Cream of Broccoli Soup (Printer-Friendly)

Velvety broccoli soup blended with aromatic vegetables and finished with cream for rich, satisfying flavor.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head broccoli (about 1 pound 2 ounces), chopped into florets
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

05 - 4 cups vegetable broth
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream, plus extra for garnish optional

→ Fats & Seasonings

07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
11 - Pinch of ground nutmeg, optional

→ Garnish

12 - Fresh chives, finely chopped
13 - Croutons

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, and minced garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add chopped broccoli florets and stir to combine. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until broccoli is very tender.
04 - Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, working in batches with a countertop blender, puree until smooth.
05 - Stir in heavy cream and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently reheat over low heat if needed. Do not boil after adding cream.
06 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with extra cream, chives, or croutons as desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, yet tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • The butter-and-oil base creates a depth that makes people ask if there's bacon hidden somewhere.
  • One immersion blender moment transforms ordinary vegetables into something velvety you'll actually crave.
02 -
  • Don't skip the sautéing step—those first few minutes build layers of flavor that make the difference between good soup and the kind people remember.
  • If your soup breaks or looks grainy after adding cream, it means the heat spiked too high; gently whisking in a splash of cold broth will save it.
03 -
  • Buy broccoli that feels heavy for its size—that density means more flavor and fewer hollow stems.
  • If your broth tastes flat, don't add more salt; a tiny squeeze of lemon or a whisper of nutmeg often wakes it up better.
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