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How long to cook broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot depends on your setting: about 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low gets you a creamy, tender pot of soup.
The exact cook time for broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot can shift a little depending on your slow cooker and how small you chop your broccoli.
But honestly, this soup is forgiving, so you don’t need to hover over it.
In this post, we’ll walk through how long to cook broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot, what affects the timing, and how to avoid a grainy or separated soup.
Let’s get cooking.
How Long to Cook Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Crock Pot
Here’s the short answer for how long to cook broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot:
1. On High: 3 to 4 Hours
If you’re short on time, cooking broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot on high takes about 3 to 4 hours.
The broccoli should be fork-tender by the 3-hour mark, and the flavors will have had time to meld.
This is the setting I reach for on weeknights when dinner needs to happen fast.
2. On Low: 6 to 8 Hours
Cooking broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot on low takes roughly 6 to 8 hours.
Low heat gives the soup a slower simmer, which deepens the flavor and keeps the broccoli from turning to mush.
It’s perfect if you want to start it in the morning and forget about it until dinner.
3. When to Add the Cheese
The total cook time for broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot isn’t the whole story, because the cheese goes in at the very end.
Stir in your shredded cheddar during the last 20 to 30 minutes on low, and don’t let it boil after that.
High heat is what makes cheese turn stringy and separate, so this step matters.
What Affects Crock Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup Cook Time
No two slow cookers behave exactly the same, so the time to cook broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot can vary a bit.
Here’s what makes a difference:
1. The Size of Your Broccoli Florets
Small, bite-sized florets cook much faster than large chunks.
If you’re wondering how long to cook broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot when your broccoli is chunky, add an extra hour on low or 30 minutes on high.
2. Your Slow Cooker’s Size and Age
A large crock pot that’s only half full runs cooler, so the soup may need closer to 8 hours on low.
Older slow cookers also tend to run hotter, which can shorten the cook time for broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot.
3. Fresh vs. Frozen Broccoli
Frozen broccoli works fine, but it releases extra water as it cooks.
That added liquid can stretch the crock pot broccoli cheddar soup cook time slightly and thin out the soup.
If you use frozen, thaw and drain it first, and cut back on the broth by about half a cup.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Getting the timing right is half the battle, but these tips make the soup even better:
1. Shred Your Own Cheese
Pre-shredded cheddar is coated in anti-caking agents that keep it from melting smoothly.
Grate a block of sharp cheddar yourself and your broccoli cheddar soup will come out silky instead of grainy.
2. Toss the Cheese in Cornstarch
Lightly coat the shredded cheese in a tablespoon of cornstarch before adding it.
This simple trick keeps the cheese from clumping and helps thicken the soup as it finishes cooking in the crock pot.
3. Add a Splash of Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk adds richness without the risk of curdling the way heavy cream can in a slow cooker.
Stir it in with the cheese at the end, and your soup will taste like it simmered all day, even if it didn’t.
So, How Long to Cook Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a Crock Pot?
How long to cook broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot comes down to 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low, with the cheese stirred in during the final 20 to 30 minutes.
The exact cook time for broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot can shift depending on your slow cooker and how small you chop your broccoli.
But with these tips, you’ll have a creamy, comforting pot of soup ready right when you need it.
Hope this post has helped you nail down how long to cook broccoli cheddar soup in a crock pot so dinner turns out perfect every time.