My beloved Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe represents comfort food at its best. It brings happiness, warmth, and deep satisfaction to low-carb keto followers and soup lovers alike. This creamy masterpiece is truly delightful—it surpasses high-carb restaurant versions and processed canned soups found in stores.
Moreover, this recipe is both quick and straightforward! From start to finish, it takes less than 30 minutes to make. Despite its simplicity, the minimal ingredients list yields incredible flavors. Sharp cheddar cheese blends beautifully with rich cream cheese and heavy cream. Nutmeg imparts a warm, nutty, slightly sweet flavor, while paprika adds a hint of smokiness and gentle heat, depending on the type used. Already considering making a double batch? Let's get cooking this keto soup!
This recipe is: Low carb, Keto-friendly, Gluten-free and Vegetarian.
Table of Contents
5 Reasons to Love This Recipe
I love this broccoli cheddar soup recipe for its comforting flavors. You will instantly love it for these reasons:
- Hearty and comforting.
- Low-carb and keto-friendly.
- Perfect for meal prep.
- Easy to make.
- Ready in less than 30 minutes.
Is Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup Low-carb?
Yes, keto broccoli cheese soup made with low-carb ingredients fits into a low-carb diet. This is one of the best keto soup recipes as it only contains 6 g net carbs per serving. I ensured the ingredients are remarkably low-carb so you can enjoy the soup alongside other foods without worrying about your carb intake.
And if you are curious about "Is Broccoli Low Carb" or "Is Cream Cheese Low Carb" or not, then check out these articles curated by certified nutritionists at I'd Rather Be A Chef and make informed choices in your low-carb journey.
Ingredient List
You need these ingredients for this simple keto friendly broccoli cheese soup recipe:
- 4 cups broccoli florets, small cut
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup full-fat heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium-sized onion, diced
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap the ingredients with these excellent keto alternatives if you want something else from the ingredients mentioned above:
- Chicken stock: Vegetable or beef stock are fine alternatives.
- Garlic cloves: Use ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic for a savory garlicky flavor.
- Olive oil: You can use avocado or coconut oil.
- Paprika: Smoked or Hungarian paprika will give you a similar sweet, spicy smokiness.
Additional Ingredients
Use any of these additional ingredients to add a depth of flavor and a bit of texture to this low carb comfort food:
- Crumbled bacon: Bacon bits add a savory and crunchy texture to this classic soup dish.
- Sour cream: Need a creamy texture or a tangy flavor? Add some sour cream to your soup!
- Fresh scallions, sliced: Add fresh scallions for a extra flavor and garnish.
- Thickening agents: Use guar gum or Agar-Agar to thicken the soup.
- Spice: Add some heat with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Note: None of these additional ingredients is part of the original recipe or its estimated nutritional value.
Cooking Tools
To make this low carb broccoli cheese soup you need the following tools:
How to Make Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup: Complete Guide
Cooking Method
- Boiling
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and measure the ingredients.
- Peel and dice/mince the onions and garlic.
- Wash the broccoli thoroughly and cut them into florets.
Cooking Instructions
- In a soup pot, add broth and broccoli florets. Bring to a boil on high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer until broccoli is tender.
- In a skillet, melt ½ of the butter with the olive oil over high heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt, cooking until onions turn translucent and start to brown, about 4-6 minutes. Reduce heat to low, add garlic, and cook for 1-2 more minutes, stirring constantly.
- Transfer cooked onions and garlic to the soup pot with broccoli.
- Add the remaining butter and cream cheese over low heat in the same skillet, melting slowly. Gradually add cheddar cheese, stirring well, until all cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add nutmeg, paprika, and pepper and stir. Gradually add cream, mixing well. Remove from heat once combined.
- Blend the soup mixture to your desired consistency using an immersion blender. Add the cheese mixture and stir until well combined, and season to taste.
Step 1: Add the broccoli and stock over high heat in a large pot. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to simmer.
Step 2: Melt the butter and add olive oil to the pan. Add a good pinch of salt. Sautee for 4-5 minutes.
Step 3: When the onions have started to brown, reduce the heat to low and add in the minced garlic, cooking for 1 min.
Step 4: Add the sauteed garlic and onions directly into the simmering broccoli and stock, being careful not to splash.
Step 5: Add the cream cheese chunks to the melted butter. Stir until a creamy consistency has been achieved.
Step 6: Add in about ⅓ to ½ of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine, keeping the heat low to prevent separation.
Step 7: Add the heavy cream to the seasoned, melted cheese. Only add what is needed for desired consistency.
Step 8: Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some broccoli for texture.
Step 9: Slowly add the melted cheese mixture to the partially blended broccoli soup. Stir to combine well.
💡 My Pro Tip
When adding nutmeg and paprika start with a small amount of each—perhaps a pinch or an eighth of a teaspoon—and adjust to your liking. The goal is to have them subtly enhance the soup's flavors and not steal the spotlight. Also, since this keto cheese soup recipe lacks conventional thickening agents, here are some ideas on how to thicken the soup:
- Add 3 cups instead of 4. You will reduce the yield but also increase the thickness.
- After cooking and processing the soup, leave it on the stove over low heat to allow some of the water to evaporate. This may take some time.
- As the soup cools, it naturally gains some more thickness. Not much, but it is significant compared to when it is very hot.
- Thickeners: If you're adventurous and truly want a thicker soup that is low-carb friendly, add in some Guar Gum or Agar-Agar.
- Traditional Thickeners: If you care less about low-carb or keto when cooking the onions and garlic, add a couple of tablespoons of flour then cook it to reduce the flour flavor. Alternatively, add a tablespoon of arrowroot if you are gluten-free. Combined with the hot liquid of the soup, it should help thicken things.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Buy shredded cheddar. I like shredding my own because many store-bought brands tend to have starchy additives. Even so, pre-shredded cheddar will shorten your prep and overall cook time.
- Pre-cut broccoli. Again, you can buy this at the store and save time chopping and cleaning up all the little broccoli bits.
- One-pot method. Use the same pot to saute the onions and garlic, then cook the soup. It works and saves on cleaning up more dishes.
What to Serve with Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Wondering what to pair with keto broccoli cheddar soup? Try these delicious options:
- Keto Breadsticks: Need an extra cheesy bowl? Pair the keto broccoli cheesy soup with these crispy aromatic cheese breadsticks for a luscious meal.
- Low-carb Garlic Bread: Garlic bread made with almond flour or coconut flour, minced garlic, and butter is a perfect accompaniment to this delicious keto cheese soup.
- Cauliflower rice: This is a fantastic keto alternative to traditional rice, and it tastes great with the flavorful cheese soup. The pair is an incredible complete meal.
- Grilled Beer Can Chicken: Serve the delicious soup alongside flavorful, tender, juicy chicken with crispy skin for an amazing meal.
- Wedge Salad: Romaine lettuce, some olives, and a keto-friendly homemade Blue Cheese Dressing will complement the creamy soup's richness. Extra cheese? Yes, Please!
- Broccoli and Cheddar Frittata: Is your pantry brimming with broccoli and cheese? Make delicious broccoli cheddar frittata and serve it with the healthy broccoli cheddar soup.
Storage and Reheating
Storage
- The best thing about this keto cream of broccoli soup is that it keeps well in the fridge for up to a week. Transfer your cool leftover soup to an airtight container and refrigerate.
Freezing
- Cool and freeze the soup in freezer-safe bags. Lay the bags flat in the freezer to use less storage space. Freeze for up to 3 months, defrost overnight in the fridge, and heat according to the instructions below.
Reheating
Here are top tips on how to reheat this delicious soup:
- Stovetop: Reheat the soup in a crock pot over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until heated through.
- Microwave: Reheat covered on medium heat setting until warmed through.
Recipe Conclusion
This Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup is one of the best keto soup recipes ever. It yields such flavorful and comforting flavors. It is easy and quick, you will have it ready in 30 minutes. What's more, it freezes well, so you can make a double batch and enjoy it during the week. Get some low-carb garlic bread to scoop up the bowl of goodness. You may as well enjoy it on its own.
Make the easy broccoli cheese soup, and let me know how it turns out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below or on my social media platforms. You can find me on Facebook or Instagram.
More Keto Soup Recipes
Here are more delicious keto soup recipes that you would love:
FAQs
Yes, broccoli cheese soup can be keto, depending on its ingredients. This version is 100% keto-friendly, with full-fat dairy products and no sugary or starchy additives. Enjoy the deliciousness with the net-carb load at about 6 g per cup.
Typical homemade broccoli cheese soup contains 5-10 g of carbs per serving. The carb content varies according to the ingredients used.
You can add shredded chicken, shrimp, or leftover pulled pork for a delightfully hearty soup. Some chopped pepperoni is yummy, too. Ensure the meat is cooled to room temperature before adding it to the soup.
The soup gets a grainy texture if the cheddar cheese is heated over high heat. It's irreversible, so, remember to add the cheddar over low heat to prevent the grain!
Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup 🍲
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets small cut
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened and cubed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup full-fat heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium-sized onion diced
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and measure the ingredients.
- Peel and dice/mince the onions and garlic.
- Wash the broccoli thoroughly and cut them into florets.
Cooking Instructions
- In a soup pot, add broth and broccoli florets. Bring to a boil on high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer until broccoli is tender.
- In a skillet, melt ½ of the butter with the olive oil over high heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt, cooking until onions turn translucent and start to brown, about 4-6 minutes. Reduce heat to low, add garlic, and cook for 1-2 more minutes, stirring constantly.
- Transfer cooked onions and garlic to the soup pot with broccoli.
- Add the remaining butter and cream cheese over low heat in the same skillet, melting slowly. Gradually add cheddar cheese, stirring well, until all cheese is melted and smooth.
- Add nutmeg, paprika, and pepper and stir. Gradually add cream, mixing well. Remove from heat once combined.
- Blend the soup mixture to your desired consistency using an immersion blender. Add the cheese mixture and stir until well combined, and season to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
Recent Low Carb Recipes:
The Ultimate Game Day Dip
Hosting a game day party? My Ultimate Game Day Dip is the perfect addition. Packed with flavor and easy to make, it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.
Simple Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
These Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps are quick to make and bursting with flavor! Pulled chicken is tossed in a tangy hot sauce, wrapped in crisp lettuce, and topped with crumbled blue cheese for an easy, satisfying dish. Perfect for lunch or dinner.
Coleslaw for Pulled Pork Recipe
My Coleslaw for Pulled Pork recipe has been a favorite for over 20 years. With a creamy, tangy dressing and crunchy vegetables, it’s the ultimate sidekick to pulled pork or barbecue. Quick, easy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Is it low carb? Learn more about it:
The Ultimate Game Day Dip
Hosting a game day party? My Ultimate Game Day Dip is the perfect addition. Packed with flavor and easy to
Simple Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
These Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps are quick to make and bursting with flavor! Pulled chicken is tossed in a tangy
Coleslaw for Pulled Pork Recipe
My Coleslaw for Pulled Pork recipe has been a favorite for over 20 years. With a creamy, tangy dressing and
2 Responses
Where is the recipe?
Hi Ruth!
The recipe is at the end of the post... but a lot of people have been confusing the Ingredients List with the recipe, so I have been going back through my posts to update, but I have not gotten to this one yet. If you scroll all the way down, or use the Jump to Recipe button at the top, you will find the recipe card. Let me know if you have any issues- thank you! Scott