Description

This comforting and creamy Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe makes an easy and delicious meal perfect for chilly days. Using a slow cooker allows the flavors to meld beautifully while the broccoli becomes tender and the shredded cheddar melts into a rich, velvety soup. Made with fresh or thawed broccoli, diced onion, celery, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, and sharp cheddar cheese, this soup is a hearty and satisfying dish that pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or garlic sticks. Ready in under 6.5 hours with minimal hands-on prep, it’s perfect for a cozy lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

4 cups broccoli, diced small (fresh or thawed frozen)
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy

4 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (preferably hand shredded)
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Liquids & Broth

4 cups chicken broth

Thickening Agent & Seasoning

2 tablespoons cornstarch
Salt, to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
Black pepper, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)

Instructions

Prepare the vegetables and crockpot: Cut the broccoli into small bite-sized pieces. Dice the onion and celery finely, and mince the garlic. Add the broccoli, butter, onion, celery, and minced garlic into a 6-quart crockpot.
Make cornstarch slurry and combine: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the crockpot over the vegetables and butter. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cook low and slow: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours. Cooking time may vary depending on your crockpot model. Check for tenderness by piercing broccoli pieces with a fork—they should be soft but not mushy.
Add cream and cheese: After the vegetables are tender, stir in the heavy whipping cream and shredded cheddar cheese thoroughly. Replace the lid.
Melt the cheese on high heat: Increase the crockpot setting to high and cook for an additional 30 minutes. This will ensure the cheese fully melts and the soup becomes creamy without separating.
Final stir and serve: Give the soup a good stir before serving to incorporate any settled ingredients. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread or your favorite bread side.

Notes

To prevent soup separation, add cheese and cream only at the end of cooking.
If the soup is not thick enough, make additional cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch to 2 tablespoons water or broth) and add gradually until desired consistency is reached.
Frozen broccoli can be used but should be thawed beforehand for best texture.
For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
Hand shredding cheese results in smoother melting compared to pre-shredded cheese.
Soup leftovers keep well in an airtight container refrigerated up to 5 days; add broth when reheating to adjust thickness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on low plus 30 minutes on high
Category: Soup
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Broccoli Cheese Soup, Crockpot Soup, Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup, Cheddar Soup, Easy Soup Recipe, Comfort Food, Broccoli Soup, Cheesy Soup