This Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup is simple and so delicious! Made in the crock pot with fresh ingredients, make it once and it will become part of your dinner rotation!
Are you ready for the most mind-blowing Broccoli Cheddar Soup ever?
This recipe has:
- Comes together easily in your slow cooker.
- Has minimal ingredients.
- Even less hands on time.
- Has the best, most amazing flavor you could ask for.
Should we make it??
How to Make Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup
This Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup is so easy to make.
Start by adding carrots, onions, broccoli, chicken stock (or vegetable stock), and a few spices to your slow cooker.
Cook on low for four hours.
NOTE! If you like your Broccoli Cheddar Soup to be completely smooth, now is the time to blend it. I choose not to blend mine.
At the end of the cook time, create a roux on the stovetop. This is going to add the thick creamy backbone to the soup. It is worth the five or so minutes it will take. (See the section below on tips and tricks for making a roux.)
Next add cheddar cheese to the roux. There really are differences in cheeses, and for this soup to be good, you want to make it with a high quality cheddar. It’s at the heart of the flavor of your soup, so it’s the way to go.
Add the shredded cheese to the roux and then add the cheesy roux to the slow cooker.
And that’s it! So simple, right?
How to Make a Roux
As I mentioned above, the backbone of this soup is the roux. Without it, you don’t get the creaminess that you are likely expecting from this soup.
These tips will help:
- Let the butter melt completely over low heat and then whisk in the flour.
- Cooking the flour/butter mixture for 30 seconds before adding any liquid adds a nice flavor to it.
- Using the cooking liquid from the crock pot is a nice trick that makes for an incredibly flavorful soup.
- When you add the stock, add just a little at a time to start over medium heat. It helps it combine more evenly.
Shred Your Own Cheese
You have likely heard me say this so many times. It is worth the extra five minutes to shred your own cheese. It melts much much better than a bag of pre shredded cheese.
Leftovers
This soup is best served right away, but if you have left overs (you won’t), heat it over low heat on your stove top!
Other Great Soups
I have a great recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Soup on the stove top if you forgot to start your slow cooker!
My Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup is delicious comfort food.
I love how easy my Slow Cooker Vegetable Meatball Soup is!
If you make this soup or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know!
Recipe Video
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets (227 grams)
- 1/2 medium yellow onion diced small
- 2 cups shredded carrots (200 grams)
- 4 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock (236.6 ml or 453.6 grams)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (42.4 grams)
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour (40 grams)
- 1 cup half and half (236.6 ml or 227 grams)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese see note (226 grams)
Instructions
- Combine the broccoli, onion, shredded carrots, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours (or on high for 2 hours).4 cups broccoli florets, 1/2 medium yellow onion, 2 cups shredded carrots, 4 cups chicken stock, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- At the end of the cook time, make the sauce on the stovetop. To do this, you will need to pull 1 cup of the broth from the slow cooker. See note about blending.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk the butter into the flour to make a roux. Let the roux cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Then slowly whisk in the broth you took from the slow cooker. While you want to add this slowly, it shouldn't take more than a minute. Then whisk in the half and half.3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/3 cup all purpose flour, 1 cup half and half
- Add the shredded cheese to the roux mixture a little at a time until it is fully melted and combined. Then add the sauce to the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Serve and enjoy!2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Notes
Laura says
This recipe was a big hit! I made it as comfort food for a girls’ night and it was so delicious. Everyone loved it and I’ve shared the recipe. Thank you so much!
You are so welcome!
Baylee says
Are you able replace the cheddar with marble?
You can really use any cheese that melts well.
Casey says
Can I use whole milk instead of half & half in this recipe? Thanks
It will be just a little less creamy since whole milk has a lower fat content than half and half, but it will still be delicious.
Linda says
I just made your slow cooker broccoli cheddar soup and the family loved it! Will definitely make it again. Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear it, thank you for coming back to let me know, Linda!
Kim says
Made The Broccli cheddar soup but used heavy cream in place of half and half and did not have carrots ( wished I had some )but used red and orange pepper in place.
Rebecka says
Made this soup and it was great, but a little thin. How could I thicken the soup just a little?
You could add a bit less stock less time, or leave the lid on the slow cooker slightly ajar while cooking.
Elaine says
This is a family favorite! I’ve probably made it over a dozen times. We’re vegetarian so we use”chicken-less” broth. Sometimes comes out a bit thin but a cornstarch slurry helps ☺️
I’m so glad you like it!
Susie says
Can you add chicken to this?
Sure! I would probably just toss in some cooked shredded chicken at the end.
danielle mintz says
can frozen broccoli be used?
Yes, but I would suggest not thawing it first and consider that it will add more liquid to the recipe.
roze says
I rate this 5 stars just to read it and the ingredients. I am going to make this for sure. It looks so yummy. I’m sure I’ll come back and report my outcome. Thank you for sharing this.
I hope you enjoy it!