Cream of Broccoli Soup
Nothing beats a warm bowl of creamy broccoli soup that makes your whole family feel cozy and loved! This comforting soup is perfect for anyone who wants a healthy, delicious meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. You’ll love how it fills you up with good-for-you ingredients while tasting absolutely amazing.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 15 minutes, Additional Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 30 minutes, Serves: 6 people, Makes: 6 cups.
Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Healthy Immunity, Soy-Free, High-Fiber, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 157 Calories, 10g Fat, 13g Carbs, 5g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Unsalted butter: You’ll need 3 tablespoons, which adds that rich, creamy base that makes this soup so comforting. Room temperature butter works best for easy melting!
Leeks: 2 medium leeks using just the white and light green parts, sliced and rinsed well. Leeks give such a mild, sweet onion flavor that’s way gentler than regular onions.
Celery: Half a cup thinly sliced gives you that perfect fresh crunch and adds amazing flavor depth. I love how celery makes soups taste so much more interesting!
Garlic: Just 1 clove finely chopped is all you need. Fresh garlic makes such a difference – it smells incredible when it hits that hot butter!
Broccoli florets: 8 cups of fresh broccoli florets are the star of this show. You can use frozen too if that’s what you have – no judgment here!
Vegetable or chicken broth: 4 cups of low-sodium broth keeps things healthy while adding tons of flavor. Use whatever type you prefer or have on hand.
Fresh thyme: 1 teaspoon of whole fresh thyme leaves adds such a lovely earthy taste. Dried thyme works too if fresh isn’t available!
Salt: Half a teaspoon helps bring out all those wonderful flavors. You can always add more to taste at the end.
Half-and-half: 1 cup creates that dreamy, creamy texture we all love. This makes the soup feel so luxurious and satisfying!
Fresh chives: 2 teaspoons thinly sliced for garnish adds the prettiest pop of color and fresh flavor on top.
How to Make Cream of Broccoli Soup
Step 1: Melt your butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and celery, then cook while stirring occasionally until they get nice and soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook while stirring constantly until it smells amazing, about 1 minute.
Step 2: Add all that beautiful broccoli and the broth to your pot. Bring everything to a happy boil, then turn the heat down to medium. Cover your pot and let it cook until the broccoli is perfectly tender, about 12 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in the thyme and salt – your kitchen should smell incredible right now! Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until it’s completely smooth, about 2 minutes. If you’re using a regular blender, work in batches and remove the center piece of the lid to let steam escape.
Step 4: Add the half-and-half and blend just until it’s mixed in, about 15 seconds. Serve right away with those pretty chives sprinkled on top!
Easy and Quick Cream of Broccoli Soup Version
Want to make this even faster? You can totally use frozen broccoli florets – just add them straight to the pot without thawing! Skip the fresh thyme and use 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme instead. You can even use pre-chopped frozen leeks if you find them at the store. This cuts your prep time down to just 5 minutes!
Serving Ideas
This creamy soup makes a complete and satisfying meal all on its own. Serve it with some crusty bread or warm dinner rolls for dipping. A simple grilled cheese sandwich turns this into the perfect comfort food combo that everyone will love!
Storage
Store leftover soup in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container. To reheat, just warm it gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Substitutions
No leeks? Use 1 medium onion instead – it works great! You can swap the half-and-half for heavy cream if you want it extra rich, or use milk for a lighter version. Cauliflower florets work beautifully in place of broccoli if you want to switch things up!
Pro Tips
- Perfect texture: Don’t skip rinsing those leeks well – they can be sandy and gritty if you don’t clean them properly!
- Smooth soup secret: Let the soup cool for just a minute before blending to avoid any splattering accidents.
- Extra flavor boost: Add a splash of lemon juice at the end to brighten up all the flavors.
- Make it richer: Stir in a little cream cheese for extra creaminess that everyone will love!
FAQs
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
You bet! This soup actually tastes even better the next day after all the flavors have had time to meld together. Just reheat gently and you’re good to go!
Can I freeze cream of broccoli soup?
Sure! You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months. Just know that dairy-based soups can sometimes separate when thawed, but a good stir usually brings them back together.
What if I don’t have an immersion blender?
No worries at all! A regular blender works perfectly – just be careful with the hot liquid and work in batches. You can even mash it with a potato masher for a chunkier texture if you prefer!
Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use vegan butter and substitute the half-and-half with coconut milk or your favorite plant-based cream. It’ll still be delicious and creamy!
I hope you love this cozy soup as much as my family does! Let me know how it turns out for you – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures. Happy soup making!
