16, 2019 at 10:50 pm

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely divine! Thanks for the easy-to-follow and thorough instructions. I can't wait to make this! It's been coooold here in Colorado, I need broccoli soup pronto!

      Reply
    15. Danielle

      March 16, 2019 at 10:16 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I made this last night and it was so good! I love the touch of mustard - really amps up the flavor!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        March 17, 2019 at 9:11 pm

        SO glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    16. Colleen

      March 16, 2019 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      This is a delicious and creamy looking soup, especially for a broccoli lover like me! and I love the idea of adding some cauliflower, too.

      Reply
    17. Sherri

      January 09, 2019 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      I could totally go for a bowl of this soup right about now! So hearty and creamy! LOVE the addition of the mustard too! I bet it adds such a nice flavor! :)

      Reply
    18. Amy | The Cook Report

      January 04, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      I love broccoli soup, it's such good comfort food

      Reply
    19. Nathan Wyper

      January 04, 2019 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious, I love broccoli soup! Perfect for this time of year!

      Reply
    20. Natalie

      January 04, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      I love broccoli soup! Looks so delicious and so easy to make ♥

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Made this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    A bowl of creamy broccoli soup with a text title overlay.
    Dannii in hat and glasses stood on a beach.

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

    About HHH»

    Salad Recipes

    • A red bowl full of green bean salad.
      Green Bean Salad
    • A large bowl of aubergine salad next to a yellow towel.
      Aubergine Salad
    • A bowl of watercress salad with a wooden fork and spoon in it.
      Watercress Salad
    • Asparagus salad on a large round plate.
      Asparagus Salad
    • Halloumi salad on a round blue plate.
      Halloumi Salad
    • Rocket salad in a large serving bowl.
      Rocket Salad

    Featured in

    Collage of media outlet logos.

    Popular Recipes

    • A pile of air fryer chips.
      The Best Air Fryer Chips
    • 10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry on a blue and white plate.
      10 Minute Chickpea and Spinach Curry
    • Easy tomato pasta sauce coating tagliatelle on a white plate.
      Easy Tomato Pasta Sauce
    • Slow cooker beef brisket sliced up on a serving board.
      Slow Cooker Beef Brisket

    Footer

    A bowl of creamy broccoli soup with a text title overlay.

    Help & Information

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Advertising
    • Blog

    About us

    • About us
    • Newsletter Sign Up!
    • Press enquiries
    • Web Stories
    • FAQ

    Follow us

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

    ^ back to top

    Featured in

    A selection of publications that Hungry Healthy Happy has been featured in

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2011-2023 Hungry Healthy Happy • All Rights Reserved • Site Design by D Martin

    • 156
    • 10
    5.4K shares