Silky Homemade Cream of Vegetable Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Chilly evenings call for a comforting cream of vegetable soup that warms you from the inside out.

Hearty and packed with nutritious ingredients, this creamy blend captures the essence of home-cooked comfort.

Vibrant vegetables mingle together, creating a silky smooth texture that dances on your palate.

Each spoonful promises a rich, velvety experience that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

The recipe balances delicate flavors with robust nutrition, making it a perfect meal for any time of day.

Ladle this soul-warming soup into bowls and watch as smiles bloom around the dinner table.

Dive into this delightful culinary adventure that promises to nourish both body and spirit.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 3

What Goes In Cream Of Vegetable Soup

• Onion: Builds a robust flavor foundation with its sweet, aromatic profile, choose firm and glossy bulbs for maximum taste.
• Garlic: Adds depth and pungent undertones, select plump cloves without sprouts or soft spots.
• Carrots: Provides natural sweetness and vibrant color, pick firm, bright orange roots without blemishes.
• Celery: Contributes subtle earthy notes and crisp texture, look for bright green stalks without wilting.

• Potato: Creates creamy thickness and hearty substance, select starchy varieties like Russet for smooth blending.
• Broccoli: Offers nutritional density and distinctive green flavor, choose tight, deep green florets.
• Cauliflower: Adds subtle nutty undertones and silky texture, pick compact, white heads without brown spots.
• Zucchini: Brings mild, fresh taste and extra moisture, select firm, glossy green squash.

• Broth: Develops rich liquid base, choose low-sodium for better flavor control.
• Thyme: Introduces delicate herbal complexity, fresh sprigs provide more intense aromatics.
• Bay Leaf: Delivers subtle woodsy undertone, remove before blending for clean texture.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety mouthfeel, use high-quality cream for best results.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhance and balance overall flavor profile, adjust according to personal preference.
• Parsley: Provides bright, fresh garnish with mild herbal notes.

Tools For Making Cream Of Vegetable Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for sautéing and cooking all vegetables, with enough space to simmer the soup comfortably.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping all vegetables into uniform pieces for even cooking.
• Sharp Knife: Critical for precisely dicing onions, garlic, carrots, and other vegetables.
• Immersion Blender: Perfect for pureeing soup directly in the pot, creating a smooth texture without transferring hot liquid.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir and mix vegetables while cooking without scratching the pot.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Useful for accurate measurements of broth, cream, and seasonings.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup into individual bowls cleanly and evenly.

Simple Steps For Cream Of Vegetable Soup

• Flavor Foundation

In a large pot, warm olive oil or butter over medium heat. Toss in chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced carrots with celery. Let these ingredients dance and soften, releasing their aromatic magic for about 5-7 minutes.

• Vegetable Symphony

Add a colorful mix of chopped potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini. Gently stir and let the vegetables mingle, creating a beautiful medley of textures and flavors for 2-3 minutes.

• Liquid Harmony

Pour in vegetable broth, sprinkle fresh thyme, and drop in a bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Cover and let the soup simmer peacefully for 20 minutes until vegetables become wonderfully tender.

• Creamy Transformation

Pluck out the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to transform the soup into a silky smooth landscape. For those who love texture, blend only part of the soup, leaving some vegetables whole.

• Finishing Touch

Swirl in heavy cream and season with salt and pepper. Warm the soup gently, but avoid boiling. Let the flavors blend and embrace each other.

• Serving Joy

Ladle the soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, add crunchy croutons, or dust with Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of deliciousness.

Helpful Tips For Cream Of Vegetable Soup

• Veggie Flexibility: Swap or add seasonal vegetables like spinach, butternut squash, or sweet potatoes to create unique flavor profiles and maximize nutritional variety.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk, almond milk, or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains creamy richness.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance the soup's nutritional value by stirring in cooked quinoa, white beans, or shredded chicken for a more substantial meal.
• Spice Adventure: Experiment with global flavor boosters like smoked paprika, curry powder, or fresh ginger to transform the basic recipe into an exciting culinary experience.

Ways To Serve Cream Of Vegetable Soup

• Creamy Comfort Station: Top the soup with crispy bacon bits for a rich, savory crunch that adds depth and protein.
• Herbal Harvest Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or dill on top to bring a bright, fresh flavor that complements the creamy vegetable base.
• Bread Buddy Pairing: Serve alongside crusty sourdough or garlic bread for dipping, which helps soak up the delicious soup and provides a satisfying textural contrast.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Grate some sharp cheddar or sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top to enhance the soup's richness and add a tangy flavor dimension.

Store Cream Of Vegetable Soup The Right Way

Keep the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 34 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.

• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Freeze up to 3 months for quick future meals.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm the soup on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth if consistency becomes too thick during reheating.
• Portion Control Trick: Divide soup into individual serving containers before refrigerating or freezing, making meal prep and portion management effortless.

Silky Cream Of Vegetable Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Hearty cream of vegetable soup blends garden-fresh produce with rich, silky textures. Comforting ingredients simmer together, creating a nourishing bowl that connects seasonal flavors and culinary traditions you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 carrots, medium, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 potato, medium, peeled and diced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 cup zucchini, diced
• 1 onion, medium, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups (1 L/1 qt) vegetable or chicken broth
• ½ cup (120 mL/4 fl oz) heavy cream or half-and-half
• 2 tbsps olive oil or unsalted butter
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parsley, fresh, chopped
• Croutons or toasted bread
• Parmesan cheese, grated

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Create a flavor foundation by gently sweating onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in olive oil or butter over medium heat until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Layer Vegetables: Incorporate diced potato, broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini into the aromatic mixture, stirring to distribute heat and develop complex flavor profiles for 2-3 minutes.
3. Simmer and Infuse: Pour vegetable broth into the pot, adding thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, covering and allowing vegetables to tenderize and merge flavors for 18-20 minutes.
4. Transform Texture: Remove bay leaf and use an immersion blender to puree the soup, creating a smooth, luxurious consistency. Alternatively, partially blend to maintain some vegetable chunks for rustic texture.
5. Finish and Season: Gently fold in heavy cream, whisking to achieve a silky smoothness. Calibrate seasoning with salt and black pepper, ensuring a balanced flavor profile. Warm carefully without reaching a boil.
6. Serve and Garnish: Ladle into serving bowls, embellishing with fresh parsley, crisp croutons, or a delicate sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to elevate visual appeal and introduce textural complexity.

Notes

• Choose Fresh Vegetables: Select vibrant, crisp vegetables at peak ripeness to maximize flavor and nutritional value.
• Control Blending Texture: Use an immersion blender strategically to create desired soup consistency – completely smooth or with gentle vegetable chunks.
• Prevent Cream Curdling: Add cream off direct heat and avoid boiling to maintain silky, smooth texture without separation.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Sauté vegetables thoroughly before adding liquid to develop rich, caramelized undertones that elevate overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg