Broccoli and Stilton Soup (5-ingredient Recipe) (2024)

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✅ 6 reasons why you'll love this recipe:

• Tasty, warming, healthy and satisfying. Mellow, earthy broccoli and punchy creamy Stilton are a winning combination.
• 30 minutes of cooking and prep time
• Requires just 5 ingredients
• No waste - uses broccoli stalks as well as florets
• Make ahead and freezer friendly
• Puts leftover Stilton (or other blue cheese) to good use

🛒 Ingredients and variations:

This tasty soup requires just 5 core ingredients (plus a little salt and pepper to season)

1. Onion
2. Butter
3. Veg or chicken stock
4. Broccoli
5. Blue Stilton

Butter:

This is used to sauté the onions. You can use olive oil or neutral oil instead but I recommend butter because it adds a nice richness to the soup.

Broccoli:

One humble head of broccoli, including the stem (weighing around 500g / 18oz) will give you four portions of soup. I strongly suggest using the stalks and florets, just remember that stalks take longer to cook, so you'll need to cut them up into smaller pieces.

Broccoli florets and tender-stem broccoli are also fine to use and if you've got a few leftover stalks on your hands, you can make this soup with stalks only. Frozen broccoli is also an option, but note that it will have a higher water content so you might want to use less stock.

Stock:

Homemade or store-bought chicken or veg stock are all fine. I tend to use veg Bouillon powder and Oxo is also a good shout. Just remember that stocks can vary when it comes to the amount of salt they will add to a soup, so it's best to add additional salt at the end to taste if needed.

Blue Stilton:

Blue Stilton is easy to find in most UK supermarkets, but other blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola or Roquefort will also work.

🧑‍🍳 Broccoli & Stilton Soup in 4 easy steps

1. Fry the onion

Place a large saucepan or Dutch oven on a medium heat and add butter. Add the onion when the butter starts to sizzle and sauté for a few minutes until soft and translucent.

2. Simmer the broccoli

Add the broccoli florets and stalks, pour in the stock and simmer for around 20 minutes until the broccoli is tender and you can easily put a fork into them.

Top tip: Broccoli stalks take longer to cook so you will need to cut them into small pieces. I suggest no more than 5mm / ¼ inch wide and a few centimetres or a couple of inches long.

3. Blend

Use a stick or countertop blender, puree the soup until smooth and pour it back into the pan.

4. Add Stilton and season

Return the pan to the stove and place on a low heat. Stir in the Stilton and add salt and pepper to taste then serve immediately or leave to cool and refrigerate or freeze to enjoy later.

Soup consistency

This recipe will give you quite a thick soup. Feel free to add more stock if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Serving suggestions

This rich, creamy and flavourful soup doesn't call for much more than some simple bread on the side, but there are a few toppings you can add if you want to jazz it up a bit:

• Crumbled Stilton pieces
• Steamed broccoli florets
• A dash of cream
• Croutons
• Toasted nuts or seeds
• Chilli flakes

👍 Top tips

1. Fry the onions in butter - oil will work too, but butter adds a nice richness to the soup.
2. Use the stems as well as florets - it reduces food waste and saves you money so there's no reason not to. Just remember to cut them up nice and small as they will take longer to cook.
3. Add salt at the end to taste - the amount of salt you need will vary depending on the stock used. I've provided the amount I usually add as a rough guideline, but I strongly recommend tasting the soup first.

🙋 FAQs

What is the history of broccoli and Stilton soup?

Although the origins of broccoli and Stilton in the UK both date back to the 18th Century, Broccoli and Stilton soup is a modern recipe that came about in the late 20th century. It's now a very popular classic British dish, with many agreeing that earthly broccoli and the sharp rich taste of blue cheese are a winning combination.

What is stilton?

Stilton is an English blue cheese that originated from the village of Stilton in the East of England in the mid-18th century. It has a strong tangy taste, blue veins and a distinctive crumbly texture. Stilton features on most British Christmas cheeseboards and is also a key ingredient in a number of recipes including soups, quiches, sauces and salads.

What is the best type of blender for soup?

Handheld stick blenders, countertop liquidisers and food processors will give you good results. However, stick blenders are the most convenient option because you can insert them straight into the pan and they are easier to clean afterwards.

Is broccoli soup healthy?

Because broccoli is rich in vitamins C and K and potassium, most soups where broccoli is the key ingredient can be considered a healthy and nutritious choice. Broccoli soups, containing heavy cream or cheese, can be high in fat and should be enjoyed in moderation.

How can you thicken broccoli and Stilton soup?

When it comes to soup consistency, it's best to be conservative with the amount of liquid you add because it's much easier to make a soup thinner by adding stock than it is to thicken it. However, you can do a few things to thicken soup, including adding heavy cream or more cheese and adding a roux or slurry. Just remember that these methods can alter the taste, so you might need to adjust the seasoning afterwards.

📦 Storage

This soup is excellent for batch cooking and making ahead.

It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure you leave it to cool completely on the counter before placing it in the fridge. Then when you're ready to eat it, you can reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

You can freeze the soup for up to 3 months. Just portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags and place it in the freezer once cool. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

😋 Check out my other soup recipes

Soups are warming, nutritious and are often great make-ahead meals. If you enjoyed this recipe you should check out my other tasty soup recipes.

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📖 Recipe