Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup is a delicious dairy-free alternative to the classic broccoli cheddar soup, and it takes only 20 minutes from start to finish. A great vegan or vegetarian weeknight meal the whole family can enjoy. Use any nut milk you desire to make this soup your own (why not make your own using this Thick and Creamy Homemade Nut Milk recipe).
Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup
I am always up for a bit of a challenge, so when a reader asked me for a dairy-free version of my super popular Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup, I just had to take them up on the offer.
So there's no cheese, we sub in some nutritional yeast for that.
For the milk and cream, we sub in some nut milk. I myself am partial to some homemade pistachio milk, but any other nut milk works here, cashew milk is super creamy too.
As for the traditionally used butter, I use some olive oil, but if you have a vegan butter that works really well also, it's just not something a lot of people have at home, and we want this recipe to be accessible to all.
That's a lot of subs, but bear with me, this is some seriously good vegan broccoli cheese soup.
Ok So How Do We Make This Dairy-Free Broccoli Soup?
Don't worry, it's super easy.
You are going to need:
- olive oil
- onion
- celery
- good quality vegetable broth
- broccoli (of course)
- nut milk of choice (find out how to make your own here)
- whole wheat flour (you can also use a gluten-free flour mix if you want to keep this gluten-free)
- nutritional yeast
- salt and pepper
That's it.
I told you it was easy!
Is Nutritional Yeast A Must?
Now I mentioned above that we wanted to keep this accessible for all, and that made me think twice about the nutritional yeast. It's not something everyone will have on hand, but I definitely think it is worth grabbing some for this recipe.
Here's why:
- It really adds a cheesy flavor to a meal without the need for any actual cheese, without it, you just don't get that cheesiness this soup needs.
- It is also highly nutritious. It comes with a lot of added benefits such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- You won't just use it once and then forget about it - it makes a great addition to any meal where you want a cheesy flavor and works especially well with homemade popcorn.
You should be able to find it in the health food aisle of your local supermarket, or in the bulk buy bins at a health food store. Alternatively, you can always grab some from Amazon here:
If you don't want to use it, or can't find it, then that's fine. But change your expectations as this soup then becomes a cream of broccoli soup rather than a vegan broccoli cheese soup.
Ok?
Ok!
I just love to hear from you so if you try out this delicious Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup then make sure to let me know how it goes! Happy eating.
Oh and if you are in need of some more soup inspiration, then check these out:
- One Pot Tortellini and Creamy Garlic Soup
- Glowing Pumpkin and Carrot Soup
- Instant Pot Potato Soup with Cheddar and Leek
- Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup
Happy Eating
xx.
Recipe
Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or vegan butter alternative
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 3 cups good quality vegetable broth make your own here
- 8 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast plus more to serve
- 2 cups nut milk of choice make your own here
- 3 tablespoon olive oil or vegan butter alternative
- 3 tablespoon whole wheat flour
- ground black pepper and salt to taste
Instructions
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegan butter) in medium sized pot. Sauté the onion and celery until tender. Add the broccoli and broth, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the nutritional yeast.
- Pour the broccoli and broth mixture into the blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Purée in batches until smooth and then pour into a clean pot. If you have a stick blender then you can just puree the soup right in the cooking pot
- In a small saucepan, over medium-heat add 3 tablespoon olive oil or vegan butter alternative, stir in the flour and add the nut milk. Stir until thick and bubbly, and then pour into the soup mixture
- Season with salt and pepper and serve warm. Sprinkle on some more nutritional yeast as needed.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Rob says
I whimsically bought Cream Of Pistachio in Sicily last week despite not actually knowing what it is or what to do with it. Please help.
Donna says
Hi Rob, is it just a nut-based milk? You can just use it in place of anything where you would normally use regular milk, it adds a nice earthy taste to meals so works great in soups like this. Enjoy
Selina says
Silly question... but do you strain the pistachio milk?
Donna says
I actually don't. It's the one nut milk I don't bother straining!
Jessica says
Can you make this soup with gluten free flour?
It looks so good! Love to try this!
Donna says
I haven't tried it but I can't see why not. Enjoy!
MJ says
AMAZING RECIPE!! THANK YOU!!!
Donna says
Glad you loved it 🙂
The Facebook Foodie says
Definitely trying this. Looking for soup options for my wife who doesn't like soup! (but loves pistachios). This looks like a winner. I wonder if a touch of shallot and sherry would be good ...Hmmm 🙂
Donna1 says
Don't ya just hate those people that don't like soup!! My daughter is one of these people too, so my solution is to make ALL the soups and hope one catches 🙂 Love the sound of your additions!! Fingers crossed she loves it for you!!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I'm game to try this. We love soups! I definitely would have never to thought to use pistachios, but it looks great!
Whole Food Bellies says
You should give it a go! The pistachios work wierdly well with the broccoli 🙂
Heather Denniston says
This soup looks fantastic and creamy and delicious!
Whole Food Bellies says
Thanks Heather 🙂
Natalie says
I love pistachios, and I'd definitely try them out in this soup. And you're right about Portlandia--it's so strange, but it's SO addictive! 🙂
Whole Food Bellies says
I know right? Such a weird show but I can't look away!
Courtney says
Sometimes the weirdest combinations are the best ones!! Sounds delish!!
Whole Food Bellies says
Exactly! Thanks for stopping by Courtney 🙂
annabelt - geeks diet says
Ok I'm going to make this - it looks really good! Funnily enough broccoli is one of the only veggies my toddler will eat 🙂
Whole Food Bellies says
Don't you love toddlers and their fussy eating habits!!
Sara says
What an interesting combination! I'm totally going to make this on Saturday 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Whole Food Bellies says
You are so welcome Sara! Hope you enjoy!
Amanda @ Old House to New Home says
wow! I never thought of adding pistachios to a soup! sounds great!
Whole Food Bellies says
Neither had I, until I had to out of laziness 🙂 It worked great so I am going with it!!
Amanda Marie says
I love the idea of pistachios in cream of broccoli soup! I am going to try this recipe out as soon as I can!!! Thanks for sharing the great recipe! Maybe I will watch Portlandia AS I make the soup..hmhm good idea!
Whole Food Bellies says
Haha Amanda, I like your thinking 🙂
Jessica says
This looks so good! I love cream soups! I'd love to try this out sometime.
~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
Whole Food Bellies says
I hope you do Jessica!
Claire says
What a creative and delicious looking idea!
Whole Food Bellies says
Thanks Claire 🙂