The Best Ina Garten Cream of Broccoli Soup Recipe Ever

Cream of broccoli soup transforms humble vegetables into a luxurious culinary experience that warms you from the inside out.

This velvety concoction represents comfort in liquid form, blending earthy green goodness with rich, silky textures.

Hearty and nourishing, the soup captures the essence of home cooking with its simple yet sophisticated profile.

Robust flavors mingle seamlessly, creating a harmonious blend that satisfies deep hunger and soothes weary souls.

Each spoonful promises a delightful journey through creamy landscapes of green vegetable goodness.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, turning an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining moment.

The magic lies in careful technique and balanced ingredients that elevate this classic dish beyond mere sustenance: prepare to be delighted.

How to Make Cream of Broccoli Without Fuss

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Base

• Chopped celery
• Diced onions

Cook until vegetables become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful fragrance.

Step 2: Cook Broccoli Mixture

• Fresh broccoli florets
• Chicken broth

Cover and simmer for 10 minutes until broccoli turns tender and bright green.

Step 3: Create Silky Smooth Texture

Select your blending method:

• Fill blender halfway with soup
• Pulse initially to break down chunks
• Secure lid with kitchen towel
• Blend until completely smooth

• Directly purée soup in the pot
• Blend until creamy consistency is achieved

Step 4: Craft Luxurious Thickener

• Melt remaining butter
• Sprinkle in flour
• Gradually whisk in milk

Stir continuously until mixture becomes thick and bubbly.

Step 5: Final Flavor Fusion

Gently incorporate thickener into puréed soup.

Whisk thoroughly to ensure perfect blending.

Finish with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.

Serve piping hot and enjoy your creamy broccoli soup!

Tips for Balancing Cream and Veggies

• Prep Ahead with Confidence: Chop broccoli, onions, and celery in advance and store in airtight containers to streamline your cooking process and save precious time.
• Maximize Broccoli Flavor: Use fresh broccoli and reserve some florets to add texture and a vibrant green color as a garnish right before serving the creamy soup.
• Control Soup Consistency: Add warm chicken stock gradually while blending to achieve your desired thickness, whether you prefer a silky smooth or slightly chunky texture.
• Enhance Creaminess Smartly: Use full-fat milk or half-and-half for a richer, more luxurious soup that coats the palate with a velvety finish.
• Season in Layers: Taste and adjust seasoning at different stages of cooking, adding salt and white pepper incrementally to build depth of flavor without overwhelming the delicate broccoli.

How to Store Broccoli Soup Like a Pro

• Deep Freeze Technique: Portion the soup into individual freezer-safe containers for quick, single-serving meals. Use heavy-duty freezer bags with airtight seals to prevent freezer burn and maintain flavor integrity. Label each container with the date and contents to track freshness.
• Refrigeration Pro Strategy: Transfer the soup to glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids to preserve taste and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Place the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to maintain optimal temperature and extend shelf life.
• Reheating Revival Method: Slowly warm the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of fresh chicken broth or milk to restore the original creamy consistency if the soup has thickened during storage.

Add-Ins for Bold Green Soup Flavor

• Cheesy Broccoli Comfort Bowl: Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and sharp parmesan during the final whisking stage for a rich, melty texture that transforms the soup into a heartier meal.
• Green Protein Power Soup: Blend in cooked chicken or white beans to increase protein content, creating a more substantial and nutritionally balanced version of the classic recipe.
• Spicy Herbal Green Soup: Add fresh chopped herbs like thyme and a pinch of red pepper flakes to introduce complexity and warmth, giving the soup a vibrant flavor profile that wakes up your taste buds.
• Vegetarian Creamy Broccoli Option: Replace chicken broth with vegetable stock and use plant-based milk, making the soup completely vegetarian while maintaining its smooth, comforting essence.

Cream of Broccoli Recap

Comfort meets elegance in Ina Garten’s broccoli soup, a culinary masterpiece that warms hearts and delights palates.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with rich, earthy broccoli notes, creating a symphony of flavor.

Homemade soups like this showcase pure culinary magic with minimal ingredients.

Hearty vegetable foundations speak volumes about simple, sophisticated cooking techniques.

You will savor each spoonful, share the recipe with friends, comment with excitement, and click that like button – because deliciousness deserves celebration!

Why Cream of Broccoli Soup Is a Classic

• Create Creamy Comfort: This soup transforms simple broccoli into a velvety, luxurious dish that hugs your taste buds with rich, smooth goodness.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: With just 30 minutes of total cooking time, home cooks can easily whip up a restaurant-quality soup using basic ingredients and straightforward techniques.
• Healthful Indulgence: Packed with nutrients from fresh broccoli and prepared with a balanced blend of vegetables and light dairy, this recipe offers a guilt-free way to enjoy a hearty, warming meal that doesn't compromise on flavor or texture.

Ingredients That Make It Lush and Green

• Onion, Celery: Aromatic foundation that adds depth and subtle sweetness to the soup's flavor profile.

• Chicken Broth: Provides rich, savory liquid foundation for cooking and developing soup's overall taste.
• Milk: Adds creamy texture and helps create smooth, velvety consistency.

• Broccoli Florets: Main star of the soup, offering vibrant green color and nutritious vegetable base.

• Butter: Creates rich flavor and helps with roux-based thickening process.
• All-Purpose Flour: Essential for creating smooth, stable thickening agent in the soup.

• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and enhances overall seasoning of the soup.

Ina Garten Cream of Broccoli Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s cream of broccoli soup offers a luxurious blend of garden-fresh broccoli and rich dairy comfort. Creamy, velvety, and packed with wholesome ingredients, this classic recipe delivers a hearty bowl of warmth you’ll savor to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 cups broccoli florets
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped

Thickening Agents:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons butter, divided

Seasoning:

• Ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. In a medium-sized stockpot, melt of butter over medium heat, gently sautéing chopped celery and onion until they become translucent and softened.
2. Pour chicken broth into the pot and add fresh broccoli florets. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, ensuring the broccoli reaches a tender consistency without losing its vibrant green color.
3. Carefully transfer the hot soup mixture to a blender, filling it only halfway to prevent spillage. Secure the lid with a folded kitchen towel and pulse initially, then blend thoroughly until achieving a silky, smooth texture. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot for easier processing.
4. In a separate small saucepan, melt the remaining of butter over medium-low heat. Gradually whisk in flour and milk, stirring consistently to prevent lumps and create a thick, creamy roux that bubbles gently.
5. Incorporate the thickened butter-flour mixture into the puréed soup, whisking smoothly to ensure complete integration and a consistent, velvety consistency.
6. Season with freshly ground black pepper, ladle into warm serving bowls, and serve immediately while the soup maintains its rich, comforting temperature.

Notes

• Chopping consistency matters for uniform cooking, ensuring onions and celery soften perfectly without any crunchy surprises.
• Safety first when blending hot liquids by using a towel to secure the blender lid, preventing potential kitchen mishaps and unexpected soup explosions.
• Creating a smooth roux requires patience and constant stirring, melting butter gently before introducing flour and milk to guarantee a silky, lump-free base.
• Taste testing throughout cooking allows you to adjust seasonings, bringing out the soup’s deepest flavors and ensuring a delicious final result.
• Letting the soup simmer allows ingredients to meld together, developing rich, complex flavors that transform a simple recipe into a comforting meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg