Creamy cauliflower soup

Cauliflower simmered in broth and blended smooth with coconut milk. Vegan. Makes 4.

  • Have some energy
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • American
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Vegetables
  • Keto
  • Low carb
  • Meal prep
  • Superfood
Hands-on
18 min
Total time
45 min, show breakdown
  • Prep 12 min
  • Cook 25 min
  • Clean up 8 min
Pans
1
Ingredients
10
Cost/serving
$2.10

Per serving

Calories
245
Protein
6.9 g
Fiber
4.1 g
Net carbs
9.6 g
Fat
20 g

High in (% Daily Value per serving): Thiamin (B1) 92%, Riboflavin (B2) 85%, Vitamin C 83%, Vitamin B12 83%, Vitamin B6 79%, Niacin (B3) 48%, Folate 40%, Vitamin K 27%

Full nutrition facts, vitamins and minerals. All nutrition is estimated; check your own labels.

Already vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free.

Ingredients for 4

Tap an ingredient for other units and forms.

  • 1 head cauliflower (600 g)

    Same amount as: about 5½ cups.

  • ¼ medium onion (28 g)
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed (9 g)

    Same amount as: 3 tsp fresh minced garlic, 1½ tsp jarred minced garlic, ⅜ tsp garlic powder.

  • 2 tbsp olive oil (27 g)

    Same amount as: 30 mL.

  • 1 tsp dried thyme (1 g)

    Same amount as: 5 mL.

  • 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (720 g)

    Same amount as: 720 mL.

  • ½ can full-fat coconut milk, canned (200 g)

    Same amount as: about ¾ cup, about 13¼ tbsp.

  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, fortified (10 g)

    Same amount as: 30 mL.

  • 1 tsp lemon juice (5 g)

    Same amount as: 5 mL, ⅛ lemon squeezed from fresh lemons.

  • 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds (pepitas) (16 g), to serve

    Same amount as: 30 mL.

  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Find alternative ingredients

Quantities are for 4 servings. Keeps 4 days in the fridge or 3 months frozen. It thickens as it cools; add a splash of water when reheating.

Nutrition Facts

4 servings per recipe

Serving size 1 plate (404 g raw)

NutrientPer serving% DV*Whole recipe
Calories245
Total fat20 g26%
Saturated fat11 g55%
Cholesterol0 mg0%
Sodium314 mg14%
Total carbohydrate14 g5%
Dietary fiber4.1 g15%
Total sugars4.2 g
Net carbs†9.6 g
Protein6.9 g14%
Vitamin D0 mcg0%
Calcium65 mg5%
Iron3.3 mg19%
Potassium750 mg16%
Vitamin A55 mcg6%
Vitamin C75 mg83%
Vitamin E1.3 mg9%
Vitamin K32 mcg27%
Thiamin (B1)1.1 mg92%
Riboflavin (B2)1.1 mg85%
Niacin (B3)7.7 mg48%
Vitamin B61.3 mg79%
Folate159 mcg40%
Vitamin B122 mcg83%
Magnesium79 mg19%
Zinc1.4 mg13%
Selenium6.5 mcg12%

Estimated, not verified. These numbers are calculated from typical ingredient data and haven't been checked against a lab or your brands. Check the labels of what you buy and confirm anything that matters to you, especially sodium, sugar and allergens.

* % Daily Value shows how much one serving adds to a 2,000-calorie day. † Net carbs is not on US labels; it is total carbs minus fiber, allulose, erythritol and half of other sugar alcohols. "To taste" amounts are counted as written. Counted items (eggs, cloves, spoons) use the rounded amount shown in the ingredient list. Vitamins and minerals are from raw ingredients; cooking lowers some, especially vitamin C and folate. How this is calculated.

Steps

  1. Cut the cauliflower into florets about the same size. Slice the stalk thin. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.

  2. Heat the oil in the pot on medium. Cook the onion 5 minutes, stirring now and then. Add the garlic and thyme for 30 seconds.

    Done looks like: Onion soft and see-through.
  3. Add the cauliflower and broth. Bring to a boil, then turn down so it bubbles gently. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

    Done looks like: A knife slides into the thickest floret with no push.
  4. Stir in the coconut milk and nutritional yeast. Blend in batches until very smooth, then pour back into the pot.

    Done looks like: Silky and pale, with no bits left.
  5. Stir in the lemon juice. Taste, then add salt and pepper. Serve with pumpkin seeds on top.

Equipment

Large pot or Dutch oven, 5 L (5 qt) $30–80

What to look for

  • Heavy base so soups and chili do not scorch
  • Lid that fits

Skip: Enameled cast iron is lovely but not needed. A heavy stainless pot works.

Blender $30–100

What to look for

  • Handles frozen fruit without stalling
  • Jar that is easy to take apart and rinse

Skip: Expensive high-speed blenders unless you blend every day. A personal blender works for one serving.

Chef's knife, 20 cm (8 in) $15–50

What to look for

  • Comfortable handle that does not slip when wet
  • Blade you can sharpen, or a cheap one you replace every few years

Skip: Knife blocks with 12 knives. A chef's knife and a small paring knife cover almost everything.

Cutting board $10–30

What to look for

  • At least 30 × 40 cm (12 × 16 in), so food stays on it
  • Wood or plastic; plastic goes in the dishwasher

Skip: Glass or stone boards. They dull knives fast.

What goes wrong

WhatCauseFix
Grainy textureNot blended long enough.Blend each batch a full minute on high.
Blender lid pops offHot steam builds up.Fill the jar no more than half full, take out the centre cap and hold a folded towel over the hole.
Tastes flatNeeds salt and acid.Add salt a pinch at a time and a little more lemon.

Notes

Allergies: removing an allergen from the recipe does not remove it from your kitchen or from other products. Check labels for "may contain" warnings.