Creamy Broccoli Soup Croutons (Printable)
Velvety broccoli soup enriched with cream and golden croutons for a comforting meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large head fresh broccoli, cut into florets
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
05 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
→ Liquids
06 - 4 cups vegetable broth
07 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Croutons
09 - 2 cups day-old bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Seasonings
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ To Serve
15 - Fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped
# Step-by-step:
01 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
02 - Add the broccoli florets, diced potato, and sliced carrot to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
03 - Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until all vegetables are very tender.
04 - While the soup simmers, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bread cubes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss and cook often until golden and crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside.
05 - Once vegetables are tender, use an immersion blender to puree the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, transfer carefully to a standard blender and process in batches.
06 - Stir in the heavy cream and dried thyme. Heat gently over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes without boiling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top generously with golden croutons and garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour, which means you can go from craving comfort to eating it while it's still steaming.
- The croutons add this satisfying crunch that makes every spoonful feel intentional.
- It's humble enough for a Tuesday night but elegant enough if someone unexpected drops by.
02 -
- Don't skip blending—the potato and broccoli create natural creaminess, but only if they're completely broken down into the liquid.
- Taste before adding cream, because seasoning is easier now than trying to fix it afterward when it's already rich.
- Make the croutons last so they stay crisp; if they sit in moisture too long, they soften back into bread.
03 -
- Make your croutons in a cast-iron skillet if you have one—they brown more evenly and get crispier.
- An immersion blender is genuinely worth having just for moments like this; it's faster, easier, and creates a silkier texture than even a stand blender.