Cream of Green Vegetable Soup
Updated Feb 26, 2022, Published Nov 26, 2016
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Cream of Green Vegetable Soup is loaded with “super” vegetables such as kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts and broccoli with just a touch of cream! Definitely NOT your momma’s cream soup! All this green is perfect with my Reuben Casserole!
“Soo delicious … So creamy and tasty. This is on the rotation for sure!”
Hope you all survived and had a blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving! If you went shopping on Black Friday, hope you survived that as well.
So, you may think this green vegetable soup is a little crazy.
Who in their right mind would combine kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and spinach in a soup? I do and it’s awesome–especially after the Thanksgiving food orgy.
The inspiration behind this recipe:
I conceived the idea for this Cream of Green Vegetable Soup a long time ago because of a request from a personal chef client. Her kids loved my cream of asparagus soup–even though it was green. In order for them to consume more good green stuff, she asked me to sneak in a few more vegetables. In fact, she once requested every green vegetable be in the soup, including green beans and zucchini.
It worked and they ate it, but the “green” taste was a bit over the top. So, I set out to find a green vegetable combination for her that worked well together.
Ta-daa! Cream of Green Vegetable Soup.
To this day, this soup and my Simply Pumpkin Muffins remain two of her kids’ favorites!
Vegetables to use in Cream of Green Vegetable Soup:
- Kale, Brussels sprouts and broccoli work well together because they’re all cruciferous vegetables.
- Besides kale, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, there’s celery, spinach and potassium-rich potatoes which helps thicken and give body to the soup.
A small amount of cream at the very end before pureeing provides a hint of richness. If you don’t wish to use heavy cream, you can get away without it or use your favorite dairy alternatives such as almond or coconut milk.
If using a blender or food processor, please be careful when pureeing hot soups! I puree the soup right in the pot with an immersion blender.
Swirl in some yogurt, sour cream or just a touch more cream and you’ve got a soup that’s worthy of your next dinner party!
For more delicious creamy soups, be sure to try my:
- Spinach Goat Cheese Bisque with Crispy Lemon Chickpeas
- Pumpkin Soup with Marsala and Mascarpone
- Spicy Indonesian Vegan Carrot Almond Soup
- Creamy White Bean, Rutabaga and Roasted Garlic Soup
- Butternut Squash Soup with Thyme and Taleggio
- Cream of Asparagus and Leek Soup with Curry
- Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Gouda Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Puree
- Cream of Brussels Sprouts Soup
Cream of Green Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
- 3 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 8 cups chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 2 large broccoli crowns, coarsely chopped
- 1 large bunch curly green kale, stems removed, coarsely chopped (approximately four cups tightly packed)
- 1 bag (10-ounce) baby spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Cream, yogurt or sour cream for “swirling”
Instructions
- Heat butter and oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and celery, reduce heat to medium and cook 5-7 minutes or until beginning to soften. Add the garlic and the cubed potato and saute briefly or just until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the chicken or vegetable broth, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kale. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20-25 minutes or until the vegetables are very tender. Add the spinach and cook briefly or until it is wilted.
- Add the heavy cream. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth or CAREFULLY in batches in a food processor or blender. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- To serve, swirl in some additional cream, yogurt or sour cream.
Notes
- If you don’t wish to use heavy cream, you can omit it or use your favorite dairy alternative.
- Can be made 1-2 days ahead of time.
- Reheat on the stovetop.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
It’s surprising how much flavor this soup has. We love it. I didn’t have cream so used half and half.
Hi, Kathleen, So nice to hear from you!! Thanks so much and appreciate your taking the time to come back and comment!
I am sooo excited to try this recipe. This is right up my alley. Carol never fails to exceed my expectations on her recipes. Not only are her recipes healthy, but absolutely delicious. I never would have thought to put so many of these ingredients together and have them work but that’s why I am so thrilled to have discovered Carol’s website. I have never had any of her recipes that didn’t impress me. Thank you Carol!
Hi, Cheryl, Thanks so very much!! I never would have thought it either, then a personal chef client was trying to get her kids to eat more veggies and specifically requested a soup like this. I did it for her and was even amazed at how delicious it was. Thanks again and always love hearing from you!
This is soo delicious. I didn’t add potato to keep it low carb and I didn’t miss them. It was so creamy and tasty. This is on the rotation for sure!
Hi, Brittney, Thanks so very much and so happy you enjoyed! Yes, you can definitely leave the potato out. It might be a little thinner but if you don’t mind, I don’t mind! 🙂 Thanks again!
This has NO BUSINESS being so delicious. This is going to be a winter staple for sure and SO. many. greens. Thank you!!!! I’m trying to eat more veggies for health and weight so this is a godsend.
Hi, Lauren, So very happy you love this soup! My heart skipped a beat when I first started to read your comment. One wouldn’t think all those veggies combined would be so delicious but they are! Thanks again!
Are you supposed to cover the pan while simmering the vegetables? (Recipe doesn’t mention.)
Thanks!
Hi, Jane, Thanks so much for your question. It doesn’t matter very much. You can cover it slightly to bring it to a boil then uncover it. If you leave it uncovered, the broth and flavor are going to reduce and intensify. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
So good, so worth it! I made it plant-based by adding a little bit of coconut milk instead of cream. Garnished with chopped cilantro stems, lemon and a dash of hot sauce.
Will be making it again!
Question:
How well does this freeze?
Hi again, Heather, Thanks for your question. This soup freezes fine and if you used coconut milk instead of cream, even better. Just freeze in the amounts desired in good containers. You can thaw in the refrigerator or slowly in the microwave. Whenever I reheat a cream soup, I do it on the stovetop on low heat and whisk several times to “pull” it back together. Thanks again and so glad you enjoyed!
Hi, Heather, Thanks so very much and glad you enjoyed!! Your modifications sound delicious! Thanks again!
This soup is a perfect use of all those vegetables I over purchased!! My husband I really enjoyed it with a little sour cream and a sprinkle of Tony’s creole seasoning!
Comfort food at its best. This recipe is very forgiving if you don’t have the same exact ingredients. I use mainly what i have in the fridge but always make sure i have the potatoes. I had half and half and used instead of the heavy cream, cauliflower when the market was out of brussel sprouts . . . Its always delicious and hearty and satisfying. It literally feels like love in a bowl and I think we are all worth the effort to nourish ourselves with wholesome ingredients like these. Simple to make and reheats very well to take to work the following week
Can I buy a soup like this in a can off the shelf somewhere or online? I just returned from France where I found the most wonderful blended vegetable and green vegetable soup at a supermarket called Leader Price.
Hi, Don, Really not sure about that because I don’t buy canned soups; I prefer to make soups myself. Do give this recipe a try! You may prefer it to canned soups, too… even French canned soups!
Thanks for the info, Carol.
Oh yum such a great vibrant looking soup!! I love making soups and this one looks like it’s up my alley. I’d have to swap out all the dairy but that’s easy!
Thanks, Liv! Almond milk would be a delicious alternative to the dairy.