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Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup

By Alexandra Caspero on March 5, 2022

Paired with your favorite crusty bread, this creamy broccoli soup is a must for cold winter days.

Serves 4

Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup! This vegan broccoli soup tastes so much better than any canned variety.

If you only know cream of broccoli soup from the sad Campbell’s cans that were the base of so many casserole recipes from the ’80s and ’90s, then this recipe is for you. Forget what you think you know about cream of broccoli soup– this soup is smooth, velvety and studded with chunks of real broccoli. It’s incredibly delicious and comforting, especially with my no-knead bread.

Ingredients for Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup

Here’s what you’ll need for this cream of broccoli soup.

5 tablespoons vegan butter or regular butter
1/2 large white onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
8 cups chopped broccoli florets
3 cups vegetable broth
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups unsweetened soy milk

cream of broccoli soup without dairy

Instructions for how to make this vegan creamy broccoli soup

Soften the vegetables

Place 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. If you don’t want to use vegan butter (or regular butter) then you can swap in olive oil instead. Add the onion and celery then sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Next, stir in the broccoli and vegetable broth and simmer until broccoli is tender, about 20 minutes.

Blend to create a soup base

Let the broccoli cool slightly, then add the broccoli mixture to a blender, in batches if needed, and pulse a few times to blend together. Be careful not to puree it completely, I think this tastes best with some texture and recommend to pulse it only a few times to come together.

Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender.

Make a roux with melted butter and flour

Next make a roux, a cooked mixture of equal parts flour and fat, that will help to thicken this soup. We’re using a plant-based butter source here as the fat, but olive oil will also work.

Wipe out the pot (or use a different pot if using an immersion blender/blending in batches) and melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in the pan. Add the flour and stir until lightly browned and fragrant.

Slowly stir in the milk, whisking over medium heat until thickened. Season with nutmeg and a pinch of salt and generous serving of freshly ground pepper.

Combine and simmer

Add the broccoli mixture to the thickened milk mixture and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes to come together. Season to taste, as needed, and serve.

Garnish with a healthy sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and bread– don’t skip the crusty bread. That’s a must for me with any creamy soup, I need the texture combination of something hearty with soups like this.

What to serve this with?

I love this soup served with my no-knead rosemary bread, but any crusty bread will be great. The creamy, smooth soup hugs into the nooks and crannies of the bread that’s the perfect pairing. Cut the bread into cubes, lightly toast and serve on top as croutons!

vegan cream of broccoli soup

How to turn this into a broccoli cheese soup

This vegan cream of broccoli soup is so crazy easy and delicious to boot. I suppose you could throw in some shredded cheddar cheese at the end to create a cheesy broccoli soup, but I kept things cheese-free for the most part.

That said, the Panera broccoli cheddar soup was my go-to soup choice in college so if you have similar fond memories and want a cheesy broccoli take, do this.

When making the roux in step 4, add in shredded sharp cheddar cheese, either regular or plant-based until melted. Violife and Chao cheese are my favorite plant-based cheeses, but any brand should work as long as you like the taste.

After placing in your bowl, sprinkle more shredded cheese on top for an extra cheesy layer.

Lastly, while you could use any non-dairy milk for this, I love unsweetened soy milk or oat milk best for this recipe. It’s creamy, neutral in flavor, without any hint of sweetness. Heavy cream is the typical dairy pick for cream of broccoli soup, but this plant-based version is just as creamy with a fraction of the saturated fat that’s normally found in broccoli soup.

Creamy Broccoli Soup with Croutons

How to Store and Freeze

To freeze, place cooled soup in airtight containers and place in the fridge for 4-5 days. To freeze, place in a freezer bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 4 months. When ready to eat, let thaw overnight in the fridge.

More Healthy Vegan Soup Recipes

Tuscan Kale Soup Recipe
Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
Vegan Lemon Orzo Chickpea Soup
Spicy Vegan Salsa Verde Soup
Red Lentil Soup

Hope you like this soup as much as we do! If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!