As winter firmly settles across the UK, the desire for hearty, comforting food intensifies. There's no better defence against the cold, rainy weather than a bowl of homemade soup, and one recipe in particular has taken the internet by storm.
The Viral Sensation Worth Trying
Among the countless recipes online, a broccoli and cheddar soup video by @cookwithauds immediately stood out. With a staggering more than 20 million views, this recipe promises a perfect blend of nutrition and indulgence. It combines the health benefits of broccoli and carrots with the rich, decadent flavour of a generous helping of cheddar cheese.
After trying it for myself, I can confirm it's a standout dish. The result was so impressive that only two words truly capture the experience: 'restaurant quality'. It was simple to make, deeply satisfying, and yielded plenty of portions that tasted even better as leftovers in the following days.
Crafting the Perfect Winter Warmer
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and speed. From start to finish, the soup came together in around half an hour, making it an ideal quick and easy meal for a busy weeknight. The original chef, Audrey, garnishes her creation with crispy bacon, adding a delightful extra burst of flavour and texture.
Here is the complete list of ingredients and the method to recreate this viral sensation at home, along with a small tweak I made during my own attempt.
Ingredients & Method
Ingredients for four servings:
- One white onion
- Six cloves of garlic
- Olive oil and three tablespoons of butter
- Salt, pepper, onion & garlic powder
- Quarter cup of flour
- Four cups of chicken broth (I used two vegetable stock cubes in 800ml water)
- Half cup of semi-skimmed milk
- Half cup of half & half (single cream works as a substitute)
- Two cups of grated cheddar cheese (I used extra mature)
- One head of broccoli
- Three carrots
Method:
First, prepare all your vegetables. Dice the onion, crush the garlic, roughly chop the broccoli—including the stalk—and grate the carrots. Next, take a large pot with a lid and add a generous amount of olive oil along with the butter, allowing it to melt over a medium heat.
Add the onions to the pot and let them soften for a few minutes. Give them a good stir before seasoning with salt, pepper, garlic granules, and onion granules; I used about one teaspoon of each. Mix well before adding the crushed garlic.
After about 30 seconds, it's time to sprinkle in the flour. This is where I believe I made a slight error—I don't think I added enough, so my soup didn't thicken up as much as I would have liked. Stir the flour into the mixture before gradually pouring in the stock.
Cover the pot and let the soup simmer on a medium-low heat for around 15 minutes. This is the perfect time to prepare some accompaniments, like a warm garlic baguette.
After simmering, pour in the milk and cream. Then, slowly add the grated cheddar cheese, saving a little to sprinkle on top when serving. You can now adjust the seasoning to your taste before adding the chopped broccoli and grated carrots.
Place the lid back on the pot and let everything simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Once ready, ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with the reserved cheese, and serve immediately with your chosen sides.
The Verdict on the Viral Soup
This broccoli and cheddar soup is more than just a passing internet trend. It is a genuinely delicious, wholesome, and indulgent meal that is perfectly suited for the colder months. The process is straightforward, and the result is a comforting dish that truly feels like a treat. It's bound to become a new favourite in your winter recipe rotation.
