Low-Fat Broccoli Soup

By Fiona Haynes

Updated 11/02/19

Broccoli Soup with cream and Croutons
john shepherd / Getty Images
  • Total: 35 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
142 Calories
4g Fat
22g Carbs
7g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 142
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 6mg 2%
Sodium 318mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Protein 7g
Calcium 127mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Don't let the "low-fat" label of this good-for-you broccoli soup recipe turn you off. It's just as creamy as higher-fat versions and satisfying any time of year on its own for lunch or as a starter to a complete meal.

The trick to adding body to low-fat soups is by using potato and some low-fat or nonfat milk and then whizzing it in a blender.

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion/3/4 cup (finely chopped)
  • 1 stalk celery (finely chopped)
  • 1 medium Yukon Gold potato (peeled and cubed)
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli (including stems, chopped)
  • 2 cups low-sodium, fat-free chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1 1/2 cups nonfat milk

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Heat oil on medium heat in a soup pot or Dutch oven.

  3. Gently sauté onion and celery for 3 to 4 minutes, until onion is softened.

  4. Add potato and chopped broccoli, followed by the broth and milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

  5. Allow soup to cool slightly, then transfer to a blender in 2 to 3 batches, and blend until smooth. Return soup to pot and heat gently until ready to serve.

    Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients

    Steam expands quickly in a blender, and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.

What to Serve With Creamy Broccoli Soup

Even if you plan to serve this soup as a stand-alone dish, every creamy dish needs a little crunchy flavor contrast. But don't sabotage the low-fat theme by serving traditional bread rolls to dip into the soup or croutons sprinkled on top. Instead, choose healthy, low-carb, low-fat sides.

You can try sprinkling your serving of soup with a few tablespoons of grated low-fat cheese or 1 ounce of healthy-fat seeds like poppy, pumpkin, sunflower, or flaxseeds. The seeds can be raw, roasted or dried and will deliver a healthy dose of fiber and protein along with the healthy fats everyone needs.

A side dish of crudités like carrots, celery, jicama, bell pepper slices also will deliver much-needed crunch.

If you're looking for something more substantial to go with your low-fat soup and want to keep the green theme going, this springtime spring roll would be perfect. It's made with fresh asparagus, snap peas, radishes, and green garlic, as well as sprouts and tender lettuces. Include slices of baked tofu, shredded roast chicken, or poached shrimp for added protein, but the spring rolls are just as delicious in their all-veggie state.