If you’ve had any of my cauliflower recipes, you know that I’m a big fan of roasting cauliflower before using it in recipes. I love the extra flavor that roasting creates without adding much extra work. But if you’re looking for cauliflower soup recipes that don’t require roasting, try my cheesy cauliflower soup instead!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for roasted cauliflower soup, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Cauliflower – You’ll need about 6 cups of raw florets, so choose a large head, or two smaller ones. You could also use leftover air fried cauliflower. If you have extra cauliflower, use it in a vegetable soup recipe next. Oil – I used olive oil for roasting the cauliflower and sauteing the garlic. Avocado oil works fine, as well. For extra flavor, you can also use butter instead of oil for sauteing the garlic, since this is quick and the butter won’t get the chance to burn. Garlic – Fresh minced garlic cloves have the best flavor, but you can use 2 teaspoons of jarred minced garlic instead. Fresh Thyme – Adds flavor! Feel free to experiment with other herbs here; rosemary, chives, or Italian seasoning also work well. If you replace the fresh thyme with any type of dried herbs, use 1 teaspoon dried herbs in place of 1 tablespoon fresh herbs. Broth – I use a reduced-sodium store-bought or homemade chicken broth to control the salt to taste. You can also use chicken bone broth, or use regular chicken broth and decrease the amount of salt in the cauliflower soup recipe. Vegetable broth works as well, for a vegetarian option. Cream Cheese – Makes this a creamy cauliflower soup! Cut the cream cheese into small cubes to melt into the soup more easily. If needed, you can use a vegan / dairy-free cream cheese, or substitute coconut cream, though the flavor will be different. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Make Cauliflower Soup
This section shows how to make roasted cauliflower soup, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Variations Of Cauliflower Soup
I kept this cauliflower soup recipe simple, with just six ingredients, but you can also change it up by making additions or changing the cooking method: To do this, use a slotted spoon to remove some florets before pureeing, then return to the soup afterward. They add an extra burst of flavor and texture!
Bacon – If you have already cooked bacon in the oven, air fryer bacon, or microwave bacon, you an simply chop it up and add it to the soup. If you don’t have any ready to go, you can cook raw bacon in the dutch oven on the stove, before sauteing the garlic. You can also chop the raw bacon and add it to the cauliflower when roasting, like I do for bacon brussels sprouts. Veggies – Try onions, carrots, or celery. Saute them first, before adding the garlic and thyme. If you don’t want them pureed, remove them before adding the cauliflower, then add back in at the end. Lemon – Add a teaspoon of lemon zest or a splash of lemon juice at the end. Vegan – To make this cauliflower soup vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and choose a vegan cream cheese (or sub coconut cream). Spicy – If you like heat, add a kick with crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce. Slow cooker – Make this recipe for cauliflower soup ahead with your Crock Pot! Roast the cauliflower and saute the garlic and herbs (like above), then combine everything in the Crock Pot and cook for 3-4 hours on Low. Add the cream cheese at the end using an immersion blender.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Meal prep: You can definitely make this cauliflower soup recipe ahead of time. Alternatively, you can also roast the cauliflower ahead of time, so that the day you make it, all you have to do is simmer and blend. Reheat: Warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, or in the microwave. If it separates, puree with an immersion blender again to bring it back together. Freeze: You can freeze roasted cauliflower soup for up to 3 months. If you’re making it with the intention of freezing it, I would recommend leaving the cream cheese, which can separate when thawing (you can add it in after thawing and reheating). Alternatively, if you need to freeze leftovers, you can do so even if you added cream cheese, and just plan to run it through a blender before eating. Either way, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What To Serve With Cauliflower Soup Recipes
Cauliflower soup recipes make a comforting starter before just about any main dish, or serve them with a healthy salad for a meal. Try these serving ideas:
Croutons – These add a nice crunchy contrast on top. You can use regular ones if they fit your lifestyle, buy gluten-free ones, or make your own. Salad – An artichoke salad perfectly complements the flavors in roasted cauliflower soup, but you can also make a bright Mediterranean salad with chickpeas or a winter salad full of fall and winter flavors. For a classic soup-and-salad meal, the simplest option is a chicken Caesar salad. Chicken – Serve cauliflower soup as an appetizer to asparagus stuffed chicken, cornish hens, or for a sweet twist, honey garlic chicken over rice (or cauliflower rice if you have a lot of cauliflower to use up). Or, make a complete meal of Instant Pot chicken and rice. Fish – After a comforting bowl of soup, serve a light meal of buttery pan seared salmon or flaky baked tilapia with some sauteed vegetables on the side.
More Easy Cauliflower Recipes
Looking for more ways to enjoy cauliflower? Here are more easy, flavor-packed cauliflower recipes to try: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Ebook Bundle and Winter Ebook Bundle!
