Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (2024)

Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup is hearty, cheesy, comfort food! I'll show you the correct timing and temperature to get the PERFECT outcome.

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Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (1)

I made some Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup for your soul (and yoursoul, and yoursoul, and yoursoul!) Sorry, havingan Oprah moment here.

I feel like I can call this Broccoli Cheddar Soup perfect because I know what un-perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup tastes like. My first attempt at making this creamy, cozy soup was when I was 13 years old. I stood at the stove with my perm, big bangs, glasses and stretchy pants (just painting you a picture here,) rubbed my hands together in anticipation and exclaimed, let’s dothis!

I don’t remember where the recipe came from but IDOremember that it didn’t even call for milk or cream. (The more likely explanation is that my novice-chef-self glossed over that important part of the ingredient list but I digress.) I boiled my broth, added my broccoli, then dumped in a truckload of cheese. What could go wrong?

Uh, everything.

Instead of morphing into a thick and luxurious soup, the cheese turned into a previously unknown substance, wrapping its stringy tentacles around the broccoli crowns before descending to the bottom of the pot aka its final resting place as an inedible, broccoli-studded orange blob. I’ll never forget it.

Two decades and some change later I stepped back up to the proverbial plate and, after a few tries, achieved the perfect batch of Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Redemption is mine!

Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (2)

The key to perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup is timing and temperature – I’ll show you how. Oh and freshly grated cheese, and milk, not cream. That’s right, heavy cream is not necessary for the most cozy, creamy bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Soup you’ve ever made at home. Pinky swear!

Tips for Making Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup

  1. Use whatever milk you’ve got on hand but know that I achieved thick and creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup perfection with skim milk. Yes, you heard that right. No heavy cream needed.
  2. You MUST use freshly grated cheddar cheese to get creamy broccoli cheese soup. Pre-grated cheese is coated in anti-caking agents which means it won’t melt as smoothly.
  3. When it’s time to add the cheese into the soup, sprinkle it in in batches, stirring until each batch is melted before adding the next batch vs dumping it all in at once. This will ensure there are no clumps in the final soup.
  4. The temperature you cook Broccoli Cheese Soup at is key to making sure it doesn’t end up grainy or curdled. Medium heat is best for dairy-based soups so it doesn’t boil and curdle.

Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (3)

How to Make This Recipe

Start by melting butter in a large soup pot or Dutch Oven over medium heat then add grated carrot and chopped shallot. Season with salt and pepperthen saute until the carrots are tender, 3-5 minutes.

Sprinkle in gluten free flour (or AP flour if you don’t need to eat GF) then whisk to form a paste and cook for 1 minute.

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Next, slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Once everything is nice and smooth, add milk. Again, use whatever you’ve got on hand – I like skim milk, or 2% milk for a bit of a richer flavor.

Turn the heat up just slightly to bring the broth to a simmer – NOT BOIL – stirring occasionally, then turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes.

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Meanwhile, dicefresh broccoli floretsinto small, bite-sized pieces.

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Add the broccoli to the soup then simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the broccoli is tender.

Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (7)

Remove the pot from the heat then add freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese in three batches, stirring until completely smooth before adding the next batch. Let each batch slowly melt before adding the next to make sure there’s no clumping whatsoever.

Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (8)

Now, I happen to like bigger hunks of broccoli bobbing in my Broccoli Cheese Soup but if you like yours a little more smooth, take a potato masher to the soup and mash until you get the texture you like. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary. I like TONS of fresh cracked black pepper in my Perfect Broccoli Cheese Soup!

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Ladle the Broccoli Cheese Soup into bowls then top with a bit more shredded cheddar cheese and dig in. Like I said…perfect! Thick, creamy – total comfort food – enjoy!

Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (10)

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Description

Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup is hearty, cheesy, comfort food! I'll show you the correct timing and temperature to get the PERFECT outcome.

Ingredients

serves 4

  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 large carrot, shredded
  • 1 large shallot, chopped
  • salt and pepper
  • 3 Tablespoons gluten-free flour blend
  • 3 cups gluten-free vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk (I used skim)
  • 3 cups small-chopped fresh broccoli florets
  • 8oz freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for serving

Directions

  1. Melt butter in a large soup pot or Dutch Oven over medium heat then add carrots and shallot, season with salt and pepper, and then saute until carrots are tender, 3-5 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle in flour then whisk to combine and cook while whisking for 1 minute. Slowly stream in chicken broth while whisking constantly to avoid lumps then add milk and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper then turn heat up to medium-high to bring soup to a simmer. Turn heat down to medium-low then simmer - NOT BOIL - for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add broccoli florets to pot then simmer for 20 more minutes, or until broccoli is tender. Remove pot from heat then add cheese in three batches, stirring until completely smooth before adding the next batch. Mash florets slightly with a potato masher to reach desired texture – this is optional. Taste soup then add salt and pepper if necessary. Ladle into bowls then serve with extra shredded cheese on top.

Notes

  • I do not recommend freezing > thawing dairy-based soups such as this one as they have the tendency to break and/or curdle when reheated.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

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107 Comments

  1. Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (12) Jerri 04.22.2024

    Do you have nutritional information on the Broccoli Cheese Soup?

    Reply

  2. Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (13) Deb 02.23.2024

    I have made this before and it was definitely a crowd pleaser. I was considering substituting with almond milk and I only saw one other person comment on that. Obviously a dairy based soup with the cheese and milk. I try to limit my dairy intake and thought with all the cheese maybe the milk might be something I could switch up. Have you personally tried that or do you have any thoughts?

    Reply

    • Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (14) Kristin 02.26.2024

      Unsweetened almond milk should be fine, Deb!

      Reply

  3. Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (15) Jill 01.23.2023

    I usually really like your recipes, but this one is not so good. I just heated it up at work and it’s even WORSE! The cheese is all clumpy and nasty. I am really disappointed.

    Reply

    • Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (16) Kristin 01.23.2023

      I’m so sorry to hear that, Jill! Did you follow the instructions including not boiling the soup, using freshly grated cheese vs pre-grated, and stirring it in slowly vs all at once? Eager to help!

      Reply

  4. Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (17) Kristen 12.02.2020

    Kristin! I have not reached out in forever but I just wanted to say I made this soup last night and WOW – it was so so good! Best Broccoli cheese soup I’ve ever had and super easy to make with your instructions. You are a gem and you have a lovely family.

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hi, i'm kristin!

I’m a Midwestern wife and Mama, and after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013 I began sharing delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Welcome!

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Perfect Broccoli Cheddar Soup - Iowa Girl Eats (2024)

FAQs

Why did my broccoli cheddar soup separate? ›

If it is too hot when you stir everything in, the cheese may curdle and clump! Storage: This delicious broccoli cheddar soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the leftover soup in the microwave or in a pot on the stove top (on low heat so it doesn't become grainy).

Why is my cheese not melting in my broccoli cheddar soup? ›

Why won't my cheese melt in my broccoli cheddar soup? This tends to happen when you use a pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses include anti-caking agents that will prevent them from melting properly in your soup. If you shredded your own cheese and it's still not melting, it may just need more time on the stove.

How to incorporate cheese into soup? ›

Keep the heat very low, and make sure the cheese is one of the last things added to the soup. Whisk very quickly but add the cheese in gradually, one cup at a time, to make sure it melts before adding the next cup. How do you otherwise ensure the texture of a cheese is correctly cooked in a soup?

Why does my broccoli cheese soup curdle? ›

Curdling in a cream soup usually occurs when the milk or cream is added at too high of a heat. As you incorporate the milk and broth into the cooked onion and flour mixture, keep the heat at medium and stir continuously with a whisk. Once all is mixed in, then proceed to heat to a boil.

How to fix grainy broccoli cheddar soup? ›

You end up with a grainy, curdled consistency. Unfortunately there is no way to fix it once it's happened, so just be really careful to keep this soup on a very low flame once the dairy has gone in. If the soup remains hot and steamy, without boiling, it will stay beautifully silky and creamy.

What cheese melts best in soup? ›

Mild cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack, mozzarella, Swiss and queso blanco can all work well. “The best cheeses to melt into soups are cheeses that are higher in moisture and have a lower melting point,” says Bauer. In addition to cheddar and Monterey jack, he recommends Fontina and Gruyère.

How to prevent broccoli cheddar soup from separating? ›

Sometimes an acidic ingredient, like wine, can prevent the soup from curdling. Slowly add the cream or milk and continually stir after adding. This will help prevent it from curdling. Use shredded cheese and always reduce the heat to about low to medium before adding.

How do I thicken my broccoli cheese soup? ›

Adding a potato to the simmering soup provides a natural thickener that helps the cheese emulsify and gives the soup a creamy texture.

How do you add cheese to soup without curdling it? ›

How to add cheese to soup without curdling - Quora. Don't heat the soup above 165 degrees. At that point the butter fat separates from the milk solids. That is for real cheese, not the processed cheeses that have binders and starches added.

Why does my broccoli soup taste bland? ›

If your Broccoli Soup tastes bland, there are several potential reasons. Here are some common culprits and suggestions to enhance the flavour: Insufficient seasoning. Solution: Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper accordingly.

Why does broccoli cheddar soup make my stomach hurt? ›

Broccoli also can be the culprit behind a slew of stomach-related symptoms. Not only does the veggie — or more specifically, the intestinal bacteria that breaks the fibrous content down — cause gas, but that gas can actually be painful, too.

How to make broccoli cheese soup less salty? ›

Add a small amount of fresh herbs to the soup and stir until well combined. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or tomatoes can also help to reduce the saltiness of soup. Add a small amount of acid to the soup and stir until well combined.

How to keep broccoli cheese soup from separating? ›

Avoid too high of heat when using dairy (milk or cream) because the soup can curdle and separate. Try not to take it to the boiling point. Sometimes an acidic ingredient, like wine, can prevent the soup from curdling. Slowly add the cream or milk and continually stir after adding.

How to fix cheese soup that separates? ›

To fix an already curdled soup

Add an ice cube and lower the heat, whisking constantly; the shock can help bring it back together. Add a few additional tablespoons of cream warmed ahead of time to the soup mixture, whisking constantly. If the above do not work, whir the soup in a blender until smooth.

How to fix curdled cream of broccoli soup? ›

If you soup is a bit thin either take some of the vegetables from it or cook a few extra vegetables and blend them with a stick blender to a paste. Then add them back to the soup as a thickener. If you soup has curdled use a stick blender to smooth it out and recombine it.

What causes soup to split? ›

The soup always tastes good, but occasionally it will curdle. What causes this? Tomatoes are very acidic and milk or cream is added to them, curdling can occur. Curdling will be more likely to happen when the ratio of acid to cream increases or when mixing a cold and hot mixture.

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