This Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is sure to be your next go-to meal on a rainy day, or a staple at the dinner table.
It seems like the whole world has a love-hate relationship with broccoli. Not me! I love it, and I have the broccoli recipes to prove it. For a simple, delicious option, try my Easy Creamy Broccoli Soup. Need a great side? How to Roast Broccoli has you covered. And for a top favorite, my Healthy Beef and Broccoli is hard to beat.
In This Post You'll Find:
Whichever side of the discussion you’re on, I have good news for you: there is a common ground, and it’s this broccoli cheddar soup.
Its star ingredient is broccoli, which now comes with a well-loved ingredient… sharp cheddar cheese. Because everything's better with cheese, and this soup is no exception!
From adding a zing to Keto Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers to balancing out Pesto and Goat Cheese Pizza, cheese can bring any plate to life. This recipe for healthy broccoli cheddar soup joins the fun and may even be the key to your stance on broccoli.
Looking for a comforting and flavorful meal? Try this Creamy Sweet Potato Soup recipe for a healthy and satisfying option!
Reasons You'll Love It
- Tons of fiber
- Creamy and delicious
- Fun way to eat your veggies
- Converts broccoli haters
Ingredients For Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli: Like in all cooking, the fresher, the better, but you can make this soup with frozen broccoli, too.
Cheddar: While this recipe calls for cheddar, you can use other options, like gouda or provolone. You can also omit if non-dairy is preferred and add nutritional yeast for additional flavor.
Chicken stock: Healthy broccoli soup needs 2-3 cups of chicken stock for a richer flavor, but you can substitute for vegetable broth if looking to stay vegetarian. Here's How to Make Homemade Chicken Stock at home!
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onions soften and become translucent.
- Step 2: Add diced carrots and potatoes to the pot. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Step 3: Stir in chopped broccoli florets. If needed, add more broth to fully cover the vegetables. Let simmer until the broccoli is tender but still vibrant green.
- Step 4: Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in the reserved broccoli florets. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup Goes Well With:
- Bread: Great soup can be eaten on its own, but I love pairing it with my Homemade Croutons.
- Chicken: Try pairing your broccoli soup with chicken. There are many healthy chicken to pair, namely my Healthy Oven Roasted Chicken, my Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken and my Healthy Chicken Nuggets (a big help to the picky eaters!).
Recipe FAQs
Healthy broccoli cheddar soup can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer. For storage, make sure you pour your soup in an airtight container. (Check out my post Ultimate Guide to the Best Meal Prep Containers for more information). It can stay in your fridge for 3-4 days.
If you want your soup to last longer (because sometimes we save our heartiest soups for rainy days), then opt to store it in your freezer. You can place them in zip bags or containers that can withstand the temperatures of a freezer. To reheat, make sure you thaw the block of soup first.
Absolutely! Just add the frozen broccoli directly to the soup without thawing. It may release a bit more water, so adjust the consistency if needed.
Yes! You can swap out the cheddar cheese for a dairy-free alternative and use unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk. Nutritional yeast can also add a cheesy flavor without dairy.
Blending some of the cooked vegetables with the broth creates a naturally creamy texture. You can also use arrowroot powder as a thickener.
More Tasty Soups
If you're looking for more delicious and nutritious soups, try these amazing options.
Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Equipment
- Stock Pot or Large Deep Skillet
- Food Processor (Or blender)
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium potato, chopped
- ¼ cup chickpea flour
- 2 cups almond milk or milk of choice
- 2-3 cups low sodium chicken broth, as needed
- 1 lb broccoli (1-2 heads), crown cut into small florets, stem peeld, chopped into ½ inch pieces
- ¾ cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and season with salt and pepper. Saute 5 minutes or until softened.
- Add carrots and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté 2-3 minutes or until slightly softened.
- Bring soup to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Stir in broccoli. Add additional stock to cover, if needed. Simmer 5-8 minutes, or until tender.
- Using a slotted spoon, scoop out about 2-3 cups of broccoli florets and transfer to a bowl.
- Puree remaining soup in a blender or with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Return to pot. Stir in broccoli florets, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in cheese until melted.
- Add additional stock to thin soup, if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese because pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the soup grainy
- Let the soup cool slightly before blending to prevent splattering and burns if using a blender
- For a thicker soup add one to two tablespoons of flour when sautéing onions or blend extra cooked potatoes
- Enhance flavor with seasonings like a pinch of nutmeg Dijon mustard or a dash of hot sauce to elevate the taste
- For a dairy free version use nutritional yeast instead of cheese and swap in unsweetened almond or oat milk
- Blend only half the soup if you prefer a chunkier texture with whole broccoli pieces
- Store leftovers properly by keeping them in the fridge for up to four days or freeze without cheese for up to three months
- Reheat gently on low heat to prevent the cheese from separating or curdling
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links for products I use and recommend.
Lacey Baier
This Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is everything I love in a meal—creamy, cozy, and packed with nutritious ingredients! The rich, velvety texture comes together without heavy cream, and the cheddar gives it the perfect cheesy flavor. Can’t wait for you to try it!