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
Kara S says
I made this soup (version 2) tonight and it was DELICIOUS! I followed the recipe exactly and the texture and taste were perfect. I served it with french bread for dipping – amazing fall dinner! Thanks for the recipe!!
So very happy you liked it Kara!
Jenna says
Delicious and simple! I followed this recipe (version 2) to a tee and it came out wonderfully. A hit with the whole family. I’ve now made it 3 times in just a month. Thank you for a new go-to recipe :)
So glad you liked it!
Patricia says
I made Version 2. Absolutely delicious. Thank you.
Kayla says
Would it be okay for me to double this recipe? I would like to take it to Holiday Potluck!
I haven’t tried doubling this Kayla. If you try that, let me know how it goes!
Karen C says
I saved this recipe about a month ago, after a recommendation from a friend. Finally got around to making it V2 tonight. Yummo! I used NSA chicken broth, but otherwise did the rest of the recipe as written.
Delicious, but after a couple testing bites I thought it tasted like it was missing a just a little something. So I added 1tsp of garlic powder & 2C cooked & shredded chicken just before serving.
Will definitely be making it again!
Glad you liked it Karen!
Barbara says
I made this with frozen broccoli and it was delicious. Has anyone ever doubled the recipe.? I would like to make it for a party but need around 8-10 servings.
Emily says
Delicious and easy to prepare! Thank you for the recipe😊
So glad you liked it!
Rhonda Koch says
I made this soup (version 2) a lot last year, absolutely love it!!! It was a big hit in my house.
I decided to make it again, but I can’t seem to find version 2???? Please help
Thanks
Hi Rhonda! I’m so happy you liked it! I took out the different versions and just went with the one that everyone seemed to have the best results with, version 2. So that is what you will find in the printable recipe card.
Lisa says
I just made this soup yesterday. Started it at 2:30 was ready by 7:00. I followed the recipe exactly, it was delicious! Best recipe yet I have tried for broccoli/cheddar. I will be making this time and time again!
I’m so happy you liked it Lisa!
Alexa says
Do any of the measurements need to be changed if excluding the carrot?
Are you thinking of replacing the carrots with anything? They make up a decent amount of the recipe, so if you leave them out the soup will be a lot thinner. I would suggest adding more broccoli.