A simple soup that nourishes the body and soul.
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During the winter months in San Diego, when the weather at night can dip into the 40’s (sometimes 30’s!), I find myself craving soup time and time again. In the past seven days, I seriously made three different types of soup and two batches of stock. This Broccoli and Potato Soup was my favorite of the three, and surprisingly, the healthiest as well!
The recipe starts with crisp stalks of organic broccoli. I am making the organic distinction here, because the main flavor of this soup comes from the broccoli, so it’s got to be top notch. That means organic and preferably local. Two pounds of said broccoli get divided and cooked two different ways. The first pound is tossed with olive oil and salt, then roasted until tender, caramelized and aromatic. The second pound is simply added to the soup raw. This split treatment results in the most wonderful depth of flavor (with minimal added effort!). Deep savory notes from the roasted broccoli, and fresh, grassy notes from the raw broccoli. Continue reading for the recipe.
In addition to the broccoli mentioned above, this soup is made with a robust base of onion, garlic, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Five cloves of garlic to be exact. Broccoli and garlic are one of those culinary power couples (Brarlic? Garccoli?). Such a tasty combination. If you don’t plan on making this soup, at least roast up some broccoli with olive, garlic, salt and pepper. It’s a side dish staple at my house.
Sliced potatoes are simmered and blended into the soup for body, and chicken stock provides a comforting, savory back note. Vegetable stock or water would be suitable substitutions if you want to make this vegetarian. Lemon juice and zest are added at the end of the cooking process to lift the soup up out of Murksville, and a final flurry of Parmesan cheese takes this soup over-the-top. If you’re doing the whole paleo thing (which I still do from time to time), you can certainly omit the Parmesan cheese.
Broccoli and Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided (3 for the broccoli, 2 for the aromatics)
- 2 pounds organic broccoli (about 3 medium-sized heads)
- Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups chicken stock (vegetable stock or water would work here too)
- 1/2 pound yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon (a little over 1 1/2 tablespoons)
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve (optional)
Lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 425°F. Trim the broccoli florets from the large, thick stems. Chop florets into large pieces. Peel the tough outer layer from the thick stems, then discard the peels. Chop the peeled stems into large pieces. Divide broccoli into 2 even piles.
- Add the first pile to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, and a few pinches of kosher salt. Roast until tender and caramelized (about 20 minutes), flipping the broccoli occasionally.
- While the broccoli is roasting, start the soup. Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, black pepper, red pepper and large pinch of salt, cooking until the onions are soft (about 5 minutes). Add the stock, potatoes, raw broccoli and 2 pinches of salt, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook until the potatoes and broccoli are just tender (about 10 minutes). Add the roasted broccoli, cover again, and cook for 10 minutes to let the flavors marry.
- Add the lemon zest, and roughly puree the soup using an immersion or regular blender. The soup should have some texture to it. Stir in lemon juice, then season to taste with additional kosher salt, black pepper and lemon juice.
- To serve, divide soup between 4 bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Here are some other comforting soup recipes you can find on Kitchen Konfidence:
Roasted Tomato Soup with Broiled Cheddar
Tomato and Farro Soup
Turkey Chili
Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Curried Chicken Soup [paleo-friendly]
I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
La Torontoise says
Brandon, I love potatoes and broccoli in any combination! Will make this soup tonight. What a surprise for the family!
Greetings from rainy North Europe!!
Brandon Matzek says
Let me know how it turns out. Thanks :)!!
J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats says
Love the half raw half roasted broccoli! When I make carnitas after I shred them I like to take half of them and broil it so its super crispy and leave the other half as is. This is like that but infinitely healthier 😛
Brandon Matzek says
Great idea!! I’ll have to give that technique a try the next time I make slow-roasted pork. I’ve yet to make carnitas from scratch though!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love that we both posted broccoli soup within the last few days….god we’re healthy 🙂 Now let’s go out drinking!! lol Love your soup and it looks perfect!
Brandon Matzek says
I knooooow!!! Thanks Averie. And yes, we need to do cocktails soon. Cancel out all that broccoli 😉
Graham @ Glazed & Confused says
I’m with you on the whole craving comforting foods lately.
This soup looks perfect! 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Graham!
Jameson Fink says
I really like that phrase “lifting it out of Murksville”! The lemon lift at the end is a great idea And, hey, does it really get that cold in San Diego?!? My illusions are shattered.
heather @french press says
the minute I feel falls first cool breeeze, I start craving soup, and this soup looks divine
Arthur in the Garden! says
very yummy!
Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love Give says
I love roasting veggies before adding them to soup – adds such a depth of flavor! This looks fabulous. Definitely adding to the winter rotation.
Liren says
I think I could live on soup. My family sometimes has to remember that they like to chew once in a while, though, so we can’t have soup for every meal, alas. This looks so wholesome and comforting, Brandon! Totally my kind of soup!
Arthur in the Garden! says
All look wonderful! Yum!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Can’t think of a better recipe than this broccoli and potato soup for the cool weather right now. I am so craving a comforting bowl to tuck into!
Julia says
I love a good broccoli soup but never thought to add potatoes. It really sounds hearty and satisfying.
Brandon Matzek says
The potatoes really help to add some good body to the soup. Enjoy!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Roasted broccoli is the only way I want to eat it. This soup needs to happen. It sounds incredible!
Brandon Matzek says
So nutty and delicious. Thanks Anna!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
Broccoli soup is one of my most favourite recipes ever! I love the addition of potatoes (and I love the photography for this meal!)
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Kacey! It’s a favorite of mine too 🙂
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
These are my husbands two favorite soups! So combined into one would be perfect!
Brandon Matzek says
Perfect! He’ll definitely love this. Thanks!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
Looks delicious! We do Meatless Monday every week and this would be an outstanding dish for that!
Brandon Matzek says
Oh yeah! Especially with a big chunk of crusty bread for dunking.