Traditional cream of broccoli soup transforms big heads of broccoli into a smooth, delicious soup. But, all the butter, heavy cream, and milk in a standard broccoli soup means this classic dish is off the table for vegan dieters. Or is it? Fortunately, you can make a tasty, simple vegan cream of broccoli soup that’s sure to delight everyone at the table. Follow along to learn how to make your very own creamy broccoli soup vegan.
Nutritional Value From Vegan Cream Of Broccoli Soup
This recipe calls for a whole pound of broccoli, which means lots of nutritional goodness in the bowl. Broccoli contains fiber, vitamin C, carotene, and very few calories. All those vitamins and minerals can help support a healthy heart, immune system, and digestion.1
Making your broccoli soup vegan will also dramatically cut back on calories and saturated fat that typically come from the heavy cream and butter used in traditional cream of broccoli soup. Using unsaturated fats, like olive oil, in place of butter is also more heart healthy.2
Swapping out regular milk for a non-dairy milk alternative may also be a great way to eliminate dairy-related stomach issues.3
Ingredients For Vegan Cream Of Broccoli Soup
Ready to turn that creamy broccoli soup vegan? Try to select fresh, high-quality ingredients to keep this cream of broccoli soup extra healthy.
Note: This recipe calls for cashew milk as a replacement for regular milk, but you can use any type of non-dairy milk.
2 Tbsps. extra virgin olive oil- 1 medium onion, diced
- ½ cup carrot, diced
- ½ cup celery, diced
- 1 lb. broccoli florets, chopped and stems diced (see note below regarding stems)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cashew milk, or other dairy-free milk
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions For Creamy Broccoli Soup Recipe
Now that you have all the ingredients ready for your vegan cream of broccoli soup, it’s time to put it all together. Follow along for step-by-step instructions and a few bonus tips.
Note: You’ll need a high-speed immersion blender to puree all of the cooked veggies before serving.
- Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat, and pour in the olive oil. Add the diced onions, carrot, celery, and broccoli stems. Cook until tender for about 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, salt and pepper. Stir well, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the vegetable stock and cashew milk. Bring to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer. Let cook for 20-30 minutes.
- Add in the broccoli florets, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is just soft.
- Turn off the heat, and slowly ladle the cooked soup into the blender. Be careful when pouring in the hot soup.
- Add the lemon juice to the mixture, and blend on high for one minute. Hold the lid down tight with a kitchen towel while blending to protect your hand from any hot soup that accidentally emerges.
- If the soup is too thick, add a little water or vegetable stock until you reach the desired consistency. Taste for flavor, and season with salt or lemon juice as necessary.
- Serve straight away or return to the pot to cool for later storage. Makes 4-6 portions.
Kitchen Tips From The Chef’s Table
Check out a few tips on preparations and extra cooking inspiration to make this healthy broccoli soup uniquely yours.
Make It A Chunky Soup
You can easily control the consistency of this soup if you prefer a slightly chunkier version. Instead of adding all of the cooked veggies from the pot into the blender, only add half or one quarter. Blend this smaller amount, pour that back into your pot, and stir with the unblended veggies.
Don’t Waste The Stems
Broccoli stems are full of rich flavor and a shame to waste. Use a potato peeler to remove the outside. Trim off the bottom. Then, slice the stem into ½ rounds and add them with the broccoli florets for additional flavor and substance.
Swap In Some Cauliflower
Try adding a few cauliflower florets if you are short on broccoli. This tasty cousin of broccoli is a great substitute or addition to any broccoli soup.
Add A Bit Of Texture
Crunchy bites of texture can make a great garnish on top of velvety soups like this vegan broccoli soup. You can add croutons, roasted pumpkin seeds, or anything crunchy for a bit of extra snap.
Frozen And Fresh Broccoli Florets Both Work
This recipe works great with fresh and frozen broccoli florets. Add the frozen broccoli florets at the same time as fresh broccoli, but cook for an extra 1-2 minutes.
Can I Make This A Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Try adding 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast to your vegan broccoli soup to give it that savory, cheesy flavor. You can place the yeast in the blender with the lemon juice right before pureeing the soup.
Use Your Favorite Dairy-Free Milk
The vegan broccoli recipe above calls for cashew milk, but again, you can use any plant-based milk you prefer as a substitute for dairy. Soy milk or macadamia milk are both good options, just be sure they are not flavored or sweetened.
How To Store Cream Of Broccoli Soup
Keeping a few extra bowls of soup for tomorrow’s meal is a great way to save on time and work. To store your vegan cream of broccoli soup, let it cool for 1-2 hours in the pot. Then, pour the remaining soup into sealable plastic, airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Can I Freeze My Cream Of Broccoli Soup?
Yes, you can also freeze your broccoli soup. Leftover soup can come in handy for those late nights when you don’t have anything in the fridge or the energy to whip up dinner. Place the cooled soup in freezer-safe containers, and pop them in the freezer for up to a month.
To reheat, remove one of the individual containers the day before. When you are ready to eat, pour into a microwave safe bowl and heat for 1-2 minutes. Or, add to a pot and heat on the stove for 3-4 minutes.
Vegan Cream Of Broccoli Soup – A Rich And Healthy Option
The magic of creamy broccoli soup can easily be made into a delightful vegan meal. Swapping out the cream, butter, and milk for this classic comfort food can make it slightly healthier, without sacrificing flavor.
Follow along with the instructions above for a quick and tasty meal that should satisfy even the most dedicated lover of classic cream of broccoli. There are also a few extra tips and variations that can help you experiment to find the flavors and soup style that work best for you. So, pull out that blender, and puree those vibrant green florets into a rich and velvety meal today.
Learn More:
Easy And Healthy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
Vegan Instant Pot Recipes: Quick And Easy One Pot Recipes For Plant-Based Eating
How To Eat More Vegetables: Tips & Tricks
Sources
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-broccoli
- https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/wellbeing/healthy-eating/nutrition-facts/is-butter-good-for-you
- https://nutrition.org/going-nuts-about-milk-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-plant-based-milk-alternatives/
