Velvety Broccoli Soup (Printer-Friendly)
Smooth broccoli soup with potato, garlic and cream; ready in 35 minutes. Vegetarian and gluten-free friendly.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1.1 lb broccoli florets
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
03 - 1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquids
05 - 3 ⅓ cups vegetable broth
06 - ⅔ cup heavy cream (substitute with dairy-free alternative for vegan version)
→ Seasonings
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
02 - Add the diced potato and broccoli florets to the saucepan, stirring to coat evenly with oil. Cook for 2 minutes to lightly toast the vegetables.
03 - Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until all vegetables are fork-tender.
04 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup directly in the pot until completely smooth and velvety. Alternatively, work in batches using a countertop blender.
05 - Stir in the heavy cream and nutmeg if using. Return to low heat and warm gently, ensuring the soup never reaches a boil to preserve the creamy texture.
06 - Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ladle into warmed bowls and garnish with reserved broccoli florets or a delicate swirl of cream.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The potato does secret thickening work so you never need flour or a roux to get that luxurious body.
- It freezes beautifully, which means you can stash single portions for those evenings when cooking feels impossible.
- Nutmeg is the quiet hero here, adding a warmth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
02 -
- Boiling the soup after adding cream will cause it to break and look curdled, so keep the heat gentle at the end.
- The soup thickens considerably as it sits, so loosen leftovers with a splash of broth or water when reheating.
03 -
- Reserve a few small broccoli florets, blanch them quickly, and use them as a garnish so people can see what they are eating.
- A tiny squeeze of lemon juice right at the end brightens the whole bowl and makes the flavors pop in a way nothing else can.