Dairy Free Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup {Whole30, paleo}
This Dairy Free Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup is a healthy version of two soups you grew up loving! It has all of the flavors of Broccoli Cheese Soup + Loaded Baked Potato Soup without any dairy or gluten.
Any other Panera Pick Two fans out there?! I haven’t had it in a few years since it’s not a Celiac-friendly restaurant, but I grew up LOVING it! Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Loaded Baked Potato Soup were always my go-to’s. This Dairy Free Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup satisfies all of my cravings for both without any of the gluten or dairy!
Originally I came up with this recipe for my cookbook, but when I tried it this afternoon, I knew I couldn’t wait an entire year to share it with you. Since I can have 3 fan favorites from my blog in the book, I decided this one needs to make the cut! Along with the Sausage, Potato, Broccoli Sheet Pan Supper and the Mississippi Pot Roast 🙂 Of course this could change, but these are my thoughts as of right now!
What ingredients do I need to make this Dairy Free Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup?
This soup is another recipe that uses cashews to make a delectable cream sauce. However, you can omit them and use full fat coconut milk instead (1 cup). It may not have the exact same level of creaminess, but it will still be delicious. I like to get my cashews and nutritional yeast from Trader Joe’s. Nutritional Yeast gives foods a “cheesy” flavor without any dairy. It’s also Whole30 compliant!
Looking for some other comforting Whole30 soup recipes to get you through the winter? Check out my Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup, Zuppa Toscana, or Unstuffed Cabbage Soup!
Ok, let’s get cookin’!
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Dairy Free Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup {Whole30, Paleo}
Ingredients
- 8 strips sugar free bacon, omit for vegan
- 1 tbsp ghee or olive oil
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lbs russett potatoes , (3 medium or 4 small), peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 4 cups chicken broth, + more to thin it out
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp sea salt, divided
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews*, see notes for sub!
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 green onions, diced, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the cashews in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them soak while you make the soup.
- Set your oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Lay the bacon pieces out flat on the baking sheet and cook until crispy, approximately 12-15 minutes. (No need to let the oven pre-heat first - just pop the pan in!) When the bacon is done, remove the pan from the oven and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.
- While the bacon is cooking, chop your onions, carrots, and potatoes. Heat your cooking oil of choice in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add in onions, carrots, and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Add in the potatoes, chicken broth, paprika, onion powder, 1 tsp of the sea salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the broccoli and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove 1 cup of diced potatoes from the pot using a slotted spoon and place them into a high-powdered blender. Drain the cashews and add them to the blender along with the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, remaining 1 tsp of sea salt, and water. Blend on high for 1 minute or until it becomes very thick and creamy. Pour the mixture into the soup pot and stir well until combined. Taste test and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Break the bacon into pieces. Serve the soup topped with bacon bits and chopped green onion.
123 Comments on “Dairy Free Broccoli Cheese and Potato Soup {Whole30, paleo}”
This was so good! I was looking for a way to use some of my potatoes from the garden and I’m so glad I found this recipe! It’s similar to a summer corn chowder recipe I make, so I blended a little more of the potatoes (I also used more potatoes than the recipe called for) and didn’t use the cashews or coconut milk (mostly bc I didn’t have either) and it was delicious, I even forgot to add the bacon, haha!! I put a few servings in the in the freezer for easy lunches 😊. Great recipe!!
Thank you Sarah!
This is the best soup I have ever made! My husband absolutely loves it. It’s super filling and the bacon on top adds an extra kick.
Thank you, Kim!
This is one of my absolute favorite recipes! The soup is thick and “cheesy” and oh so tasty! I found Mary when I was doing my first round of Whole 30. And now she is my go-to for healthy recipes because they are always full of flavor while being nourishing and wholesome.
Thank you Amber! Means a lot!!
This is my daughter’s weekly request! Another smashing success from Mary’s whole life!
Thank you Maggie!!
This soup was so comforting and delicious! You definitely don’t even miss the dairy 😉
Thanks Erin!!
We eat this on a regular basis. You don’t miss the dairy at all.
I’m so glad you love it!
Loves this recipe! And made it without the bacon and it was still delicious. Even my picky eaters enjoyed it!
Glad to hear it! Thanks, Ellen!
I’m such a fan of broccoli cheddar soup, this was delicious!
Great option for Friday’s during Lent or just something to warm you up in the winter. You’d never know there wasn’t dairy in it!
I appreciate your review so much, thank you!
I love this soup! Can I freeze the leftover?
Yes it should freeze well 🙂
This recipe is super good! My son who is not a soup lover asked me to make some more.
So glad you both enjoyed it!
This was absolutely delicious! All the comforting flavors of a real broccoli cheese soup. I will definitely put this one in the rotation. I love all Mary’s soups!
Thanks Kaylyn!
This soup is SO good!! Can’t even tell it’s dairy free!! I like to add some cooked chicken to it for a little extra protein.
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
So yummy and creamy! For us it was more like a chowder not cream. I would say it probably made 8 servings.
This is an amazing dairy free soup!
Delicious and I don’t think anyone would know it is dairy free!
Thanks Heather!
thank you for another 5 star recipe!! I used coconut milk and omitted the bacon and it was absolutely delicious!! Will definitely make again!
Hi JL – Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
One of my absolute favorite soup recipes. A must try if you are gf/df!
Thanks Danielle!
I made this for a birthday party and everyone loved it!! I’m currently dairy free and this really hits the spot, just like a normal broccoli cheddar!
Thank you Erin!
Mary’s recipes are always delish but this one is a favorite. My family LOVES this soup!! When I first made it I hoped my kids would eat it – they aren’t too keen on broccoli. Well, they ate EVERY DROP and wanted more! They request it nearly every week and even enjoy preparing it with me. It is a rare occasion that we have leftovers. Thank you Mary!