Description
This creamy Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a comforting and quick recipe perfect for a cozy meal. Made with fresh broccoli, carrots, onion, and sharp cheddar cheese, it’s rich, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes. The Instant Pot pressure cooking infuses the vegetables with flavor and tenderness, while the corn starch slurry ensures a thick, velvety soup. Perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner, this soup serves 8 and can be garnished to your liking.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 cups broccoli, chopped very small
- 1 ½ cups carrots, shredded or chopped very small
- 1 onion, diced
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids & Dairy
- 4 cups broth (use 3 cups for a thicker soup)
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings & Thickeners
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ cup corn starch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables and Combine: Chop all vegetables (broccoli, carrots, onion, and garlic) very finely and place them into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Add in the broth, unsalted butter, paprika, sea salt, and cracked pepper. Stir everything well to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Pressure Cook the Soup Base: Seal and close your Instant Pot lid, turning the vent to the ‘sealing’ position. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high (called ‘manual’ on Instant Pot models) for 1 minute. Allow the pot to build pressure, cook, and then naturally cycle through the pressure release until complete. Once done, perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure safely.
- Add Cream, Cheese, and Thicken: Open the lid and stir in the half and half along with the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated. Meanwhile, whisk together the corn starch and water until smooth and free of lumps, then gradually add this slurry into the soup. Switch the Instant Pot to the ‘sauté’ setting and gently heat the soup while stirring until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the soup immediately with your favorite garnishes such as additional cheese, croutons, or fresh herbs for a delicious warm meal.
Notes
- If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the broth to 3 cups instead of 4.
- For a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender after pressure cooking before adding cheese and cream.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a more pronounced cheesy flavor.
- Garnish with freshly cracked pepper or chopped parsley for added freshness.
- This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
