Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup (Creamy, Low-Carb & Comforting)
This Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup is rich, velvety, cheesy, and packed with tender broccoli. It’s the perfect low-carb comfort soup that feels indulgent while staying completely keto-friendly and gluten-free.
A creamy, cheesy broccoli soup made with sharp cheddar, tender broccoli florets, and a rich keto-friendly base. This cozy soup is thick, flavorful, and perfect for cold nights or easy weeknight dinners.
Whenever I need a warm, comforting meal that still fits my low-carb goals, this Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup is my go-to recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Keto-Friendly: Naturally low-carb and gluten-free.
- Thick & Velvety: No flour or starch needed—just cheese and cream.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples and frozen or fresh broccoli.
- Quick & Easy: Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Flexible: Can be made dairy-free or cooked into a creamy keto crockpot soup.
Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- For the Soup Base
- 4 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional for texture & variations
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum for extra thickness
- ½ cup cream cheese adds richness
- Bacon bits for topping
- Chives or green onions
- Dairy-free cheese + coconut cream for dairy free broccoli cheese soup
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- These basics build the flavor for this cream of broccoli soup recipe easy style.
- Cook the Broccoli
- Add broccoli florets and chicken broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
- Simmer for 10–12 minutes until broccoli is tender.
- Blend (Optional)
- To achieve your desired texture:
- For a chunkier soup: mash lightly with a spoon or potato masher.
- For a smoother soup: use an immersion blender to blend partially or fully.
- This flexibility makes it perfect for broccoli soup recipes healthy fans.
- Add Cream & Cheese
- Reduce heat to LOW.
- Stir in heavy cream.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring until melted.
- Avoid high heat—cheese can separate.
- Season with smoked paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
- Thicken (Optional)
- Add cream cheese
- Sprinkle in a pinch of xanthan gum while stirring
- This keeps the soup thick and satisfying without carbs.
Nabeela’s Pro Tips
1. Add cheese slowly on low heat
Cheese can separate or turn grainy if the soup is too hot. Lower the heat and add shredded cheddar a handful at a time. This creates a smooth, creamy texture every time.
2. Use sharp cheddar for max flavor
Mild cheddar doesn’t deliver the bold taste you’re expecting. Sharp or extra-sharp cheddar melts beautifully and gives the soup that classic broccoli-cheddar flavor without needing flour or thickening agents.
3. Blend only part of the soup for perfect texture
Puree about half the soup and leave the rest chunky. This gives you creaminess while keeping bite-size pieces of broccoli for a satisfying finish.
4. Don’t skip the aromatics
Onion and garlic make a huge difference. Even in low-carb cooking, they add depth that transforms a simple broccoli soup into something rich and comforting.
5. Add cream cheese for extra richness
If you want a thicker, almost velvety texture, stir in ½ cup cream cheese. It enhances the soup without upping carbs significantly.
6. Make it dairy-free easily
Swap heavy cream for coconut cream and cheddar for a good-quality dairy-free cheese. It still melts beautifully and turns into a delicious dairy free broccoli cheese soup.
7. Crockpot method for easy prep
Place all ingredients (except cheese and cream) into a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours. Add cheese and cream in the last 30 minutes. This creates a perfect keto crockpot soup with minimal effort.
FAQs
1. How can I keep my cheese from clumping or curdling?
The key is low heat. Remove the soup from direct heat or reduce it to the lowest setting before adding cheese. Add it gradually and stir constantly. Avoid pre-shredded cheese as it contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
2. Can I freeze Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Yes, but freeze without the cheese and cream for best results. Dairy can separate when frozen. Freeze the broccoli broth base, then add cream and cheese when reheating. This keeps the soup thick, smooth, and fresh-tasting.
3. How do I make this soup thicker?
You can mash or blend extra broccoli, add cream cheese, or sprinkle a tiny pinch of xanthan gum while whisking. These methods create a velvety thick soup without adding carbs.
4. What can I serve with this soup on keto?
Great low-carb sides include almond-flour biscuits, keto garlic bread, cauliflower mash, or a simple green salad. You can also pour this soup over grilled chicken or serve it as part of a keto soups and stews dinner spread.
