Pureed Broccoli Soup

Rating: 4.54 stars
28 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 18
  • 4 star values: 7
  • 3 star values: 3
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 0

In this easy broccoli soup recipe, broccoli cooks together with onions, celery, garlic and fresh herbs and is puréed into a delicious creamy soup. Try this healthy broccoli soup alongside grilled cheese sandwiches or as a starter for a simple dinner.

EatingWell Test Kitchen
Source: EatingWell Magazine, Soup Cookbook

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Recipe Summary

total:
45 mins
Servings:
4
Nutrition Profile:
Low-Calorie
Egg Free
Gluten-Free
Nut-Free
Soy-Free
Healthy Immunity
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Heat butter and oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until the butter melts. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and thyme (or parsley); cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 10 seconds.

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  • Stir in broccoli. Add water and broth; bring to a lively simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook until very tender, about 8 minutes.

  • Puree the soup in batches in a blender until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Stir in half-and-half (if using), salt and pepper.

Tips

To make ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Note: Chicken-flavored broth, a vegetarian broth despite its name, is preferable to vegetable broth in some recipes for its hearty, rich flavor. Sometimes called “No-Chicken Broth,” it can be found with the soups in the natural-foods section of most supermarkets.

Read more: Got Extra Veggies? Turn Them Into Pureed Soup with This Simple Formula

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: about 2 cups
Per Serving:
160 calories; protein 8.7g 17% DV; carbohydrates 16.5g 5% DV; exchange other carbs 1; dietary fiber 5.4g 22% DV; sugars 3.6g; fat 8.5g 13% DV; saturated fat 2.8g 14% DV; cholesterol 7.6mg 3% DV; vitamin a iu 2342.4IU 47% DV; vitamin c 95.3mg 159% DV; folate 162.4mcg 41% DV; calcium 85.2mg 9% DV; iron 1.6mg 9% DV; magnesium 38.2mg 14% DV; potassium 698.9mg 20% DV; sodium 434.2mg 17% DV; thiamin 0.1mg 11% DV.
Exchanges:

2 1/2 vegetable, 1 1/2 fat

Reviews (28)

Read More Reviews
28 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 18
  • 4 star values: 7
  • 3 star values: 3
  • 2 star values: 0
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Christine
Rating: 5 stars
03/12/2019
Really nice. I added some fresh spinach turmeric and ginger. It didn't make much of a difference to the already-delicious flavor but why not make a healthy soup even healthier? Read More
Katherine Brennan
Rating: 5 stars
02/28/2019
Excellent recipe! Definitely agree with others that it is a bit bland but I took "add pepper to taste" to heart and put a TON of pepper in it. I also used sour cream instead of half and half. Read More
Jennifer
Rating: 5 stars
02/14/2019
This was delicious! I added 2 carrots didn't use water and used vegetable broth. No cream was needed as it was already creamy. This was soup was perfect for our snowy Seattle February and a great use of the abundance of broccoli my husband had left over from his catering event. I will be making this again. Read More
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Kim
Rating: 5 stars
01/04/2019
This was so tasty! I will admit to a couple changes though. I roasted the broccoli (drizzled with a little olive oil and salt) at 425 for about 15 minutes before adding it to the soup. I thought I was going to half the recipe so I cut the broth (homemade turkey bone broth) down to 3 cups and didn't add water. The broccoli had wilted so much that I ended up roasting 8 cups. I left the broth at 3 cups and only added an extra 1/2 cup water. I think it would have been too soupy if I'd added the full 6 cups of liquid. I also put in a pinch of smoked paprika and a few shakes of chipotle Tabasco sauce. I didn't add the cream - it didn't need it (it was so creamy that my husband assumed I'd added it). I pureed in my blender and it was delicious!! I will definitely make again. Read More
Patricia Sette
Rating: 5 stars
03/16/2018
I doubled this and it made what I call a "vat " so I can freeze portions but nonetheless the day will come when I run out and yes I'd make it again. In order to make it qualify for our Friday night dinners in Lent I used vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth and water and it was very tasty indeed. The cream I'd bought for this recipe will have to be put to other use as it's so good without it it requires no further tampering. I Read More
jong
Rating: 4 stars
01/05/2018
Very good Light receipe!! Will make again... Read More
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avasq726
Rating: 5 stars
11/16/2017
Delicious Soup!! I ve been looking for a simple yet delicious broccoli soup for cravings and this one was perfect! I used vegetable broth and carrots instead of celery because it was what I had on hand. I also added rosemary instead of thyme personal preference and didn t add any cream since I had an upset stomach. Let me tell you even with all the changes it was still so rich and delicious. Perfect vegan version. I plan to add cream and cheddar to my next batch this recipe can be tweaked to your preference and still work! Read More
Andrew Nitram
Rating: 4 stars
07/30/2017
This nice. I not have parsley so using rocotos instead. Nice power. Please tell what is Caution I need to add when putting in the tool for making runny? Does it make better? Read More
Catherine Watson
Rating: 5 stars
07/28/2017
I followed the recipe exactly and it was absolutely delicious!!! I used the immersion blender and it was so creamy and velvety. I have saved this recipe and am currently making my second batch. Whenever I have a broccoli soup craving this will be the one that will be my go-to broccoli soup recipe! Read More
Dianne
Rating: 5 stars
07/15/2017
This is a simply yummy soup creamy without the milk. I used a little cream as it is lactose free but would have been just as good without. Did not make any other changes. Great for a quickie light meal. This will become a standard for me. Read More
LeAnn Fanning Knoles
Rating: 4 stars
05/17/2017
Yum! Didnt have cream but i had cheddar cheese. Also had some ham so i chopped some and added with a cup or so of grated cheese. Took other's advice and upped the garlic both parsley and thyme. Added a pich of cayenne. Didn't purree completely left some chopped broccoli chunkys. Yum! Read More
Steph
Rating: 4 stars
05/07/2017
I just made this soup. I was short 2 cups of broccoli so i substituted cauliflower. I filled the recipe exactly. Half n half used. I usually don't add the cream element when it is optional but as a first timer with this recipe i decided to. I like it but i think I'll use more broth instead of the water. And more herbs and salt ( or maybe parmesan). It needs a a little more wow! Red pepper flakes sound good to add as well. Read More
JennaZav
Rating: 5 stars
03/28/2017
I left the salt and cream out. Beautiful and easy will make this again for sure. Read More
amy
Rating: 5 stars
02/08/2017
So. Good. Mine turned out just like the photo! I omitted salt and pepper. I don't add salt to anything. Food doesn't need it.:) I used an immersion blender in the pot to blend the soup to perfection. Tasted amazing. I had some carrot and sweet potatoe purée left over- I added it in and - even better!!!! I also added 1/2 cup 35% cream. This recipe is a winner! The liquid level was perfect. Read More
Rachel Crawford
Rating: 5 stars
01/16/2017
This is very good. Did not add the water or half and half. It's delicious! Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
01/03/2015
Super easy and delicious! I just finishing making and eating this delicious soup! I had all the ingredients on hand as I'm sure most people would since they are kitchen staples. I used fresh broccoli fresh thyme and dried parsley plus I used both white and black pepper to amp up the spice a bit. I didn't use any water and the texture came out beautifully - nice and velvety. I did opt for the half and half but I think it would have been just as good without. It turned out PERFECT and I can't wait for leftovers! Pros: Easy Delicious Used Whole Foods Affordable Ingredients Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
11/12/2014
Absolutely wonderful! Made a few tweaks. Made this totally vegan...no butter or half & half...used veg broth...caramelized the onions (do this it makes a huge difference in flavor)...doubled garlic. And added smoked paprika to each bowl as I ate it...which for me took this from really good to amazing. The broccoli flavor wasn't a strong note the first day but became more noticable the following days...though still subtle in my opinion. I used a vitamix to blend after making sure everything was soft which resulted in a luxuriously creamy soup. WONDERFUL! Am thinking of doubling the broccoli & pulling the extra amount before blending...then adding it back after for some texture. Just to try it that way. I think this might be tasty over pasta grain or rice. Pros: healthy whole food easy fairly quick Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 3 stars
03/24/2014
Good but nor very brocolly -ish - flavor are healthy but somewhat off to me. Ok green soup -- would like more punched -up flavor to encourage the brocolli flavor. Pros: QUick and easy Cons: Not much brocolli flavor - needs additional flavors & stronger veg or chicken broth/more garlic Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
09/21/2013
Modified and was amazing! I modified this recipe a bit because I like to make bigger batches to last a whole week. I used 32 oz of frozen broccoli and added 1 bunch of kale and 1 chopped carrot to the base. I increased the chicken broth to 8 cups and used 4 garlic cloves and 2 onions for increased flavor. I also used both fresh thyme and parsley. The flavor is amazing - I made a spicy turkey sausage to add on top of the soup and the combo is over-the-top. With the meat kale and additional broccoli this soup is very filling and still healthy. Pros: EASY Cons: None Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 4 stars
08/12/2013
Omit water Delicious! I made it as the recipe stated but left out the water. The consistency & seasonings were perfect. I didn't even add the half-and-half; it really didn't need it. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
12/07/2012
EXCELLENT very filling and heartwarming soup must for veggie lovers! i didn't add celery thyme or half and half and it still tasted great (my veg stock did have bay leaf clove and ginger) Pros: filling great taste Cons: Nothing Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 3 stars
05/21/2012
Yummy! Might have been user error but my batch separated a lot. I like the chunkiness so I didn't have a problem with draining some of the broth. Pros: Delicious especially for how healthy it is Cons: Consistency isn't quite right Read More
Kathryn
Rating: 5 stars
10/31/2011
Great Inspiration This soup is delicious!! I've made it a few times now and just decided to review it finally. I hardly ever follow recipes to the letter and this wasn't much of an exception as my measurements were definitely not exact. I just added stuff in amounts that were to my taste (more veggies herbs etc) and omitted things I didn't have (like the broth and half & half - I just used water and almond milk). Seeing how I'm certainly a poor college student stuck with a mediocre kitchen the only think I have to blend it with is my little magic bullet blender so that part of the process is slightly more tedious. However I love this soup and think it is well worth it especially since it keeps very well and I can make a good quantity to enjoy for a while:) Oh and I especially like to have this together with a quick quesadilla..don't know if they specifically go together but the combination is fantastic in my opinion. Read More
SBarker
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
Easy to make and delicious. Needed a bit more spice so added extra thyme (dried) pepper and a dash of dried parsley flakes (in addition to fresh parsley and thyme) Read More
Candy W.
Rating: 4 stars
10/29/2011
Reader Comment Delicious and easy to prepare. I agree it needed a little extra seasoning for our taste. Like Sarah I added more dried thyme parsley and some white pepper. Read More
iced2011
Rating: 3 stars
10/29/2011
Texture is a little off Made this soup last night and was terribly bland; as has been stated before. Plus for some reason the texture of this soup is off to me. Not at all 'velvety'; certainly not creamy in the least bit. Not a real winner. Pros: Easy to prepare low in calories Cons: Pretty bland Read More
Emily
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
Easy and Delicious! I added a few red pepper flakes and a small amount of grated cheddar cheese - put everything in my vita-mix and it came out velvety smooth. It's a really delicious soup and an easy way to get a serving of veggies! Pros: Quick and Healthy Cons: None Read More
noreciperequired@gmail.com
Rating: 4 stars
10/29/2011
Try with Bacon I've made the same soup for years but in my version http://tiny.cc/tj9b7 I saute off a slice of bacon to start with. Just that little bit gives the whole pot a deeper more complex flavor. Read More
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