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Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a fan favorite Instant Pot soup recipe. When made right, this soup is thick, flavorful, and rich, with the perfect balance between the sharp cheddar cheese and broccoli. This Pressure Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe is all of those things. We love it. I hope you do, too!
Originally published 2/9/2018
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Today’s recipe is one that speaks to so many of you. The classic Broccoli Cheddar Soup made in the Instant Pot.
It is an easy soup recipe to make, and it is creamy, cheesy, and so comforting!
Should we all sing the SNL broccoli song? Just me? I guess you have to be a goofball like me to sing “CHOPPING BROCC-O-LI!” at the top of your lungs while making this! Easily entertained, I know.
I like to use frozen broccoli because it cooks up faster and softer. If you want to use fresh, you might need to cook just a little longer.
Which Cheese is the Best for this Soup?
- To get the creamiest results, grate/shred your own cheese. The stuff in the bag has a coating on it to prevent it from sticking to itself and doesn’t melt as well.
- You will want to use a nice sharp cheddar cheese for the most flavor. At the very least, a good quality medium cheddar.
- Be sure to add the cheese when the pot’s heat is not turned on, as cheese can get grainy when boiled.
Does Broccoli Cheddar Soup freeze well?
- Yes it does! Let it cool completely before freezing it. Try to freeze in portions versus all in one big container.
- Best results for reheating is by letting it thaw first, and reheating on a med-low heat, slowly.
I hope you enjoy this pressure cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup, it’s pretty easy to make, and faster than many other recipes.
Instant Pot Easy Tomato Soup
Instant Pot Mulligatawny Soup
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Instant Pot Posole – Pork Stew
If you make this yummy Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup, please leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d love to know how you liked it!
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- 1 small Onion, diced
- 1 large Carrot, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 1 small Potato (optional), peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (or ¾ tsp table salt)
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth, low sodium
- 1 teaspoon Chicken Bouillon (such as Better Than Bouillon®)
- 1 ½ lbs Broccoli Florets, fresh or frozen (chopped, about 6-8 cups)
To Thicken
- ¼ cup Flour
- ¼ cup Butter
To Finish
- 6 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
- 4 oz Monterey Jack or Medium Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
- 2 cups Half and Half
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients, and prepare all of the vegetables, and shred the cheese. It's easier if you have it all ready to go.
- Turn on the pot's Sauté setting. When hot, add the butter and olive oil. Then add the onion and cook for a few minutes.
- Add the grated carrot and the potato (if using) and cook for a minute to soften.
- Add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and garlic powder. Cook for a minute, stirring.
- Add the broth and stir.
- Add the broccoli, but don't stir. Put the lid on and lock it in place. Set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
- Cancel the Sauté function. Then press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial. Then the +/- to select 3 minutes (High Pressure).
- When the cooking cycle is finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 10 minutes (10 minute Natural Release). Then slowly at first, in bursts, Quick Release the remaining pressure by turning the steam release knob to the Venting Position. Turn off the pot.
- When all of the pressure is released and the pin in the lid has dropped, open the lid.
- Use a potato masher to mash up the veggies well. If you want a creamier consistency, use an immersion blender.
- Mix the flour and butter together in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 15 seconds. Then mix very well until it is smooth.
- Turn the Sauté setting back on and mix in the flour/butter mixture and stir until it starts to thicken.
- Add the cheeses and stir in. Cancel the Sauté function and add in the half and half. Stir well.
- Taste and adjust salt, if necessary.
- Serve with some nice bread.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Resources to make this recipe and more
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Loved this! I did not have enough broccoli for 6 cups so I added cauliflower and it worked. Just got your cookbook today so I am marking all the recipes I have tried and loved. Thank you so much!!
That’s great, Barbara! Thank you!
I shall definitely be making this soup again and again! Delicious and easy! I’m not great with an instant pot but I was with this recipe. My husband who DOES NOT like broccoli soup, said yes to this. Thank you!
Hi Sandy,
Great recipe as usual. But here is a tip I learned for thickening soup. Use instant potato flakes. Works great and tastes better than a flour or cornstarch roux. Just stir a couple of tablespoons in at the end of the cooking time till you get the consistency you want. (This way you can leave the potato out of the recipe too)
Happy cooking!
PattiAnn
Hi I am trying to make this recipe and hit a roadblock. I’m sorry this is probably really stupid but how do you chop frozen broccoli? Did you thaw it, chop it, then refreeze it?
I would just toss it in as is. You can blend it after it cooks and has cooled down a bit.
Will this work, as is, in the 3 qt. Mini? If not, can everything be halved. Actually, would prefer halving everything, if possible. Since someone indicated the soup should not be frozen, and there is just me, I just can’t see doing a full recipe!
Yes, you can halve the recipe for the Mini. Keep the cook time the same.
Sandy,
I need to triple this recipe because I’m cooking for a bunch of guys tonight. I have 2 IP’s (6qt and 8qt). I have 2 hours to get this on the table. How do you recommend I proceed?
Thanks,
Mark
Do a double batch in the 8 qt and a single in the 6 qt. Cook times stay the same. Good luck!
Hi there, as a new instant pot user, can you fit a double batch in the instant pot? Thanks !
HI Kerri, I would try 1 1/2 batch, then see how much that makes.
I uswd squash instead of carrot and potato. Excellent!
It was delish…my roommate & I both loved it. I used fat free Half and Half and it turned out great.
Thank you so much for this easy recipe of such delicious soup. I made it twice, with and without potato – first time with broth left over from cooking chicken with veggies in intapot, and second time with chicken broth. They both turned out great, but classic version with chicken broth and without potato was our favorite.
That’s nice! Thank you for your review!