Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Recipe (2024)

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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.

Creamy Cauliflower and Bacon Soup Recipe (3)

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
  • Soups
  • Stovetop
  • Bacon
  • Cauliflower
  • Christmas Appetizers
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.

How to make bacon soup bendy? ›

Put the frozen hash brown potatoes, beans, onion, celery, carrots, and cooked bacon in a slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth, and stir into the vegetable and bacon mixture along with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours (until celery and carrots are tender).

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? ›

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 thicken cauliflower soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

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.

Is there a cream of bacon soup? ›

Bacon lovers, it's time to celebrate: Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Bacon Soup, our newest cooking soup, is made with real bacon and fresh cream. Its luscious texture is delicious on its own or adds the rich, smoky bacon flavor you crave to recipes like our Creamy Bacon Mac & Cheese.

What is cream of bacon soup made of? ›

CHICKEN BROTH (WATER, CHICKEN STOCK), VEGETABLE OIL (CORN, CANOLA AND/OR SOYBEAN), CREAM (MILK), BACON, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, WHEAT FLOUR, SALT, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, YEAST EXTRACT, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, BETA CAROTENE, FLAVOUR.

Can you add bacon grease to soup? ›

Use It as a Soup Base

Additionally, you can replace the butter or other fat content in a roux with bacon grease to add a savory flavor to any soup or other dish. This technique would be perfect for a meaty soup dish such as oxtail soup.

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.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

What is broccoli and cauliflower together called? ›

Romanesco goes by various names, including Romanesco broccoli, fractal broccoli, or Roman cauliflower, though it's considered to be a hybrid between cauliflower and broccoli. And it's part of the Brassica genus (also known as cruciferous vegetables), just like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale.

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

Foods that have a great deal of acidity, like lemon juice, vinegar, white wine, and tomato puree, can help liven up the flavor of bland-tasting bone and other broths. "The acidity of these ingredients works to complement and enhance the broth's flavors, not mask it.

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? ›

Fresh lemon juice squeezed into the soup at the very end wakens up the broth. The soup won't taste lemony, just brightened and lively. Fresh herbs and fat from a dollop of prepared pesto stirred into each bowl before serving is a real treat. I like my Vegan Pesto recipe, or Gotham Greens vegan pesto.

Is cauliflower flavorless? ›

Raw cauliflower has a subtly sweet, slightly nutty flavor. It is delicate and mild with a hint of pepperiness. Cauliflower's crisp texture yields a pleasing crunch when included in salads or used as a vessel for dips.

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