Vegan Broccoli Cauliflower Soup
on Feb 07, 2024, Updated Aug 02, 2024
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This creamy broccoli cauliflower soup recipe is made without heavy cream, milk or cheese! This soup is made with simple ingredients and comes together in 40 minutes.
A cheesy, creamy soup without the cheese and cream? You got it! White beans, potato and nutritional yeast make up the base of the soup in this lightened up version of traditional cauliflower broccoli soup.
Featuring plenty of vegetables, a creamy texture and easy to prepare in 40 minutes, this is the perfect recipe for an easy week night dinner.
It’s delicious to warm up with during the colder months but light enough to enjoy year-round as well.
For more cozy soup recipes, try this Chickpea Vegetable Chowder, Easy Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup and Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup next!
Recipe Highlights
- Dairy-free (no cheese, whole milk or cream).
- Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free.
- Can be oil-free.
- White beans add creaminess and nutrition.
- Packed with veggies.
- Easy to customize.
- Great for meal prep.
- Freezer-friendly.
- Healthy cruciferous vegetables.
- 202 calories per serving with 12 g protein.
- Source of dietary fiber.
Ingredient Notes
- Oil: I used olive oil but any cooking oil works. For an oil-free soup, use a splash of water or broth.
- Onion: White or yellow onion works.
- Broccoli & Cauliflower: Use about 5 cups each of small florets or about 1 small head of cauliflower and broccoli. The amounts don’t have to be exact, you can use more if you like and vary the amount of cauliflower and broccoli.
- Broth: Use any store-bought or homemade broth, vegetable stock or bouillon base.
- Spinach: Fresh baby spinach or regular spinach is best.
- White Beans: Drain and rinse canned beans. White beans work best here for their smooth, creamy texture though you could substitute chickpeas or another variety of white bean. Extra white beans? Try this Vegan White Bean Chili Recipe.
- Nutritional Yeast: This adds a cheesy flavor the the soup.
- Herbs & Spices: The recipe calls for dried thyme and oregano and optional cayenne pepper. To use fresh herbs, substitute 2-3 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme and 1-2 tbsp fresh oregano.
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat the oil in a dutch oven or large stock pot then add the onion, celery and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4-6 minutes
Step 1: Add the thyme, oregano, cayenne, potato, broccoli and cauliflower. Season with another pinch of salt and stir to coat.
Step 3: Add the broth and bring the soup to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 16-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender then stir in the white beans.
Step 4: Add the spinach, nutritional yeast and vinegar to a blender. Carefully scoop about half of the soup into the blender and blend until smooth.
Step 5: Pour the blended soup back into the pot and stir to combine. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve with crusty bread for a delicious meal the entire family will enjoy.
Recipe FAQs
Let cool then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat as needed in a pot on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Yes. Let the soup cool then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Add the oil, celery, onion and garlic, season and cook for 4-5 minutes using the Saute function.
- Add the herbs and spices, broccoli, potato, cauliflower and broth. Seal the pressure cooker and set the valve to Sealing.
- Cook the soup on high pressure for 3 minutes then use the quick release to release the pressure.
- Scoop half of the soup into a blender with the spinach, nutritional yeast and vinegar. Blend then pour back into the pot and stir to combine.
Cooking Notes
- Try to cut all the broccoli and cauliflower florets about the same size for even cooking.
- I prefer to peel the potato but it’s not required.
- The soup is really good with a bit of heat from the cayenne but it is an optional ingredient. You can also use red pepper flakes.
- If you don’t have a blender, you can use an immersion blender directly in the pot and pulse until you reach your desired consistency. A traditional blender is suggested for best results though.
Vegan Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 onion, diced, 1 cup, 135g
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated, minced or grated
- 2 ribs celery, diced, about 1 cup, 145g
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp of cayenne, optional
- 1 yellow potato, peeled and diced, 1 cup, 165g
- 1 small head broccoli, cut into 1-inch pieces, about 5 cups, 305g
- 1 small head cauliflower, cut into 1-inch pieces, about 5 cups, 460g
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 540 ml can white beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups spinach, about 30g
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. When the pot is hot, add onion, garlic and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4-6 min, stirring occasionally, until tender.
- Add thyme, oregano, potato, broccoli and cauliflower to the pot. Season with salt and pepper, then stir to combine.
- Add broth. Bring to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered for 16-20 min, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender. When veggies are tender, stir in white beans.
- To a blender, add the spinach, nutritional yeast and vinegar. Transfer half of the soup to the blender and blend until smooth. If you want a completely smooth soup, blend all of the soup 2-3 batches. Add blended soup back to pot with remaining unblended soup and stir to mix.
- Season soup with salt and pepper, to taste. Divide soup between bowls and enjoy.
Delicious! So easy too. Followed the recipe. Blended most of it but left some chunky…really yummy and delicious the next day too. Will make this one again, like many of your recipes!
Was so excited about this soup but it was so disappointing.
Can you explain more? Why was it disappointing?