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To thicken my broccoli cheese soup, you need to add a thickening agent like a roux, a cornstarch slurry, or extra melted cheese.
The good news is that thickening broccoli cheese soup is easy and doesn’t require any fancy ingredients.
Whether your soup turned out too thin or you just prefer a heartier texture, there are several simple ways to fix it.
In this post, we’ll cover how to thicken broccoli cheese soup using a roux, how to thicken broccoli cheese soup with cornstarch, and a few other tricks that work every time.
Let’s get to it.
How to Thicken Broccoli Cheese Soup with a Roux
A roux is the classic way to thicken broccoli cheese soup, and it’s probably the most reliable method out there.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Make a Simple Roux
Melt two tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in two tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for about a minute until it smells nutty.
This roux is the secret to a beautifully thick broccoli cheese soup.
2. Whisk It Into Your Soup
Ladle a cup of your hot soup into the roux and whisk until smooth.
Then pour that mixture back into the pot and stir.
Simmer for five to ten minutes and you’ll notice your broccoli cheese soup thickening up nicely.
3. Adjust the Consistency
If you want to thicken broccoli cheese soup even more, repeat with another small batch of roux.
Just remember that a little goes a long way, so add gradually.
How to Thicken Broccoli Cheese Soup with Cornstarch
If you’re wondering how to thicken broccoli cheese soup without flour, cornstarch is your answer.
It’s gluten-free and works fast.
1. Mix a Cornstarch Slurry
Combine one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl.
Stir until it’s completely smooth with no lumps.
2. Stir It Into the Simmering Soup
Slowly whisk the slurry into your broccoli cheese soup while it’s simmering.
Keep stirring as it heats because cornstarch needs heat to activate.
Within a few minutes, your soup will start to thicken.
3. Simmer and Watch It Closely
Let it cook for about five minutes, then check the consistency.
Cornstarch can thicken quickly, so don’t walk away.
If your broccoli cheese soup gets too thick, just stir in a splash of milk or broth to loosen it up.
Other Ways to Thicken Broccoli Cheese Soup
Beyond roux and cornstarch, there are a few more tricks to thicken broccoli cheese soup.
1. Add More Cheese
Melting extra cheddar or a bit of cream cheese into your soup does two things.
It adds richness, and it helps thicken broccoli cheese soup naturally as it melts.
Just stir it in over low heat so the cheese doesn’t clump or separate.
2. Mash Some of the Broccoli
If you want a thicker texture without adding anything, mash some of the broccoli florets right in the pot.
The softened vegetables blend into the broth and give your broccoli cheese soup more body.
3. Let It Reduce
Sometimes the simplest fix is to simmer your soup uncovered for ten to fifteen minutes.
As moisture evaporates, the soup naturally gets thicker.
Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t reduce too much.
4. Blend a Small Portion
Ladle out a couple of cups of soup, blend them until smooth, and stir them back in.
This is a great way to thicken broccoli cheese soup while keeping most of the chunky texture intact.
Tips to Avoid Ruining Your Soup
A few small mistakes can turn a good pot of soup into a problem, so keep these in mind.
1. Add Thickeners Gradually
Always add your roux or slurry a little at a time.
You can always thicken more, but you can’t easily undo an overly thick soup.
2. Keep the Heat Low When Adding Cheese
High heat makes cheese turn grainy and stringy.
Stir your cheese in over low heat so your broccoli cheese soup stays smooth and silky.
3. Stir Constantly to Prevent Lumps
Whisking as you add any thickener keeps lumps from forming.
That’s the number one thing to remember when you thicken broccoli cheese soup.
So, How Do You Thicken Broccoli Cheese Soup?
You thicken broccoli cheese soup by adding a roux, a cornstarch slurry, extra cheese, or simply letting it simmer and reduce.
Each method works quickly and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Just add your thickener gradually, keep the heat gentle, and stir as you go.
Hope this post has helped you with learning how to thicken broccoli cheese soup the easy way.