I love making this keto broccoli cheese soup when I want something warm, creamy, and satisfying without a lot of effort. It's one of those recipes that feels indulgent but fits perfectly into a low carb or keto lifestyle.
You'll love how easy it is to make - no flour or thickeners needed! Just real ingredients that come together into a rich, cheesy soup that tastes just like your favorite restaurant version but lighter and healthier.
Things to Know About Making Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Soup Without Flour
- Use room temperature cream cheese: It melts more easily and gives the soup a smooth texture.
- Shred your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains starch and doesn't melt as well.
- Simmer gently: Avoid boiling the soup once the dairy is added to prevent curdling.
- Adjust thickness: Add a pinch of xanthan gum or reduce the broth for a thicker texture.
After years of testing easy low carb recipes, I've found that simple techniques and high-quality ingredients make the biggest difference in flavor and texture. This broccoli cheddar soup is a perfect example.
It's creamy, cozy, and flavorful like our Low Carb Butternut Squash Soup, Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup, and this Keto Pizza Soup.
Ingredients Overview
- Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the onions and garlic.
- Onion: Gives the soup a flavorful base.
- Garlic: Adds warmth and depth to the broth.
- Broccoli: Fresh or frozen both work; cut into small florets for even cooking.
- Chicken broth: Keeps the soup savory while balancing the creaminess.
- Cream cheese: Thickens the soup naturally and gives it a smooth texture.
- Heavy whipping cream: The key to a creamy, rich consistency.
- Cheddar cheese: Use freshly shredded for the best melt.
- Sea salt & black pepper: Brings all the flavors together.
- Cayenne pepper: Adds a mild, subtle heat without overpowering the soup.
Full ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Cook Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Step 1: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Add the broccoli florets, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Gently press the broccoli down into the broth. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the broccoli is tender.
Step 3: Stir the cubed cream cheese into the hot soup until it starts to melt and blend in.
Step 4: Pour in the heavy whipping cream and gently heat the soup on low, stirring often.
Step 5: Once the soup is hot, slowly add the shredded cheddar in small handfuls, stirring between each addition so it melts smoothly.
Step 6: Once everything is melted and combined, serve warm and top with extra cheese or cooked bacon if desired.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use half broccoli and half cauliflower for a lighter flavor.
- Swap bone broth for chicken broth for a protein boost.
- Add diced or shredded chicken or sausage for extra protein.
- For spice lovers, increase the cayenne pepper or add a few red pepper flakes.
- Make this like Panera and add shredded carrots.
What to Serve with Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Pair this creamy soup with a side of low carb bread, a side salad, or a cauliflower fritters.
Storage and Freezing
Refrigerate leftovers for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, stirring often.
To freeze, let the soup cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Can I make broccoli cheddar soup without heavy whipping cream?
Yes! You can use half and half or unsweetened coconut milk for a lighter option, but it won't be quite as rich.
How can I thicken the soup without flour?
Add a pinch of xanthan gum or simmer uncovered for a few minutes to let it reduce naturally.
How do you add cheese to soup so it doesn't clump?
Use high quality cheese (blocks not pre-shredded) and grate the cheese before adding it in. Before adding cheese, reduce the heat to low then gradually add the cheese, a handful at a time, while constantly stirring.
More low carb and keto soups:
- Keto White Chicken Chili
- Low Carb Taco Soup
- Keto Chicken "Noodle" Soup
- Low Carb Eggdrop Soup
- Detox Cabbage Soup
- Crock Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Low Carb Chili Without Beans
For cozy meals to warm you up, try these other Keto & Low Carb Soup Recipes next!
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Recipe
Low Carb Broccoli Cheddar Soup (with Heavy Whipping Cream)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ medium onion
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 4 cups broccoli (frozen or fresh) cut into small florets
- 4 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup cream cheese room temperature cut into cubes
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese do not buy pre-shredded
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat melt the butter.
- Add the onions and cook until they're starting to soften, which takes about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the broccoli florets, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and chicken broth to the pot. Gently press the broccoli down into the liquid to make sure it's covered as much as possible.
- Put the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to low. Simmer until the broccoli is completely cooked and the soup mixture is heated through.
- Stir the cream cheese into the soup.
- Add the whipping cream and bring to a warm temperature over low.
- Once the soup is fully heated, in ½ cup batches stir the cheddar cheese into the soup making sure to fully melt the cheese before adding more.
- Serve warm and enjoy! Top with additional shredded cheddar, if desired.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature, it helps make it easier for the cream cheese to break down into the soup. Softening it in the microwave for 15-30 seconds speeds this process up.
- Gently whipping the cream cheese into the soup helps eliminate small cream cheese pieces.
- To thicken the soup you can add a little xantham gum or corn starch.
- Top with more shredded cheddar and pre-cooked bacon, if desired. Mix-ins like chicken or cut up sausage are great additions too.
- Make sure to buy a block of cheddar and shred it yourself to keep the carbs down. Pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt into soup as well since it is coated with potato starch. The starch also increases the carbs.
Barbara West says
Instructions call for adding salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, but none are listed in the ingredients? Cayenne can be a very strong spice.
WholeLottaYum says
Thank you so much Barbara! I've fixed the recipe card. It's 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, and 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper.