Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe (Better Than Quiznos)

This Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Soup is rich, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness—without the extra carbs! A cozy, satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week.

If you think soup is boring, this Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Soup is here to prove you so wrong. 

It’s thick, creamy, cheesy, and packed with all the cozy flavors you love—without all the unnecessary carbs. Because let’s be real, we’re here for the cheese, the rich broth, and the perfectly tender broccoli, not a ton of fillers!

This isn’t your watery, sad, diet soup. Nope. This is next-level comfort food—the kind that makes you want to wrap yourself in a blanket, grab a spoon, and ignore all responsibilities for a solid 30 minutes. 

And with all that melted cheddar goodness, buttery flavor, and velvety texture, no one will even notice it’s low carb.

So whether you’re meal-prepping for the week, trying to sneak in more veggies, or just looking for an excuse to eat a bowl full of melted cheese, this soup has your back. Let’s get cooking!

If you’re looking so for something to pair with the broccoli cheese soup, my homemade 6 Ingredient Vegan Beer Bread tastes amazing with it!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS LOW CARB BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

• Thick, Creamy & Ultra-Cheesy – This is not some sad, watery soup—it’s rich, velvety, and loaded with melty cheddar goodness.
• Low Carb Without Sacrificing Flavor – Who needs extra carbs when you’ve got butter, cheese, and perfectly cooked broccoli?
• Easy to Make – No complicated steps here—just chop, sauté, simmer, blend, and enjoy.
• Great for Meal Prep – Make a batch and have a warm, comforting meal ready to go all week long.
• Super Satisfying – With cheese, cream, and fiber-packed broccoli, this soup keeps you full and happy.
• Customizable – Add chicken for extra protein, use heavy cream for a richer texture, or swap in a different cheese to make it your own!
• Cozy Comfort Food Without the Guilt – It’s warm, indulgent, and packed with flavor—all while keeping things low-carb and nourishing.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE KETO BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP

You will need the following handful of ingredients listed below to make this low-carb soup (the exact measurements, nutritional information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

• Butter – olive oil will also work to saute the onions and garlic.
• Onion
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Fresh Broccoli
• Flour – this will yield a thicker soup, which we all love in a soup recipe. However if you want more of a keto version you can skip the flour for a less creamy texture.
• Half and half – if you can only find heavy whipping cream you will need to adjust this recipe and use a lot less with added water.
• Chicken broth – vegetable broth will also work here for a vegetarian option. Or can also use homemade broth.
• Salt & black pepper
• Shredded cheddar cheese – sharp cheddar cheese, marble cheese, or any other similar type of cheese will work. A pre-shredded cheese is best to save time.
• Nutmeg
• Optional – cream cheese, little garlic powder, red pepper flakes, cauliflower florets, extra cheese, etc.

HOW TO MAKE THIS LOW CARB BROCCOLI SOUP

Dice up your onions and garlic very small. They chop up your broccoli, making sure the broccoli florets are small, and chopping the broccoli stems into very small pieces.

Melt butter in small saucepan then saute onion in it. When onions are golden, stir in the garlic and broccoli and cook for 3-4 minutes, then set aside.

In a large pot melt the rest of the butter and add in flour over medium heat. Heat for 4-5 minutes stirring constantly with a whisk.

Add the heavy cream and the chicken stock and simmer for 15-20 minutes until it has thickened.

Add the onion, garlic, and broccoli mixture as well as the carrots. Cook over low heat for another 25-30 minutes until all veggies are tender.

Add lots of salt & pepper and pour half the mixture into a blender to puree the soup (or you can use an immersion blender). Return the soup to the pot and add grated cheese, then stir well.

Keep soup over low heat and stir in the nutmeg. Enjoy!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TRADITIONAL BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

With the creamy melted cheese surrounding chunks of broccoli, it is no wonder this is a classic comforting soup, especially during the cold winter season.

A small salad such as a Strawberry Balsamic Spinach salad would pair beautifully with this because of the sweetness. Cheese scones or cornbread would also be a delicious option.

The other option would be a turkey avocado bacon panini or another type of warm comforting sandwich.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

• Chop the Broccoli Small – Cutting the florets into bite-sized pieces and finely dicing the stems ensures even cooking and a smooth, creamy texture.
• Grate Your Own Cheese – Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting properly—freshly grated cheddar makes all the difference!
• Sauté for Extra Flavor – Cooking the onions, garlic, and broccoli in butter first adds depth and richness to the soup.
• Blend Half for the Perfect Texture – Want a thick, creamy soup with some chunky goodness? Blend half the batch and mix it back in for the best of both worlds.
• Simmer, Don’t Boil – Keep the soup at a gentle simmer when adding dairy to prevent the cheese from separating and turning grainy.
• Use Heavy Cream for Extra Indulgence – If you want a richer, creamier soup, swap the half & half for heavy cream.
• Adjust the Seasoning – Add extra salt, black pepper, or a pinch of nutmeg to balance the flavors.
• Make It a Full Meal – Add shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked sausage, or crumbled bacon for extra protein and heartiness.
• Store It Right – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove for the best texture.

STORING LEFTOVER BROCCOLI CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP

• Refrigeration: Store leftover hearty soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Warm it gently over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently. If it thickens too much, add a splash of broth or half & half to loosen it up.
• Avoid Boiling: High heat can cause the cheese to separate, so stick to a low simmer when reheating.
• Freezing: While possible, freezing dairy-based soups can change the texture and make it slightly grainy when thawed. If you do freeze, use a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Single-Serving Portions: For easy meal prep, divide the soup into individual containers before storing.

FAQS

HOW LONG DOES BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

This keto broccoli cheese soup recipe will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat leftover soup, add the soup to a small pot and warm over low heat or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

CAN YOU FREEZE BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP?

Yes, you can freeze this healthy broccoli cheese soup! Simply let it cool to room temperature, then freeze flat in freezer bags or in a freezer safe container.

Thaw it in the fridge completely the night before using.

WHAT ARE SOME GREAT ADDITIONS TO THIS CHEESY SOUP?

Try adding bacon crumbles, shredded rotisserie chicken, or a little cream cheese for a richer texture. Panera Bread could never!

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO OTHER LOW CARB SOUP RECIPES?

This cheesy soup is one of the best low-carb soup recipes because it’s thick, creamy, and packed with flavor—not watery or bland like some keto soups.

CAN I MAKE THIS IN AN INSTANT POT OR SLOW COOKER?

Absolutely! For the Instant Pot, sauté onions and garlic on medium-high heat, then add everything except cheese and pressure cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Stir in cheese after cooking. 

For the slow cooker, add all ingredients except cheese, cook on low for 4-6 hours, and stir in cheese before serving.

IS THIS LOW CARB BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP GOOD FOR A KETO DIET?

Absolutely! This is a keto or low carb diet dream—high in healthy fats, protein, and low in carbs while delivering the best flavor.

Other Delicious Recipes For Dinner You May Want To Try!

• Taco Bell Crunch Wrap Supreme
• Viral TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl With Seaweed
• Copycat Starbucks Spinach Feta Wrap
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Gnocchi
• Keto Greek Salad Recipe
• Low Carb Big Mac Salad Bowl
• Low Carb Spaghetti Squash Recipe With Meat Sauce
• Shrimp Rice Paper Rolls With Easy Peanut Sauce
• Peach Tomato Feta Salad
• Easy Air Fryer Hamburgers (Quick And Juicy)
• Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Bites
• Easy Creamy Coconut Shrimp Recipe
• High Protein Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza
• Caprese Pasta Salad
• Strawberry Quinoa Salad Recipe
• Easy Ground Turkey Enchiladas

IF YOU TRIED THIS KETO RECIPE PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS THICK SOUP ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails