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!
I’m so excited to be partnering with Crystal Farms® Cheese to make this soup cheesy in the most delicious way possible!
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, turn your slow cooker to HIGH FOR 30 MINUTES, and 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. I love using Crystal Farms® Cheese. There really are differences in cheeses, and for this soup to be good, you want to make it with a high quality cheddar, like Crystal Farms. 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!
Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets cut into small bite sized pieces
- 1/2 yellow onion diced small
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 3 TBSP unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (see note)
Instructions
- Combine the broccoli, onion, shredded carrots, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in the slow cooker and cook on low for four hours.
- Turn the slow cooker to high.
- In a small saucepan melt the butter. Slowly whisk in the flour. Get a cup of liquid from the slow cooker. Very very slowly add it to the sauce pan whisking it in as you go. Then very slowly whisk in the half and half.
- Add the shredded cheese to the roux mixture a little at a time until it is fully melted and combined.
- Add the cheese sauce to the crock pot and stir it in to combine.
- After it is fully combined, serve and enjoy!
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!