If you have never tried Instant Pot soup recipes before, you must give it a try, and this Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe is the perfect one to start with. This was inspired by my favorite soup at Panera Bread - the broccoli cheddar soup.
Lots of kids are not fond of vegetables or broccoli in particular, but they will try this soup because of it's cheesy flavor. This is so simple to make and takes hardly any time.
If you do lots of Instant Pot cooking, check out these Must Have Instant Pot Accessories and our German Potato Soup in the Instant Pot.
If you are looking for more ways to cook broccoli, you will also enjoy this Make Ahead Broccoli Rice Casserole.
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Why you'll love Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Tastes rich and creamy with a wonderful cheesy flavor
- Pressure cooking means it's done in 25 minutes and packed with intense flavor
- Tastes like the soup from Panera Bread at a fraction of the cost
Ingredients
- salted butter
- fresh broccoli florets
- carrots
- celery
- onion
- water
- heavy cream
- sharp cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
How to make this broccoli cheese soup recipe
To prepare the Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup, begin by dicing and chopping the celery, carrots, onion and broccoli.
Set the pressure cooker to the Saute function, add butter and melt. Next, add the onions, carrots and celery to the pot and stir for a few minutes until the onions have softened. When that happens, turn off saute function. Then add broccoli and water to the pot and stir.
Now it's time to let the Instant Pot work it's magic! Close the lid and seal it. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes is up, do a manual release.
Set the Instant Pot to the Saute function again. Add the heavy cream and stir. Continuing stirring until the cream has warmed.
For this recipe you can use diced cheese or shredded. Whatever you have on hand will work.
Add the cheese into the pot, continuing to stir until the cheese has melted.
Now you can use an immersion blender to make the soup less chunky. If you prefer your soup to have a little more "bite" to it, you can leave it as is.
Once the cream and cheese have warmed and melted, this Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup is ready to serve. I like topping this with some shredded cheddar and serving it with some oyster crackers. This would go great with a grilled cheese sandwich.
If you have any leftovers of this soup, it is best reheated on the stove.
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 2-3 carrots, chopped
- 2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
- ½ onion, diced
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 8 oz sharp cheddar
Instructions
- To prepare the soup, begin by dicing and chopping the celery, carrots, onion and broccoli.
- With the Instant Pot on Saute function, add butter and melt. Add onions, carrots and celery to the pot and stir for a few minutes until the onions are softened. When finished turn off saute function.
- Add broccoli to pot along with the water and stir.
- Close and seal lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes is up, do a manual release.
- Return the Instant Pot to the saute function. Add the heavy cream and stir. Continuing stirring until the cream has warmed.
- If you are using a cheese block, dice the cheese into small pieces. Shredded cheese will also work for this recipe just fine!
- Add the cheese into the pot, continuing to stir until the cheese has melted.
- Now you can use an immersion blender to make the soup less chunky. If you prefer your soup to have a little more "bite" to it, you can leave it as is.
- Once the cream and cheese have warmed and melted, this is ready to serve. I like topping this with some shredded cheddar.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using online calculators. Your nutrition facts may vary depending on numerous factors.
Frequently asked questions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove for best taste.
You can use frozen broccoli in this recipe also.
I love serving this soup with some crusty bread and a side salad.
Natalie
This broccoli cheddar soup looks and sounds so comforting and delicious - such a great idea for dinner on colder days 🙂
Katie
I am always amazed at my instant pot and the flavors it can combine so quickly! This recipe with all of the cheese and cream is definitely one of the best!
camila
this recipe is perfect for back to school season, because it's so easy to make and still nutritious and delicious!! love it@
Jill
I am a total newbie with my Instant Pot. Took me a long time to jump on the bandwagon so to speak. But I definitely want to try this soup in it now!
Lisa Huff
Love that you can make this soup in the Instant Pot, so easy!
Krissy Allori
This is so much better than the store bought versions of broccoli cheddar soup! So delicious!