Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup (Whole30, keto, nut-free)
This Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe is also low-carb, keto-friendly, and Whole30. It’s different than most dairy-free and vegan broccoli cheese soup recipes because it’s also nut-free (no cashews!)! Cooks in just 5 minutes in your Instant Pot!
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This Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe has been a long time coming…
My stove-top, dairy-filled broccoli cheddar soup recipe is an old, well-loved favorite on the blog. Although, I haven’t personally made it in years because I don’t eat dairy.
The decision to cut dairy out of my diet wasn’t one I made lightly. It’s not a choice anyone takes lightly.
Over the years, I’ve interacted with thousands of people through social media. One thing is clear — eliminating dairy, for many, is akin to gouging out an eyeball.
Apparently, not eating cheese, butter, yogurt, and milk is sacrilege. If that’s you, we can still be friends. 🙂 I’m all about eating whatever makes your body feel good — whether that’s steak and eggs or vegan salads!
Still, there are plenty of folks who, out of necessity or by personal conviction, have chosen to eliminate dairy from their lifestyles. Like me.
This Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup is for us.
What is my secret dairy substitute?
I’ve said it before…
Steaming and blending up cauliflower as a cream substitute is the best kitchen discovery I’ve ever made. I have yet to come up with a single recipe that is more mind-blowing than plain ol’ steamed and blended cauliflower “cream”.
Get my Instant Pot Cauliflower “Cream” tutorial here.
I’ve used my Cauliflower Cream in soooooo many ways…
From dairy-free, vegan queso dip to sour “cream” enchilada sauce, from Instant Pot clam chowder to chocolate pudding (yes, really), this humble vegetable has changed my dairy-free life in only good ways.
Check out my other dairy-free Instant Pot (some are also vegan) recipes that are so creamy and comforting, you’d swear they were made with actual cream or cheese or butter — but they aren’t…
- Whole30 Instant Pot Fish Chowder (low-carb, dairy-free, nut-free)
- Instant Pot Keto Zuppa Toscana
- Instant Pot Dairy-Free Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Meatballs
- Keto Instant Pot “Cheesy” Zucchini Soup (vegan)
- Keto Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Dairy-Free Instant Pot Bacon Jalapeno Corn Chowder (with vegan option)
- Instant Pot Green Chile Chicken Chowder (dairy-free, keto, Whole30)
- Instant Pot Spinach Artichoke Meatball Soup (paleo, keto, Whole30)
- How to Make Any Blended Soup in the Instant Pot
Now, it’s high time I created a dairy-free, nut-free Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe!
Dairy-Free & Nut-Free Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup
If you’ve been making vegan or dairy-free soup recipes for any length of time, you know that the typical cream substitute is soaked and blended cashews.
Cashews make a helluva dairy sub. Unfortunately, this is limiting for a few people…
- Cashews are nuts, so they’re not allergy-friendly and aren’t allowed in nut-free school zones.
- They’re expensive and using them on a regular basis for vegan or dairy-free recipes isn’t financially sustainable.
- Cashews are higher in carbs and natural sugars than most other nuts, thereby increasing the carbs in many “low-carb” recipes.
Cashews are one of my personal favorite snacks — especially these soaked and dehydrated cashews (save 10% with my discount code NOURISHING). However, I prefer to leave them out of my dairy-free and vegan soup recipes when possible.
I use inexpensive, nourishing, creamy blended cauliflower in my Dairy-Free and Nut-free Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup instead!
Recipe FAQs & Substitutions
I am not vegan and would like to use cheese. How can I add that?
I developed this recipe specifically to be dairy-free. My Classic Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe is a better recipe for you!
Best nutritional yeast?
I only use non-fortified nutritional yeast, meaning it does not have synthetic vitamins added. This is a much more natural product, while still giving your soup a cheesy flavor. I use either Foods Alive Nutritional Yeast or Sari Foods Nutritional Yeast.
Can I use fresh/frozen cauliflower/broccoli?
Yes, fresh or frozen veggies will work. To save work, I prefer using frozen cauliflower. I used fresh broccoli in this recipe because I had an abundance from my garden.
I prefer a totally smooth soup. Do I have to steam the broccoli in a glass bowl?
Nope, just throw it in with the rest of the veggies, pressure cook, and blend! I like small chunks of broccoli florets, hence steaming small florets in the glass bowl. This is an optional step, however.
Can I sub broth for the water?
Yes! If you are vegan or vegetarian, you can use your favorite vegetable broth. Omnivores may use their favorite bone broth.
Do I have to use jalapeno/cayenne pepper?
Nope, these ingredients are optional! Our family loves spicy, and I was hoping for a copycat Hoffbrau broccoli-cheese-jalapeno soup. I got pretty close! 😉
How to Make Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup
This Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup is ultra-nourishing. It’s a fantastic way to get in some extra veggies, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or an omnivore!
This is also an easy Instant Pot soup recipe that will take you very little prep time. You can meal prep this Instant Pot soup recipe or even freeze it for later.
It’s literally just veggies and water! (Non-vegans can use bone broth… more below!)
First, prep your veggies: dice onion, slice carrots, garlic, and jalapenos, if using. Press the Saute button on your Instant Pot and add some olive oil. Saute the onion, carrots, garlic, and jalapenos.
If you use 16-ounce bags of frozen cauliflower, there’s no prep work for the cauliflower. Just dump it in, add water (or broth), and seasonings.
I prep the broccoli in a special way:
Cut the thick stems away from the florets and add them to the veggies + water. The stems will get blended up. Chop the florets to your preferred size.
Add them to a glass bowl and place this bowl of florets on top of your veggies + water. The Instant Pot cooks it all at the same time!
When it beeps, release the pressure from the Instant Pot. Carefully remove the bowl of steamed broccoli florets and set aside.
Next, use an immersion blender to blend the veggies + water. This is also when you’ll add nutritional yeast and apple cider vinegar that gives this soup a classic, cheesy flavor.
Finally, once blended until smooth, simply stir the steamed broccoli into the soup.
Now, you have a smooth soup with a few chunks of steamed broccoli that was made in one pot. Easy!
Here’s the full recipe for Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup!
Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup
This Instant Pot Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe is also low-carb, keto-friendly, and Whole30. It's different than most dairy-free and vegan broccoli cheese soup recipes because it's also nut-free (no cashews!)! Cooks in just 5 minutes in your Instant Pot!
Ingredients
- 2cupsdiced yellow onion
- 2mediumcarrotssliced
- 2jalapeno pepperssliced, optional
- 5clovesgarlicsliced
- 2poundsfrozen cauliflower florets
- 4teaspoonssaltto taste
- 1-1/2teaspoonpaprika
- 1-1/2teaspoonground mustard
- 3cupswateror bone broth (not vegan) or vegetable broth
- 4cupsfresh broccoli floretschopped
- 2-1/2tablespoonsapple cider vinegar
- 1/2cupnon-fortified nutritional yeast
- 1/8 to 1/4teaspooncayenne pepperoptional, to taste
Pin it!
More Nourishing Instant Pot Soup Recipes You’ll Love…
- Instant Pot Mexican Beef Stew
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- Hella Mighty Instant Pot Green Soup (vegan, keto, paleo)
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Will you try this nut-free, dairy-free Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Do you think I could put potatoes in place of the cauliflower? Just don’t like the cauliflower after taste in the soup.
Sorry, but I don’t know. I’ve never tried this recipe with potatoes, and since they have a lot more starch than cauliflower, I think it might create a funky texture. But I’m honestly not sure. Let me know how it works if you try it!