Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup

Name: Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1lb fresh broccoli crowns, chopped; 2 medium carrots, shredded; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cups (8oz) finely shredded cheddar cheese; 3 cups chicken broth; 1 pint (16oz) half and half; 1/2 tablespoon Lawry’s Seasoning Salt; 1 tablespoon hot sauce

Last Modified: October 3, 2020

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This recipe for Instant Pot broccoli cheese soup is one of my all time favorite soup recipes. Using the instant pot brings together all the major ingredients together so fast and so flavorful, it’s unbelievable.

How many times have you gone to a place such as Panera Bread for a sandwich and said “oooh, a bowl of broccoli cheese soup sounds delicious”? I’m sure i’m not the only one who does this almost every time! Actually, any time there’s an opportunity for broccoli cheese soup i usually wind up getting some. It’s so flavorful, rich, creamy so perfect during the fall and winter months. Since I got my first Instant Pot electric pressure cooker, i’ve been experimenting with all sorts of soup recipes and broccoli cheese it right at the top of the list. Some fresh broccoli and fresh carrots and a few other simple ingredients and i’m on my way to having a whole pot full of my favorite soup!

What are the ingredients for broccoli cheese soup?

The main ingredients are, of course fresh broccoli, a couple of carrots, a small onion, chicken broth, cheddar cheese, a little Lawry’s seasoning and some hot sauce. Yes, some hot sauce. This is used simply to help marry the flavors together a little better. Trust me when I say it really adds to the flavor profile, without adding heat.

Add cheese and cream after pressure cooking

One of the most important things with making this soup is the steps that follow the pressure cooking… when adding the half and half, and then the cheese, it must be done SLOWLY. If you just dump these ingredients in you can get curdling and the soup will basically be ruined. Pour the half and half in slowly, and whisk while doing so. It should take about 1 minute to pour all 16oz in. The when you add the cheese, do a little at a time. You’e using 2 cups (8oz) of cheese so add no more than a ¼ cup at a time and whisk it in until melted. Once all the cheese is incorporated you can use an immersion blender if you want a smooth creamy soup. If you want a chunkier soup, skip the blending.

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