Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup - The Recipe Well (2024)

Home » Soups and Stews » Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup

ByLaura Lawless, BASc Published Last updated

2 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our full disclosure statement.

↓ Jump to Recipe

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup is incredibly creamy and full of savoury flavour. Customize it with your favourite toppings!

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup - The Recipe Well (1)

This soup is such a crowd pleaser. It’s an amazing creamy base for all the toppings your heart desires. We suggest some simple toppings like bacon, green onion and grated cheese, but don’t let that limit your imagination! Sliced jalapeños, crispy fried onions and chives are also great options.

Become an Instant Pot Pro!

Get my top 5 tips for successful Instant Pot meals, every time.

By signing up you'll also receive our free newsletter.

I highly recommend doubling this recipe, if you tend to enjoy extra large bowls of soup or if you’d like to have leftovers. This soup reheats really nicely.

Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup. Check out the recipe card below for the detailed quantities and instructions!

  • Butter – for sautéing
  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Garlic
  • Broth – chicken or vegetable
  • Dried dill
  • Cauliflower – a medium-sized head, so you have about 20 ounces of florets
  • Sharp cheddar – regular cheddar cheese works too, but the sharp cheddar flavour is more noticeable
  • Sour cream – or full-fat Greek yogurt for a lower fat/higher protein option
  • Half and half cream – the soup is fairly creamy without this, but adding a bit of cream takes it to the next level!
  • Salt and pepper – to taste
  • Suggested toppings – bacon bits or sliced cooked bacon, sour cream, grated cheese, sliced green onion and hot sauce.

How to make it

First, use the Sauté function to melt the butter and sauté the onion and celery. Once these are softened, turn off the Sauté function and cook the garlic for about a minute in the residual heat.

Deglaze the pot with a bit of broth (if necessary), then add the rest of the broth and sprinkle in the dried dill. Layer the cauliflower florets on top.

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup - The Recipe Well (3)

Pressure cook on High for 8 minutes. At the end of cooking time, quick release the pressure. I like to leave the keep warm setting on so that it’s easier to warm up the dairy ingredients.

Use an immersion blender right in the pot and blend until the soup is smooth and creamy. Then, stir in the grated cheddar, followed by the sour cream and half and half. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately with your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup - The Recipe Well (4)

Tips and Variations

Use the keep warm setting. This helps keep the soup warm while you add the dairy ingredients.

Be efficient with prep. Grate the cheese and measure out the dairy ingredients while the soup is pressure cooking.

Taste and season after cooking. I tend to suggest seasoning with salt after pressure cooking because the saltiness depends a lot on the type of broth you use. The sharp cheddar also adds salt, so season after it’s mixed in.

Make it vegetarian. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and skip the bacon topping. You could use a vegan faux bacon, or add some other toppings like sliced olives, jalapeño or crispy fried onions.

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup - The Recipe Well (5)

More Instant Pot soup recipes

  • Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
  • Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
  • Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup
  • Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
  • Instant Pot Lentil Soup
  • Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
  • Healthy Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
  • Instant Pot Golden Cauliflower Soup

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a review below! You can alsosubscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to see the latest recipes and meal inspiration!

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup - The Recipe Well (6)

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup

Laura Lawless, BASc

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup is incredibly creamy and full of savoury flavour. Customize it with your favourite toppings!

5 from 1 vote

Click stars to rate now! ↑

Servings 4

Calories 296

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Inactive time 18 minutes mins

Total Time 43 minutes mins

Ingredients

For the soup

  • 2 tablespoons butter (28g)
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into large florets
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (83g; can sub regular cheddar)
  • ½ cup sour cream (or full-fat Greek yogurt)
  • ½ cup half and half cream
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste after cooking)

Toppings

Instructions

  • Turn on the Sauté function. Melt the butter, then add the onion and celery and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.

  • Turn off the Sauté function, then add the minced garlic and sauté it for about a minute in the residual heat.

  • Pour in a small amount of broth and use a flat-bottomed turner to scrape up any food that's stuck to the bottom of the insert. This will help prevent a burn warning. There shouldn't be much to scrape up with this recipe.

  • Pour in the remaining broth, then sprinkle in the dried dill. Layer the cauliflower florets evenly on top.

  • Close the lid and set the vent to sealing. Pressure cook on Manual High pressure for 8 minutes with the keep warm setting on (your Instant Pot may have a "Pressure Cook" button rather than a "Manual" button, depending on the model). It will take up to 15 minutes to come to pressure.

  • At the end of cooking time, quick release the pressure. I like to use a wooden spoon in case there's splatter. You can let it out in short bursts to reduce splatter (this is called a controlled quick release). Leave the keep warm setting on so that the dairy ingredients can warm up more easily.

  • Use an immersion blender to blend the soup right in the Instant Pot, until smooth and creamy.

  • Stir in the grated cheese, then the sour cream and half and half. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Serve immediately topped with your favourite garnishes. Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Notes

  1. Inactive time indicates the time it takes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure and release pressure.
  2. This recipe was tested in a 6-quart Instant Pot model.
  3. Nutrition estimate does not include toppings (because this is variable based on how much you add!)
  4. Recipe can be doubled with the same cook time.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 326mg | Potassium: 813mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 682IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 284mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a review below and share your results!

Rate this recipe Pin this recipe

If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a review below!
I’d love to hear from you!

Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup - The Recipe Well (7)

Hey, I’m Laura!

Creator of The Recipe Well

If you’re looking for easy meals and Instant Pot recipes, you’re in the right place! I use my nutrition degree to create simple, approachable recipes that will help you find your happy place in the kitchen.

More about me
Instant Pot Loaded Cauliflower Soup - The Recipe Well (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower soup tasteless? ›

Bland cauliflower soup is a result of a lack of seasoning. Here's how to ensure every bowl is packed with flavor. Season twice with salt and pepper: You'll start by seasoning the cauliflower florets with salt and pepper before roasting.

How does Gordon Ramsay make cauliflower soup? ›

Directions
  1. Place the cauliflower florets, potato, and onion in a saucepan with the butter and oil. ...
  2. Add the stock and bring to a boil, then pour in the milk and return gently to a boil. ...
  3. Pour in half the cream, then puree in a food processor or blender, or blend in the pan with an immersion blender.

What soups can be made from cauliflower? ›

  1. Creamy cauliflower soup. A star rating of 3.3 out of 5. 10 ratings.
  2. Cauliflower soup with chorizo and garlic croutons. A star rating of 4.9 out of 5. 12 ratings.
  3. Cheesy cauliflower flask soup. A star rating of 4 out of 5. 4 ratings.
  4. Air-fryer cauliflower popcorn with soured cream & herb dressing. A star rating of 5 out of 5.

How many carbs does cauliflower soup have? ›

Cream of cauliflower soup (1 cup) contains 20.2g total carbs, 16.8g net carbs, 3.6g fat, 4.1g protein, and 124 calories.

What brings out the Flavour of cauliflower? ›

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling. Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

How to make soup really flavorful? ›

How to Make Broth More Flavorful
  1. Add herbs and spices. Herbs and spices add aroma, flavor, and intensity to soup broth. ...
  2. Pack in umami flavor. "If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. ...
  3. Let it evaporate and cook longer.
Jun 28, 2023

How do you thicken cauliflower soup? ›

How to thicken cauliflower soup: Nobody wants an overly-thin soup. We thicken our cauliflower soup by blending the entire soup in batches using a blender or immersion blender once cooked. This (in addition to our heavy cream) helps thicken our soup up nicely to a hearty texture.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

Note these while using casseroles for keeping food warm

This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites. As cauliflower is highly susceptible to microbial attacks, it should be washed once again. This time, boil some water and put the cauliflower florets in it.

What vegetables can you not put in soup? ›

any veggie can be used in soup, but unless you're making a very delicate, exceptional soup, I'd steer clear of lettuce. some veggies have a strong flavor, so you may enjoy using them, but in moderation. For me, parsnips and rutabaga fit this category.

What is broccoli and cauliflower together called? ›

Romanesco, also known as broccoflower or Roman cauliflower, is a chartreuse, unique-looking vegetable prized for its appearance and mild flavor. It is sometimes assumed to be a hybrid between broccoli and cauliflower but is botanically different (although related).

What are the healthiest vegetables to put in soup? ›

Veggies That Make Healthy, Tasty Soups
  • Cucumber. 1/14. This nutritious veggie is one of the ingredients in the cold soup called gazpacho. ...
  • Butternut Squash. 2/14. ...
  • Lentils. 3/14. ...
  • Broccoli. 4/14. ...
  • Potatoes. 5/14. ...
  • Mushrooms. 6/14. ...
  • Fresh Spring Peas. 7/14. ...
  • Dried Split Peas. 8/14.

What are the benefits of cauliflower soup? ›

The fiber found in cauliflower helps keep you feeling full and satisfied, maintains healthy digestion, supports gut health, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. At over 2 grams per cup, cauliflower is a good source of fiber, especially insoluble fiber, which helps keep things moving in your digestive system.

Does cauliflower have more carbs than potatoes? ›

Compared to potatoes, cauliflower has less than half the calories per the same 100 gram serving. (source) Cauliflower has only 3 grams of “net carbs” per 100 gram serving, while potatoes have 14 grams of net carbs.

Does cauliflower have more carbs than broccoli? ›

But cauliflower does have a tiny bit more potassium than broccoli. And it truly deserves its low-carb crown, with just 5 grams of carbohydrate per cup (that's slightly less than broccoli).

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

How do you fix flavorless soup? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl. Our Lemony Chicken Soup will make your mouth water.

Why does my soup have no flavor? ›

Ensure you've added enough salt and black pepper. Too little salt means your soup's flavours' will remain hidden. When you know your soup is salty enough, move on to other seasonings like herbs and spices.

How do you fix Flavourless soup? ›

Use fresh, good quality ingredients like vegetables and herbs. Add a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice to your soup to make it taste better. Use a high-quality broth or stock as a base for your soup. Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Last Updated:

Views: 5699

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

Birthday: 1993-07-01

Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

Phone: +22014484519944

Job: Banking Officer

Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.