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Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup – Low Carb Panera Copycat

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This keto broccoli cheese soup is full of flavor and the perfect comfort food. If you like Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup this keto soup tastes insanely similar. It’s delicious, cheesy, low carb broccooli cheese soup, and needs only a few common ingredients.

This broccoli cheese soup is creamy, delicious and ready in less than 30 minutes. A comfort meal with cheddar cheese and tender broccoli.

I love this quick cheesy soup recipe that’s ready in less than 20 minutes and it’s probably on of our family’s favorite keto soup recipes.

Usually, the classic broccoli cheddar soup is made with white flour as a thickener. Today, I’m sharing with you a broccoli cheese soup recipe that’s low-carb, contains no added starch, and requires only wholesome ingredients that are effortless to find.

cheddar broccoli soup

This keto broccoli soup is perfect for a quick lunch, and it’s family-friendly since everyone seems to love it.

It also happens that this soup is very low carb, perfect for a ketogenic diet, and most importantly, it contains mostly unprocessed foods, that have clean lists of ingredients.

Reasons Why You’ll Love This Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe:

  • A comforting meal that everyone loves.
  • Quick and easy to make in just 30 minutes.
  • Loaded with rich and cheesy flavor.
  • The broccoli is perfectly tender.
  • Tastes just like Panera’s classic soup minus the carbs.
  • Loaded with vitamins and minerals, thanks to the broccoli.

Ingredients Needed

The ingredients for this keto soup are easy to find and very affordable. Here’s what you need:

  • Broccoli – Fresh broccoli is the best option for this soup, but you can also use frozen broccoli.
  • Cheddar cheese – Choose the highest quality you can find, and grate it yourself. Makes a huge difference in flavor. Pre-shredded cheese from the store contains some starches that prevent it from melting quickly and may not incorporate well into the soup.
  • Onion and garlic – fresh are always the best!
  • Butter – Adding butter to the soup will give it a smooth and creamy texture, making it rich and flavorful.
  • Heavy cream – Heavy cream is an essential ingredient that contributes to the creamy texture of the soup. If you’re looking for a low-calorie low-calorie broccoli cheddar soup option, you can replace it with milk, but keep in mind that it will not be as rich and creamy as the original recipe.
  • Vegetable stock – Using vegetable stock is a great way to add more flavor to the soup without overpowering the taste of the broccoli and cheese. You can also use chicken stock or water if you prefer.
  • Seasonings – Adding salt, pepper, chili powder, and nutmeg will enhance the flavor of the soup and give it a nice kick. You can also experiment with other seasonings, such as thyme or rosemary, to add more depth to the flavor.

How To Make Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup

It’s insanely easy to prepare such a delicious easy broccoli cheddar soup recipe, and all you need to do is gather all the ingredients, chop the vegetables into small pieces, grate the cheddar, and follow a few more steps until you get the perfect soup.

Sauté the Aromatics

Place a medium pot over medium heat and melt the butter. Sauté the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes or until translucent and fragrant. 

Simmer The Soup

Add the broccoli florets and water or vegetable stock to the pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the soup simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the broccoli is tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Add Seasonings

Remove the pot from the heat and add in the seasonings, including salt, pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, and grated sharp cheddar cheese. Stir the soup well until the cheese is completely melted and incorporated into the soup.

Tip: To ensure the cheese melts smoothly, it’s best to use freshly grated cheese rather than pre-shredded cheese that contains anti-caking agents.

Serve the soup hot, garnished with some extra grated cheese on top. You can also add some chopped chives, crumbled bacon, or a dollop of sour cream for added flavor and texture. Enjoy!

I tend to avoid using storebought chicken broth or vegetable broth when making soups at home. They usually contain way too much salt, and while that’s not a huge issue, it interferes with the taste of the final product.

To make this easy broccoli soup, I used only water as the liquid, and trust me, it’s the best way. You’ll enjoy the flavors of matured cheddar cheese that perfectly matches the creaminess of the whipping cream.

Tip: If you prefer a chunkier soup, you can leave some of the broccoli florets whole or lightly mash them with a fork.

This broccoli cheese soup is creamy, delicious and ready in less than 30 minutes. A comfort meal with cheddar cheese and tender broccoli.

How to Thicken a Low Carb Soup?

To me, this soup has the perfect thickness. If you want a way to thicken your soup that doesn’t involve tons of carbs, here are a few ways:

  1. Use xanthan gum or glucomannan. I sometimes use these low carb thickeners in recipes, but I usually try to avoid them because they are entirely natural ingredients. A bag usually goes a long way, as you need as little as 1/4 or 1/2 tsp of xanthan gum to thicken this entire recipe.
  2. Psyllium husk powder – You’ll need a little amount to thicken the entire soup pot. Psyllium husk contains mostly fiber, has no taste, and may help digestion.
  3. Use more cheddar cheese – Adding more cheese will increase the thickness.
  4. Use vegetable purees: Pureed vegetables like cauliflower, zucchini, or broccoli can thicken a soup without adding many carbs.
  5. Use coconut cream: Simply stir in a few tablespoons of coconut cream and let the soup simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
keto broccoli cheddar cheese soup

Tips For Making The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup

  • To ensure your Broccoli Cheese Soup turns out smooth and creamy, avoid boiling it after adding the cheddar. High heat can cause the cheese to separate and create an unpleasant gritty texture. Instead, keep the soup at a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
  • If you want to add a smoky flavor to your soup, try tossing in some grated smoked gouda along with the cheddar. It pairs perfectly with the broccoli and adds a delicious depth of flavor.
  • If you want to add a smoky flavor to your soup, try tossing in some grated smoked gouda along with the cheddar. It pairs perfectly with the broccoli and adds a delicious depth of flavor.

Finally, remember to cook your soup at the right temperature to avoid curdling. Keeping the heat at medium will help prevent the dairy from boiling and separating.

Variations

  • Add cauliflower along with the broccoli for even more flavor and nutrients.
  • Make it vegan – To make this soup vegan, swap out the chicken broth for vegetable broth, and replace the heavy cream with coconut cream. Instead of using cheddar cheese, you can opt for a vegan cheese alternative.
  • Add crumbled blue cheese along with the cheddar cheese for a tangy and delicious twist.
  • Add cooked shredded chicken to the soup for a heartier version.
  • Add diced ham for a savory and satisfying twist.

Got Soup Leftovers?

This soup tastes even better the next day, so you won’t be disappointed. Transfer the leftover broccoli soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. 

If the soup looks too thick straight out of the fridge, you can thin it out with a bit of chicken or vegetable stock while reheating.

Can I Freeze broccoli Cheese Soup?

Yes, broccoli cheese soup can easily be frozen for later use. Once the soup has cooled down to room temperature, transfer it to freezer bags or a freezer-safe container. Flatten the bags or containers to make it easier to thaw later.

When ready to use, take it out of the freezer and thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once fully thawed, heat the soup over low heat while stirring frequently to avoid curdling.

Alternatively, you can puree the soup after heating it up for a smoother texture. Enjoy your delicious broccoli cheese soup even when you don’t have time to make it fresh!

Other Creamy Soup Recipes

Are you looking for more delicious, comforting keto soup recipes? Here are some of my favorites:

broccoli cheese soup

Easy Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup

5 from 18 votes

Prep time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Yelds 8 servings

Description
 

This keto broccoli cheese soup is full of flavor and the perfect comfort food. If you like Panera's broccoli cheddar soup this keto soup tastes insanely similar. It's delicious, cheesy, low carb broccooli cheese soup, and needs only a few common ingredients.
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 cups broccoli diced into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth or water
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 small onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg optional
  • 1/4 tsp xanthan gum optional, to thicken
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a medium pot melt the butter. Saute the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes. 
  • Add the water, heavy whipping cream, and broccoli florets to the pot. Let it simmer for 15-20  minutes on medium-low or until the broccoli is tender.
  • Remove from the heat. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, and the sharp cheddar cheese. Stir well until the cheese is melted and incorporated.
  • Serve hot.

Notes

The nutrition facts are calculated for 1 cup.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving.
Calories
268kcal
Total Carbs
6g
Net Carbs
5g
Protein
10g
Fat
24g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
2g

How do we calculate the nutrition info?

These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.

Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword Keto Soup
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Ioana

Ioana is a food and travel lover. Her greatest passion is developing mouthwatering recipes that are comforting, easy to make, and budget friendly! She firmly believes that cooking should be fun! About me...

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Recipe Rating




5 comments
  1. 5 stars
    This was amazing! I made it tonight for dinner and the family loved it. It’s definitely a keeper and I’ll be making this many more times for sure . What a wonderful soup on a cold winter day and my tummy is very happy. Your Zuppa Toscana was another we all love dearly too . Thank you so much for sharing your recipe with us ! Now I get to pick another to make and I can’t wait.

    1. Wow! I’m thrilled you loved my soups recipes. They’re a hit in our house too. Comments like this keep us creating more and more delicious keto recipes. Thank you for being here.

  2. I made the keto broccoli cheddar soup, the juice was good, but the cheese really didnt melt well, very clumpy and chewy(i used a block of sharp cheddar, grated it myself). What did i do wrong?

    1. There are a few reasons this might happen. One of them is the soup being way too hot causing the cheese to clump or the cheese is too dry. Try adding a few lemon juice drops and see if it helps the cheese mix properly. Hope this helps.


About me

Hello! My name is Ioana Borcea, and I'm here to provide you with mouthwatering recipes. This blog is all about sharing my favorite tested easy to make, delicious low-carb & keto, nutrient-dense recipes.

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