creamy broccoli soup
I’m a total weirdo when it comes to soup (and other things, as you know, but let’s stay focused here).
If it’s a chunky soup, it has to be broth-based, like minestrone or vegetable soup or chicken noodle soup. And it has to be really, really chunky — none of that canned stuff where the three pieces of chicken are microscopic.
If it’s a creamy soup, it has to be smooth. I can’t handle seeing pieces of broccoli floating in my cheese soup, or rice in my tomato soup. The only allowable floaters are croutons, thankyouverymuch.
In other news, I just made soup sound really, really gross. Let’s try to make up for that.
You see, this creamy broccoli soup? It’s a complete anomaly when it comes to my weird soup quirks. It’s broth-based, so I should want things in it, but it’s smooth and I like it that way. But it’s also kind of a cream-like soup with a little bit of texture and heartiness, and I’m totally cool with that, too. I don’t know, you guys. It just works for me. Maybe it’s because it’s too delicious for me to really care one way or the other.
Soup season is most definitely inching closer and as you probably have gathered from the eleventy billion times I’ve mentioned it, I’m very excited for it. The crisp air, the colorful leaves, apple picking, cozying up with sweaters and hot cider and of course, comfort food like soups and stews and baked oatmeal and hearty casseroles — I’m pumped for all of it with a capital P. Even though it hardly looks and feels this way outside yet (oh hai, 95 degrees on Saturday), I’m kicking things off already in the household starting with this soup. And my tummy is very happy.
This soup is on fairly regular rotation on our weekly menu in the cooler months and that is because a) it’s tasty, b) it’s easy to make and c) it’s tasty. There isn’t any actual cream to speak of in this “creamy” soup, just a lot of veggies that get blended into a creamy consistency (with an eensy bit of texture, as I mentioned before). Actually, come to think of it, the soup is totally vegan if you use vegetable broth and skip the cheese on top (which I don’t recommend because cheese, so if you’re vegan you should sprinkle some vegan cheese on top), so that’s neat. And if you serve it up with a hearty, grainy bread that is just perfect for dipping (hint-hint), you’ve got yourself a very healthy-yet-satisfying meal.
So, in conclusion: Creamy but not creamy broth-based smooth vegan-ish broccoli soup = make it soon. Also, I’m a pro at describing things.
Creamy Broccoli Soup
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium white or yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups vegetable or beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 bunch broccoli, florets roughly chopped and stems peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated white cheddar cheese, for topping (optional)
- Crusty, grainy bread, for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and lightly golden, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add broth, water, broccoli, sweet potato and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup, or transfer to a blender and blend in batches. Season with more salt and pepper, if desired.
- Serve topped with grated cheese and slices of bread, if desired.
I love creamy soups too! Nothing like a big bowl of this with cheese and good bread. I am also a fan of French onion soup but I think that is more of the cheese factor than the onions. I would be so happy if you done some soup recipes; you can never have too many time saving meals.
Maybe to make it vegan, you could add things like nut cream or seed flours? for the creamy white texture could coconut be used? I do not know, just few things that came to mind.
But great recipe; definitely a keeper
Broccoli soup is one of my very favorite soups!! This look so creamy and so perfect! I love soup!
Sounds delish! I love the addition of the sweet potato. Broccoli soup is my absolute favorite!
Lovin’ that this soup is broth based!! annnnd I love the dark green color too.
Ps.. cutest soup pot EVER! Happy Monday friend!
Your soup particulars crack me up! I’m pretty particular about my soups because it is my favorite thing to eat EVER! It’s easy to eat, healthy, filling…it’s one reason to look forward to winter. Your creamy broccoli soup is gorgeous and I’m licking my chaps just thinking about it! 🙂
chops…chops, not chaps…ohhhh gawl, it’s Monday! 😉
LOL we are total soup sisters. I’m the same way ; ) Lurve this.
Belinda — Oooh, yes, all about the cheese factor with French onion! 🙂 Thanks!
Tieghan — Thank you, dear!
Kim — Thanks! I love the sweet potato part, too 🙂
Laurie — Thank ya, dearie! It was my great-grandma’s pot and I looooove it. Always makes the best soup. 😉
Julia — Bahahahaha, that made my morning. 😉 Thanks, love!
Paula — Yay! I’m glad I’m not alone in this, haha. 😉
I don’t think your soup preferences are weird at all! That’s simply how soup tastes best (or maybe I am similarly weird, but I prefer to think we just have good taste). Broccoli soup is so underrated. So glad to see you are giving it the attention it deserves. Yours looks delicious!
Can I be honest, I’ve never had broccoli soup! Crazy right? Think I need to make this for dinner so I can finally say I’ve had some!!
Not only am I loving this soup, I am DYING over that cute soup pot!!! It’s so sweet!
My favorite thing about soup season is getting to enjoy a huge quantity of fresh bread alongside it (just being honest ;)). I love broccoli so this soup looks like a winner!
Nora — Thank you! And I’m glad I’m not the only one who knows how good soup should taste. 🙂
Steph — Oooo, gurl, you need to get some of it into your life! It’s good stuff. 🙂
Marie — Thank you! It was my great-grandma’s. Apparently she had good style. 🙂
Laura — You and me both, friend. It’s the only way to do it. 🙂
This creamy but not creamy soup sounds so good to me! And the color is super nice, it makes the soup looks beautiful ;D Can’t wait for soup season!
I was definitely nodding along when I was reading your soup preferences. I can’t explain it, but I am the same way. Also, this soup has two huge fans over here. While I was reading the post and recipe, the baby was kicking out of control. It makes me happy he is going to inherit some of my eating habits.
I am also extremely picky about the texture of my soup. This sounds absolutely perfect! The evening are finally chilly enough here for a big ‘ol bowl of soup. Yes!
Love that it’s creamy without having cream in it! This is a “must add” to our fall rotation!
Found you on Pinterest as I was looking for something to do with my broccoli. Just read on Dr Mercola that broccoli is a vegie that fights cancer. So, your soup is healthy too! 😉 Have made brocolli soup before, but I think I’ll like it better with the sweet potato addition. Am making it as I’m typing. Thanks for the great recipe.
This soup sounds perfect! I love broccoli soup – totally trying this!
Love that there’s sweet potato in here. This soup sounds like one I would love — creamy without the cream.
“The only allowable floaters, croutons!!” I think I giggled at that statement for a good minute! Love this soup, friend!
Consuelo — Thanks! I can’t wait for soup season, either!
Stefanie — Yay! The little fella knows what’s up. 😉 Thanks, friend!
Dishing Up the Dirt — Thanks, dear! It’s like 90 degrees here today but I’m looking forward to a long string of chilly nights so I can cozy up to more soup. 🙂
Jessica — Yes! I love that, too. 🙂 Thanks, friend!
Sue — Gotta love a recipe that is yummy and healthy! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Katrina — Thanks, love! Hope you like it 🙂
Megan — I do love that it tastes creamy but you’re not paying for it. 🙂 Thanks!
Lauren — Gosh, I’m too much of a nerd for my own good. 😉 Thanks, dear!
These photos are stunning! I am really craving broccoli soup now!
I think you and I are on the same page when it comes to soup!
Cassie — Thank you, dear! 🙂
Jen — Good! I’m so glad I’m not alone 🙂
This recipe looks fantastic! I love that it’s broth-based rather than being loaded up with heavy cream. And yet, it still seems to maintain a lot of creaminess. So, you get the best of both worlds! Can’t wait to try this for dinner!
Also, I wanted to let you know that I tried a version of your Maraschino Buttercream and loved it! I just used it to frost some Cherry Cola Cupcakes, and was so, so happy with the results. Thanks for the inspiration and the great recipe!
Jamie — Ooooh yay, I’m so glad you liked the buttercream! I could eat that stuff with a spoon. 🙂 And thanks for the soup love, too!
Broccoli soup is one of my very favorite comfort foods when cool weather starts rolling in! Love how creamy this is!!
Ooo, I love that you are managing to make my broccoli soup better for me (i.e., less fat to go to my ass…). Because then I can eat more bread and pile on more cheese! Because carbs. <3
Yesss to soup season! This looks so delicious. And yes. Yes to cheese… ALWAYS yes to cheese.
This looks so delicious and comforting, and super easy, meaning I have officially no reason NOT to make it. Pinned!
Better that be good! 😀
I’ve really tried to get into eating broccoli stems to be less wasteful, but I can’t get into it! However, I would be all over some broccoli stems blended up in soup. This sounds great!
I think we feel similarly about our soups!! And creamy without the cream is totally my favorite phrase ever. Especially when talking soup. This is totally gracing my fall table.
My love for you grows each day.. This is my favorite kinda soup… for realz.
Julie — Mine, too! Thanks, girl!
Stephie — Always because carbs. Always. 🙂
Stephanie — INDEED. 🙂 Thanks!
Rachel — I like the way you think! Thanks, doll 🙂
Autumn — I know, I love this recipe because it makes me feel so much less wasteful 🙂 Thanks, dear!
Joanne — Yes! We are soup soul twins. 🙂
Erika — The feeling is most definitely mutual. 😉
How did I miss this gorgeously green soup!? Omg. Need a bowl NOW! xo
and to top it all off – a slice of homemade bread! You show-off!! 😉 I love it! I must try this one – hubby would love it and it wouldn’t raise his cholesterol!! 🙂
Ashley — Wish I could send you one right now! 🙂
Mackenzie — Ha! I assure you this is not a common occurrence. 🙂 Thanks, dear!
I’m a total fan of broccoli soups and this looks gorgeous! I just made broccoli cheese soup for my son for lunch the other day (at his request) and couldn’t have been happier that I’m passing on the love! Yours is perfect!
Robyn — Oh thank you! Love that your son already loves broccoli soup (took me way too long to discover how delicious it is :)).
Creamy and warm. Just perfect for the upcoming cooler weather.
Lail — I agree! Thanks!
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this soup is awesome!!! so moreish… definitely making this again! thanks 🙂
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This soup is fantastic, it’s one of my go-tos! My husband loves it, too 🙂
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