Ultimate Broccoli Cheddar Soup Recipe - My Favorite!
Embrace the comforting flavors of one of my favorite soups, Broccoli Cheddar, a luxuriously creamy soup that combines the wholesome goodness of broccoli with the rich, tangy taste of cheddar cheese. This amazing bisque is beautifully accompanied by crisp Parmesan chips, adding a delightful crunch to every spoonful.
Recipe Video
Recipe Ingredients
- 3/4 pound Bacon
- 1 large or (2 or 3) if small Onion
- 3 - 4 cups Celery
- 2 cups Carrots
- Broccoli stems from 4 heads (reserve about 3 cups of small florets)
- 2 Leeks (white and light green part only)
- Chicken or Vegetable Stock, as needed
- 3 - 4 large Potatoes
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme (1 tablespoon if dried)
- 6 - 10 cloves Garlic, adjust to taste
- 2 1/2 - 3 cups Cheddar Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese, for chips and garnish
- A splash Heavy Cream
- Salt and Pepper, to taste (the Chef used Onion Salt)
Recipe Instructions
- Gently cook the bacon in a soup large pot until it begins to release its fat.
- Add the onion to the bacon, cooking until caramelized.
- Incorporate the celery, carrots, leeks, thyme and garlic cooking until they start to soften. Mix in the broccoli and stems and potatoes.
- Cover the vegetables with just enough chicken or vegetable stock.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cooking until the vegetables are tender. Simmer until the potatoes are completely tender.
- In a separate pot, poach the broccoli florets in chicken stock until tender. Remove and set aside, reserving the stock. To preserve their bright green color plunge them in ice water.
- Puree the soup using an immersion blender until smooth. Gradually blend in the cheddar cheese until the soup achieves a creamy consistency.
- Stir in a splash of heavy cream for a richer flavor. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste. Add the reserved broccoli florets back into the soup.
- Serve the bisque hot, embellished with Parmesan chips, additional cheddar cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
- Enjoy the comforting and rich flavors of this classic American bisque, a true celebration of simple yet satisfying ingredients.
