Zucchini broccoli soup is a creamy, flavorful, quick, nutritious solution for those busy weeks. Packed with flavor and ready in 10 minutes in the instant pot (20 min on the stove), this one-pot wonder satisfies hunger and health in every spoonful.
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Welcome to your next family favorite: zucchini broccoli soup. As a neuroscientist, mom, and home chef, I've crafted this recipe to be delicious, nutritious, and easy to prepare, even on the busiest days.
It's ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for those seeking a healthy, comforting meal. If you love this, you might also enjoy my Pumpkin Cauliflower Soup or our refreshing Green Island Tropical Smoothie for another boost of veggie-packed goodness!
This zucchini broccoli soup hits the mark. It blends delicious flavors with brain-boosting benefits, and it has quickly become one of our favorite soups to make.
👪Why You'll Love This Soup
- Full of Flavor: Our broccoli zucchini soup has a rich base of veggies and herbs, this soup doesn't skimp on taste!
- Quick Meal: Ready in just one pot, this easy recipe simplifies cooking and cleanup, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Nutrient-Packed: Loaded with vegetables, it's a nutritional powerhouse, offering a variety of vitamins and minerals in every spoonful.
- Leftover-Friendly: Makes excellent leftovers, ensuring you have a quick, healthy option on hand during the busy week.
🥒Tips For Kids: Will Picky Eaters Like This
As a parent of three, I understand the challenge of introducing new recipes to kids. This zucchini broccoli soup, however, has been kid-tested and approved in my own home, and here's why it might just become a favorite in yours:
- Naturally Creamy: The smooth, creamy texture appeals to kids, making it easier for them to enjoy their veggies. For an easier kid-friendly texture, fully blend this soup.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to include their favorite ingredients or toppings, like a sprinkle of dairy-free cheese or crispy croutons.
- Fun to Eat: Serving it with a side of their favorite bread for dipping can make mealtime more engaging and enjoyable for little ones.
💪🏽Nutrient Highlight & Brain Benefits
As a neuroscientist and a mom to three energetic kids, I'm always on the lookout for meals that do more than just fill the stomach—they need to nourish the brain too. Here's what makes this soup a standout:
🥦Ingredients
Zucchini broccoli soup is a staple in my kitchen, especially when I'm looking for something both nutritious and comforting. Here's what you'll need to create this green soup:
- Broccoli Florets: The backbone of this soup, broccoli is not only nutritious but also gives the soup a hearty texture and rich green color.
- Zucchini: The addition of zucchini adds a slight sweetness and soft texture and is a great way to sneak in extra veggies, especially during zucchini season.
- Vegetable Broth: Essential to help build flavor and depth to your soup.
- Fresh Onion and Garlic: Onions and garlic are a must as a soup base, adding a natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Milk Of Choice: I use oat milk for its neutral taste and creamy texture, but you can use any milk you prefer.
- Nutritional Yeast: Offers a cheesy flavor without the dairy, making the soup more savory and appealing, especially for those avoiding dairy.
- Italian Seasoning: Adds a layer of complexity and a hint of warmth.
- Ginger: A touch of ginger adds a subtle, refreshing kick that cuts through the soup's richness.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up our zucchini broccoli soup with a bit of acidity, making the flavors pop and adding a fresh twist.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the soup. Adjust according to your taste preferences.
For full quantities, see the recipe card.
🧅Ingredient Substitutions
If you are out of an ingredient or are dealing with a food allergy, this section was designed with you in mind. Here are some ways to adapt your zucchini broccoli soup recipe with minimal impact on taste or texture.
- Broccoli and Zucchini: Feel free to adjust the ratio of broccoli to zucchini based on what you have. Cauliflower is a great substitute for broccoli; summer squash can replace zucchini.
- Olive Oil: Can be substituted with any neutral oil, like avocado or vegetable oil, for sautéing.
- Onion and Garlic: If you're out of fresh garlic or onion, garlic powder or onion powder can work in a pinch. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
- Vegetable Stock: Chicken broth can be used for a non-vegetarian version without significantly altering the flavor profile.
- Milk of Choice: Any plant-based milk works well for creaminess, but regular milk or even a splash of cream will do the trick for those who don't avoid dairy.
- Nutritional Yeast: Dairy-free parmesan or a tablespoon of vegan cream cheese is a good option. If you're not looking for a dairy-free option, parmesan cheese can add a similar cheesy flavor.
👩🏽🍳Step-By-Step Instructions
Zucchini Broccoli soup is a one-pot meal! Making easy weeknight meals for your busy week. Here is how to make yours:
Step 1: Sauté:
Instant Pot: Set your IP to the sauté function. Then add the olive oil, and diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stovetop: Over medium heat in a large pot, heat the olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Cook the Aromatics:
Once translucent, add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn, as it can introduce a bitter taste.
Step 3: Add the Veggies and Broth:
Then, add in the broccoli, zucchini, vegetable broth, milk of choice, and veggie broth paste if using. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Cook the Soup:
Instant Pot: Close the lid, set it to manual high pressure for 10 minutes, and ensure the valve is sealed.
Stovetop: Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 5: Blend to Your Desired Consistency:
Carefully transfer half of your tasty zucchini broccoli soup to a blender and blend until creamy, about 30 seconds. For an easier way, use an immersion blender (hand blender) right in the pot, blending until you reach your desired consistency.
Whether you prefer your soup fully blended or chunky for added texture, this step is where you customize the soup to your liking.
⚠️Caution: Blending hot liquids requires caution.
Step 6: Add Final Touches:
Stir in the lemon juice and nutritional yeast for that irresistible cheesy flavor.
Serve the soup hot. For a cheesy soup, sprinkle in a little parmesan cheese (dairy or vegan) making it more reminiscent of traditional broccoli cheddar soup!
💡Recipe Tips: Creamy Soup
- Sauté Your Veggies: Sautéed onions and garlic is the easiest way to build a flavor base that will carry through the entire soup.
- Choose the Right Dairy-Free Milk: For a creamy texture without altering the taste, oat milk is ideal followed by soy milk. Coconut milk will add sweetness and almond milk a strong earthy flavor.
- Blend to Your Liking: Use an immersion blender for convenience, or a blender. Whether you prefer a completely smooth soup or one with some chunks for added texture, blend a portion or all of the soup to achieve your desired consistency.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tip
Here are a few time-saving strategies when making broccoli zucchini soup:
- Use Frozen Veggies: No time to chop? Frozen broccoli and zucchini are just as nutritious and cut down on prep time significantly. Plus, they're available year-round and are often more affordable.
- Prep in Advance: Chop your veggies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container.
- Batch Cooking: Make a double batch of this satisfying soup and store the leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
- Instant Pot Efficiency: The broccoli zucchini soup cooks in 10 minutes in the instant pot!
🫑Recipe Variations
Our zucchini broccoli soup recipe is a perfect comfort food and makes great leftovers! But if you want a change, there are several ways to adjust the recipe to keep things interesting:
Add Proteins: Stir in cooked chicken, tofu, or beans to add protein and make the soup a more filling meal. Our crispy tofu nuggets are a perfect addition!
Spice It Up: Introduce red pepper flakes, curry powder, fresh thyme, or smoked paprika for a different flavor profile.
Veggie Variations: For extra nutrition and color, mix in other fresh veggies like spinach, kale, or peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
🥡Storage
Proper storage ensures your zucchini broccoli soup remains fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Cool the soup completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Then, place it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Glass containers are ideal for storing as they don't retain flavors and are easy to reheat.
Reheating: Warm your zucchini broccoli soup over medium heat on the stove. If the soup has thickened, you can add a little water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Freezer: Broccoli zucchini soup freezes beautifully. Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. Label with the date, and store for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen soup overnight in the fridge before reheating.
❔Recipe FAQ
If your soup is thicker than you like, gradually add more vegetable broth until you achieve your desired consistency. This allows for easy customization to suit your taste.
To achieve a creamier texture, make sure you're blending broccoli zucchini soup well. Using an immersion blender can help create a smooth consistency. For an extra creamy texture, adding a bit more oat milk can also help without changing the overall flavor.
If your homemade soup tastes bland, consider adding more salt, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a sprinkle of dried herbs. Adjusting the seasoning as you cook is key to developing a rich, satisfying flavor.
🥣 Soup Pairings
we love to enjoy this creamy soud with some gluten-free cornbread or our fresh bagels for dipping!
📖 Recipe
Creamy Broccoli Zucchini Soup (Instant Pot Option)
Equipment
- 1 Instant pot optional
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli diced
- 2 medium zucchini diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup dairy-free milk
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast *
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Instant pot: Set your instant pot to the sauté function. Then heat up the olive oilStovetop: Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.1 medium onion
- Then, add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- Add the broccoli florets, diced zucchini, and vegetable broth. Pour in your choice of milk and season with salt.4 cups broccoli, 2 medium zucchini, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup dairy-free milk, 1 teaspoon salt
- For Instant Pot: Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes. Quick release the pressure once done.For Stovetop: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add half your soup to a blender and blend until creamy. Then pour back into the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to blend the soup directly in the pot until you reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in the lemon juice and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.¼ cup lemon juice, ¼ cup nutritional yeast *
Notes
- Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without the use of dairy or non-dairy cheese. It is also high in B12 and has an extra umami flavor. We recommend adding it in even if you are not on a dairy-free diet.
Nutrition
📝Information Source:
- Fiona E. Harrison, James M. May (2009) Vitamin C function in the brain: vital role of the ascorbate transporter SVCT2. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 46 (6),719-730.
- Berding, K., Carbia, C., & Cryan, J. F. (2021). Going with the grain: Fiber, cognition, and the microbiota-gut-brain-axis. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 246(7), 796-811.
Josh Granek says
Such a flavourful and nourishing soup. Thanks for sharing!