Our creamy Broccoli and Stilton soup recipe is a British dish usually served in the winter.
A thick and creamy soup is perfect for a starter, lunch or dinner with crusty bread.
Stilton and broccoli soup can easily be made ahead, stored in the fridge for up to three days or frozen for two months.
This is an excellent recipe to use up any leftover stilton from Christmas cheeses or for other blue cheeses from a cheese board.
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How to make Broccoli and Stilton Soup?
This broccoli and stilton soup is effortless to make at home with just a few ingredients found in most supermarkets.
I will explain some key steps to making broccoli and stilton soup, including substitutions, in more detail after the recipe card below; you can find the ingredients list and measurements in the recipe card below.
๐ Step by Step Recipe
Broccoli and Stilton Soup
Ingredients
- 700 grams Broccoli - (2 heads)
- 30 g Butter
- 1 Onion
- 1 Leek
- 1 medium Potato
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 litre Veg Stock
- 150 grams Stilton
- Salt and Black Pepper
Optional to Serve
- Stilton - to sprinkle on top
- Chilli Flakes
- Double Cream
- Crusty Bread
Instructions
- Separate the florets from the stem of 700 grams Broccoli. Cut them into even sizes. Don't waste the stalk, remove hard woody parts from the stem, then cut them into thin slices.Dice 1 Onion, slice 1 Leek, peel and chop 1 medium Potato and finely chop the 2 cloves Garlic.
- Soften the diced onions in 30 g Butter for 5 minutes on medium-low heat. You don't want to fry them, just soften them.
- Add the chopped broccoli stem (not the florets), leeks, potato and garlic to the onions and gently fry for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 litre Veg Stock and bring to a boil.
- Simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes with the lid on.
- Add the broccoli florets to the saucepan, stir through, bring back to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes with the lid on.
- Meanwhile, crumble the 150 grams Stilton using the back of a fork, do not include the rind.
- Check the vegetables are tender (cook for longer if necessary). Turn the heat off and use a hand blender to blitz the soup whilst still in the pan until smooth and lump-free.*You can use a liquidiser or food processor instead but it's best to let the soup cool a little first.
- Turn the heat back on, and bring the blended soup to a gentle simmer, add the crumbled stilton (reserve some for serving) and stir through until the stilton has melted, do not allow it to boil.
- Taste test, the stock and blue cheese are quite salty anyway, but add more Salt and Black Pepper to suit your taste.
- Give a final stir-through and serve into bowls with a ladle.
- Top with your choice of extras.*Extra Stilton crumbled on top*Sprinkle of Chilli Flakes*A swirl of Double CreamServe with fresh Crusty Bread.
Video
Nutrition
Our Broccoli and Stilton soup recipe was originally published on 20/09/2022. It was modified on 16/06/2024 with a simpler layout to make it easier to get to the recipe card and improved advice.
Ingredients ๐ง๐ฅฆ
The ingredients needed to make broccoli and stilton soup are simple and easily found in most supermarkets.
- Stilton-The key ingredient is creamy stilton cheese, available in most supermarkets. It has a lower water content than other blue cheeses and is a fantastic protein source. If you can't find Stilton, try Gorgonzola or Roquefort.
- Broccoli - To avoid waste, use the whole broccoli, both the stems and florets. Separate the florets from the stem, as the stem takes longer to cook. If using frozen broccoli you will need to reduce the stock. Cauliflower is a great alternative.
- Butter- Used to sautรฉ onions. Olive oil can be a substitute.
- Onion- Adds a fantastic savoury flavour. Shallots can be used for a sweeter taste.
- Leek- Provides a milder flavour than onion and adds a sweet, earthy depth to the soup.
- Garlic- Enhances the flavour of the soup. You can omit it if you prefer.
- Potato- Creates a velvety consistency and thicker texture. For best results use baking potatoes.
- Vegetable Stock- Use a vegetable stock pot mixed with boiling water for a richer flavour. Chicken stock (if not vegetarian) can be used as a substitute.
- Cream- Optional, as the potato and stilton already add creaminess. For a diet-friendly option, skip the cream.
- Pepper and Salt- Season lightly during cooking. Blue cheese and stock are often salty, so adjust the seasoning at the end. Black pepper is a great addition.
Equipment ๐ฒ
You will need a heavy-based large pan to cook this stilton soup recipe in, a spoon to stir it, and either a stick blender or a food processor to make it smooth.
Instructions
To make the soup, start by sautรฉing the chopped onion in a large saucepan over medium heat with butter until the onion starts to soften.
Add chopped broccoli stems, leeks and potato and lightly fry for 5 minutes.
Next, add the stock and bring the soup to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and simmer on medium-low heat with the lid on for 20 minutes.
Add the broccoli florets into the saucepan and bring them back to a boil; continue to cook with the lid on medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
Check that all the veggies have softened. Cook for longer if still firm (the stem will usually take the longest!)
Time to blend this delicious broccoli soup; turn the heat off.
Soup Blending Tips
There are a few methods to blend soups.
Stick Blender
I have always preferred to use a handheld stick blender. It is easier to wash up than a stand mixer, and you can blend it immediately without waiting to cool.
Make sure you keep the stick in the liquid to avoid splashing!
Stand Blender
If you use a liquidiser or food processor instead, allow the hot soup to cool slightly, about 10 minutes before blending, to avoid any scolding accidents.
You may need to blend in batches and hold the lid down with a tea towel whilst blitzing to avoid explosions! Start on a low speed and increase as needed.
Soup Consistency
I love my broccoli and stilton soup thick; if it is too thick for your liking, add more stock whilst blending until you reach the desired consistency.
Return the soup to the heat and add the crumbled stilton cheese into the broccoli soup. Stir until the blue cheese has melted, but don't let it boil.
Seasoning
Finally, it's time to season the soup. Always taste test first, as the stock and blue cheese are quite salty already.
Add more salt if required and black pepper too.
Serving Suggestions ๐ฅฃ
Serve with a soup ladle into separate bowls. Garnish soup with your choice of toppings.
- Extra stilton crumbled on top.
- A swirl of cream
- Chilli Flakes
- Salt and Black Pepper
- Croutons
You can serve this soup alone or with some french bread on the side.
If you want to add extra protein to the meal, you could add some cooked chicken or air-fried bacon to the soup before serving.
Storage ๐ง
Store leftover broccoli and stilton soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Or you can freeze it for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat
Reheat from chilled on the hob until piping hot throughout. Or in a microwave until warmed through.
History
The origins of broccoli and stilton soup are unclear, but it's thought to have originated in the UK in the early 1900s. This soup became popular in the 1970s and is featured in several cookbooks.
It has been a popular soup in Britain since Christmas and New Year.
We also have a delicious carrot and coriander soup recipe you can try.
More Cheese Recipes
If you're a fan of cheese, try our Cauliflower Cheese or see below for some more recipes you can try!
If you have made this recipe, Luke and I would love your feedback in the comments below.
Jim Newman says
Hi
I have used your recipe a few times now and very tasty.
Last time I had no white onion or leek so I used a sweet red onion instead, worked lovely ๐
Luke and Kay says
Thank you for taking the time to review our Broccoli and Stilton Soup recipe, Jim! We appreciate your feedback and are delighted to hear that you found it so tasty. It's great to hear that you felt comfortable experimenting with the ingredients too - it's always exciting to see how someone will make a recipe their own. ๐
Anne says
Just made this, and it is amazing.
The instructions are clear, and easy to follow.
It's now on my list of favourites.
Kay says
Thank you so much for trying our broccoli and stilton soup, Anne! We're so glad you enjoyed it and that the instructions were clear and easy to follow. This soup is definitely one of our favourites too, so we're thrilled you added it to your list of favourites. Thank you for your kind words. ๐