Keto Spoonful

Warm Up Your Soul with a Bowl of Cheesy Goodness

Hey friend! Madison here, your keto kitchen partner-in-crime. Is there anything more comforting than a steaming bowl of broccoli cheddar soup on a chilly day? That velvety cheese, those tender broccoli florets, the way it hugs your spoon like a cozy blanket… pure magic! But here’s the real kicker: this soul-warming classic clocks in at just 4 net carbs per serving. Seriously! No more FOMO when everyone’s digging into creamy soups while you’re stuck with broth. This recipe is my love letter to comfort food that loves you back – zero guilt, maximum flavor, and ready faster than you can say “pass the cheddar!” Grab your favorite soup pot, and let’s turn simple ingredients into a low-carb hug in a bowl. Trust me, your taste buds will throw a party!

My Broccoli Cheddar “Aha!” Moment

Picture this: It’s 2018, I’m three weeks into keto, and snowed in. My fridge? A sad landscape of eggs and wilted greens. I was craving that iconic Panera broccoli cheddar soup like crazy, but the carb count? A deal-breaking nightmare. Determined, I raided my pantry. Frozen broccoli? Check. Random cheese ends? Check. I started sautéing garlic in butter (because everything magical starts there), and poured in broth like a mad scientist. When that cheddar melted into a silky pool, I held my breath… then took a spoonful. Mind. Blown. It tasted like cheesy nostalgia without the carb coma! My husband did an actual happy dance around the kitchen. That blizzardy night taught me keto isn’t about deprivation – it’s about reinventing joy, one glorious cheesy spoonful at a time.

Your Flavor Dream Team (Plus Handy Swaps!)

• Butter (2 tbsp): Our flavor foundation! Brown it slightly for a nutty depth (my secret hack). Swap with ghee if dairy-sensitive.
• White Onion (⅛ cup, finely diced): Sweetness without the carbs! No onion? Use ½ tsp onion powder in a pinch.
• Minced Garlic (½ tsp): Fresh is best, but ¼ tsp garlic powder works. Pro tip: Sauté until fragrant but not brown!
• Chicken Broth (2 cups): Homemade bone broth adds protein, but store-bought works. Need it veggie? Use vegetable broth!
• Broccoli (1 cup, chopped): Fresh or frozen – just chop stems small for quick cooking! Florets give that classic look.
• Heavy Whipping Cream (¼ cup): Creates that luscious texture. Can’t do dairy? Full-fat coconut cream is your friend.
• Cream Cheese (1 tbsp): The stealthy thickener! Soften it first – microwaving is clutch. Vegan? Try Kite Hill plain almond cream cheese.
• Shredded Cheddar (1 cup): Shred it yourself! Pre-shredded bags contain starch. Sharp cheddar = bold flavor, mild = kid-friendly.
• Xanthan Gum (½ tsp, optional): A keto thickener powerhouse. Use a pinch! No xanthan? Simmer 5 mins longer to reduce.
• Salt & Black Pepper: Season in layers! Taste after adding cheese.
• Bacon (2 slices, crumbled – optional): Because bacon makes everything better. Turkey bacon works too!Print

  Broccoli Cheddar Soup

  

  Print Recipe

  This soup is a cozy classic made low-carb with creamy cheese, tender broccoli, and a buttery garlic base. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out, ready in minutes and loaded with flavor—not carbs. Perfect for chilly nights or satisfying lunches!

  • Author: MadisonReynolds
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: dinner

  Ingredients

  Scale 1x2x3x

  2 tbsp butter

  ⅛ cup white onion, finely diced

  ½ tsp minced garlic

  2 cups chicken broth

  1 cup broccoli, chopped

  ¼ cup heavy whipping cream

  1 tbsp cream cheese

  1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  ½ tsp xanthan gum (optional, for thickening)

  Salt & black pepper, to taste

  2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional, for topping)

  Instructions

  Sauté Base: In a large soup pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is translucent.

  Simmer Broccoli: Add chicken broth and chopped broccoli. Cook until broccoli is fork-tender, about 8–10 minutes.

  Add Cream & Cheese: Microwave cream cheese for 30 seconds until soft. Stir cream cheese and heavy cream into the pot. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat.

  Melt Cheddar: Stir in shredded cheddar until fully melted and smooth.

  Thicken (Optional): Add xanthan gum, stirring well. Let sit a few minutes to thicken.

  Top & Serve: Sprinkle with crumbled bacon if desired. Serve hot.

  Nutrition

  • Calories: ~290
  • Fat: 24g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Protein: 15g

Let’s Make Soup Magic Happen (Chef’s Secrets Inside!)

Sauté Your Flavor Base (3 mins): Melt butter in your soup pot over medium heat. Toss in onions and garlic. Chef’s hack: Stir constantly for 90 seconds until onions turn glassy but garlic isn’t browned – burnt garlic is bitter heartbreak! This builds the flavor foundation.

Simmer the Broccoli (8-10 mins): Pour in chicken broth and add broccoli. Crank heat to medium-high until it bubbles, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Timing tip: Pierce a stem with a fork at 8 mins – you want tender-crisp, not mush! Broccoli keeps cooking later.

Creamy Transformation (2 mins): While broccoli simmers, nuke cream cheese in a ramekin for 20-30 secs until spreadable. Reduce heat under pot to low. Stir in soft cream cheese and heavy cream until smooth. Watch closely: Don’t boil now or cream may separate! Just heat through.

Cheese Heaven (3 mins): Turn OFF the heat (crucial!). Gradually sprinkle in cheddar, stirring constantly. Pro move: Adding cheese to boiling liquid makes it grainy. Off-heat melting = velvety perfection. Stir until it’s a luscious orange pool.

Thicken It Up (Optional – 2 mins): If using xanthan gum, sprinkle it evenly over the soup while stirring briskly with a fork. Let it sit 2 mins – it thickens as it rests! No clumps allowed: Always whisk xanthan into cold liquid first if unsure, but my sprinkle method works here.

Bacon Bliss (1 min): Ladle into bowls. Top with crispy bacon crumbles. Extra joy: A sprinkle of extra cheddar or chives? Yes please!

Dishing Up the Cozy

Serve this beauty piping hot in deep, pre-warmed bowls (run ’em under hot water first!). For that café-worthy touch, drizzle with a tiny swirl of heavy cream and place a tiny steamed broccoli floret on top alongside the bacon crumbles. Pair it with my 3-Ingredient Keto Cheddar Biscuits for dunking or a simple side salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut the richness. Rainy day? Curl up with this soup, fuzzy socks, and your favorite show – pure comfort!

Shake Up Your Soup Game!

Buffalo Chicken Twist: Stir in ½ cup shredded rotisserie chicken + 2 tbsp Frank’s RedHot with the cream. Top with blue cheese crumbles!

Loaded Cauliflower Style: Swap half the broccoli for cauliflower. Top with crispy chopped bacon, sour cream & chives.

Spicy Southwest: Add ¼ tsp cumin + ¼ tsp smoked paprika with onions. Stir in diced green chiles. Top with avocado!

Dairy-Free Delight: Use coconut oil, coconut cream, dairy-free cream cheese & Violife cheddar shreds. Skip xanthan or use 1 tsp arrowroot.

Protein Powerhouse: Add ½ lb browned ground sausage or diced ham with the broccoli for a hearty meal-in-a-bowl.

Madison’s Kitchen Confessions

Okay, real talk: The first time I made this, I got overzealous with the xanthan gum and created broccoli cheddar pudding. Lesson learned – start small! Now, I often skip it entirely and let the cream cheese and reduction work their magic. This recipe also sparked “The Great Cheese Debate” in our house – my kid loves mild cheddar, my husband demands extra-sharp. Compromise? I blend both! Over the years, I’ve added the bacon topping (game-changer) and learned frozen broccoli works just as beautifully as fresh for busy nights. It’s evolved into my ultimate “I need a hug” meal. Pro tip: Double the batch! It freezes like a dream for emergency comfort cravings.

Soup SOS: Fixes & FAQs

Help! My soup is grainy/lumpy. Don’t panic! Graininess usually means the cheese got too hot. Remove from heat before adding cheese next time. For lumps, use an immersion blender for 3 seconds (don’t over-blend!). A fine-mesh strainer can save lumpy broths too.

Can I make this vegetarian/vegan? Absolutely! Swap chicken broth for rich vegetable broth. For vegan: Use plant-based butter, full-fat coconut cream, dairy-free cream cheese, and vegan cheddar (Violife shreds melt beautifully!). Skip bacon or use coconut bacon.

Is the xanthan gum necessary? Not at all! It just gives a thicker, “bistro-style” consistency. Without it, your soup will be slightly thinner but still delicious. Simmering an extra 5 minutes helps reduce it naturally.

How long does it keep? Store cooled soup airtight in the fridge 3-4 days. Reheat GENTLY on low, stirring often (don’t boil!). Freeze portions for up to 2 months – thaw overnight before reheating.

Nourishment Breakdown (Per Serving – Makes 4)

Calories: ~290 | Protein: 15g | Fat: 24g | Net Carbs: 4g | Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 20 mins

This Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup isn’t just a recipe—it’s a game-changer for those chilly nights when you crave something rich, comforting, and low-carb. With only 4 net carbs per serving and ready in just 20 minutes, it proves that keto can still deliver the creamy, cheesy goodness we all love. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick meal or preparing for a cozy night in, this soup will always have your back, and it’s easy to make, with endless ways to customize it to your taste.