Quick Answer
If your broccoli cheddar soup turns out too thick, there are a few easy ways to thin it out:
- Add more liquid – Stir in additional broth, milk or water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Add a roux – Whisk together equal parts butter and flour then stir into the soup. This will help thin out the soup without diluting the flavor.
- Puree less – Puree only half the broccoli florets instead of all of them before adding back to the soup.
- Add starch – Stir in a small amount of cornstarch or potato starch dissolved in cold water to help thin out the texture.
The key is to add extra liquid or puree less broccoli gradually, tasting frequently, so you don’t over-thin the soup. Go slowly and you can easily fix a soup that is too dense.
What Causes Broccoli Cheddar Soup to be Too Thick?
There are a few common culprits that can lead to broccoli cheddar soup ending up too thick:
- Over-pureeing – Pureeing too many of the broccoli florets results in a thicker, pasty texture.
- Not enough liquid – The soup may need more broth, milk or water added to reach the proper consistency.
- Too much roux – Using too much roux as a thickening agent leads to a dense, gluey soup.
- Cooking too long – Letting the soup simmer too long allows more liquid to cook off, leaving behind a thicker soup.
- Too much cheese – Adding too much cheese, especially low moisture varieties like cheddar, can make the soup too thick.
Being aware of these potential pitfalls can help you adjust the recipe as needed to get the ideal creamy yet still spoonable texture.
Tips for Thinning an Overly Thick Broccoli Cheddar Soup
If despite your best efforts, you end up with an ultra-thick broccoli cheddar soup, here are some tips for thinning it out:
Add More Liquid
One of the easiest ways to thin out a dense soup is to stir in additional liquid. Try adding:
- Broth – Chicken, vegetable or beef broth are all good choices. Add 1⁄4 cup at a time.
- Milk – For a creamier soup, stir in a splash of milk until desired consistency is reached.
- Water – As a last resort if no other liquids are available, use water to thin out the soup.
Add the extra liquid slowly and taste as you go. Too much liquid may dilute the flavor.
Reduce Pureed Broccoli
If you pureed all of the broccoli florets before adding back to the soup, this can lead to an overly thick texture. Try only pureeing half the broccoli next time. The remaining chunky pieces will help thin out the soup.
You can also scoop out some of the existing pureed broccoli to remove some thickness.
Mix in a Roux
A roux is equal parts butter and flour cooked together. Whisking a bit of roux into an overly thick soup can help thin it out. The roux helps bind and emulsify the liquid.
Start with 1-2 teaspoons each of melted butter and flour. Mix together then whisk into the soup. Check consistency and add more roux as needed.
Add Starch
Starches such as cornstarch or potato starch can help thin and stabilize the texture of thick soups.
In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon starch in 2 teaspoons cold water. Stir mixture into the soup and bring back to a simmer. Repeat as needed until desired consistency is reached.
Finish with Cream
If your soup still seems too dense after making the above adjustments, finish by stirring in a splash of heavy cream or half and half. The added fat will help smooth out the texture.
Adjust Seasonings
If you diluted the soup with a lot of added liquid, be sure to do a final taste test and adjust seasonings as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, garlic powder or hot sauce.
How to Avoid an Overly Thick Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Making small tweaks to your recipe and method can help prevent a too thick soup right from the start:
- Use enough liquid – Don’t skimp on the amount of broth or milk called for in the recipe.
- Limit roux – Use a light hand when adding the roux thickener, no more than a few tablespoons.
- Puree carefully – Only puree about half the broccoli florets, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Simmer gently – Avoid boiling the soup, which can cause excessive evaporation.
- Add cheese sparingly – Cheese adds thickness, so add it slowly and taste as you go.
- Check seasonings – Properly seasoned soup tastes richer with less thickness needed.
Following a well-tested recipe and making adjustments as you go will minimize the chances of your soup turning out too thick. Pay attention while simmering and be ready to add more liquid as needed.
Tips for Reheating Leftover Thick Soup
If you have leftover brothy soup that you refrigerated, it can thicken up overnight as the starches congeal. Here are some serving tips:
- Stir in milk or cream – Adding a splash of dairy can help smooth out the texture.
- Thin with hot water – For heartier soups, stir in hot water to reach desired consistency.
- Dilute in the bowl – Add milk, broth or water directly to each bowl when serving.
- Simmer on the stovetop – For a large batch, reheat gently while gradually stirring in extra liquid.
- Puree with cream – For a smooth, creamy soup, puree in a blender with some half and half or cream.
- Switch to stew – Overly thick soup can be served as a hearty vegetable stew over biscuits or rice.
The starch molecules relax during refrigeration which causes thickening. With a little tweaking at serving time, you can revive a too-dense leftover soup.
Example Recipe Adjustments
Original Recipe
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Butter | 3 Tbsp |
| Yellow onion, diced | 1 cup |
| Carrots, peeled & diced | 1 cup |
| Broccoli florets, chopped | 4 cups |
| Chicken broth | 4 cups |
| Heavy cream | 1 cup |
| Cheddar cheese, shredded | 2 cups |
Method:
1. Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and carrot. Cook 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add broccoli and chicken broth. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer 10 minutes until broccoli is tender.
3. Puree with immersion blender until smooth.
4. Stir in heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated.
5. Simmer gently 5 more minutes before serving.
This recipe can easily become too thick. The key is to pay attention as its simmering and make adjustments as needed.
Adjusted Recipe
| Ingredient | Original Amount | Adjusted Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | 3 Tbsp | 2 Tbsp |
| Chicken broth | 4 cups | 5 cups |
| Heavy cream | 1 cup | 3/4 cup |
| Cheddar cheese | 2 cups | 1 1/2 cups |
Method:
1. Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and carrot. Cook 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add broccoli and chicken broth. Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer 10 minutes until broccoli is tender.
3. Puree only 2 cups of the broccoli until smooth. Leave the remaining broccoli in chunks.
4. Stir in heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted and incorporated.
5. Simmer gently 5 more minutes, adding extra broth or milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
By reducing the thickeners and pureeing less broccoli, this adjusted recipe prevents the soup from becoming too dense.
Conclusion
A brothy soup turning out overly thick is a common cooking mishap. Luckily, there are many easy fixes. Simply stir in extra liquid a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Reducing the amount of pureed vegetables or thickening agents can also help thin the soup. Paying attention to the recipe and making adjustments while simmering are key to ensuring your soup turns out just right. With a few tweaks at the end or even while reheating leftovers, you can easily revive a soup that is too thick.