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Cozy Crockpot Cheddar Broccoli Soup with Bacon – Easy & Best Recipe

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This crockpot cheddar broccoli soup with bacon is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and packed with smoky bacon. Made in the slow cooker with simple ingredients, it’s perfect for cozy nights and guaranteed to warm you up.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 2 large heads)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: Place bacon slices in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping once, until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cool, crumble or chop into small pieces. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet with reserved bacon grease, add butter and melt over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Make the roux: Sprinkle flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until fully incorporated and starting to turn golden.
  4. Deglaze the pan: Slowly pour in about ½ cup of chicken broth while stirring. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until the mixture thickens slightly.
  5. Transfer to crockpot: Pour the onion mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add remaining chicken broth, broccoli florets, and Dijon mustard. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until broccoli is tender.
  6. Add the dairy: Stir in heavy cream and whole milk. If desired, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, leaving some broccoli chunks for texture.
  7. Melt in the cheese: Turn slow cooker to warm or low. Add shredded cheddar cheese in handfuls, stirring gently after each addition until fully melted. Do not let the soup boil.
  8. Season and finish: Taste and add salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if using. Stir in half of the crumbled bacon, reserving the rest for topping.
  9. Serve immediately: Ladle soup into bowls and top with remaining bacon crumbles. Optionally, add extra shredded cheese or fresh black pepper.

Notes

Grate your own cheese to avoid graininess. Do not let the soup boil after adding cheese. For a gluten-free version, substitute flour with 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with ¼ cup cold water. For a vegetarian version, skip bacon and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot cheddar broccoli soup, broccoli cheese soup with bacon, slow cooker broccoli soup, easy broccoli soup recipe, comfort food soup

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/cozy-crockpot-cheddar-broccoli-soup-with-bacon-easy-and-best-recipe/