Cream of Broccoli Soup with Heavy Cream

This Cream of Broccoli Soup is rich, creamy, and super comforting! Made with fresh broccoli, sautéed onions, and heavy cream, it’s smooth, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s easy to make for a cozy lunch or dinner. Pair it with some crusty bread or a sprinkle of cheese on top for the perfect finishing touch.

Creamy soups are comforting and delicious, perfect for any season. Whether you are looking to enjoy a cozy winter meal or a light summer starter, remember this old-fashioned cream of broccoli soup recipe.

For more creamy soups, check out my Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup adapted from Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Table Cookbook. You will also not be disappointed with my Dairy Free Creamy Chicken Soup and Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup if looking for hearty options that can be customized to your liking.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Soup

1. Packed with Nutrients – Broccoli is loaded with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and antioxidants, making it a healthy choice whether eaten raw, roasted or in this creamy soup.
2. Customizable – This recipe can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or protein-packed depending on your dietary needs or preferences.
3. Great for Meal Prep – Broccoli soup stores well in both the fridge and freezer, making it a convenient make-ahead dish.

Ingredients for Broccoli Soup

• Butter – creates the rich texture while helping to sauté the onion to perfection.
• Onion – adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the base of the soup. Essential to sauté until translucent before adding other ingredients for the best flavor.
• Flour – acts as the thickening agent to give the soup a smooth consistency. Can be swapped with cornstarch if aiming for a gluten-free version.
• Chicken broth – provides a savory foundation to the soup and can be substituted with vegetable broth to create a vegetarian soup.
• Broccoli – the star of the soup, providing the vibrant green color, earthy flavor and a boost of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
• Heavy whipping cream – the ingredient you can thank for the creamy consistency.
• Salt & pepper – adjust as desired to meet taste preferences.
• Cheddar cheese – cheese is optional; however, we love the creamy and savory flavor it contributes to the soup. Another option would be parmesan cheese instead of the cheddar.

How To Make Cream of Broccoli Soup with Heavy Cream

STEP ONE: Sauté the onions. In a heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, swirl the butter around the pan to coat the bottom. This will help the onions cook evenly. Next, add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. You will notice a slight sweetness developing as the onions cook. If you notice the edges of the onion getting brown, lower the heat.

For a boost of flavor, you can add minced garlic to the pot during the last 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

STEP TWO: Make a roux. Once the onions are cooked, add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. I use a wooden spoon, but a whisk also works to combine the flour with the butter and onions.

You will start to see the flour clump and form the foundation of the roux. Slowly add the chicken broth whisking until blended. Bring to a boil. The broth should start to thicken slightly after a few minutes.

STEP THREE: Cook the soup. Reduce the soup to a simmer and add broccoli. Simmer for 20 minutes so the broccoli can cook.

Using an immersion blender, blend the soup ingredients until smooth. You can also ladle the soup into a blender and carefully blend.

STEP FOUR: Finish the soup. Add the heavy cream, salt and pepper to the pot or into the blender and stir to combine. Serve garnished with shredded cheese if desired.

Soup Toppings

Beyond shredded cheese, roasted nuts such as almonds, walnuts or pumpkin seeds can add crunch to the soup. Croutons, homemade or store-bought, are also a delicious option.

Serving Suggestions

If cream of broccoli soup with cheese is the main dish, here are some suggestions to round out the meal:

• Crusty artisan bread or garlic bread
• Grilled cheese or cheesy toast
• Buttery crackers or crostini
• Simple green salad or Caesar salad – add grilled chicken or shrimp to the salad to boost the protein at the meal
• Roasted vegetables

This recipe can also be served as a side dish and paired with a hearty main course like:

• Garlic Parmesan Risotto with Chicken
• Garlic Butter Chicken in Air Fryer
• Pesto Salmon Salad
• Pan Fried Pork Chops
• Tender Grilled Short Ribs
• Pulled Pork Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Make Dairy-Free Cream of Broccoli Soup

If you want this recipe to be dairy free, you need to replace the heavy cream with a dairy-free alternative. This recipe calls for 1/2 cup of heavy cream. To replace it, you can use a mixture of soy milk and silken tofu or 1/2 cup of coconut milk

Soy milk is a suitable alternative in this recipe, but it doesn’t provide the thickness unless you mix it with something else. Silken tofu will help thicken the soy milk. Place 1/4 cup of each in a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth and creamy.

Additionally, you will want to swap the 1/4 cup butter in the roux with 1/4 cup avocado or olive oil and replace the shredded cheese with nutritional yeast or omit altogether.

How to Store Leftover Soup

The leftover soup will taste even better tomorrow as the flavors have time to meld together! Place the soup in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it cool down all the way before you store it.

Freezing Instructions

You can also freeze this soup, but it may separate a bit when it thaws since it is creamy. You can use a whisk to mix it back together. Keep it in the freezer for up to one month.

How To Reheat

When you reheat this soup, you might need to add a touch of cream or broth to it. Place it in a pot on the stove and reheat slowly over medium heat until steaming and hot through. You can also microwave it in 30 to 45-second bursts. After reheating, I like to add fresh shredded cheese as a topping to boost the flavor even more.

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