• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Peace Love and Low Carb logo

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Cookbooks
    • Low Carb Soups and Stews Ebook
    • Home For the Holidays Ebook
    • Keto Desserts eBook
    • Dairy Free Keto Cooking
    • Craveable Keto Cookbook
    • 30 Minute Ketogenic Cooking
    • Keto Happy Hour
    • The Primal Low Carb Kitchen Cookbook
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • Dips, Dressings and Sauces Ebook
    • Savory Side Dishes Ebook
  • Skincare
  • Work With Me
    • TV – Press – Media
    • Work With Me - Media Kit
    • About
  • Store
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • About
  • TV - Press - Media
  • Work With Me
  • Skin Care
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    Published: Sep 25, 2012 · Last Updated: Oct 26, 2020 by Kyndra Holley

    Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Ham - low carb, keto, gluten free

    This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 4.9 from 9 reviews
    This Keto Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Ham recipe is the perfect Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup copycat recipe. It has the added bonus of delicious smokey ham. It is rich, complex, and everything you would want in a low carb soup recipe.
     
    Bowl of Keto Cheddar Broccoli Soup garnished with cheddar, crispy ham and broccoli

    Panera broccoli cheddar soup copycat recipe

    This thick and creamy low carb broccoli cheese soup recipe is not for the faint of heart. But if you are a quesophile like myself, then you have come to the right place. It is warm and comforting - everything a good soup should be. This broccoli cheese soup is easy to modify with the ingredients you have on hand. Mix things up a bit and try substituting different cheeses. I also like to add more vegetables based on what I have on hand - red peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, cauliflower etc. You can't go wrong with a delectably, cheesy vegetable soup. This gluten free cheddar broccoli soup is one of my favorite ways to sneaks extra vegetables into kids diets. With all the cheese and cream, they won't even know that they are getting an extra dose of vitamins and minerals.

     
    2 bowls of Keto Cheddar Broccoli Soup garnished with cheddar, crispy ham and broccoli

    What you need to make this low carb Cheddar Broccoli Soup Recipe:

    • butter
    • ham steak
    • onion
    • carrot
    • celery
    • garlic
    • sea salt
    • black pepper
    • broccoli
    • chicken stock
    • heavy cream
    • sharp cheddar cheese
    • parmesan cheese
     
    Overhead shot of a bowl of Cheddar Broccoli Soup garnished with cheddar, crispy ham and broccoli

    Variations for this keto cheddar broccoli soup recipe

    • Switch up the cheeses. Some of my favorites are smoked mozzarella or gouda
    • Speaking of smoked - if you want to give this soup a smokey flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke
    • Make it with half cauliflower and half broccoli
    • For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken stock for veggie stock and omit the ham
    • Use leek instead of celery and onion
    • Use shallot in place of onion
    • Add rotisserie chicken

    Other low carb soup recipes you might enjoy:

    • Creamy Jalapeno Popper Chicken Soup
    • Creamy Roasted Mushroom and Garlic Soup with Bacon
    • Philly Cheesesteak Soup
    • Keto Chicken Pot Pie Soup
    • Low Carb Zuppa Toscana Soup
    • Creamy Cajun Sausage and Potato Soup
    • Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Chowder
    • Paleo Cabbage Roll Soup
    • Slow Cooker Clam Chowder
    • Buffalo Chicken Soup
    • Easy Peasy Wonton-less Soup

    Keto Cookbooks and Meal Plans

    • Home for the Holidays – 25 Classic Holiday Recipes Made Low Carb
    • Craveable Keto Cookbook
    • Dairy Free Keto Cooking
    • Keto Happy Hour
    • 30 Minute Ketogenic Cooking
    • Primal Low Carb Kitchen
    • Keto Desserts
    • Low Carb Slow Cooker Soups and Stews
    • Keto Savory Side Dishes
    • Keto Condiments Dressings and Sauces
    • 14 Weeks of Low Carb and Gluten Free Meal Plans

    Want more low carb soup and stew recipes?

    Is there anything more comforting on a cold day than a hot bowl of soup? In this ebook, there are 30 creative and delicious soup recipes. They utilize common every day ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store -no weird specialty ingredients here. So break out your Dutch oven, stock pot, and slow cooker, because it is soup season! These recipes are hearty enough to make a full meal, and perfect for meal prep. I like to make each one in a double batch and freeze half for later - cook once, eat twice. CHECK IT OUT HERE!

     
    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Overhead shot of a bowl of Cheddar Broccoli Soup garnished with cheddar, crispy ham and broccoli

    Broccoli Cheese Soup - keto, low carb, gluten free


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    4.9 from 9 reviews

    • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    • Yield: Makes 16 Servings
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 4 tablespoons salted butter, divided
    • 12 ounces ham steak, cubed
    • 1 medium onion, chopped
    • 1 large carrot, chopped
    • 2 ribs celery, chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoons sea salt (this is the only brand I use) code PEACE for 15% off
    • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
    • 5 cups rough chopped broccoli florets
    • 6 cups chicken stock
    • 3 cups heavy cream
    • 2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese


    Instructions

    1. Heat a large dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and the ham to the pot. Cook until the ham is browned all over. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried ham from the pot, retaining the drippings.
    2. To the drippings, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium and sauté until the vegetables are tender and the garlic is fragrant.
    3. Add the broccoli and sauté for an additional 5 minutes.
    4. Add a little bit of the chicken stock to the pot to deglaze. Scrape up and mix in any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot.
    5. Add the remaining chicken stock to the pot, bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.
    6. Mix in the heavy cream and simmer for 10 additional minutes.
    7. Stir in the cheddar and parmesan cheeses and stir until melted. Let simmer for an additional 20 to 30 minutes.
    8. Add the ham to the pot, retaining some for garnish.
    9. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup to your desired consistency. You can skip this step for a brothier soup, with larger chucks of vegetables.
    10. Garnish with cheddar and reserved ham before serving.

    Notes

    • If you are using unsalted butter, you will want to increase the amount of sea salt in this recipe.
    • net carbs per serving: 3.5g
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 60 minutes
    • Category: soups and stews
    • Method: simmer

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @kyndraholley on Instagram and hashtag it #peaceloveandlowcarb

     

    Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free Weekly Meal Plans

    Peace, Love and Low Carb - Low Carb and Gluten Free Weekly Meal PlansAre you ready to take the guesswork out of that stressful weeknight meal planning?

    Peace, Love and Low Carb - Low Carb and Gluten Free Weekly Meal Plans are low carb, gluten free, and keto friendly. All recipes include a color photo and complete nutritional analysis. Comes with a printable grocery list, snack list, tips for meal prepping and suggestions for substitutions.

    It is definitely the most comprehensive low carb meal plan out there. And for only $4.99 per week, you simply cannot beat the price.

    Click HERE to order

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you try this recipe? Leave a review! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. queenfisher says

      March 01, 2019 at 11:33 am

      This soup is ridiculously good—I generally double it and freeze some, and I've made it over and over. I never review recipes, but I saw that someone gave it 4 stars and that simply cannot be borne. As an old-school Catholic who doesn't eat meat on Wednesdays or Fridays, I just make this soup and eat up on my "abstinence" days. It's questionable whether I'm really undergoing penance at all!

      Some variations: I use frozen cauliflower (a little more, proportionally, than what Kendra suggests) and frozen broccoli, since I always have those on hand. Usually about 2 lbs cauli to 1 lb broccoli ratio. I also sub chicken stock for half of the heavy cream and halve the sharp cheddar and parm (I made it this way when I discovered, to my chagrin, that I didn't have nearly as much cheese or cream on hand as I thought...but it was so delicious I've just been making it this way since). I also add nutmeg (a couple teaspoons fresh grated) because that's what Pioneer Woman does in her broccoli cheese soup and it's mind-blowing!

      Reply
      • Kyndra Holley says

        October 27, 2020 at 8:01 am

        Love the idea of adding a pinch of nutmeg. Nutmeg compliments cheese and cream so well.

        Reply
    2. B says

      February 06, 2019 at 2:14 pm

      Made this today and it was very flavorful. However, it is extremely salty due to 2 cups of Parmesan cheese. Keep this in mind, as you don’t need to add any additional salt in my opinion. Next time I’d use low sodium chicken stock to counter this.

      Reply
    3. Donna says

      December 28, 2017 at 1:19 pm

      I just made this soup today. 6 degrees outside. I used my nutribullet to emulsify my veggies & cream cheese using hot liquid. Then into crockpot to cook on low for 4 hours to blend flavors and cheddar cheese along with parmesan. Excellent Kyndra.

      Reply
    4. Cheryl says

      January 27, 2017 at 1:04 pm

      My husband can't have parmesan (aged cheese - gives him migraines). Is there another cheese you would suggest as a substitute?

      Reply
      • Peace Love and Low Carb says

        January 27, 2017 at 3:37 pm

        Honestly, you can really just throw in any combination of cheese that you like

        Reply
    5. Rebecca Skaggs says

      January 05, 2017 at 12:33 pm

      Is there a way to cook this in the slow cooker so i can leave it to cook whileI am at work?

      Reply
      • Peace Love and Low Carb says

        January 05, 2017 at 5:04 pm

        Yes, you can just add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook it on low for 6 hours or so. If you have the time, I recommend adding the cheese and cream in the final hour of cooking

        Reply
    6. Cynthia Kaler says

      October 16, 2016 at 10:11 am

      This is next on my list to try this week. We have just hit the cooler weather and I'm certain that these soups with a salad will be perfect for lunch at work or for an easy week day meal. I plan on adding diced up bacon or diced leftover chicken if I'm eating it for dinner for a more "filling meal".

      Reply
    7. Seema says

      March 24, 2016 at 7:31 am

      How could I add chicken to this for more protein? Could I just add the chicken breasts at the beginning and shred the chicken at the end?

      Reply
      • Peace Love and Low Carb says

        March 24, 2016 at 5:06 pm

        Yes, you can cook it at the same time as the ham, or you can add it in after you puree it with the immersion blender. I add chicken from time to time and I just add shredded rotisserie chicken because its easy and has great flavor

        Reply
    8. Tacoma Wilson-Scott says

      December 08, 2014 at 10:57 pm

      I'm a type 1 diabetic and I so love Subway's broccoli and cheddar soup but find that it spikes my blood sugar. Is there any alterations to make this diabetic friendly? Any suggestions would be awesome.

      Reply
      • Peace Love and Low Carb says

        December 09, 2014 at 6:36 am

        I'm not sure what is in Subways soup. This soup is diabetic friendly. There isn't anything in it that should cause blood sugar spikes

        Reply
    9. Bellefemme says

      December 06, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      This was wonderful!
      I was wondering what are the fiber count and serving size of the soup.

      Reply
      • Kyndra Holley says

        October 27, 2020 at 8:04 am

        There are 1.1 grams of fiber per serving. The serving size is 1 cup

        Reply
    10. Cassie says

      July 08, 2014 at 6:22 pm

      You call for 2 cups of "cheddar cheese – shredded." Since this is by volume rather than weight, do you count 2 cups' worth before or after you shred it?

      Reply
      • Peace Love and Low Carb says

        July 08, 2014 at 6:31 pm

        It is 2 cups of shredded cheddar.

        Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK

    About Kyndra


    Kyndra
    Hey there! Welcome to my site! I am Kyndra Holley - International Best Selling Cookbook Author, and the face behind this blog. I am an avid lover of all things low carb, keto and gluten free. I focus on real, whole food ingredients that you can find at your local grocer. Read more about Peace Love and Low Carb...

    Recent Posts

    Ham and Cheese Egg muffins, garnished with fresh herbs, cooling on a wire rack.
    A loaf pan full of low carb lasagna, topped with golden brown baked cheese, olives, avocado, tomato, and sour cream.
    A white bowl with a plate of breaded chicken with melted cheese in a pool of marinara sauce.
    A serving platter with mini cheesecakes, topped with whipped cream and candied nuts.
    A bowl of creamy taco soup made with ground beef, onion, garlic, cream cheese, beef stock, diced tomatoes and green chilies. Garnished with avocado, tomato, cheese, and cilantro.
    A white serving bowl full of homemade slow cooker beef stew, with a spoon in the bowl and chopped parsley on the side.
    A white casserole dish with chicken breasts topped with cheese, bacon and green onions.
    A white ceramic skillet full of a creamy chicken dish with chicken breasts, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, onion, parmesan cheese and heavy cream.
    An enameled cast iron skillet with roasted broccoli, homemade cheese sauce and chopped crispy bacon.

    My Cookbooks

    Dairy Free Keto Cooking By Kyndra D Holley
    30 Minute Ketogenic Cooking By Kyndra D. Holley
    Keto Happy Hour | Kyndra Holley
    CRAVEABLE KETO COOKBOOK By Kyndra Holley of Peace Love and Low Carb
    Graphic with the logos of all the places Kyndra Holley - Peace Love and Low Carb has been featured on

    Footer

    FOLLOW
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    SEARCH
    JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    LEGAL

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    STAY IN TOUCH

    • Sign up for our newsletter
    • Contact
    • Follow me on Instagram

    WORK WITH ME

    • About Me
    • Work With Me
    • Media and Press