When I first started eating healthier, soup became my go-to meal for eating out because in my mind, it felt healthier. In retrospect, it was not. The soups I fell in love with were often overloaded with salt and cheese. Similar to all those salads that should be healthy but after a hefty handful of cheese and ranch, are not. One of my favorite soups was and still is broccoli cheddar. If two ingredients were ever meant to be together it's broccoli and cheese. Of course, sometimes I just want the creaminess of the broccoli soup without the cheddar. That's where this soups comes in. It uses the stems of the broccoli to add heft to the soup. Then ginger, lemon, and just a splash of coconut to round out the flavors. Between this broccoli soup and this bok choy soup, I'm set for winter.
PrintBroccoli Soup with Ginger and Lemon
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 small heads of broccoli, with stems
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 3 to 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup coconut milk
toppings
- coconut milk
- scallions
- sesame seeds
- roasted broccoli
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚ F. Remove broccoli florets from the stems and cut into small pieces. Peel the stems, discarding the outside, then dice stems and set aside. Toss with ½ tablespoon olive oil and spread into a single layer on a sheet tray. Roast until broccoli is tender and starting to brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
- While the broccoli is roasting, heat olive oil over medium low in a medium stock pot. Add in minced shallots. Cook for roughly 4 minutes then add in the ginger, cooking for one more minute. Stir in the broccoli stems followed by 3 cups of broth, lemon zest, juice, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until stems are tender and roasted broccoli is done.
- Add in the roasted broccoli, reserving a few smaller pieces for topping the soup. Transfer to a blender puree the soup. You will want a solid blender for the job (high-powered if you have it). If soup is too thick, add enough vegetable broth to thin it down to a good consistency.
- Transfer the soup back to the pan if using a blender and add in the coconut milk. Heat the soup over low until ready to serve.
- Divide soup into two bowls and top with the saved roasted broccoli, sesame seeds, scallions, and extra coconut milk.
Notes
+ make sure the stems are cooked through and if you blend the soup and find the texture not smooth, pass the soup through a sieve before returning to the pot.
Variations for the Broccoli Soup
This recipe I cook as is, with only minute changes. For me the differences are in the small details, like the shallots and toppings.
Shallots: I try and keep shallots on hand but I can almost guarantee I have onions and garlic. Either would work in this soup.
Coconut Milk: This soup is perfect for using leftover coconut milk but it's rare I'd open a can just for this soup. I've been known to use heavy cream and add a few toasted coconut flakes on top to keep the flavor.
Toppings: One of my favorite toppings for this soup I didn't have on hand, but pickled ginger is also great on top.
Featured Ingredient: Broccoli
Roasted broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables prepared in my favorite way. I love this broccoli soup because there's no waste. A few of my other favorite roasted broccoli recipes are:
Roasted Broccoli Peanut Noodles
Broccoli Almond Pesto Pasta
Broccoli Salad with Tahini Dressing
Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen} says
Fab alternative to broc and cheese! This looks incredibly reviving 🙂
Fox Kitchen says
Yummy, I love broccoli and ginger, but I haven't thought of combining them! Sounds delicious
Sammie says
This soup sounds perfect for keeping warm, nourished and full of vitamins during the cold winter months AND it looks delicious. I adore broccoli, it really is one of my very favourite veg. I am going to try this soup. Thank you for sharing the recipe and the toppings. Sammie.
Rachael says
I made this tonight and it was delicious! No idea why I don't roast broccoli more often! Thanks
Amelia says
This sounds super cleansing and delish!
Tori says
Total deliciousness! This is a bowl of soup with my name written all over it. Yum!
Ms. Becky says
Heretofore my favorite recipe for broccoli soup has been Anna Thomas'. I'm trying this recipe this week because it seems as though, based on ingredients, it will be a winner. Thanks for sharing this. have a fun day!
Barbara (BarbB) says
This sounds amazing. I can't wait to try this.
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
Soup is the food of my soul! I love that this isn't overloaded with cheese, which is often the case when it comes to broccoli soup. Happy Monday!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
I love the detox and anti-inflammatory elements of this gorgeously green soup. Pinning!
★★★★★
Sarah | Well and Full says
This soup looks so good, Erin! And I know this is such a food blogger comment but I love the bowls they're photographed in too 🙂
Natasha says
This looks so delicious and is the second amazing broccoli recipe that I've found today! xx
★★★★★
Julia says
I made this and I ended up with a ton of inedible fibers in the soup. Should I have cut off an inch from the bottom of the stems or something?
★★★
erin says
I actually think you will need to peel the outside of the stem. I forgot to do this when testing this recipe but I didn't notice because I use a high powered blender (which purees everything smooth no matter). I've added instructions to peel the stalks before cooking. Sorry about this! (also, if you think you are using older/longer stalks- you could also try trimming them.)
Tiffany says
Erin
I can't wait to make this. Have you ever tried making any kind of soup with fresh or dried tarragon? I have been try been trying to find new ways to use tarragon. Any suggestions?
Tiffany
★★★★
Valerie says
My daughter loved this broccoli soup!! Roasted broccoli is so delicious. Can't eat enough of the stuff. Thanks for including the variations for the recipe - I found them very useful. 🙂
I think my broccoli soup recipe is ready for a makeover! (http://doubletherecipe.com/2016/04/18/broccoli-soup/)
Lady Janet says
This is a lovely recipe. Its perfect for my family food time-table. I can't wait to try it with my kids. Awesome post, thanks for sharing.
Bec says
I would. Ever have thought of combining lemon and ginger with broccoli - can't wait to try these flavors! Thanks.
Citlali says
It is really tasty. I leave out the ginger due to personal preferences, but this is a damn good soup!
★★★★★
Joanna says
I made this soup, additionally
added chilly. Very nice combination if you like a bit of kick 🙂
Fran says
Always welcoming to an anti inflammatory recipe! I enjoyed the soup but will do it without lemon next time, personally it didn’t sit well for me!
Mandy says
I wouldn’t make this soup unless you have a high powered blender. Using my stick blender it came out bitty. It tasted awful and I had to throw it away. Yuk.
★
Erin Alderson says
I'm sorry you had this experience but I specifically call this out in the recipe- the broccoli stalks are tougher than the florets and need a heavy hand (or in this case blender) to get smooth.
Emma says
This is my favourite soup and I’ve fed it to guests on multiple occasions and they all loved it. I serve it with warm pitta bread and sometimes some roasted chickpeas on top to make it a bit more filling. Thanks!!!
★★★★★
Gajra says
This is just such a simple and delicious recipe. A must try if you want a light soup to fill your belly!!!
★★★★★