Cozy Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe That Warms The Soul

Creamy, comforting soups take on a whole new dimension with this vegan broccoli cheddar soup that challenges traditional dairy-based recipes.

Plant-based ingredients deliver an incredibly rich and satisfying experience without compromising flavor.

Nutritional yeast and cashews create a velvety texture that mimics classic cheese profiles perfectly.

Packed with vibrant green broccoli and a luscious golden base, this soup delivers warmth in every spoonful.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to maximize taste and nutrition.

The recipe transforms simple vegetables into a luxurious meal that will surprise even the most skeptical dairy lovers.

Dive into this delightful soup that proves plant-based cooking can be both delicious and nourishing.

Tools To Prepare Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Large Pot: Perfect for sautéing vegetables and simmering the soup.
• Blender: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy base with cashews and seasonings.
• Immersion Blender: Handy for adjusting soup texture to your liking.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and broccoli.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient portions.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Ladle: Helps serve the soup neatly into bowls.

How To Make Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Vegetable Foundation

Create a flavor base by gently warming olive oil and introducing aromatic vegetables. Let onions, garlic, carrots, and celery dance together in the pot, softening and releasing their delightful essence.

• Creamy Blending Magic

Transfer the sauteed vegetables into a blender. Add cashews, vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, and spices to transform the mixture into a silky, luxurious liquid that forms the soul of the soup.

• Broccoli Symphony

Pour the blended mixture back into the pot. Welcome bright green broccoli florets and almond milk, allowing them to mingle and create a harmonious soup landscape. Let everything simmer gently, developing deep, rich flavors.

• Texture and Seasoning

Decide your soup’s personality – chunky or smooth. Use an immersion blender to customize the consistency. Sprinkle salt and black pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.

• Joyful Presentation

Ladle the warm soup into welcoming bowls. Crown your creation with optional garnishes like fresh parsley, vegan cheese shreds, or crispy croutons for an extra layer of excitement.

Smart Tips For Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Creamy Consistency Hack: Soak cashews overnight for an ultra-smooth, silky soup base that blends perfectly without lumps or graininess.
• Winter Warming Twist: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or cayenne for a warming kick that transforms the soup into a spicier, more robust comfort meal.
• Low-Carb Option: Replace cashews with cauliflower for a lighter version that maintains the creamy texture while reducing overall calorie content. Simply steam cauliflower before blending to achieve similar richness.
• Protein Power Boost: Stir in white beans or hemp seeds for an extra protein punch that makes the soup more filling and nutritionally dense. This modification works great for athletes or anyone seeking additional protein intake.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients, especially vegetable broth and nutritional yeast, are certified gluten-free. Top with gluten-free croutons or toasted pumpkin seeds for added crunch without compromising dietary restrictions.

Serving Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup Warm And Fresh

• Cozy Soup Companion: Serve with a warm, crusty sourdough bread for dipping and added texture contrast.
• Protein Power Boost: Top with roasted chickpeas or toasted hemp seeds to increase nutritional value and create a satisfying crunch.
• Green Herbal Twist: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives, dill, or green onions to brighten the soup's flavor profile and add a fresh herbal note.
• Creamy Comfort Upgrade: Add a dollop of vegan sour cream or cashew cream on top to enhance the soup's richness and create a beautiful presentation.

Store Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup The Right Way

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare a double batch of soup and portion into airtight containers for quick weekday meals, saving time and reducing cooking stress.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep the soup in sealed containers for 4-5 days, maintaining optimal flavor and texture when stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator.
• Freezing Friendly Approach: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a delicious backup meal anytime.
• Reheating Pro Tips: Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and add a splash of almond milk to restore creamy consistency if needed, preventing separation or scorching.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 3

What’s Inside Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth, rich foundation for sauteing with a subtle fruity undertone.
• Onion: Adds deep, sweet aromatic flavor and creates a savory base for the soup.
• Garlic: Brings intense, pungent flavor and supports immune health.
• Carrot: Introduces natural sweetness and vibrant orange color to the dish.
• Celery: Contributes light, fresh herbal notes and crisp texture.

• Cashews: Deliver ultra-creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor when soaked and blended.
• Vegetable Broth: Creates liquid base with subtle vegetable depth.
• Nutritional Yeast: Provides cheesy, nutty flavor profile without dairy.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy, sharp undertone to enhance overall complexity.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces smoky, warming dimension to the soup.
• Turmeric: Contributes earthy flavor and golden color with anti-inflammatory properties.

• Broccoli Florets: Brings vibrant green color, crisp texture, and nutrient-dense vegetable base.
• Almond Milk: Adds creamy lightness and subtle nutty background.
• Salt: Balances and heightens all flavor profiles.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat and aromatic complexity.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers bright, fresh garnish with herbal notes.
• Vegan Shredded Cheese: Creates optional cheesy topping for extra indulgence.
• Croutons: Adds crunchy textural contrast if desired.

Hearty Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Hearty vegan broccoli cheddar soup delivers creamy comfort without dairy, bringing plant-based warmth to classic soup lovers. Nutritional yeast and cashew cream provide rich, cheesy flavor that satisfies both vegans and traditional soup enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups (950 ml) broccoli florets, chopped
• 4 cups (950 ml) vegetable broth
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk
• 2 tbsps olive oil or vegan butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives (optional)
• Vegan shredded cheese (optional)
• Croutons (optional)

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Base Development: Sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in olive oil over medium heat until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, releasing their essential flavors.
2. Blender Transformation: Transfer softened vegetables to high-powered blender, combining with soaked cashews, vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, paprika, and turmeric to create a luxuriously smooth base mixture.
3. Liquid Integration: Return blended mixture to cooking pot, reheating to generate a gentle, bubbling simmer while incorporating broccoli florets and almond milk with careful, even stirring.
4. Cooking and Texture Refinement: Simmer broccoli for 10-12 minutes, maintaining its vibrant green color and nutritional quality. Use immersion blender to adjust soup consistency, breaking down broccoli to desired smoothness.
5. Flavor Calibration: Season with sea salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
6. Presentation and Garnish: Ladle soup into warm bowls, elevating the dish with optional garnishes like fresh parsley, sprinkled vegan cheese, or crispy croutons to enhance visual and textural dimensions.

Notes

• Optimize Cashew Soaking: Soak cashews in hot water for at least 30 minutes or overnight to ensure maximum creaminess and easier blending, creating a smoother, more luxurious soup texture.
• Manage Broccoli Cooking: Cook broccoli just until bright green and tender-crisp to preserve nutrients and prevent mushiness, maintaining the vegetable’s vibrant color and nutritional value.
• Control Soup Consistency: Adjust vegetable broth or almond milk quantity to achieve desired thickness, using less liquid for a thicker soup or more for a lighter, more broth-like consistency.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Layer seasonings by toasting nutritional yeast briefly before blending and adding a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten the overall flavor profile and add complexity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg