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Cream of Broccoli Soup

As classic as they come, this recipe will satisfy the need for a thick, wholesome bowl of old-fashioned cream of broccoli soup.

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a bowl of homemade cream of broccoli soup sprinkled with chives and garnished with a swirl of cream served with crusty bread
Photography by Gayle McLeod

The Best Cream of Broccoli Soup

We like to think that the best cream of broccoli soup is the one you make at home. It’s true, a can of Campbell’s will be our friend on days when we just can’t even, but on a day when you want to make a flavorful homemade soup, this easy cream of broccoli soup will be your new best friend. For more great homemade versions of canned soup try our Split Pea Soup and Chicken Noodle Soup, or if it’s got to be broccoli-based, try our Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

a bowl of homemade cream of broccoli soup sprinkled with chives and garnished with a swirl of cream served with crusty bread

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What Goes With Cream of Broccoli Soup?

A hot bowl of cream of broccoli soup with a generous portion of bread (like our Sourdough Bread) and butter is a real meal, and Pull Apart Cheese Bread would be a real treat. A nice green salad on the side would be great, like a Simple Italian Salad or Caesar Salad. And when you just need a little sumthin’ extra on the side, a simple Lemon Chicken or Instant Pot Chicken would check all the boxes.

raw broccoli, onion, butter, parmesan, heavy cream, chicken stock, garlic, chives and spices in prep bowls

How To Make Cream of Broccoli Soup From Scratch

  1. Cook the garlic and onion in butter for a very delicious start to your soup.

  2. Stir in the chicken stock and bouillon, then add the broccoli. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the broccoli is very tender.

  3. Blend! Use an immersion blender to blend the soup directly in the pot until smooth. (Alternatively, transfer the soup to the base of a blender, let cool briefly, and blend until smooth. Then pour the soup back into the pot.)

  4. Stir in the cream, parmesan, and nutmeg and cook over medium heat until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

  5. Serve the soup warm, topped with the chives or parsley and a swirl of cream.

chicken stock being poured into a pot with onions and garlic that have been cooked in olive oil and butter
a soup pot with broccoli, chicken stock, and onions add garlic that have been cooked in butter and olive oil
cream of broccoli soup blended in the base of a blender
parmesan, heavy cream and nutmeg being added to a pot with blended cream of broccoli soup

Everything You Need To Know About Cream of Broccoli Soup

  • What is cream of broccoli soup? Homemade cream of broccoli soup is, at its base, broccoli and stock enriched with heavy cream. We add parmesan cheese, alliums (garlic and onion), and seasoning. Our best cream of broccoli soup recipe is puréed until smooth, but you can blend it partially, leaving bigger chunks of broccoli. Any leftover broccoli would be great in our Chicken Divan!

  • How do you thicken Cream of Broccoli Soup? Cream of broccoli soup is traditionally thickened with heavy cream, but milk or half and half can be used in a pinch (see note below).

  • Can you make this recipe for cream of broccoli soup with half and half? We’ve all been there. You’re half-way through a recipe, and you realize all you’ve got is half and half. Don’t worry. Using half and half will result in a soup that’s just a tiny bit less rich than using a full cup of cream.

  • Can you freeze cream of broccoli soup? Yes! If you have leftovers of this easy cream of broccoli soup, it’s easy to freeze. Allow it to cool to room temperature before storing it in freezer safe containers (we love the plastic deli quart containers we get with takeout orders).

a pot of cream of broccoli soup being stirred with a wooden spoon

Tools You’ll Need

Soup Season Is A Year Round Affair

Soup, it’s easy to make, gets better with time, freezes well, and generally makes everyone happy. More reasons to make soup here:

cream of broccoli soup being stirred with a wooden spoon
a bowl of homemade cream of broccoli soup sprinkled with chives and garnished with a swirl of cream served with crusty bread

Happy Little Trees

Did you make this classic cream of broccoli soup and wish you had two bowls instead of just one? Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy souping!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

  • Serves: 6
  • Prep Time:  15 min
  • Cook Time:  40 min
  • Calories: 380

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon, (optional)
  • 2½ pounds broccoli florets, about 8 cups
  • 1 cup heavy cream, plus more for serving
  • 1 cup grated parmesan
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Minced chives or flat leaf parsley, for serving

Method

  1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the butter is melted and the oil is glistening, add the onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 more minute.

  2. Stir in the chicken stock and bouillon, then add the broccoli and increase the heat to high. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes, or until the broccoli is very tender. Turn off the heat.

  3. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup directly in the pot until smooth. (Alternatively, transfer the soup to the base of a blender, let cool briefly, and blend until smooth. Then pour the soup back into the pot.) Stir in the cream, parmesan, and nutmeg and cook over medium heat until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

  4. Serve the soup warm, topped with the chives or parsley and a swirl of cream.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories380
  • Protein13 g
  • Carbohydrates16 g
  • Total Fat18 g
  • Dietary Fiber5 g
  • Cholesterol25 mg
  • sodium577 mg
  • Total Sugars4 g

Cream of Broccoli Soup

Questions & Reviews

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  • Jill

    My family has dietary issues with rich dairy products. what alteration do you suggest in place of rich cream?

    We haven't tested this with any alternatives but you should be able to use full fat coconut milk instead. Since we haven't tried it we can't say whether or not it will drastically alter the flavor.

  • Eva

    Didn't have enough broccoli so I added courgettes and it's still soooooooo delicious 😭💓❤️💜✨💕💗💝💞💘❤️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

    Thanks Eva, glad you enjoyed!

  • Georgia

    Made this soup for lunch today and it was absolutely delicious. Another great recipe from The Modern Proper, love your cookbook and every recipe of yours I've made. Thank you!!

    Thanks Georgia, we are so happy you loved this one and the others you've tried!!

  • Jenn

    The picture alone sold me on trying this recipe and I'm so glad I did! It was even better than I expected. Such a fun way to switch up eating broccoli. Served it with crusty bread and grilled chicken and can't wait to have a left over bowl for lunch tomorrow.

    Thanks Jenn, we are so glad you loved it!