FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- Why You’ll Love My Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
- My Recipe Tips
- Ways To Thicken This Soup
- Recipe Variations
- Storage Instructions
- More Creamy Soup Recipes
- My Tools For This Recipe
- Broccoli Cheese Soup (5 Ingredients!) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
I’ve been making this easy broccoli cheese soup recipe since 2016. It was one of the first recipes I developed! And it’s more than just a staple at our house — it’s gone from my kids eating it pureed as toddlers to enjoying it now in school — but has also been one of my most popular soup recipes with readers. You’ll even find it in my first cookbook !
After making it dozens of times, I still keep coming back to this broccoli cheese soup again and again (and again), because it’s just so simple. There’s no long list of ingredients. There are no added thickeners. And did I mention easy? Yes. Yes, I did.
Why You’ll Love My Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

- All the right flavors and textures – The thick, creamy, cheesy base. The tender broccoli. Oh my goodness, these are my weakness. It’s just comfort food in a bowl… and it reminds me of the one I love from Panera!
- Thick and creamy without any thickeners – You don’t need to fuss with a roux. The broccoli and cheese are here to thicken! This also makes it naturally low carb and gluten-free. (And this happens to be a keto broccoli cheese soup, too, but is just as delicious if none of that matters to you. I get it.)
- 5 simple, clean ingredients – I’m a big fan of creating recipes that only need a handful of ingredients, and this broccoli cheese soup recipe is just that! These are common staples I always have in my fridge.
- Super fast – I can whip this up in 20 minutes, so it’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights!

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for homemade broccoli cheese soup, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Broccoli – This is the obvious ingredient in all broccoli cheese soup recipes, though I’ve made a cheesy cauliflower soup using similar ingredients as well. I prefer the texture of mainly florets, but broccoli stems or even broccolini work just fine. Use fresh broccoli for the best texture (chop it into bite-size pieces), though frozen works, too. Frozen broccoli is usually pre-blanched, so it might cook a little quicker once it thaws in the soup (go ahead and toss it in frozen!).
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor, but you can use the kind in a jar for convenience. I’m all for shortcuts! I didn’t list oil or butter in the ingredients because everyone has it, but you may want to add some when sauteing the garlic. (Okay, I admit, it’s also because I created this recipe a long time ago and didn’t have the experience I have now with writing recipes — but I’m keeping it the same since this is such an OG Wholesome Yum recipe.)
- Cream – I use heavy whipping cream because it gives the richest taste and makes the thickest broccoli and cheese soup, since it reduces well when you simmer it. But you can also use half and half or even milk — the result will just be a bit thinner, and you’ll have to watch the heat to avoid curdling.
- Broth – I prefer the flavor of my homemade chicken broth when I have it on hand, but you can also use reduced sodium store-bought (I’ve used this one many times) or bone broth (for extra nutrition), chicken stock, or vegetable broth (to keep it vegetarian). Whatever kind you use, I recommend a reduced-sodium broth, because otherwise the soup turns out too salty — and this is coming from a person who loves salt!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – I prefer sharp cheddar cheese, but technically other cheeses that melt well also work. The recipe works best with pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag, because those are less prone to clumping. No flour, starches, or artificial thickeners are necessary — which I am just so pleased with, in case you can’t tell yet. 😉
To be fair, this makes a very basic broccoli soup recipe. The ingredients and flavors are not complex. This is intentional! I wanted to keep it simple so that it’s very accessible to just about anyone. If you want to change it up, see my tips below on what you can add.

How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
Saute Garlic
Cook it in a large pot or my favorite Dutch oven , until fragrant. I typically add a little oil or butter here as needed.
Add Broth, Cream, And Broccoli
Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Simmer until the broccoli is tender. This part starts to smell so good!

Make It Thick & Cheesy
Now you have a decision to make! Do you like your broccoli soup super smooth or with chunks of broccoli? You actually have 3 options here to finish it off. I’ve made it all 3 ways, but love the combination version the most!
- Pieces – Leave all the broccoli florets whole. To do this, add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. This will help thicken the broccoli cheese soup. (See tips below to avoid clumping.)
- Pureed – Pureeing is an excellent way to get a thicker soup, because the broccoli thickens it. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth, or use an immersion blender (I have this one ).
- Combination (recommended) – Puree the soup, but reserve 1/3 as florets. Thank you to a reader for suggesting this — it’s the best of both worlds and the only way I make it now! To do this, remove about 1/3 of the florets using a slotted spoon, blend using an immersion blender, then return the florets to the pot. (You can also adjust how much of the broccoli you want to puree — the more broccoli you puree, the thicker your broccoli soup will be.)
My Recipe Tips
Stay with me here! I promise this is an easy broccoli cheese soup recipe. But because I’ve gathered a lot of feedback from readers over the years and made it so many times, I’ve compiled this list of tips to avoid clumping and get the proper thickness:
- Keep the heat low when adding the cheese. This is super important! If it’s too hot, the cheese can seize and clump.
- Cut the broccoli florets small. First of all, smaller florets = faster simmer time. Second, the cheese tends to stick to larger pieces more. And finally, it’s easier to eat with smaller pieces!
- Use pre-shredded cheese OR add a de-clumping agent. This recipe for broccoli cheese soup works best with pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag. If you shred a block of cheese yourself, or if your shredded cheese already seems clumpy to begin with, toss it with a little cornstarch or arrowroot powder (my go-to cornstarch substitute ), before adding to the soup.
- Add cheese a little at a time and stir constantly. If you dump it in at once, it will clump more. Don’t forget to stir, stir, stir!
- Prefer your soup more creamy rather than cheesy? You might prefer my cream of broccoli soup instead — it’s very similar, but without the cheddar and uses cream cheese to thicken it.
Ways To Thicken This Soup
The cheese thickens this broccoli cheese soup well enough for me, but I know that some people like a really, really thick broccoli cheddar soup. Here are some options I tested for you:
- Add more cheese – The more cheese you add, the thicker your broccoli and cheese soup will be! This is the easiest option, but keep in mind it still won’t be as thick as using an actual thickener.
- Add cream cheese – Melt in some cream cheese (in small chunks) to help it thicken.
- Puree it – Blending the soup partially is my preferred method. See above!
- Use a thickener – Arrowroot powder or cornstarch are the best options if you want to go this route. Tossing the shredded cheese in one of these before adding to the soup will help it melt better and thicken better. If you need a low carb option, whisk 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum with some water (or broth from the soup), then whisk the mixture into the soup at the end.
- Simmer it – You’ll notice this broccoli and cheese soup recipe contains heavy cream, which reduces when you simmer it enough. (This is also the way I thicken Alfredo sauce !) So, sometimes all the soup needs is to simmer for longer.

Recipe Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic process, it’s so easy to customize this easy broccoli cheese soup recipe. Try adding:
- Your favorite spices – My fave is Italian seasoning ! Some fresh cracked black pepper is also delicious.
- Other veggies – Saute onions (yellow onion works well) together with the garlic, or add cauliflower, carrots, or bell peppers later on (see tips below). Like my healthy vegetable soup , you can add just about any veggie you like. One of my personal favorites to add is sun-dried tomatoes .
- Proteins – Make it a complete meal with some shredded chicken or ground sausage. Cooked bacon is also a popular option!
My Tips For Making Additions:
- Go easy on anything that has added salt, like bacon. This broccoli cheese soup is already salty to begin with, due to the cheese and broth.
- Add any other ingredients after the cheese melts first. Otherwise, the cheese might stick to the add-ins and have issues melting.
- If your other add-ins need to cook, temporarily remove them with a slotted spoon once they are cooked, melt in the cheese, and then return them to the pot.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Broccoli cheese soup stores well. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I love making this ahead for the week, because it tastes just as good for days! I often enjoy it for lunch with a Caprese salad , or a Big Mac salad when I want something more hearty.
- Reheat: Warm up the soup on the stove top over low heat, or in the microwave on medium to low power. Sometimes it separates a bit after a while, but usually comes back together after you reheat while stirring frequently. If that doesn’t help, you can also puree it in a blender to bring it back together.
- Freeze: I often have individual portions of this soup stashed in my freezer for lunch. Simply let it cool to room temperature, then freeze flat in freezer bags or in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
More Creamy Soup Recipes
Love creamy soups as much as I do? Here are some of my other go-to types:
My Tools For This Recipe
- Dutch Oven – This is my fave because it maintains even heat and looks pretty going straight to the dinner table. You can also use a large pot.
- Immersion Blender – For pureeing the soup, if you choose to do that.
- Soup Bowls – Shown in my video below.
Recipe Video

Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 4 cups Broccoli (cut into florets) ▢
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
- 3 1/2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or vegetable broth, or bone broth ) ▢
- 1 cup Heavy cream ▢
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese (pre-shredded – see notes) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, saute garlic for one minute, until fragrant. (You can add a little oil as needed.)
- Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes , until broccoli is tender.
Option 1 (original recipe):
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. (Add 1/2 cup (64 g), simmer and stir until it melts fully, then repeat 1/2 cup (64 g) at a time until all the cheese is used up.) Make sure to keep it at a very low simmer and avoid high heat, to prevent seizing. Remove from heat immediately once all the cheese melts.
Option 2 (recommended):
- Use a slotted spoon to remove about 1/3 of the broccoli pieces and set aside. (This step is optional, if you want some pieces in your soup at the end. If you want all of the soup pureed, you can leave them in.)
- Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining broccoli.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. Puree again to make it smooth.
- Remove from heat. Add the reserved broccoli florets back to the soup.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
IMPORTANT: See my tips in the post above for best results when melting the cheese!
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle and Keto Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- The Basic Keto Meal Formula
- Understanding Macros
- Keto Food Swaps
- Keto Food List
- Electrolyte Basics
- Keto Diet Types
- Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
- Recipe Reviews
Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.
You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)
The Basic Keto Meal Formula
Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.
Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.
Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.
| Pick A Protein | Pick A Veggie | Add Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder Venison | Cauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama Celery | Butter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil |
Understanding Macros
Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.
Carbs Are A Limit.
Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.
A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.
“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.
A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.
Protein Is A Goal.
Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].
“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.
Fat Is A Lever.
Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.
A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).
Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.
Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.
“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.
Keto Food Swaps
One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.
So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .
Keto Swaps For Breakfast
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Pancakes | Almond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes |
| Oatmeal | Keto oatmeal with hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon rolls | Fathead cinnamon rolls |
| Cereal | Keto nut granola |
| Muffins | Almond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins |
| Donuts | Almond flour donuts |
| Scones | Almond flour scones |
| High-sugar smoothies | Smoothie with berries or avocado |
| Hash browns | Cauliflower hash browns |
| Breakfast casserole | Breakfast casserole with no potatoes |
| Egg whites | Whole eggs |
| Turkey bacon | Bacon |
| Waffles | Chaffles |

Keto Swaps For Bread
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Bagels | Fathead bagels |
| English muffin | Almond flour English muffin |
| White bread | Keto white bread |
| Multigrain bread | Coconut flour bread with seeds |
| Tortillas for wraps | Coconut flour tortillas |
| Corn taco shells | Cheddar cheese taco shells |
| Burger buns | Oopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps |
| Breadsticks | Cauliflower breadsticks |
| Biscuits | Almond flour biscuits |
| Cornbread | Almond flour cornbread |
| Croutons | Parmesan crisps |
| Rice | Cauliflower rice , konjac rice |

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Breaded wings | Crispy air fryer wings (unbreaded) |
| Low-fat meat & poultry | High-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat |
| Mashed potatoes | Mashed cauliflower |
| Roasted potatoes | Roasted or fried radishes |
| Tacos | Taco salad |
| Pizza | Fathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza |
| Lasagna | Eggplant lasagna |
| Potato salad | Cauliflower “potato” salad |
| French fries | Jicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries |
| Tater tots | Cauliflower tots |
| Wraps | Lettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas |
| Sushi | Naruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi |
| Breaded chicken or fish | Breaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds |
| Spaghetti | Zoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles |

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Nachos | Cheese crisps |
| High-sugar fruit | Berries & other keto fruits |
| Crackers | Almond flour crackers |
| Hummus | Cauliflower hummus |
| Soft pretzels | Fathead pretzels |
| Popcorn | Puffed cheese |
| Granola bars | Grain-free granola bars |
| Jam | Sugar-free berry chia jam |
| Sweet fruity yogurt | Full-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries |
| Sweet salad dressing | Ranch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette |
| Ketchup | Mustard and/or sugar-free ketchup |
| BBQ sauce | Sugar-free BBQ sauce |
| Sweetened peanut butter | Natural, sugar-free nut butters |
| Light mayo | Avocado oil mayo |
| Maple syrup | Sugar-free, maple flavored syrup |
| Potato chips | Zucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds |

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Sugar | Monk fruit or allulose |
| Powdered sugar | Powdered monk fruit or allulose |
| White flour | Almond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes) |
| Making baked goods soft/chewy | Xanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder |
| Breadcrumbs | Pork rinds or almond flour |
| Margarine | Butter, coconut oil, or ghee |
| Vegetable oil | Olive or avocado oil |
| Bananas | Banana extract |
| Chocolate chips | Sugar-free chocolate chips |
| Cornstarch or flour roux | Xanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end) |
| Simple syrup | Dissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat |

Keto Swaps For Drinks
| Instead Of This… | Eat This |
|---|---|
| Lemonade | Water with lemon |
| Soda | Flavored sparkling water |
| Milk | Almond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream |
| Latte | Butter coffee |
| Coffee creamer | Heavy cream |
| Sweet wine | Dry wine |
| Beer | Ultra light beer |
| Mixed drinks | Hard liquor with soda + lemon |
If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List
When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.
The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto
- Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
- Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
- Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
- Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
- Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
- Avocados
- Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
- Almond flour and coconut flour
- Eggs
- Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.
Foods To Avoid On Keto
- White flour & sugar
- Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
- Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
- Cereal
- Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
- Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
- Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
- Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
- Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
- Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.
That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)
Electrolyte Basics
Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.
For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .
The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.
Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:
| Sodium | Magnesium | Potassium |
|---|---|---|
| Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts Pickles | Seaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greens | Potassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork |
Keto Diet Types
People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.
Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.
Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!
- Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
- Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
- Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
- Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.
For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!
Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:
- Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
- Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
- Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
- Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
- Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
- Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
- Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
- Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
- FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)
Broccoli Cheese Soup (5 Ingredients!)

This easy broccoli cheese soup recipe is rich, creamy, and so simple. You need just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes to make it!
Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/broccoli-cheese-soup-low-carb-gluten-free/
Ingredients
- 4 cups Broccoli (cut into florets)
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 3 1/2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or vegetable broth, or bone broth )
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese (pre-shredded - see notes)
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, saute garlic for one minute, until fragrant. (You can add a little oil as needed.)
- Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes , until broccoli is tender.
Option 1 (original recipe):
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. (Add 1/2 cup (64 g), simmer and stir until it melts fully, then repeat 1/2 cup (64 g) at a time until all the cheese is used up.) Make sure to keep it at a very low simmer and avoid high heat, to prevent seizing. Remove from heat immediately once all the cheese melts.
Option 2 (recommended):
- Use a slotted spoon to remove about 1/3 of the broccoli pieces and set aside. (This step is optional, if you want some pieces in your soup at the end. If you want all of the soup pureed, you can leave them in.)
- Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining broccoli.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. Puree again to make it smooth.
- Remove from heat. Add the reserved broccoli florets back to the soup.
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
IMPORTANT: See my tips in the post above for best results when melting the cheese!
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle and Keto Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)
FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- Why You’ll Love My Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
- My Recipe Tips
- Ways To Thicken This Soup
- Recipe Variations
- Storage Instructions
- More Creamy Soup Recipes
- My Tools For This Recipe
- Broccoli Cheese Soup (5 Ingredients!) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
I’ve been making this easy broccoli cheese soup recipe since 2016. It was one of the first recipes I developed! And it’s more than just a staple at our house — it’s gone from my kids eating it pureed as toddlers to enjoying it now in school — but has also been one of my most popular soup recipes with readers. You’ll even find it in my first cookbook !
After making it dozens of times, I still keep coming back to this broccoli cheese soup again and again (and again), because it’s just so simple. There’s no long list of ingredients. There are no added thickeners. And did I mention easy? Yes. Yes, I did.
Why You’ll Love My Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

- All the right flavors and textures – The thick, creamy, cheesy base. The tender broccoli. Oh my goodness, these are my weakness. It’s just comfort food in a bowl… and it reminds me of the one I love from Panera!
- Thick and creamy without any thickeners – You don’t need to fuss with a roux. The broccoli and cheese are here to thicken! This also makes it naturally low carb and gluten-free. (And this happens to be a keto broccoli cheese soup, too, but is just as delicious if none of that matters to you. I get it.)
- 5 simple, clean ingredients – I’m a big fan of creating recipes that only need a handful of ingredients, and this broccoli cheese soup recipe is just that! These are common staples I always have in my fridge.
- Super fast – I can whip this up in 20 minutes, so it’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights!

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for homemade broccoli cheese soup, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Broccoli – This is the obvious ingredient in all broccoli cheese soup recipes, though I’ve made a cheesy cauliflower soup using similar ingredients as well. I prefer the texture of mainly florets, but broccoli stems or even broccolini work just fine. Use fresh broccoli for the best texture (chop it into bite-size pieces), though frozen works, too. Frozen broccoli is usually pre-blanched, so it might cook a little quicker once it thaws in the soup (go ahead and toss it in frozen!).
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor, but you can use the kind in a jar for convenience. I’m all for shortcuts! I didn’t list oil or butter in the ingredients because everyone has it, but you may want to add some when sauteing the garlic. (Okay, I admit, it’s also because I created this recipe a long time ago and didn’t have the experience I have now with writing recipes — but I’m keeping it the same since this is such an OG Wholesome Yum recipe.)
- Cream – I use heavy whipping cream because it gives the richest taste and makes the thickest broccoli and cheese soup, since it reduces well when you simmer it. But you can also use half and half or even milk — the result will just be a bit thinner, and you’ll have to watch the heat to avoid curdling.
- Broth – I prefer the flavor of my homemade chicken broth when I have it on hand, but you can also use reduced sodium store-bought (I’ve used this one many times) or bone broth (for extra nutrition), chicken stock, or vegetable broth (to keep it vegetarian). Whatever kind you use, I recommend a reduced-sodium broth, because otherwise the soup turns out too salty — and this is coming from a person who loves salt!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – I prefer sharp cheddar cheese, but technically other cheeses that melt well also work. The recipe works best with pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag, because those are less prone to clumping. No flour, starches, or artificial thickeners are necessary — which I am just so pleased with, in case you can’t tell yet. 😉
To be fair, this makes a very basic broccoli soup recipe. The ingredients and flavors are not complex. This is intentional! I wanted to keep it simple so that it’s very accessible to just about anyone. If you want to change it up, see my tips below on what you can add.

How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
Saute Garlic
Cook it in a large pot or my favorite Dutch oven , until fragrant. I typically add a little oil or butter here as needed.
Add Broth, Cream, And Broccoli
Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Simmer until the broccoli is tender. This part starts to smell so good!

Make It Thick & Cheesy
Now you have a decision to make! Do you like your broccoli soup super smooth or with chunks of broccoli? You actually have 3 options here to finish it off. I’ve made it all 3 ways, but love the combination version the most!
- Pieces – Leave all the broccoli florets whole. To do this, add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. This will help thicken the broccoli cheese soup. (See tips below to avoid clumping.)
- Pureed – Pureeing is an excellent way to get a thicker soup, because the broccoli thickens it. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth, or use an immersion blender (I have this one ).
- Combination (recommended) – Puree the soup, but reserve 1/3 as florets. Thank you to a reader for suggesting this — it’s the best of both worlds and the only way I make it now! To do this, remove about 1/3 of the florets using a slotted spoon, blend using an immersion blender, then return the florets to the pot. (You can also adjust how much of the broccoli you want to puree — the more broccoli you puree, the thicker your broccoli soup will be.)
My Recipe Tips
Stay with me here! I promise this is an easy broccoli cheese soup recipe. But because I’ve gathered a lot of feedback from readers over the years and made it so many times, I’ve compiled this list of tips to avoid clumping and get the proper thickness:
- Keep the heat low when adding the cheese. This is super important! If it’s too hot, the cheese can seize and clump.
- Cut the broccoli florets small. First of all, smaller florets = faster simmer time. Second, the cheese tends to stick to larger pieces more. And finally, it’s easier to eat with smaller pieces!
- Use pre-shredded cheese OR add a de-clumping agent. This recipe for broccoli cheese soup works best with pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag. If you shred a block of cheese yourself, or if your shredded cheese already seems clumpy to begin with, toss it with a little cornstarch or arrowroot powder (my go-to cornstarch substitute ), before adding to the soup.
- Add cheese a little at a time and stir constantly. If you dump it in at once, it will clump more. Don’t forget to stir, stir, stir!
- Prefer your soup more creamy rather than cheesy? You might prefer my cream of broccoli soup instead — it’s very similar, but without the cheddar and uses cream cheese to thicken it.
Ways To Thicken This Soup
The cheese thickens this broccoli cheese soup well enough for me, but I know that some people like a really, really thick broccoli cheddar soup. Here are some options I tested for you:
- Add more cheese – The more cheese you add, the thicker your broccoli and cheese soup will be! This is the easiest option, but keep in mind it still won’t be as thick as using an actual thickener.
- Add cream cheese – Melt in some cream cheese (in small chunks) to help it thicken.
- Puree it – Blending the soup partially is my preferred method. See above!
- Use a thickener – Arrowroot powder or cornstarch are the best options if you want to go this route. Tossing the shredded cheese in one of these before adding to the soup will help it melt better and thicken better. If you need a low carb option, whisk 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum with some water (or broth from the soup), then whisk the mixture into the soup at the end.
- Simmer it – You’ll notice this broccoli and cheese soup recipe contains heavy cream, which reduces when you simmer it enough. (This is also the way I thicken Alfredo sauce !) So, sometimes all the soup needs is to simmer for longer.

Recipe Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic process, it’s so easy to customize this easy broccoli cheese soup recipe. Try adding:
- Your favorite spices – My fave is Italian seasoning ! Some fresh cracked black pepper is also delicious.
- Other veggies – Saute onions (yellow onion works well) together with the garlic, or add cauliflower, carrots, or bell peppers later on (see tips below). Like my healthy vegetable soup , you can add just about any veggie you like. One of my personal favorites to add is sun-dried tomatoes .
- Proteins – Make it a complete meal with some shredded chicken or ground sausage. Cooked bacon is also a popular option!
My Tips For Making Additions:
- Go easy on anything that has added salt, like bacon. This broccoli cheese soup is already salty to begin with, due to the cheese and broth.
- Add any other ingredients after the cheese melts first. Otherwise, the cheese might stick to the add-ins and have issues melting.
- If your other add-ins need to cook, temporarily remove them with a slotted spoon once they are cooked, melt in the cheese, and then return them to the pot.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Broccoli cheese soup stores well. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I love making this ahead for the week, because it tastes just as good for days! I often enjoy it for lunch with a Caprese salad , or a Big Mac salad when I want something more hearty.
- Reheat: Warm up the soup on the stove top over low heat, or in the microwave on medium to low power. Sometimes it separates a bit after a while, but usually comes back together after you reheat while stirring frequently. If that doesn’t help, you can also puree it in a blender to bring it back together.
- Freeze: I often have individual portions of this soup stashed in my freezer for lunch. Simply let it cool to room temperature, then freeze flat in freezer bags or in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
More Creamy Soup Recipes
Love creamy soups as much as I do? Here are some of my other go-to types:
My Tools For This Recipe
- Dutch Oven – This is my fave because it maintains even heat and looks pretty going straight to the dinner table. You can also use a large pot.
- Immersion Blender – For pureeing the soup, if you choose to do that.
- Soup Bowls – Shown in my video below.
Recipe Video

Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 4 cups Broccoli (cut into florets) ▢
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
- 3 1/2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or vegetable broth, or bone broth ) ▢
- 1 cup Heavy cream ▢
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese (pre-shredded – see notes) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, saute garlic for one minute, until fragrant. (You can add a little oil as needed.)
- Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes , until broccoli is tender.
Option 1 (original recipe):
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. (Add 1/2 cup (64 g), simmer and stir until it melts fully, then repeat 1/2 cup (64 g) at a time until all the cheese is used up.) Make sure to keep it at a very low simmer and avoid high heat, to prevent seizing. Remove from heat immediately once all the cheese melts.
Option 2 (recommended):
- Use a slotted spoon to remove about 1/3 of the broccoli pieces and set aside. (This step is optional, if you want some pieces in your soup at the end. If you want all of the soup pureed, you can leave them in.)
- Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining broccoli.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. Puree again to make it smooth.
- Remove from heat. Add the reserved broccoli florets back to the soup.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
IMPORTANT: See my tips in the post above for best results when melting the cheese!
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle and Keto Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- Why You’ll Love My Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
- My Recipe Tips
- Ways To Thicken This Soup
- Recipe Variations
- Storage Instructions
- More Creamy Soup Recipes
- My Tools For This Recipe
- Broccoli Cheese Soup (5 Ingredients!) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
I’ve been making this easy broccoli cheese soup recipe since 2016. It was one of the first recipes I developed! And it’s more than just a staple at our house — it’s gone from my kids eating it pureed as toddlers to enjoying it now in school — but has also been one of my most popular soup recipes with readers. You’ll even find it in my first cookbook !
After making it dozens of times, I still keep coming back to this broccoli cheese soup again and again (and again), because it’s just so simple. There’s no long list of ingredients. There are no added thickeners. And did I mention easy? Yes. Yes, I did.
Why You’ll Love My Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

- All the right flavors and textures – The thick, creamy, cheesy base. The tender broccoli. Oh my goodness, these are my weakness. It’s just comfort food in a bowl… and it reminds me of the one I love from Panera!
- Thick and creamy without any thickeners – You don’t need to fuss with a roux. The broccoli and cheese are here to thicken! This also makes it naturally low carb and gluten-free. (And this happens to be a keto broccoli cheese soup, too, but is just as delicious if none of that matters to you. I get it.)
- 5 simple, clean ingredients – I’m a big fan of creating recipes that only need a handful of ingredients, and this broccoli cheese soup recipe is just that! These are common staples I always have in my fridge.
- Super fast – I can whip this up in 20 minutes, so it’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights!

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for homemade broccoli cheese soup, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Broccoli – This is the obvious ingredient in all broccoli cheese soup recipes, though I’ve made a cheesy cauliflower soup using similar ingredients as well. I prefer the texture of mainly florets, but broccoli stems or even broccolini work just fine. Use fresh broccoli for the best texture (chop it into bite-size pieces), though frozen works, too. Frozen broccoli is usually pre-blanched, so it might cook a little quicker once it thaws in the soup (go ahead and toss it in frozen!).
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor, but you can use the kind in a jar for convenience. I’m all for shortcuts! I didn’t list oil or butter in the ingredients because everyone has it, but you may want to add some when sauteing the garlic. (Okay, I admit, it’s also because I created this recipe a long time ago and didn’t have the experience I have now with writing recipes — but I’m keeping it the same since this is such an OG Wholesome Yum recipe.)
- Cream – I use heavy whipping cream because it gives the richest taste and makes the thickest broccoli and cheese soup, since it reduces well when you simmer it. But you can also use half and half or even milk — the result will just be a bit thinner, and you’ll have to watch the heat to avoid curdling.
- Broth – I prefer the flavor of my homemade chicken broth when I have it on hand, but you can also use reduced sodium store-bought (I’ve used this one many times) or bone broth (for extra nutrition), chicken stock, or vegetable broth (to keep it vegetarian). Whatever kind you use, I recommend a reduced-sodium broth, because otherwise the soup turns out too salty — and this is coming from a person who loves salt!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – I prefer sharp cheddar cheese, but technically other cheeses that melt well also work. The recipe works best with pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag, because those are less prone to clumping. No flour, starches, or artificial thickeners are necessary — which I am just so pleased with, in case you can’t tell yet. 😉
To be fair, this makes a very basic broccoli soup recipe. The ingredients and flavors are not complex. This is intentional! I wanted to keep it simple so that it’s very accessible to just about anyone. If you want to change it up, see my tips below on what you can add.

How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
Saute Garlic
Cook it in a large pot or my favorite Dutch oven , until fragrant. I typically add a little oil or butter here as needed.
Add Broth, Cream, And Broccoli
Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Simmer until the broccoli is tender. This part starts to smell so good!

Make It Thick & Cheesy
Now you have a decision to make! Do you like your broccoli soup super smooth or with chunks of broccoli? You actually have 3 options here to finish it off. I’ve made it all 3 ways, but love the combination version the most!
- Pieces – Leave all the broccoli florets whole. To do this, add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. This will help thicken the broccoli cheese soup. (See tips below to avoid clumping.)
- Pureed – Pureeing is an excellent way to get a thicker soup, because the broccoli thickens it. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth, or use an immersion blender (I have this one ).
- Combination (recommended) – Puree the soup, but reserve 1/3 as florets. Thank you to a reader for suggesting this — it’s the best of both worlds and the only way I make it now! To do this, remove about 1/3 of the florets using a slotted spoon, blend using an immersion blender, then return the florets to the pot. (You can also adjust how much of the broccoli you want to puree — the more broccoli you puree, the thicker your broccoli soup will be.)
My Recipe Tips
Stay with me here! I promise this is an easy broccoli cheese soup recipe. But because I’ve gathered a lot of feedback from readers over the years and made it so many times, I’ve compiled this list of tips to avoid clumping and get the proper thickness:
- Keep the heat low when adding the cheese. This is super important! If it’s too hot, the cheese can seize and clump.
- Cut the broccoli florets small. First of all, smaller florets = faster simmer time. Second, the cheese tends to stick to larger pieces more. And finally, it’s easier to eat with smaller pieces!
- Use pre-shredded cheese OR add a de-clumping agent. This recipe for broccoli cheese soup works best with pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag. If you shred a block of cheese yourself, or if your shredded cheese already seems clumpy to begin with, toss it with a little cornstarch or arrowroot powder (my go-to cornstarch substitute ), before adding to the soup.
- Add cheese a little at a time and stir constantly. If you dump it in at once, it will clump more. Don’t forget to stir, stir, stir!
- Prefer your soup more creamy rather than cheesy? You might prefer my cream of broccoli soup instead — it’s very similar, but without the cheddar and uses cream cheese to thicken it.
Ways To Thicken This Soup
The cheese thickens this broccoli cheese soup well enough for me, but I know that some people like a really, really thick broccoli cheddar soup. Here are some options I tested for you:
- Add more cheese – The more cheese you add, the thicker your broccoli and cheese soup will be! This is the easiest option, but keep in mind it still won’t be as thick as using an actual thickener.
- Add cream cheese – Melt in some cream cheese (in small chunks) to help it thicken.
- Puree it – Blending the soup partially is my preferred method. See above!
- Use a thickener – Arrowroot powder or cornstarch are the best options if you want to go this route. Tossing the shredded cheese in one of these before adding to the soup will help it melt better and thicken better. If you need a low carb option, whisk 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum with some water (or broth from the soup), then whisk the mixture into the soup at the end.
- Simmer it – You’ll notice this broccoli and cheese soup recipe contains heavy cream, which reduces when you simmer it enough. (This is also the way I thicken Alfredo sauce !) So, sometimes all the soup needs is to simmer for longer.

Recipe Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic process, it’s so easy to customize this easy broccoli cheese soup recipe. Try adding:
- Your favorite spices – My fave is Italian seasoning ! Some fresh cracked black pepper is also delicious.
- Other veggies – Saute onions (yellow onion works well) together with the garlic, or add cauliflower, carrots, or bell peppers later on (see tips below). Like my healthy vegetable soup , you can add just about any veggie you like. One of my personal favorites to add is sun-dried tomatoes .
- Proteins – Make it a complete meal with some shredded chicken or ground sausage. Cooked bacon is also a popular option!
My Tips For Making Additions:
- Go easy on anything that has added salt, like bacon. This broccoli cheese soup is already salty to begin with, due to the cheese and broth.
- Add any other ingredients after the cheese melts first. Otherwise, the cheese might stick to the add-ins and have issues melting.
- If your other add-ins need to cook, temporarily remove them with a slotted spoon once they are cooked, melt in the cheese, and then return them to the pot.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Broccoli cheese soup stores well. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I love making this ahead for the week, because it tastes just as good for days! I often enjoy it for lunch with a Caprese salad , or a Big Mac salad when I want something more hearty.
- Reheat: Warm up the soup on the stove top over low heat, or in the microwave on medium to low power. Sometimes it separates a bit after a while, but usually comes back together after you reheat while stirring frequently. If that doesn’t help, you can also puree it in a blender to bring it back together.
- Freeze: I often have individual portions of this soup stashed in my freezer for lunch. Simply let it cool to room temperature, then freeze flat in freezer bags or in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
More Creamy Soup Recipes
Love creamy soups as much as I do? Here are some of my other go-to types:
My Tools For This Recipe
- Dutch Oven – This is my fave because it maintains even heat and looks pretty going straight to the dinner table. You can also use a large pot.
- Immersion Blender – For pureeing the soup, if you choose to do that.
- Soup Bowls – Shown in my video below.
Recipe Video

Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 4 cups Broccoli (cut into florets) ▢
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
- 3 1/2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or vegetable broth, or bone broth ) ▢
- 1 cup Heavy cream ▢
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese (pre-shredded – see notes) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, saute garlic for one minute, until fragrant. (You can add a little oil as needed.)
- Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes , until broccoli is tender.
Option 1 (original recipe):
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. (Add 1/2 cup (64 g), simmer and stir until it melts fully, then repeat 1/2 cup (64 g) at a time until all the cheese is used up.) Make sure to keep it at a very low simmer and avoid high heat, to prevent seizing. Remove from heat immediately once all the cheese melts.
Option 2 (recommended):
- Use a slotted spoon to remove about 1/3 of the broccoli pieces and set aside. (This step is optional, if you want some pieces in your soup at the end. If you want all of the soup pureed, you can leave them in.)
- Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining broccoli.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. Puree again to make it smooth.
- Remove from heat. Add the reserved broccoli florets back to the soup.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
IMPORTANT: See my tips in the post above for best results when melting the cheese!
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle and Keto Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe

FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook
- Why You’ll Love My Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
- My Recipe Tips
- Ways To Thicken This Soup
- Recipe Variations
- Storage Instructions
- More Creamy Soup Recipes
- My Tools For This Recipe
- Broccoli Cheese Soup (5 Ingredients!) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
I’ve been making this easy broccoli cheese soup recipe since 2016. It was one of the first recipes I developed! And it’s more than just a staple at our house — it’s gone from my kids eating it pureed as toddlers to enjoying it now in school — but has also been one of my most popular soup recipes with readers. You’ll even find it in my first cookbook !
After making it dozens of times, I still keep coming back to this broccoli cheese soup again and again (and again), because it’s just so simple. There’s no long list of ingredients. There are no added thickeners. And did I mention easy? Yes. Yes, I did.
Why You’ll Love My Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe

- All the right flavors and textures – The thick, creamy, cheesy base. The tender broccoli. Oh my goodness, these are my weakness. It’s just comfort food in a bowl… and it reminds me of the one I love from Panera!
- Thick and creamy without any thickeners – You don’t need to fuss with a roux. The broccoli and cheese are here to thicken! This also makes it naturally low carb and gluten-free. (And this happens to be a keto broccoli cheese soup, too, but is just as delicious if none of that matters to you. I get it.)
- 5 simple, clean ingredients – I’m a big fan of creating recipes that only need a handful of ingredients, and this broccoli cheese soup recipe is just that! These are common staples I always have in my fridge.
- Super fast – I can whip this up in 20 minutes, so it’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights!

Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for homemade broccoli cheese soup, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .
- Broccoli – This is the obvious ingredient in all broccoli cheese soup recipes, though I’ve made a cheesy cauliflower soup using similar ingredients as well. I prefer the texture of mainly florets, but broccoli stems or even broccolini work just fine. Use fresh broccoli for the best texture (chop it into bite-size pieces), though frozen works, too. Frozen broccoli is usually pre-blanched, so it might cook a little quicker once it thaws in the soup (go ahead and toss it in frozen!).
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor, but you can use the kind in a jar for convenience. I’m all for shortcuts! I didn’t list oil or butter in the ingredients because everyone has it, but you may want to add some when sauteing the garlic. (Okay, I admit, it’s also because I created this recipe a long time ago and didn’t have the experience I have now with writing recipes — but I’m keeping it the same since this is such an OG Wholesome Yum recipe.)
- Cream – I use heavy whipping cream because it gives the richest taste and makes the thickest broccoli and cheese soup, since it reduces well when you simmer it. But you can also use half and half or even milk — the result will just be a bit thinner, and you’ll have to watch the heat to avoid curdling.
- Broth – I prefer the flavor of my homemade chicken broth when I have it on hand, but you can also use reduced sodium store-bought (I’ve used this one many times) or bone broth (for extra nutrition), chicken stock, or vegetable broth (to keep it vegetarian). Whatever kind you use, I recommend a reduced-sodium broth, because otherwise the soup turns out too salty — and this is coming from a person who loves salt!
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – I prefer sharp cheddar cheese, but technically other cheeses that melt well also work. The recipe works best with pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag, because those are less prone to clumping. No flour, starches, or artificial thickeners are necessary — which I am just so pleased with, in case you can’t tell yet. 😉
To be fair, this makes a very basic broccoli soup recipe. The ingredients and flavors are not complex. This is intentional! I wanted to keep it simple so that it’s very accessible to just about anyone. If you want to change it up, see my tips below on what you can add.

How To Make Broccoli Cheese Soup
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .
Saute Garlic
Cook it in a large pot or my favorite Dutch oven , until fragrant. I typically add a little oil or butter here as needed.
Add Broth, Cream, And Broccoli
Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Simmer until the broccoli is tender. This part starts to smell so good!

Make It Thick & Cheesy
Now you have a decision to make! Do you like your broccoli soup super smooth or with chunks of broccoli? You actually have 3 options here to finish it off. I’ve made it all 3 ways, but love the combination version the most!
- Pieces – Leave all the broccoli florets whole. To do this, add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. This will help thicken the broccoli cheese soup. (See tips below to avoid clumping.)
- Pureed – Pureeing is an excellent way to get a thicker soup, because the broccoli thickens it. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth, or use an immersion blender (I have this one ).
- Combination (recommended) – Puree the soup, but reserve 1/3 as florets. Thank you to a reader for suggesting this — it’s the best of both worlds and the only way I make it now! To do this, remove about 1/3 of the florets using a slotted spoon, blend using an immersion blender, then return the florets to the pot. (You can also adjust how much of the broccoli you want to puree — the more broccoli you puree, the thicker your broccoli soup will be.)
My Recipe Tips
Stay with me here! I promise this is an easy broccoli cheese soup recipe. But because I’ve gathered a lot of feedback from readers over the years and made it so many times, I’ve compiled this list of tips to avoid clumping and get the proper thickness:
- Keep the heat low when adding the cheese. This is super important! If it’s too hot, the cheese can seize and clump.
- Cut the broccoli florets small. First of all, smaller florets = faster simmer time. Second, the cheese tends to stick to larger pieces more. And finally, it’s easier to eat with smaller pieces!
- Use pre-shredded cheese OR add a de-clumping agent. This recipe for broccoli cheese soup works best with pre-shredded cheese that comes in a bag. If you shred a block of cheese yourself, or if your shredded cheese already seems clumpy to begin with, toss it with a little cornstarch or arrowroot powder (my go-to cornstarch substitute ), before adding to the soup.
- Add cheese a little at a time and stir constantly. If you dump it in at once, it will clump more. Don’t forget to stir, stir, stir!
- Prefer your soup more creamy rather than cheesy? You might prefer my cream of broccoli soup instead — it’s very similar, but without the cheddar and uses cream cheese to thicken it.
Ways To Thicken This Soup
The cheese thickens this broccoli cheese soup well enough for me, but I know that some people like a really, really thick broccoli cheddar soup. Here are some options I tested for you:
- Add more cheese – The more cheese you add, the thicker your broccoli and cheese soup will be! This is the easiest option, but keep in mind it still won’t be as thick as using an actual thickener.
- Add cream cheese – Melt in some cream cheese (in small chunks) to help it thicken.
- Puree it – Blending the soup partially is my preferred method. See above!
- Use a thickener – Arrowroot powder or cornstarch are the best options if you want to go this route. Tossing the shredded cheese in one of these before adding to the soup will help it melt better and thicken better. If you need a low carb option, whisk 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum with some water (or broth from the soup), then whisk the mixture into the soup at the end.
- Simmer it – You’ll notice this broccoli and cheese soup recipe contains heavy cream, which reduces when you simmer it enough. (This is also the way I thicken Alfredo sauce !) So, sometimes all the soup needs is to simmer for longer.

Recipe Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic process, it’s so easy to customize this easy broccoli cheese soup recipe. Try adding:
- Your favorite spices – My fave is Italian seasoning ! Some fresh cracked black pepper is also delicious.
- Other veggies – Saute onions (yellow onion works well) together with the garlic, or add cauliflower, carrots, or bell peppers later on (see tips below). Like my healthy vegetable soup , you can add just about any veggie you like. One of my personal favorites to add is sun-dried tomatoes .
- Proteins – Make it a complete meal with some shredded chicken or ground sausage. Cooked bacon is also a popular option!
My Tips For Making Additions:
- Go easy on anything that has added salt, like bacon. This broccoli cheese soup is already salty to begin with, due to the cheese and broth.
- Add any other ingredients after the cheese melts first. Otherwise, the cheese might stick to the add-ins and have issues melting.
- If your other add-ins need to cook, temporarily remove them with a slotted spoon once they are cooked, melt in the cheese, and then return them to the pot.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Broccoli cheese soup stores well. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I love making this ahead for the week, because it tastes just as good for days! I often enjoy it for lunch with a Caprese salad , or a Big Mac salad when I want something more hearty.
- Reheat: Warm up the soup on the stove top over low heat, or in the microwave on medium to low power. Sometimes it separates a bit after a while, but usually comes back together after you reheat while stirring frequently. If that doesn’t help, you can also puree it in a blender to bring it back together.
- Freeze: I often have individual portions of this soup stashed in my freezer for lunch. Simply let it cool to room temperature, then freeze flat in freezer bags or in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
More Creamy Soup Recipes
Love creamy soups as much as I do? Here are some of my other go-to types:
My Tools For This Recipe
- Dutch Oven – This is my fave because it maintains even heat and looks pretty going straight to the dinner table. You can also use a large pot.
- Immersion Blender – For pureeing the soup, if you choose to do that.
- Soup Bowls – Shown in my video below.
Recipe Video

Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.
- 4 cups Broccoli (cut into florets) ▢
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
- 3 1/2 cups Chicken broth, reduced sodium (or vegetable broth, or bone broth ) ▢
- 1 cup Heavy cream ▢
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese (pre-shredded – see notes) ▢
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat, saute garlic for one minute, until fragrant. (You can add a little oil as needed.)
- Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped broccoli. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes , until broccoli is tender.
Option 1 (original recipe):
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese gradually, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. (Add 1/2 cup (64 g), simmer and stir until it melts fully, then repeat 1/2 cup (64 g) at a time until all the cheese is used up.) Make sure to keep it at a very low simmer and avoid high heat, to prevent seizing. Remove from heat immediately once all the cheese melts.
Option 2 (recommended):
- Use a slotted spoon to remove about 1/3 of the broccoli pieces and set aside. (This step is optional, if you want some pieces in your soup at the end. If you want all of the soup pureed, you can leave them in.)
- Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining broccoli.
- Reduce heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, and continue to stir until melted. Puree again to make it smooth.
- Remove from heat. Add the reserved broccoli florets back to the soup.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
IMPORTANT: See my tips in the post above for best results when melting the cheese!
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle and Keto Ebook Bundle !
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .
Add Your NotesYour Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Easy Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe
