This is the tastiest vegan broccoli cheddar soup you’ll ever taste! It’s creamy, savory, and has the best flavors that are ideal for colder months. It’s also the perfect vegan copycat of Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup, so trust me, you’re going to love this one!
This vegan broccoli soup is deliciously wholesome, and the soup is satisfying, making it ideal for a cozy dinner at home. The blend of fresh veggies and spices, all simmered in a savory vegetable broth, takes this soup to the next level. It has a creamy and cheesy texture, making every spoonful an absolute treat.
Making this vegan broccoli cheddar soup at home is a great way to feed your family in a budget-friendly yet delicious way! This soup is also great for meal prepping, and it’s something I love having on hand during the cold winter months. It’s nourishing and oh so satisfying!
Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious vegan broccoli cheddar soup recipe today!
Jump to:
- What is Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup?
- Why This Is The Best Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
- What You Need to Make Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup At Home
- How to Make Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup Step by Step
- Tips For Making the Best Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas for Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftover Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- More Creamy Soup Recipes
- Recipe
What is Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup?
Vegan broccoli cheddar soup is a hearty, delicious, and comforting dish that is perfect for any meal. This recipe is unique as it is a vegan version of the classic broccoli cheddar soup, replicating the rich, creamy, and cheesy flavor without any dairy products.
This recipe is great because you get the classic creamy texture without adding any cream to the soup. It’s entirely plant-based, but it’s actually even tastier than the traditional one you’re probably used to having.
Plus, the soup is simmered to allow the flavors to meld together, which really takes it to the next level.
Making vegan broccoli cheddar soup at home couldn’t be more simple and straightforward. The prep time is minimal, the ingredients are easily accessible, and when it comes to taste, this soup is in a league of its own!
Why This Is The Best Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
- Easy to make: This vegan broccoli cheddar soup recipe requires just a few simple steps and everyday ingredients. From sautéing onions and garlic to simmering the broccoli florets, every step is straightforward and easy to follow.
- Family favorite: The blend of nutritious ingredients like broccoli, carrots, and potatoes, coupled with a velvety vegan cheddar cheese sauce, makes this soup a hit with both kids and adults. It is a great way to sneak some vegetables into your family's diet.
- Vegan and gluten-free: This recipe uses non-dairy milk and vegan cheddar cheese, making it suitable for those following a vegan or lactose-free diet. By using gluten-free flour, this soup can also be made gluten-free.
- Delicious: The nutritional yeast gives this soup a cheesy flavor that is incredibly satisfying. When served with crusty bread, it is a meal that's comforting and filling.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether it’s for a weeknight meal or a dinner party, this vegan broccoli cheddar soup is sure to be a hit. It’s a hearty, warming soup that's perfect for any occasion.
What You Need to Make Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup At Home
All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious vegan broccoli cheddar soup recipe at home.
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil: This will be used to sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes, providing a flavor foundation for the soup.
- Onion: Adds a sweet, slightly pungent flavor that enhances the overall taste of the soup.
- Garlic: Gives a mild spicy kick and aroma to the soup, elevating its flavor profile.
- Carrots: These not only add a sweet and earthy flavor but also provide a nice texture and vibrant color to the soup.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are the key to making the soup hearty and creamy. They also help to thicken the soup.
- Vegetable Broth: This forms the liquid part of the soup, contributing to its savory taste.
- Broccoli Florets: The star ingredient of the soup, broccoli adds a fresh, slightly bitter taste, and a wonderful texture.
- Non-Dairy Milk: A splash of almond milk or any non-dairy milk adds creaminess to the soup without using any dairy products.
- All-Purpose Flour: This ingredient helps to thicken the soup, giving it a creamy, hearty consistency.
Flavor Enhancers:
- Vegan Cheddar Cheese: Gives the soup its cheesy flavor and creaminess, making it a vegan-friendly alternative to traditional cheddar cheese.
- Nutritional Yeast: This ingredient is a common vegan substitute for cheese due to its cheesy flavor. It also adds an extra touch of umami to the soup.
- Salt and Pepper: These are essential for seasoning. They enhance all the other flavors in the soup.
How to Make Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup Step by Step
Making this incredible vegan broccoli cheddar soup recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
Preparing Vegetables and Broth
- Heat olive oil: Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add in the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, which should take around five minutes.
- Cook carrots and potatoes: Next, introduce the diced carrots and potatoes to your pot. Stir these ingredients and let them cook for another five minutes to allow the vegetables to soften slightly.
- Prepare the broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Remove about three-quarters of the soup from the pot and blend it in a food processor or immersion blender.
- Add broccoli: Return the blended soup into the pot, then add the broccoli florets. Allow the soup to simmer for about twenty-five to thirty minutes until the broccoli and the rest of the vegetables are tender.
Preparing Cheese Sauce and Finishing Touches
- Cook cheese, milk, and flour: While the soup is simmering, in a separate small saucepan, cook vegan cheddar cheese, non-dairy milk and flour until the cheese has melted and a cheesy sauce forms. Continue to cook and whisk for another two to three minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Combine soup and cheese mixture: Slowly pour the cheese mixture into the soup pot. Stir well to incorporate it into the soup. Allow the soup to simmer for five more minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Season the soup: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed to suit your preferences.
- Serve: Serve the creamy vegan broccoli cheddar soup hot, garnished with vegan cheddar cheese and broccoli florets if desired. Enjoy this delicious soup with a side of crusty bread for a satisfying meal!
Tips For Making the Best Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Chop your veggies evenly: When preparing your ingredients, make sure that your carrots, potatoes, and broccoli florets are chopped into similar sizes. This will help them cook evenly and at the same pace.
- Sauté the onions and garlic well: Allow the onion and garlic to become translucent and fragrant in the large pot. This is an important step to build a flavor profile that will carry through the entire soup.
- Blend for a smooth texture: After the initial boil, remove a portion of the soup to blend before returning it to the pot. This will give your vegan broccoli cheddar soup a smoother texture while still maintaining some chunkiness from the remaining ingredients.
- Simmer to perfection: Let the soup simmer for a good amount of time after adding the broccoli florets. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the broccoli to become tender.
- Make your own cheesy sauce: Don't skip the step of making your own vegan cheese sauce with vegan cheddar, non-dairy milk, and flour. This gives the soup its iconic cheesy flavor and creamy texture.
- Season to taste: Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjusting the seasoning as needed will help guarantee that the soup suits your personal preference.
- Serve hot and garnished: For the best taste and presentation, serve the vegan broccoli cheddar soup hot and garnish with extra vegan cheddar cheese and broccoli florets. A side of crusty bread would also make a perfect companion to this hearty soup.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy this vegan broccoli cheddar soup as a hearty lunch with a side of crusty bread. The bread is perfect for dipping into the creamy soup, adding a delicious crunch to each bite.
- Pair this soup with a fresh green salad for a well-rounded dinner. The light, crisp taste of the salad balances the rich, hearty flavor of the soup, creating a satisfying meal.
- Serve this vegan broccoli cheddar soup as a warming starter for a dinner party. Its creamy texture and cheesy flavor will impress your guests, setting a high bar for the main course.
- For a light dinner, accompany this soup with a bowl of quinoa or brown rice. The grains will add a wholesome, nutty flavor and extra texture to your meal.
- This soup can also be served with a side of roasted vegetables, such as cauliflower or carrots. The roasted veggies add a smoky flavor that compliments the creamy, cheesy soup.
- For those who love spicy food, add a dash of hot sauce to the soup. It will give a surprising kick to the cheesy, comforting taste of the vegan broccoli cheddar soup.
Recipe Variation Ideas for Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This delicious vegan broccoli cheddar soup recipe is so flavorful and easy to make you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:
- Make it Creamier: If you want a creamier texture to your soup, you can add half a cup of raw cashews to the recipe. Soak the cashews in hot water for about an hour, then blend it into a creamy consistency before adding it to the soup. This variation not only enhances the texture but also adds a nutty flavor.
- Boost the Cheesy Flavor: For those who love a strong cheesy flavor, try adding an extra tablespoon of nutritional yeast to the recipe. Nutritional yeast is a vegan substitute that gives a cheesy flavor, and adding more will make your vegan broccoli cheddar soup taste even cheesier.
- Add a Tangy Twist: To give your soup a tangy twist, add a tablespoon of lemon juice or dijon mustard. This will give your soup a refreshing taste that contrasts nicely with the creamy and cheesy flavor.
- Try it with Cauliflower: If you want to experiment with different vegetables, try replacing half the broccoli florets with cauliflower. This variation gives the soup a subtly different flavor and texture, while still maintaining its hearty nature.
- Spice it Up: For those who like it spicy, add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the recipe. This will give the soup a little kick without overpowering the other flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can substitute the vegan cheddar cheese with any other type of vegan cheese available. If you can't find any, you can also use nutritional yeast to give your soup a cheesy flavor. Nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy flavor that works well in this recipe.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw it before adding it into the soup. Frozen broccoli might require a slightly shorter cooking time, so adjust accordingly.
The flour in this recipe is used as a thickening agent. When combined with the non-dairy milk and vegan cheddar cheese, it helps to create a thick and creamy texture in the soup.
Yes, you can make this soup gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free alternative like cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.
Absolutely! Feel free to add other vegetables like cauliflower or carrots to this soup. Just remember to adjust the cooking time as needed.
How to Store Leftover Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Storing and reheating your leftover vegan broccoli cheddar soup is super easy, and a great way to enjoy this delicious meal over the course of a few days. Here’s how:
Refrigerating: For fridge storage, simply pour any remaining soup into a bowl or airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. This soup can last for up to a week when properly stored in the fridge.
Reheating: To reheat, transfer the desired amount of soup into a large pot and warm it over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave. Either way, make sure to heat the soup thoroughly until it is hot.
Freezing: If you have used frozen broccoli, it is best to consume the soup within a few days as refreezing may lead to a change in texture. However, if you used fresh broccoli florets and would like to freeze the soup, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top as the soup will expand as it freezes. This soup can be frozen for up to three months.
Thawing: To thaw, simply transfer the soup from the freezer to the fridge and let it thaw overnight. Once thawed, reheat it either on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave until hot.
More Creamy Soup Recipes
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Recipe
Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 head broccoli florets chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or any other non-dairy milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup vegan cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add the diced carrots and potatoes to the pot. Stir and cook for another 5 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften slightly.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and remove ¾ of the soup from the pot and blend it in a food processor or immersion blender.
- Return the blended soup into the pot, add the broccoli florets to the pot and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes until the broccoli and the rest of the vegetables are tender.
- While the soup is simmering, In a separate small saucepan, cook cheddar cheese, milk and flour until the cheese has melted and a cheesy sauce forms.Continue to cook and whisk for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Slowly pour the cheese mixture into the soup pot. Stir well to incorporate it into the soup.
- Allow the soup to simmer for 5 more minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed to suit your preferences.
- Serve the creamy vegan broccoli cheddar soup hot, garnished with vegan cheddar cheese and broccoli florets if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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