Vegan Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Total time4 hr 15 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time4 hr

This slow-cooker soup builds its flavor base low and slow, letting onion, garlic, carrots, and plenty of broccoli florets turn completely fork-tender before getting a partial blend right in the pot — so you end up with a texture that's creamy in spots and chunky in others, exactly how a good broccoli soup should be. Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and a hit of cayenne give it a warm, savory backbone that keeps every spoonful interesting. The hands-off slow cooker method means most of the work is just walking away, and a quick stovetop thickening step near the end brings everything together into a velvety, spoon-coating consistency. Ladle it into bowls with crusty bread or crackers on the side for a cozy, satisfying bowl that fits neatly into a plant-based rotation. It's the kind of soup that tastes like it simmered all day, with rich, comforting flavor in every bite.

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Ingredients

6 servings

1 medium yellow onion, diced
Large Yellow Onion Organic Yellow Onions Kroger® Yellow Onions in 3lb Bag Oragnic Yellow Onions Yellow Onions
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3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 lb broccoli florets, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Chef's tip
Use the same amount of low-sodium vegetable broth. The dish will be a little lighter in flavor than with chicken broth.
1 tsp dijon mustard
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
¼ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated (about 2 cups)
Chef's tip
Shred it and warm it gently; dairy-free cheddar melts best baked into a dish.

For the roux

3 tbsp unsalted butter
Chef's tip
Use a stick or block-style dairy-free butter - not a soft tub spread - and swap one-for-one.
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
Chef's tip
Use plain, unsweetened soy milk, measured 1:1. It's one of the most reliable milk swaps and works in sauces, custards, and baked goods. For hot or acidic drinks, a barista-style soy milk resists curdling.

For serving

crusty bread or crackers, for serving (optional)
Omit this
This ingredient likely doesn’t work for the diet.

Instructions

1
Add the onion, garlic, carrots, broccoli florets, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir to combine.
2
Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 hours, until the broccoli and carrots are completely tender and easily pierced with a fork.

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