American · Lunch

Cream of Broccoli Soup

A smooth, pale green broccoli soup finished with half-and-half and a squeeze of lemon, with no flour or potato. Four servings in 35 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 35 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
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Why does broccoli soup so often taste dull and look grey? Because it is cooked too long. Twelve minutes at a simmer is enough to make the florets tender, and anything beyond that turns the colour olive and the flavour sulphurous.

There is no flour and no potato in this pot. The broccoli itself, stems included, thickens the soup once it is blended, and half-and-half added at the end gives the cream without the carbohydrate a roux would bring. Keep the lid off while it simmers, since steam trapped under a lid dulls the green. Blend until smooth. Then taste before you add salt, because the stock is unsalted and the soup needs very little.

Lemon brightens everything. A pinch of nutmeg adds warmth, and a few drops of olive oil on top finish the bowl. Serve it hot with a slice of wholegrain bread, and eat any leftovers within four days.

Questions About Cream of Broccoli Soup

How long does Cream of Broccoli Soup take to make?

About 35 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.

What are the key tips for making Cream of Broccoli Soup?

Peel the thick broccoli stems; the tough skin does not blend smooth. If the soup is thicker than you like, thin it with a splash of stock rather than water. Blend hot soup in batches with the lid ajar and a cloth over it, so the steam can escape. Reheat gently; boiling splits the half-and-half.

What should I serve with Cream of Broccoli Soup?

A slice of wholegrain bread; A green salad; A spoonful of plain yogurt.

Can Cream of Broccoli Soup be made ahead or frozen?

Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezes for up to 2 months without the half-and-half; stir it in after reheating.

Is Cream of Broccoli Soup suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, low-carb and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Cream of Broccoli Soup?

About 173 kcal per serving, with 7 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate and 9 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

How to Make Cream of Broccoli Soup

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  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes, until soft, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.

  2. Add the broccoli and the stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 12 minutes, until the stems are tender.

  3. Blend the soup with a stick blender, or in batches in a blender, until completely smooth.

  4. Stir in the half-and-half, nutmeg, salt, pepper and lemon juice and warm gently for 2 minutes without letting it boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

A Few Pointers

  • Peel the thick broccoli stems; the tough skin does not blend smooth.
  • If the soup is thicker than you like, thin it with a splash of stock rather than water.
  • Blend hot soup in batches with the lid ajar and a cloth over it, so the steam can escape.
  • Reheat gently; boiling splits the half-and-half.

Swaps and Variations

  • An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.

What to Serve With It

A slice of wholegrain bread · A green salad · A spoonful of plain yogurt

Storage

Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezes for up to 2 months without the half-and-half; stir it in after reheating.

Cream of Broccoli Soup Nutrition Facts

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

173Calories
7gProtein
16gCarbs
9gFat
4gFibre
6gSugar
420mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.