Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

This Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup is loaded with cheesy flavor but is completely dairy free! Make it in the instant pot or on the stovetop for a quick comfort food meal you’ll love. 

Creamy, Cheesy, Comforting, and Dairy Free! Do you all love soup as much as I do? Whether it’s Instant Pot Lasagna Noodle Soup, Creamy Hungarian Mushroom Soup, or Curried Cauliflower Rice Kale Soup, it always hits the spot!

I admit that vegan broccoli cheese soup has a special place in my heart. You see, I grew up eating broccoli cheese soup but definitely not the vegan kind. I mean the type of easy broccoli cheese soup that is loaded with all the buttery, cheesy goodness we all love. 

Even now, just the smell of it brings up fond memories and takes me back to my childhood. However, you know what else I remember about this dish? The immediate tummy ache I had after inhaling a bowl! Yet, I always went back for more.

Yikes! Can you relate?

Needless to say, when I adopted a gluten free (and mostly dairy free) lifestyle, broccoli cheese soup is one of the meals I missed the most. So, I decided to recreate this classic comfort food with a vegan twist! After all, I believe in balance and enjoying the foods we love, making modifications to help them become just a little more allergy-friendly along the way. So, I swapped out the dairy, added a few nourishing ingredients, and created the perfect instant pot broccoli cheese soup! 

Just like the real deal, it has all of the flavors you remember. Plus, it’s super easy to make. Heck, I’m even giving you a stovetop option just in case you don’t have an Instant Pot! Does life (or dinner) get any better than that? Keep reading to find out how it’s all possible below! 

How to Make Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup (2 ways)

Initially, I created this instant pot broccoli cheese soup for an easy dinner ready in minutes. Once I perfected that version, I decided to make a stovetop version, too to help meet all your needs! Although the processes are similar, they aren’t identical. So, be sure to read how they’re done below.

Cheese sauce with ease, no matter which cooking method you choose, my secret to creating easy broccoli cheese soup is my super simple vegan cheese sauce recipe! It comes together with nutritious plant-based ingredients and no cooking required! It comes out super creamy just like real cheese so the picky eaters in your life will never know the difference. 

Vegan Cheese Sauce Ingredients: 

• Cauliflower
  
• Carrot
  
• Potato Starch (or Cornstarch)
  
• Nutritional Yeast
  
• Vegetable Broth
  
• Seasonings

Instructions: 

• Steam. To begin, steam the cauliflower and carrot on the stovetop or in the microwave until they are tender. 
  

• Blend. Once soft, transfer the veggies to a blender, add the remaining ingredients, and blend them on low. Slowly increase the speed of the blender until you reach the highest setting and the ingredients are completely smooth. 

Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup 

• Pulse.  To begin, pulse your broccoli in a food processor until it is diced. Or, dice it by hand, using a knife.
  
• Sauté. Add oil, onion, and garlic to the Instant Pot, and let them sauté for 2 minutes or until they are fragrant. Then, add the broccoli and vegetable broth, and stir to combine. 

• Cook. Once all of the ingredients have been added to the pot, close the lid, and manually pressure cook for 1 minute before setting the Instant Pot to natural release.
  
• Stir. Remove the lid, and add in the cheese sauce, coconut milk or non dairy cream, and slurry. Add salt and pepper to taste, and mix the ingredients until they, slurry, and salt and pepper to taste. Then, stir to combine.
  
•  Warm. Place the lid back on the pot, and let the soup warm for 10-15 minutes or until the desired temperature is reached. 

Stove Top Broccoli Cheese Soup

• Pulse.  To begin, pulse your broccoli in a food processor until it is finely diced. Or, dice it by hand, using a knife.
  
• Sauté. Add the oil, onion, and garlic to a large pot on medium heat, and let them sauté for 2 minutes or until they are fragrant. Then add in the broccoli and broth, and stir to combine.
  
• Simmer. Reduce the heat to low, and let the ingredients simmer for 8-15 minutes or until the broccoli is soft.

• Add Ingredients. Stir in the remaining cheese sauce, coconut milk or non dairy cream, and slurry. Add salt and pepper to taste, and mix the ingredients until they are well-combined. 

• Simmer. Reduce the heat to low, and let the ingredients simmer for about 10 minutes or until your vegan broccoli cheese soup has thickened.

Tips for the Best Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup

Don’t Blend the Broccoli. You want to dice or pulse your broccoli into small pieces, but make sure not to completely pulverize them! If you do, your soup won’t have any texture. 

Add Shredded  (Dairy Free) Cheese. For extra cheesy flavor, try topping your easy broccoli cheese soup with dairy free shredded cheese! I prefer chickpea-based brands, but any dairy free cheese works. 

Use Non Dairy Cream or Coconut milk. To create a rich, creamy flavor, be sure to use either coconut cream or coconut milk. Opting for a non-dairy milk substitute such as almond milk will not create the rich flavor we’re looking for and will result in a super thick broccoli cheddar soup. 

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Do you guys have any comfort food meals you’d love to have an allergy-friendly version of? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share if you try this vegan broccoli cheese soup, too! 

Cheers, 

LC