This creamy cauliflower soup is rich and satisfying, and it takes only a few short minutes to make in your Instant Pot! Low carb comfort food at its finest.
Best. Dang. Soup. I. Have. Ever. Made.
Is that an exaggeration? Possibly but in the moment, I really thought it was the best soup I had ever made. So creamy, so velvety, so full of awesome low carb flavour. So ridiculously comforting. Especially given that spring seems to have gone missing and we are back into winter. This was the perfect keto comfort food on a chilly, blustery Friday night when all we wanted to do was curl up and watch a movie. And that’s exactly what we did.
This recipe is actually destined for yet another cookbook. Oh yes, I am that crazy. Said cookbook has not been announced yet but you know I will shout it from the rooftops when the time comes. Let’s just say this mystery keto book is all about the warm and cozy comfort food. But this soup was so good, I really couldn’t wait to share it. Not sure my publisher would agree with me so shhhhhh.
Moving on…
Cauliflower Soup Recipe
What’s so great about this soup? Well, for one it has bacon, as any good “loaded” soup should. And the bacon is crisped right in the Instant Pot so that when you move on to the next step, you are cooking all your veggies in that luscious bacon fat. Which gives the soup an almost velvety flavour when it’s done. Although I have never eaten velvet, velvety is the best way I can think to describe this flavour. Just go with it.
Also, in true Instant Pot fashion, the cauliflower takes a few short minutes to cook. You are on your way to blending it up before you can say Jack Robinson. No, I don’t know what that means either, it’s just a standard turn of phrase indicating something that happens quickly. Yes, really. Go look it up.
And then you add sour cream and shredded monterey jack or cheddar for an incredibly rich, satisfying soup. It’s thick and delicious, and it warms you right down to your toes. Topped with bacon, a little more cheese and a little green onion and you are in soupy comfort-y heaven. It’s like a warm blanket on a cold day.
This creamy keto cauliflower soup is rich and satisfying, and it takes only a few short minutes to make in your Instant Pot! Low carb comfort food at its finest.
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar divided
- 1 green onion
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Place the chopped bacon in the Instant Pot and turn on the sauté function. Cook the bacon, stirring frequently, until crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined plate, leaving as much of the bacon fat in the pot as possible.
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Add the onion, celery, and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Turn off the sauté function.
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Add the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, then add the cauliflower. Lock the lid onto the pot and make sure the vent is sealed. Set the manual function on high for 5 minutes (it will take 5 to 10 minutes to come up to pressure).
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When the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before opening the vent. Remove the lid and stir in the sour cream and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth or transfer to a full size blender or food processor.
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Serve the soup topped with the remaining cheese, the bacon, and the green onion.
If you would prefer to make this on your stove top, follow the instructions for sautéing the vegetables in a large pot over medium heat. Add the broth and cauliflower as instructed and cook for 30 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender. Proceed with the remaining steps, as directed.
Dee says
I will definitely try this. But I think I will use smoked cheddar – DJFoodie got us hooked on smoked cheddar.
Carolyn says
Hey, smoked cheddar is where it’s at! 😉
Karel says
Impeccable timing! I’d washed a head of cauliflower and had decided between two soup recipes when this one came through my Feedly account. I made it tonight and it is absolutely the best cauliflower soup recipe yet. Definitely a keeper. Easily five stars for taste, but it was also fast and easy. TRY IT! I followed the recipe exactly, and served it with keto Black Pepper Biscuits.
Dawn says
Smoked cheddar huh? Maybe I should try it. I wonder how smoked Gouda would be instead…
Danielle Coonerty says
With Winter about to start in Australia, I can’t wait to try this. I think the smoked cheddar addition would also lift it to another level.
Sandie says
This was fantastic! Bolt my husband and I loved it. It was easy and quick to make. Thanks so much for all your work.
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Jessa says
This looks so easy yet completely yummy! I’m still getting used to using my instant pot and I definitely want to try this!
Debbie Hilliard says
Delicious & Nutritious! We had an unexpected cold front come in today – a week after Easter – and this soup was perfect for a cold rainy day. I made it exactly by the recipe and used sharp cheddar cheese because it was what I had on hand and I wouldn’t change anything – unless I wanted to experiment with different cheeses. Your recipes never let me down!
Carolyn says
Wonderful to hear!
Jenn says
This never happens to me! I made something extremely similar to this this winter for my granddad who was in decline and not eating well. Used half chicken stock and half heavy cream, with a splash of wine- but no sour cream- otherwise, darn near exactly the same. And I used smoked cheddar which is quite funny after all the above comments. I was able to vitamix it into a thick delightful soup and the man ate three bowls and proclaimed it “wonderful”. Which from the stern and ailing culinary patriarch of a family of chefs is no small feat to achieve. Great work! I can’t wait to try yours, I think the sour cream is going to be sooo good in there. Very twice baked. Yum! Thanks for a dynamite recipe!
Carolyn says
Well, loaded cauli soup is not an unusual recipe so it’s not surprising we came to similar ideas!
Jen says
O oooo, this looks and sounds amazing! Similar to a loaded potato soup I used to make with WAY less carbs, saving for sure!
Joanna says
I made this on the stove and it was sooooo good. Thank you!!
Dee says
I’ve made this twice now! First I did follow the recipe exactly – Absolutely wonderful! Then I made it with the smoked cheddar – Absolutley Fabulous! I had one bowl left over and I added diced chicken to it – Soooo
Goooood! Next I’m going to do smoked Swiss! Thank you so much for this recipe. P.s. Non-low carb hubby inhaled this. Winner!
Carolyn says
Hooray! Have fun with the cheeses!
Macy says
This is creamy goodness in a bowl when you need a little comfort food! My non low carb husband enjoys it too.