Low Carb Cheddar and Broccoli Soup

We are soooo in that weird place where our grown kids are leaving, coming back again, and leaving again. It’s a tough world out there and our kids are definitely feeling it.

For me, having adults coming and going as they please but still wanting to offer good, home made food means having to plan, expecting that leftovers will be appreciated and generally just making more of everything. I have boys, I do mean MORE of everything.

My oldest son is temporarily back at home but has been trying to keep his diet as low carb as possible (note – beer doesn’t help!). He loves creamy broccoli cheddar soup and so today I mixed up a batch for him to take in his work lunches for the next day or so.

Creamy soups often rely on a flour and milk roux to thicken them. The good news is that some vegetables, when pureed, will give a creamy mouth feel and thicken your soup without the addition of any particular thickening agent like flour or cornstarch – both high carb options.

This low carb cheddar and broccoli soup uses the additional power of cream, sour cream, cheese and time to reduce it a bit to create a low carb, nutritious soup. Perfect for a cold winter day lunch or even a lighter dinner.

I love the addition of a bit of smoked cheddar. I think it elevates the flavour from good to great. My favourite is the Balderson brand smoked cheddar that I find at Costco. If you can’t find a good smoked version just use cheddar. I do suggest a sharp cheddar though as it will offer up the best flavour.

Low Carb Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 2

Author: Mia Staysko

A delicious low carb soup, perfect for a cool winter lunch or dinner

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Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 yellow onion chopped
• 1 clove garlic chopped finely
• 2 stalks celery diced
• 3 C broccoli coarsely chopped
• 1 small carrot grated coarsely, divided.
• 2 1/2 C chicken bone broth
• 1/2 C heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 C scant sour cream or creme fraise
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 C sharp cheddar grated
• 1/2 C smoked cheddar grated

Instructions

1. Heat butter in heavy soup pot until melted

2. Saute onion and garlic until just soft but not browned. Chop half of the carrot into half inch pieces and coarsely grate the other half.

3. Add celery and chopped half of the carrot to pot and cook until beginning to soften. 

4. Add broth to pot and bring to a low boil

5. While broth is heating trim ends and peel any large broccoli stalks and chop into 1/2" dice. Reserve about 1/2 cup of chopped florets. Add the rest of the broccoli florets and stalks to broth.

6. Cook until all vegetables are softened.

7. Taste and add salt and pepper.

8. Remove pot from heat and with a stick blender or blender carefully puree soup to both thicken it and to break down any large chunks of vegetables. This does not need to be perfectly smooth though it could be if you like your soups very smooth.

9. Return soup to pot (if you've used a blender) and to the heat. 

10. Add cream, sour cream, remaining grated carrot and reserved broccoli florets to the pot. Heat at medium for about another 8-10 minutes until second batch of broccoli and carrot are just cooked. Stir regularly to prevent the cream from scorching.

11. Remove the soup from the burner and add grated cheese, stirring to melt.
12. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.

Recipe Notes

If you do not have smoked cheddar you can just use 2 1/2 C of sharp cheddar.
*This recipe should serve 2 large bowls for a light dinner or 4 smaller bowls for lunch or a starter.