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Cream of Broccoli Soup

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

Just a few simple ingredients make up this deliciously creamy broccoli soup.

  • Serves: 4
  • Active Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Comments: 6
  • Views: 4625
  • Success 100%

Step 1: Preparing Your Mise en Place

Preparing Your Mise en Place

To prepare your mise en place, finely dice the onions and emince the garlic. Peel the broccoli stems (if there are any) and cut them into small, even pieces. Set aside. Chop the florets into small, even pieces and place into a separate bowl.

Measure out the butter, flour and milk. Set aside.

Note: Vegetable or a light chicken stock can be substituted for the milk, if desired.

  • 3/4 cup onions
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 4 cups broccoli
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups homogenized milk (see note)

Step 2: Making & Serving the Soup

Making & Serving the Soup

To make the soup, melt the butter in a medium-sized pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions and garlic along with a pinch of salt. Gently sweat until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.

Add the broccoli stems (if there are any) and stir to coat with the fat. Continue to sweat for a few minutes until somewhat softened.

Next, singer with the flour and stir to combine. Temper in the milk a bit at a time. Turn the heat up to medium and bring the soup to a simmer. Stir often to make sure the bottom does not scorch.

Once the stems are nearly tender, add the florets along with a good pinch of salt. Let the soup gently simmer until the florets are tender and cooked all the way through. Once the florets are tender, add salt and pepper to taste.

If serving the soup as is, you can finish it by tempering in the heavy cream (optional). Serve in warmed bowls.

Alternatively, if you choose to blend the soup, transfer it to a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to do this in batches. Return the soup to a clean pot and bring just to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper and temper in the cream, if using. Serve in warmed bowls.

Note: Either soup can be garnished with a variety of toppings such as grated cheddar cheese, bacon bits or toasted almonds.

  • kosher salt (to taste)
  • freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
  • garnish (optional, see note)
Melissa K

Freezing soup?

Just made this soup and it is fabulous! Wondering if it freezes well? If so, what is the process? I'm guessing I would make it up to the point just before adding the cream, then freeze. Any thoughts?

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Freezing Soup

You could freeze this soup but we do not necessarily recommend it due to the milk in the recipe. Soups containing dairy can split after being frozen. Also, green soups will generally not look as nice once they have been frozen, thawed and reheated again. Hope this helps. Cheers!

Leigh S

Cream of Broccoli

I made the Cream of Broccoli soup today, and the result was awesome. I chose to puree it all, and present it in low wide bowls, with a few deep fried onions sprinkled on top for garnish. which made a beautiful presentation. It was spectacular.

Realize, that I am a guy who has prided himself on how broccoli free my body is! Broccoli is not my favorite vegetable, but these cream soups are wonderful ways of getting all the nutrition of these otherwise bland vegetables in a very pleasant way!

I was going to try to make broccoli & cheese soup, but at the last minute decided that the addition of the cheese would alter the flavour, colour and texture too much. Can you give some recommendations for what cheeses would go well with this recipe, and when the cheese should be added in order to make broccoli & cheese!

Kimberley S
Rouxbe Staff

RE: Adding Cheese to Roux-Based Soups

Great that you are practicing!

Consider cheese to be an ingredient that will enrich the soup; therefore, it should be slowly added at the end. If you refer back to the pre-requisite lesson on Bechamel, you'll understand that when cheese is added to this particular sauce, you create a variation called "Mornay". It all ties together. Use a good melting cheese (not low fat). Cheddar or Swiss or a combination of the two would go well. Cheers!

Rebecca B

Slightly grainy texture

I made a double batch of this soup using part homemade light chicken stock and 1/2 milk. I really liked the body of this soup. It is a bit thicker in consistency than the cream of broccoli recipe that I routinely use.

I did have a problem with a slight grainy texture. Otherwise, the soup was wonderful. I was wondering if I might have undercooked the roux mixture before incorporating it into the soup?

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

RE: Slightly Grainy Texture

Please do check out the lesson on "How to Make Roux-Based Soups", as this is covered in detail in that lesson. Cheers!

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