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Crockpot broccoli cheese soup is rich and creamy. Each bite is the best comfort food and so easy in the slow cooker.
Crockpot broccoli cheddar soup
Broccoli and cheese soup is one of my favorite types of soup. I love all the cheese combined with broccoli in a delicious broth.
You know I love using the crock pot so I came up with the best slow cooker recipe for this soup. It is perfect for busy nights because you can come home to dinner being just about ready.
Everything goes into the slow cooker for a great soup. During the last few minutes, the cheese gets added. It really could not be any simpler.
Each bite is so amazing and I think you will really like this easy recipe.
You may also love Crock Pot Beer Cheese Soup Recipe, 10 Easy Soups or Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. We even like making this Panera Bread Tomato Soup Recipe.
Ingredients:
- broccoli -diced small
- butter
- sharp cheddar cheese- shredded
- onion -diced
- minced garlic
- celery -diced small
- chicken broth
- heavy whipping cream
- salt and pepper
- corn starch
Crock Pot:
You will need a crock pot for this recipe. I used a 6 quart crock pot and it worked great for this recipe.
You can also make Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese soup if you prefer to use your instant pot instead of your crock pot for this recipe.
How to make crockpot broccoli cheese soup:
First, cut the broccoli into small bite size pieces. Add the broccoli, butter, onion, celery and minced garlic in the crock pot.
Second, mix the chicken broth with the cornstarch and stir this mixture into the crock pot.
Finally, cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. The cook time will vary based on your crock pot. Watch closely and it’s ready when the broccoli is tender.
Once everything has finished cooked, stir in the cream and the shredded cheese.
Add the lid back on and let this cook on high for 30 minutes until all of the cheese has melted.
Give everything a good stir before serving and enjoy!
Why did my Broccoli Cheese Soup separate?
This can happen when the temperature is too hot or if you add the cheese and milk too soon in the cooking process.
We suggest adding the cheese and cream right before serving and this should help to make sure the soup does not separate.
How do you make broccoli cheddar soup thicker?
The initial cornstarch slurry should do the trick. However, if the soup is still not thick enough, more can be added.
Just make another slurry with cornstarch and water or broth and add to the mixture. To make a slurry, you typically use a 1 to 2 ratio.
For example, if you use a tablespoon of cornstarch, you will use 2 tablespoons of water.
Can you use frozen broccoli?
Yes, you can. I suggest letting it thaw out first though.
Either fresh or frozen can be used.
Serving ideas:
Bread is a must when eating broccoli cheese soup. I always love to dip the bread into the delicious sauce. It is heavenly.
These are a few favorites and they are all super easy. You could also pick up a loaf of French bread at the bakery.
Either way, you definitely need some crusty bread to serve with this recipe.
- Easy Dinner Rolls
- Garlic Bread Cheese Sticks Recipe
- How to make homemade garlic bread
- Bread Bowl Recipe
- Also check out What to Serve with Broccoli Cheese Soup for more sides ideas
Learn how to freeze bread and you can just grab it from the freezer to eat with soup.
More ideas to try:
- Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
- Add carrots to the mixture. I like to use really thin pieces of carrots. The combination of the broccoli, carrots and cheese will taste just like Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
- Frozen or fresh broccoli works fine in this recipe.
- Evaporated milk can be used instead of heavy whipping cream.
- Try adding a little bit of garlic powder to the soup.
Tips and tricks:
- Try to hand shred the cheese. Pre-shredded bags of cheese don’t melt as smoothly in the soup. The consistency is much better when you shred the cheese yourself.
- Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 5 days. You’ll need to add more chicken broth to the soup when reheating as the soup will thicken as it cools.
- Prior to adding the heavy cream and cheese, you can use an immersion blender if you prefer. Using this will make the soup really smooth and creamy if you don’t like the large pieces of broccoli. Just do what you prefer.
- Freeze this soup to enjoy later. Just let it cool completely before freezing and then make sure to store inside an airtight container.
How to Store:
Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 4-5 days. The soup will thicken as it set so add more broth to the soup when reheating to thin it back out.
You can also freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months in a freezer safe bag or container.
Everyone will enjoy this soup!
It has the best flavor and tastes amazing. Broccoli cheddar soup is the best comfort food.
The soup is really delicious and such a great lunch or dinner idea. Serve it with bread and a salad. Another idea is a sandwich.
The possibilities are endless for this delicious soup. I think you will really enjoy it.
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese soup is budget friendly and super easy to make. Plus, it tastes better than what you can buy at the grocery store.
Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Equipment
- Crockpot I use this Crockpot all the time and it's great.
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli diced small
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup onion diced
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- ½ cup celery diced small
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup corn starch
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli into small bite size pieces and place the broccoli, butter, onion, celery, minced garlic, salt and pepper in the crock pot.
- Mix the chicken broth with the cornstarch and stir this mixture into the crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- After this cooking time, stir in the heavy cream and the shredded cheese. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Stir thoroughly right before serving and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
More easy crock pot soup recipes:
- Crock pot Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
- Easy Crock pot Lasagna Soup Recipe
- Ham & Bean Soup Crock pot recipe
- Crock Pot Italian Chicken Soup Recipe
- Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup
- Mexican Chicken Soup Recipe
This makes an easy side dish as well Check out Crockpot Side Dishes.
Making this for the first time now and it’s almost ready! I’m surprised it can be frozen. From what I’ve read, dairy products don’t freeze well. Assuming there’s any left over to freeze, I’m curious to see how it goes. It looks very tasty so far!
Thank you so much Mary! The diary might separate some when it’s frozen but you can defrost it and reincorporate it back to the soup. Let me know how it works out!
Oh my goodness was this fabulous! Have to go to the store later and get more ingredients to make it again tomorrow. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I am making this tomorrow. Do I need to thaw the frozen broccoli first or just put it in the crockpot frozen? Thanks!
Hey JB – It can go in the slow cooker frozen. Let me know how it turns out.
No measurements for ingredients given
Patricia – All the measurements are listed in the recipe card on the post. It’s toward the bottom of the post or you can click on the “jump to recipe” button at the top of the post and it’ll take you right there! I hope you try out this amazing soup and that you enjoy it!
Could I add potatoes to this? How would I adjust the recipe?
Katie – Yes, potatoes can be added to the soup recipe. Dice them into small pieces and add them in at the beginning with the other ingredients. Let me know how it turns out as I haven’t tried this yet!
Excellent – thank you! I made shredded crockpot chicken (2 breasts) the night before and tossed in the chicken in those last 30mins to add some protein. Perfect, hearty soup.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Krista! Thank you for commenting.
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Ashley – Yes, frozen broccoli will work great in this recipe!
Excellent. Personal touch I added
1/8 tsp of nutmeg for extra flavor
1 cup Matchstick carrots
4 oz of cream cheese at the end with the heavy whipping cream and cheese
Very good recipe as is though
Thanks, Michelle! I’m so glad you tried it and enjoyed it.
Did you still use the corn starch or did you substitute the cream cheese for the corn starch
I used lactose free Whole milk and added more cornstarch (to thicken) near the end for a more lactose friendly recipe! I also cut down the cheese by 1 1/2 cups. It turned out so yummy! Thank you!!
Great recipe.
Krista – So glad to hear that it turned out great with lactose free milk. Thanks for trying it and leaving a comment.
32oz of broccoli by weight or volume? By weight looks like twice the amount of by volume.
This is by weight not volume. I hope you try out the recipe and that you enjoy it!
Can you something else besides heavy whipping cream?
Hey Jo – You can use half and half or evaporated milk, but it won’t be as rich. Hope this helps.
I have made the broccoli cheese soup was very very tasty. I will definitely make this more often.thank you for great recipe.
Linda – yay! So glad you enjoyed.
Haven’t made yet- can i add corn and carrots to this?? Will update review next week after making for dinner
Kati – I haven’t tried that yet but I definitely think you can! If you try it out, please let me know how it turns out.
Could u use canned milk in this instead of heavy cream? Could you add bacon?
Jen – You can use evaporated milk if you prefer. However, it will not be quite as rich. Hope you love it as much as we do!
Absolutely delicious & very easy!!! (I did add shredded carrots along with shredding my celery & onion. I also added cayenne & smoked paprika for some heat.)
Stephanie – Thank you for leaving a comment. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it.
I may have already left a review because I made this, for the first time, a few months ago; however, I feel the need to leave another one… if you are like I am and love cheesy broccoli soup..:stop what you’re doing and make this!!! It is the BEST! Just do it!!
Angela – You are too kind. Thank you so much!
My 2 year old son and I are obsessed with this recipe! I love how easy it is. I add carrots and I shred sharp cheddar cheese and it’s soo good! Always love bread with it too.
Mandee – I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for sharing and for the positive review!
So absolutely good!!!!
SC – Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks for sharing.
I’ll be honest–I haven’t made this yet, but I’m so happy to see a broccoli cheddar soup that doesn’t involve Velveeta, that I’m giving it 5 stars just for that!! This is going to be dinner tonight however, and I’m sure it will be delicious!
Yes we love that!
This is the best broccoli cheese soup I have ever had! Heads up, though – I ran this recipe through two different recipe analyzers and at 6-servings it’s WELL over 700 calories per serving (about 750), not 530 like this page says. So, if you’re watching calories this could be important!
I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe Amy. Thank you for sharing and we’ll double check the calorie information on the recipe as well – Thanks!
What is the serving size based on nutrition facts?
It’s difficult to put an exact size on a serving as each batch is different. The entire recipe feed 6 so 1 serving is 1/6 of the entire pot. Enjoy!
I’m about to make this for the first time. I bought a bag of shredded carrots. Do I add those in the beginning with the broccoli?
Yes, add them in at the beginning with the broccoli and it will be delicious! I hope you enjoy this recipe.
I love this soup! Next time I make it I will add less salt, but I it’s delicious ?
I’m glad you enjoyed it Diane! Thank you for sharing and thank you so much for the positive review!
I made this yesterday and it is absolutely delicious! I am enjoying it for lunch for a couple of days now. Thanks so much for such a simple, delicious recipe.
Thank you so much Danielle! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and thank you for the positive review.
This soup is easy and amazing!! My picky eaters loved it and have requested it several times lol, I think my daughter and grandson could eat it everyday… I did add a little extra cheese it was so yummy, will be making this alot especially during the fall and winter months,, everyone enjoy
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it Donna! Thank you so much for sharing and extra cheese always sounds like a good idea to me!
This soup is easy and delicious!!! Just do it, you won’t be disappointed. I have a small (maybe 2qt) slow cooker so I halved the recipe.
Oh… I like carrots in mine so I did add a 1/2 cup of chopped carrot.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Angela! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
I thought I’d reviewed this wonderful recipe…just left another review!! It’s wonderful!!
Thank you, Angela! It means so much that you took the time to leave a comment. I’m so glad you loved it.
Can I skip the celery?
Yes you can. It does add to the flavor of this recipe but can be left out if needed.
I added peppers, ham. carrot. cook 5 hrs slow in instapot
Yum! Those additions sound delicious. Thank you for sharing David.
Was easy to follow, great base recipe! I feel like it could have used a little more seasoning, I’m just not sure of what exactly. I also used my submersion blender to give it a really creamy consistency. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you for sharing Lisa. I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I made the soup,, everything was going great until it got to be time to add the cheese and cream. I stirred it in and it suddenly started to foam and grow. I had to take some out of crockpot because it kept growing!!
What did I do wrong???
Lydia – I’m not sure why this happened. It sounds like your crock pot was too hot, so much sure that it’s on the low setting next time.
This was so delicious, everyone in my family loved it! I ended up making this on the stovetop and it was amazing! I had the broccoli/chicken broth simmer for 20 minutes or so before adding the cream and cheddar. So good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Lisa – Thank you for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
I really enjoyed this soup. It’s easy to make, and comes out very tasty. It even worked well as leftovers. My kids normally don’t eat soup but they ate this one. I will make it again.
Woohoo! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it including the kids! Thank you for the positive review.
Everyone loves this soup. It’s easy to make and comforting to eat.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing and for the positive review Ronda!
Hi! I’m wondering if diced Russet potatoes can be added to this? If so, when in the cooking process should they be added?
Yes, you can add in diced potatoes. I would add them in the beginning with the other ingredients in the crock pot and cook them until the potatoes are tender (approximately 4-6 hours on low). Let me know how it turns out!
This is my husband’s favorite broccoli cheddar recipe. I’ve used it to make soup for 100 people, and it always gets rave reviews. (Yes, I have a lot of crockpots.)
Thanks for posting!
Thanks for sharing Bekki! I’m so glad your husband and you enjoy it!
This soup is good and it was really easy to make. I cooked mine for four hours. Then I added the cream and I used white cheddar cheese. I would recommended anyone who wants an easy Cheddar Brocoli Soup recipe to make this one. Enjoy!
Thank you for commenting! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve made this a couple of times and it’s so easy and very delicious! I will make this again and again this winter during these cold days.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the positive review Ginny!
I followed the recipe and it turned out perfectly! Super easy for someone as busy as me and very flavorful. ?
Thank you so much Kelly for the positive review – I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Since my husband will only eat raw broccoli, I chopped the broccoli up finely in the food processor. I do this with onion and he never knows he’s eating it. Lol I only cooked for 4 hours, then added the cheese and cream. He loved it! It helped I used extra sharp white cheddar. One of his favorites. Anyone with picky eaters, either try the food processor or an immersion blender.
I do that too! Love it!
Delicious! I did about half the pepper, 1/2c less of water, and pureed the soup with an immersion blender before adding the cream and cheese. Will definitely make again! (I’ll probably do a little less salt next time too)
Has anyone made with vegetable broth?
I haven’t tried it yet but I think it would be delicious!
It was very easy and delicious!
My son and my 88 yr old mom(plus my 5 ) grandkids loved it?
What if you don’t have corn starch, what can I use instead?
Xantham gum would work great or you you can use flour but make sure to dissolve the flour in water before adding to the crock pot.
Used frozen broccoli and onion, did not add celery and substituted half and half for the heavy cream. I also added garlic powder and shredded carrot. We loved this thank you.
Have you ever used frozen broccoli?
Yes, frozen broccoli works great in this recipe.
Loved this recipe added carrots and 1 potatoe using it again today ?
I love this soup! I changed it a bit. I use a tin of evaporated milk and a pint of half and half instead of the whiping cream and I don’t put the celery in.
This is really yummy — will definitely make again! I added some shredded chicken breast (cooked) at the same time as the cream and cheese. Added an extra cup of broth because of the chicken addition.
Oh I love that idea! I’ll have to try adding chicken.
I did add a few carrots. I used fresh garlic. I always use unsalted chicken broth. I also had some cauliflower that I needed to use up so I made a double batch and I put the half of the broccoli half the cauliflower, I’ll let you know how all this turns out.
Sounds delicious! I hope you enjoyed it!
Just wondering, I read the recipe, but when do you add the salt and pepper? I presume when you add all the other veggies. It really is no big deal.
Just curious. I’m still making it so I can’t rate it yet.
So sorry for the confusion. I add the salt and pepper into the crock pot with the broccoli. I have updated the recipe with that information.
Best broccoli and cheese soup ever and so easy to make
I made this for the first time, and everyone loved it…except it was too salty. Next time I’ll use unsalted or low sodium chicken broth and wait on adding salt until after tasting.
I made this recipe twice first time with fresh broccoli second time with frozen broccoli and I think the fresh broccoli way is the best way!
The flavor was amazing! I added garlic powder like was mentioned in the text above as well!
It came out a little to saltie, what can I do too cut the salt
Adding an acidic ingredient will help reduce the saltiness. I think a little lemon juice or white vinegar would reduce the salt flavor.
Good with oyster crackers which add some salt.
Awesome recipe! I added some diced ham and shredded carrots. Yummm!
Yum! That sounds amazing! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
This recipe is a keeper, for me! I had to make a few subs based on what I had on hand but followed it as written for the most part and it’s a hit.
How much carrot do I use and when should I add it to the recipe?
I don’t use any carrots in this recipe. The topping on the should is shredded cheddar cheese in the photos.
What do you think about adding rice to make it heartier but a little less rich? If you think it might work when would you add it and would you increase the broth?
Yes you can stir in cooked rice towards the end. You could try uncooked rice as well but it will need to cook longer.
For some reason when I made it, it tasted really bitter. Not sure why.
I don’t know why I would.
How many servings does this make?
This recipe serves 6.
Can you use frozen broccoli or does it need to be fresh?
Frozen Broccoli will work great.
I am excited to try this! Sounds delicious. I was wondering do you think I could use frozen broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. I would defrost it fully before using in this recipe.
All I can say is “Wow”… This recipe was not only easy, but absolutely delicious ?. Totally customizable to your family… trying different cheeses, or even a combination of a few favorites… Thank you for your amazing sight, and helping us all get food on the table!!! ?
This soup was delicious! The only issue I had was too much liquid for 6 qt crock pot. It may be because my broccoli was semi frozen and extra water came off. I just scooped out liquid before adding cheese and whipping cream. I added 1tsp of garlic salt, 1tsp of celery salt, 1 tsp of regular salt, and 3 tsp of onion powder. The seasoning was perfect! Everyone loved it!
Thanks for sharing! Yes, I’m guessing the frozen broccoli added more liquid to the crock pot.
Can you cook on high for shorter cook time?
Yes you can cook high for 3-4 hours.
Has anyone tried to use Velveeta for cheese instead of cheddar and how did it turn out? I made this before using the cheddar and it was good, but not as creamy.
If it isn’t as creamy with cheddar make sure you are had shredding the cheese that will help. But I think velveeta would be good.
Great recipe! Will make it again!
This was soooo good!! My family loved it! My husband doesn’t usually care for broccoli cheese soup but he said it was delicious. I didn’t have celery so I subbed for celery seed I had on hand. I also didn’t have cornstarch so I can a roux with AP flour and butter. Still came out so tasty!
I’m so glad you loved it. We love this recipe.
This sounds so delicious and I’m actually gathering the ingredients to make it right now I’m going to double the recipe as I have extra mouths to feed currently. I’m very excited about it I love broccoli cheddar soup. I plan on following me directions but we’ll have to make two changes, I do not have any celery so I am debating between going ahead and doubling up the onion as I love onion, or just admitting the celery all together. And the second change will be concerning the heavy cream, I do not have enough so I will be making a substitution for each cup by using 1/4 cup melted butter and slowly stirring in 3/4 cup of whole milk. And I I’m planning on serving it with some sort of bread haven’t quite decided which way I’m going with that just yet but I can say this my mouth is watering just thinking about all of it and I appreciate you taking the time to share your recipe I’m sure we will all absolutely love it.
My husband as always said he only eats broccoli raw, then one day he tells me he likes broccoli cheese soup. So I made your recipe he loved it. It was my first time ever eating it. We will make this again. I Am curious, can it be frozen?
Thanks again for this tasty recipe for soup.
Made this for our swim team and it was a hit. It will go into our regular rotation!
I’m so glad you love it!
I used this recipe and won my Souper Bowl competition at work!!
Delicious! This will be a new regular meal for our household. I’ve never made broccoli and cheese soup before and this was easy for me to make. I was nervous at first but it turned out amazing
I love this recipe for a warm winter lunch for company! I use a large crockpot that holds 5 quarts (20 cups) and make 3x the recipe. An emultion blender makes the final product perfectly smooth and wonderful. Thank you, Carrie!
So easy & good! The only small change I made, was I added the smallest amount of sugar to it at the end, about 1 teaspoon! It didn’t make it sweet but helped balance out some of the bitterness!
I have a large family. Can I use a 6qt crockpot if I double the recipe?
This recipe is absolutely perfect! Only thing I did different was chopped carrots instead of celery, onion powder instead of chopped and I added a bit more broth (I had a lot of broccoli). My whole family enjoyed it! Will be adding it to my regular rotation.
So glad you liked it.
Hi! Was going to make this soup and was curious if you could make with frozen broccoli?
Thanks!
Yes, you can.
Did recipe exactly as written ! Seriously , Best cheddar brocolli soup I’ve made . I did use Emerson blender. Great recipe !
Is it common for broccoli cheese soups to have celery? I am absolutely obsessed with this soup this year but I have only gotten it from a cafe/restaurant and I don’t taste celery in theirs. I really don’t like the taste of celery so I’m wondering if I can skip that?
You can leave it out. We have it diced pretty small.
Is this soup able to be frozen?
Yes you can freeze it. Please see our how to freeze soup tutorial – https://www.eatingonadime.com/freezer-tip-how-to-make-your-own-canned-soup/
I made this and my whole family raved about how good it was even my two-year-old and baby ate it I just didn’t use the onion because I didn’t have any and I used heavy cream again just because what I had and it turned out wonderful I would suggest anybody make this it’s great I served it with some rolls and it was a awesome dinner
I’m so glad you loved it! This is one of my favorites.
Hello Carrie,
The Broccoli cheese soup was absolutely amazing! Your directions and hints were perfect for this newbie crock pot cooker.
Thank You, Bernadette in North Carolina
Loved the recipe and thank goodness had all the ingredients except the heavy whipping cream, I did substitute half sour cream and evap milk and was perfect.
Can I cook this on high?
Yes, you can for half the time but I would watch is closely so that the broccoli does not get over cooked.
Have enjoyed your recipes for a long time. Have y had a bad one yet!
Thank you so much!
Turned out GREAT!!
I’m so glad you liked it!
This soup is amazing, so good and easy to make. Thanks Carrie!
I recommend! I have Panera bread and plenty of other cheddar broccoli soups and this one compares if not more delicious and fresh!
I was looking for an easy but yet tasty cheesy broccoli soup and this checked off all the boxes. Very yummy!!!!!
How does this compare to the slow cooker copycat Panera bread version? I have made that one before and its really good. I am planning on making this and am curious. Hoping its just as yummy. Thanks for the recipes Carrie.