Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Recipe (2024)

  • Soups
  • Stovetop
  • Bacon
  • Cauliflower
  • Christmas Appetizers

A match made in cream soup heaven.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated November 03, 2022

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Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Cauliflower and bacon are natural-born partners. By first rendering bacon fat and then using it as the base for our soup, we create extra layers of flavor even before the cauliflower hits the pot.

You know who get along great together? Cauliflower and bacon. That's who. But cauliflower and creamalsohave a thing going on. Obviously there's only one way this can end, and it ain't pretty.

Scene:Bacon struts into the the diner, his body extra streaky, his skin extra crisp. He walks up to the bar and orders a milk, chocolate. He takes a big swig then walks over to the booth full of brassicas in the corner.

Bacon:Cauliflower, I'm bacon. Bacon McCrisp, and I'm your density. I mean...I am yourdestiny.

Cream walks into the bar and looks around, angrily.

Cream:Hey McCrisp, I thought I told you to stay away from my brassica. Well, it's gonna cost you.

The two engage in a mighty exchange of fisticuffs, eventually dragging poor cauliflower into the brawl and pummeling each other into a purée so smooth, light, creamy, and delicious that it threatens to cause a rift in the space-time continuum.

Close scene.

At least, that's how it all goes down in my head. In reality, the details are a lot more mundane, but the end result no less delicious.

There's not really much to this soup other than getting three ingredients together that were born to be together. We start by sautéing bacon in a saucepan until crisp, then use that rendered bacon fat to sweat some onions, garlic, and scallions. In goes chicken stock, cream (half-and-half or milk will work if you'd prefer), and cauliflower for a simmer.

As it cooks, the dairy will break. This is not a problem, because once you dump everything into a blender and purée it, it all comes back together.

Bacon goes back in along with some scallions, the soup gets seasoned, and that's about all there is to it. Sometimes simple perfection is just not worth messing with.

I see dinner in your future.

October 2014

Recipe Details

Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Recipe

Active20 mins

Total45 mins

Serves4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

  • 6 scallions, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced

  • 4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced

  • 1 quart homemadeor store-bought low-sodium chicken stock, plus more as needed

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1 cuphalf-and-half or heavy cream

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Heat bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until bacon is completely crisp. Remove from Dutch oven with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in Dutch oven.

  2. Add onions, half of scallions, and garlic, and cook, stirring constantly and scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.

  3. Add chicken stock, bay leaves, half-and-half (or cream), and cauliflower. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until cauliflower is completely tender, about 30 minutes.

  4. Working in batches, blend soup until completely smooth (if you don't have a very powerful blender, remove the bay leaf before blending. If an extra-smooth soup is desired, pass the soup through a fine-mesh strainer after blending); if soup is too thick, whisk in additional hot chicken stock, 1/2 cup at a time, until you've reached the desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve sprinkled with crisp bacon pieces and remaining scallions.

Special Equipment

Blender, Dutch oven

Read More

  • How to Make Creamy Vegetable Soups Without a Recipe
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
411Calories
27g Fat
16g Carbs
28g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories411
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g35%
Saturated Fat 11g56%
Cholesterol 77mg26%
Sodium 1886mg82%
Total Carbohydrate 16g6%
Dietary Fiber 4g15%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 28g
Vitamin C 70mg350%
Calcium 140mg11%
Iron 2mg12%
Potassium 879mg19%
*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.)

Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Recipe (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.

What is the name of the French soup made from cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower cream soup (Dubarry) | Recipe | Cream soup recipes, French food, Homemade soup recipe.

What is a healthy substitute for potatoes in chowder? ›

Replacing the potatoes is easy and you've got some choices here. My favorite substitute for keto soups and stews is turnip, as I think it ends up most like potatoes in taste and texture. Daikon radish is also a great alternative. Simply cube these vegetables the same way you would a potato and add it in.

What is a good substitute for potatoes in soup? ›

To substitute for the potatoes to make it less starchy but no less creamy, use cauliflower or celery root in place of the potatoes. To replace the cream, use cashew milk or a nut-cream product. If you're asking about a dairy/fat-free option… Make potato leek soup.

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 do you add depth of flavor to soup? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How do you thicken cauliflower soup? ›

Can you make this cauliflower soup thicker? We thicken cauliflower soup by cooking flour and butter together to make a roux, but the soup will have a brothy consistency. To create a thicker texture, puree 2 cups of soup. Then add the puree back to the pot and stir until well combined.

Why is it called creme du barry? ›

The use of stock makes it a velouté; the addition of cream and an egg-yolk makes it a crème. It is named for Madame du Barry, mistress of King Louis XV of France.

What is the national soup of Italy? ›

Minestrone Soup - National Soup of Italy

Minestrone Soup - This is a traditional soup from Italy make with a combination of seasonal vegetables and pasta. It makes a complete meal with a slice of bread.

What two ingredients must be present for the soup to be called a chowder? ›

Chowder is a soup with cream or milk mixed with ingredients such as potatoes, sweet corn, smoked haddock, clams and prawns, etc. Some cream-style chowders do not use cream, and are instead prepared using milk and a roux to thicken them.

What potatoes don't get mushy in soup? ›

Potatoes that are low-starch and high-moisture hold together better. Yukon Gold potatoes are on the medium-starch side and will hold their shape in soups. Red potatoes fall into the low-starch category, as do smaller, newer potatoes. Fingerling potatoes will do well in soups, as will long white potatoes.

What root vegetable tastes most like potatoes? ›

Daikon is most comparable to potatoes when steamed, boiled, or fried. Daikon's flavor is considered milder and less peppery than other radishes. Served raw, it is subtle and tangy with a crisp and juicy texture. When cooked, it takes on very potato-like qualities and tastes similar to cooked turnips.

How do you thicken soup without potatoes? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice.

Should I cook potatoes before adding to soup? ›

Add Potatoes to Your Soup Base

Now that your potatoes are perfectly boiled, it's time to add them to your soup base. Whether you have a creamy or chunky potato soup recipe, gently stir the boiled potatoes into your prepared soup mixture and simmer for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together.

What is the best thickening agent for potato soup? ›

Tip: Cornstarch will thicken your soup more than flour, but both are a good option if you need to thicken a very thin soup. Pour in 1 cup (60 g) of instant potato flakes for a quick fix. This will add extra potato flavor to your soup, so you don't have to worry about changing the taste.

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.

Why does my soup taste flavorless? ›

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. Start with the basics. Ensure you've added enough salt and black pepper.

What gives vegetable soup that depth of flavor? ›

A squeeze of citrus, a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream, a dusting of cheese or a good chile powder, a sprinkling of some herbs or croutons — all can take a perfectly fine soup into the realm of the delectable. Even a spiral of good olive oil to finish and some coarse sea salt can do wonders.

What to add to flavorless vegetable soup? ›

Adding a parmesan cheese rind to the simmering soup infuses it with salty, umami flavor. This is SUCH an easy way to add tons of flavor to soup. Look for parmesan cheese rinds at the cheese counter in your grocery store.

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