Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic Soup Recipe (2024)

By Ali Slagle

Updated March 1, 2024

Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic Soup Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 10 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Rating
4(1,093)
Notes
Read community notes

This three-ingredient vegan soup isn’t a trick: It’s as velvety and rich as its creamy, dairy-full counterparts, with a sweetness that lingers and warms. Coax deep, nutty flavors from cauliflower and a whole head of garlic by roasting them until caramelized; next you’ll simmer them until nearly falling apart, then blend the mixture until silky-smooth. Gentle and comforting on its own, the soup can also serve as the start to your own creation: You could roast sliced onions or leeks instead of the garlic; stir in Cheddar, Gruyère or Parmesan; or top with fried sage or capers. Accompany with grilled cheese or pumpernickel bread, or a hearty salad with grains or lentils.

Featured in: The One Way to Roast Every Kind of Vegetable

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings

  • pounds cauliflower (1 very large head), cut into 1-inch florets, leaves reserved
  • ¼cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1head garlic

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

141 calories; 10 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 13 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 481 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic Soup Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a sheet pan, toss the cauliflower florets and leaves with the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Cut off the top ¼ inch of the head of garlic to expose the top of the cloves, then place on a piece of foil, cut side up. Sprinkle exposed cloves with salt, then drizzle lightly with oil. Wrap the garlic in the foil and place on the sheet pan. Roast until the cauliflower is browned and tender and the garlic is soft and fragrant, 30 to 35 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, in a large pot or Dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt to a simmer over medium. Reserve about 1 cup cauliflower for the topping, then add the rest to the pot, including any browned bits on the sheet pan. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into the pot. Cover and simmer until the cauliflower is very soft, 7 to 10 minutes.

  3. Step

    3

    Off the heat, using an immersion blender (or working in batches in a traditional blender), purée the soup until smooth. If thick, add water to taste. If thin, simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce slightly. (The soup will also thicken as it cools.) Season to taste with salt.

  4. Step

    4

    Serve the soup topped with the reserved roasted cauliflower, a drizzle of olive oil and more black pepper.

Ratings

4

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1,093

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Anne

I wonder if using a few cups of chicken broth in exchange for some of the water would make for an even more savory soup? I know it would obviate the vegan-ness, but for non-vegans it might be tasty...

Ana

This soup was awesome. So simple and so delicious. I didn’t have quite enough cauliflower so I added some chickpeas to both the roasting and blending steps and it was a nice consistency.

lissa

Throw in a handful of raw, unsalted cashew pieces with the broth - before puréeing, to add a bit of protein and keep it vegan.

David Morris

I never understood why beets and garlic get wrapped in foil when one is roasting them. Can they really caramelize wrapped up in foil and steaming in their own evaporating liquid? I roast beets with olive oil, salt and pepper, uncovered, and they come out delicious and caramelized. Similarly, I would be inclined to roast the garlic uncovered. Any thoughts?

Rachel S

very yummy and simple! Some modifications:- I didn't use the cauliflower leaves.- my cauliflower head was not "very large". To make up for this, I used only 4c water, but the soup was still pretty watery in the end.- used veggie broth instead of water.Next time I make this soup, I think I will use 2 heads of cauliflower (no leaves), the full 6 cups of liquid (veggie broth), and also I would roast the florets and garlic for longer -- at least 45 mins.

Lydia Sugarman

Yes, adding some Great Northern, cannellini, or navy beans or a potato or two will add creaminess. Along with the olive oil, they add an unctuousness to the soup.Is there any reason not to use stock inplace of water? Vegetable stock would still keep it vegan, no?

Sue

Add Parmesan Rinds!

Daniel

Put the garlic in before you prepare the cauliflower. It needs closer to an hour to really get golden brown and tender.

Beth

To the person who said browning cauliflower makes it bitter: I have been cooking professionally for almost 40 years and I have never experienced caramelized cauliflower to be bitter.

sarah

There is a great vegan “no chicken” base by “Better than Bouillon” in a jar that we have used for years in Chinese and veggie recipes instead of chicken stock and it is terrific. Adds the depth we want. Easy way to keep it plant-based and delicious.

Court

I like adding silken tofu or a can of beans to soups like this to bump up the satiety. Will be trying this!!!

Kate Disney

Consider white pepper and a bit of horseradish to add a twist to this.

Vanessa

How are the cauliflower leaves supposed to be used?

Sherherazade

I garnished this with dry roasted cumin and cayenne. Delicious.

Jen P

I added a couple of teaspoons of dijon mustard- yum!

angie

This was delicious. I definitely would have kept it to these particular ingredients but I was well aware, even before I started, that my cauliflower was not big enough. I trudged ahead anyway. My soup ended up a bit watery. I solved that with a few dollops of Greek yogurt. It was delicious. Next time I will make sure I have plenty of cauliflower because I am definitely making this again. The pleasure is in the deliciousness and the simplicity.

vikingdandy

Made as per the recipe but used two heads of cauliflower and the heads of garlic. I had some turkey broth bin the freezer (I used 6 cups) and followed sa reader suggestion of Ras El Hanout ( a tablespoon) it was superb.

The Anch

Add lemon and some red mirchi

Ferguson

I had a very large head of cauliflower so 6 cups of water made for a fine soup. I roasted and used the leaves which were mostly stem.

meri

3/13/24Added roasted leeks and beans. Was too thick and pasty, and not as flavorful as I would have liked.

meri

3/13/24Added roasted leaks and beans. Was a bit too think and pasty, and not as flavorful as I would have liked.

Hope

I used two heads of garlic, cashews and 5 cups of veggie bullion the second time i made this based on the recommendations in the comments - Awesome meal !!

Janecollins

1. If use salted stock, reduce salt used when roasting cauliflower.2. I agree with whoever said garlic needs longer than cauliflower.3. Leaves are good.

Jay

Made some adjustments by utilizing caramelized garlic and garlic infused olive oil in place of regular garlic and olive oil. (Look up Chrissy Teigan’s roasted garlic & garlic oil recipe.) Topped it off with drizzle of Mama Teav’s chili crisp.

Sue Dingle

Myles didn’t care for the cauliflower chunks where Jeff wanted more.

Aliska

Based on the comments I roasted the garlic twice as long as the cauliflower and added Better than Bullion, and it was outstanding. I will definitely make this soup again.

Sue Dingle

Veg stock cube not required.

gerry

Super easy. Tasty. Made exact to recipe directions.

Rahul

I did make some alterations based off everyone’s comments and other cauliflower soup recipes: Roasted cauliflower with onions (because what soup doesn’t have onions) and used a tomato-heavy vegetable broth. Added a teaspoon of garam masala to round out the flavor. Blended in a vitamix and it came out a light white/yellow/red. Close enough. Topped with lemon juice and it was fantastic! Is it even the same recipe at this point?

Hamotron

This was okay. I liked it better reheated the next day. Used vegetable broth, two medium heads of cauliflower, and two heads of garlic. Did not use the leaves for anything. I would much rather just eat the roasted cauliflower, but it wasn't bad.

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Roasted Cauliflower and Garlic Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower soup tasteless? ›

How Do You Fix Bland Cauliflower Soup?
  • Season twice with salt and pepper: You'll start by seasoning the cauliflower florets with salt and pepper before roasting. Then, season again when the roasted florets are combined with broth on the stovetop. ...
  • Add lots of aromatics. ...
  • Finish with lemon.

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.

What does cauliflower pair well with? ›

Anchovy, beef, blue cheese, buffalo mozzarella, butter, cheddar cheese, chickpeas, curry, farro, feta cheese, gruyère cheese, parmesan cheese, pork, quinoa, rice, saffron, tahini, tofu, turkey, turmeric, yoghurt.

Which soup is usually made of cauliflower in French cuisine? ›

Crème du Barry: Cream of Cauliflower Soup

Called Crème du Barry in France, its name lies in history, like many good French recipes. This easy, rich and creamy soup was named after Madame Jeanne Bécu, comtesse du Barry, a famous French beauty who was the last official mistress of the ill-fated king, Louis XV.

How to make soup really flavorful? ›

7 Easy Ways to Make Any Soup Better
  1. Brown or Sear the Meat.
  2. Roast the the Veggies.
  3. Mix up the Texture.
  4. Use Homemade Stock Whenever Possible.
  5. Put Your Cheese Rinds to Work.
  6. Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples.
  7. Add Fresh Herbs or Dairy When Serving.
  8. Recipes Pictured.

What to do when your soup has no flavor? ›

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.

Why does my cauliflower soup taste bitter? ›

Cauliflower becomes bitter when exposed to too much heat. Over-cooking cauliflower can make it bitter. If your soup tastes bitter, you can add a little more salt to help with the bitterness. If you don't want to add any more salt, a little sugar or something sour, lemon juice, or vinegar to help offset the bitterness.

How do you thicken cauliflower soup? ›

How to thicken cauliflower soup: Nobody wants an overly-thin soup. We thicken our cauliflower soup by blending the entire soup in batches using a blender or immersion blender once cooked. This (in addition to our heavy cream) helps thicken our soup up nicely to a hearty texture.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

The separated florets have to be washed properly under a tap. This removes dirt and large parasites such as worms. The next step is cleaning the cauliflower in mildly warm water in which a little salt was dissolved. This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites.

Is cauliflower good for stomach? ›

Improve your digestion

As a cruciferous vegetable, cauliflower is an excellent source of fiber. Fiber helps maintain healthy digestion, reducing your risk of digestive disorders. It also promotes the growth of good bacteria in your gut.

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.

What is the healthiest way to eat cauliflower? ›

5 Healthy Ways to Cook with Cauliflower
  1. Roasted Cauliflower and Kale Soup. Soup is a quintessential comfort food, especially when it's rich and creamy and full of flavor. ...
  2. Cauliflower Steaks with Caper-Anchovy-Garlic Sauce. ...
  3. Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes. ...
  4. Whole Roasted Cauliflower. ...
  5. Cauliflower Tabbouleh.
Feb 20, 2018

What is the national soup of Italy? ›

Minestrone Soup - This is a traditional soup from Italy make with a combination of seasonal vegetables and pasta. It makes a complete meal with a slice of bread.

What are the benefits of cauliflower soup? ›

High fiber, protein-packed, no added sugar creates the balance in this soup to deliver optimal support and ultimate taste bud satisfaction. This soup is a powerhouse rich in vitamins C and K, as well as calcium and magnesium. These vitamins and minerals work hard behind the scenes to hydrate and nourish your body.

What is the national soup of Paris? ›

Paris has soupe à l'oignon, a rich beef stock with lots of slow-cooked onions, topped with a croûton covered in grated gruyère which is then melted in the oven. It's bistro food, not something often cooked at home.

What gives vegetable soup that depth of flavor? ›

Dried herbs and seasonings: homemade seasoned salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and dried bay leaves lend flavor to the soup.

How to improve vegetable soup Flavour? ›

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.

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.

How to counteract cauliflower taste? ›

Don't overcook your cruciferous vegetables. Or cook them with flavors that will mask it better -- garlic, olive oil, salt, hot chilies, etc.

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