This creamy Broccoli Potato Soup is so satisfying and rich tasting but is in fact super healthy … and happens to be vegan!
With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner I wanted to make something, well, Irish. I figured the recipe would have to either be green or made with potatoes. But hey, I’m not one to settle so a green recipe with potatoes it was!
Pureed soups are a staple in our house and is one of the best ways to get veggies into the family – they are so tasty and easy to make! I love that you can make everything in advance and that it can all be made in one pot.
This soup is colourful, healthy (I mean, it has 6 cups of broccoli in it, need I say more?), and also happens to be vegan and gluten free if you omit the croutons (or use gluten free bread to make them). It’s amazing how creamy and rich it tastes on its own even without any cashew cream! Speaking of cashew cream, you will want to make this in advance if you are using it as it does take a bit of time to prep (you need to soak the cashews).
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You can serve these with Irish Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits (neither vegan nor gluten free) to take them to a whole new level, or you can top them with the croutons below…or leave it as-is. The swirl of Cashew Cream (so easy and SO good) is next level – it truthfully is amazing without any cream, but it gives it a pretty touch and a hint of extra richness that nobody in my family said no to!
Potato Broccoli Soup
This creamy Potato Broccoli Soup is made from simple ingredients and is such an easy, healthy meal in a bowl that the whole family will like! You can leave it as is or swirl some cream or cashew cream into it. If you are making it gluten free be sure to use gluten free bread for the croutons or simply omit the croutons all together. We love serving it with Irish Soda Bread or fresh baked biscuits (for those not avoiding gluten).
Ingredients
SOUP
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
- 2 cups chopped celery (3 stalks)
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 litres vegetable stock (can sub chicken stock if desired)
- 1.5 lbs. large russet potatoes (around 4) peeled and diced into 1" cubes
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups broccoli florets (2 medium crowns)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup cashew cream optional
CROUTONS
- 5 slices good quality day-old bread (use gluten free if needed)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove crushed garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
FOR THE CROUTONS
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Preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Cut the bread into bite sized pieces OR using a cookie cutter (I used a clover shaped one), cut the bread into the shapes. Place the olive oil and garlic in a small bowl, stir together and brush the croutons with the oil mixture using a pastry brush. Alternately you can mix them together with your hands on the pan if you didn't cut your bread into shapes and aren't concerned with breaking it! Sprinkle with sea salt and bake on both sides until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
FOR THE SOUP
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In a large heavy bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 3-4 minutes stirring, until fragrant and transparent. Add the celery and garlic and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring.
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Add the stock, potatoes and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are fully cooked, approximately 25 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook until the broccoli is soft but still bright green, about 8-10 minutes.
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Remove the bay leaves and puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, divide into bowls and add a swirl of cashew cream (or whipping cream if not making it vegan) if desired. Garnish with croutons if desired and serve.
tasty! love the soup, perfect for st.pattrick day
Thank you Aaron!
Just made this soup tonight! So delicious, and easy to make. Love the blog!
Fabulous thanks Courtney!
Hi! Do you think you could swap the brocoli for cauliflower?
Yes! For sure!
I just made this soup, it’s super easy and seriously amazing!!!! Thank you!!!
Thanks so much for the feedback Melanie! Super happy you loved it!!
Okay to use frozen broccoli?
It sure is!
Inspiration! I made a potato broccoli soup too; but I added real cream and other spices. Thank you for keeping up on your recipes; it helps when I have recipe block…..arg..!
Yay! Thanks Colleen and my absolute pleasure, glad you liked it!!
Could you make this using a vitamix or blendtec? I don’t have an immersion blender.
Hi Brittany yes you could!
Would you be able to make this in the vitamix blender by chance?
Yes you could absolutely blend it in the Vitamix! You would just want to be careful when doing so, I would cool it down first.
Absolutely fantastic!! I made this soup last night (I’m stoked to eat some today for lunch… and maybe dinner again too… 😆). Anyways, I am in shock with how savory, yet so simple, this recipe is! Thank you for doing what you do and sharing with the world so we can enjoy too! Blessings to you and your beautiful fam!
Thank you so much Kathy that means the world to me!
What an amazing soup! My husband and 2 year old gobbled it up, as did I of course. I am so excited for your cookbook!
Thank you Kristin that’s awesome! Thanks for following along it means a lot!
This soup was absolutely delicious. I loved the croutons too! Not sure why I haven’t thought to make croutons before… Please, keep sharing recipes jammed packed with all the nutrients. Cannot get enough 🙂
Thanks for being you, Tori.
Hey Chelsey! So happy you loved it! And thank you for the sweet note that really made my day!
Really great tasting soup! My fussy 21 month old loved it as well! Was super fast and easy to make in the instant pot. Thanks for a great soup recipe.
Thank you Stephanie so happy your little one loved it too!!!
Do you think roasted broccoli would be good in this?
For sure!
This recipe is the bomb! My whole family loves it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Hannah!
It’s officially soup season in Australia! Just made this soup Tori, it was delicious. Have frozen some portions to have on hand in a hurry. I hope your gum surgery went well. All the best for a speedy recovery.
I had a big costco bag of broccoli to use up and this was the perfect way to use it. My partner who HATES broccoli soup loved it and even had it as leftovers during the week. I used the vitamix as my immersion blender wasn’t doing a good job, it turned out extremely smooth and didn’t separate in the fridge like some other soups I’ve made.
Thank you Fabrice that is such great feedback!
Delicious! Thank you Tori!
Very delicious! Can I freeze the soup when it’s done? And if so, recommendations on best freezing methods?
Hi Kaitlyn, yes this soup should freeze well! I’d let it cool before placing in an air tight container in the freezer