Easy Ina Garten Cauliflower Soup Recipe Everyone Will Love

Creamy cauliflower soup transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience that warms both body and soul.

Hearty vegetables mingle together, creating a velvety texture that whispers comfort with each spoonful.

Complex flavors develop slowly, building depth through careful sautéing and patient simmering.

Subtle aromatics dance beneath the surface, promising a sophisticated yet approachable dining moment.

Professional chefs and home cooks appreciate this elegant preparation that elevates a simple vegetable into something extraordinary.

Seasonal and nourishing, this soup represents pure kitchen alchemy that turns basic components into liquid gold: come hungry and leave inspired.

Why Ina Garten’s Cauliflower Soup is a Creamy, Comforting Classic

• Unlock Rich Vegetable Harmony: This soup masterfully combines cauliflower, fennel, and celery root, creating a symphony of subtle, complementary vegetable flavors that dance beautifully on your palate.
• Transform Simple Ingredients into Luxurious Comfort: Ina Garten's method turns basic vegetables into an incredibly smooth, velvety soup that feels sophisticated yet incredibly comforting, perfect for chilly evenings or elegant dinner parties.
• Slow-Cooked Depth Without Complexity: The gentle simmering technique allows vegetables to release their natural sweetness and develop deep, nuanced flavors without requiring advanced culinary skills, making this recipe accessible for home cooks of all levels.
• Customize Your Gourmet Experience: With easy garnishing options like homemade croutons and fresh chives, you can elevate this soup from simple to restaurant-worthy, adding personal flair and textural contrast to each delightful spoonful.

What You Need for Ina Garten’s Cauliflower Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides a rich, smooth base for sautéing vegetables and adding depth of flavor.
• Yellow Onions: Foundational aromatic vegetable that adds sweetness and depth to the soup.
• Celery Root: Brings an earthy, subtle flavor with a creamy texture to the soup.
• Fennel: Offers a delicate anise-like taste and aromatic quality to the vegetable base.
• Cauliflower: The star ingredient, creating a smooth and creamy soup with mild, delicate flavor.

• Chicken Stock: Provides a rich, savory liquid base that enhances the overall soup flavor.
• Water: Helps to adjust the consistency and blend the flavors of the soup.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for bringing out and balancing the flavors of all ingredients.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and creates a velvety smooth texture.

• Croutons: Homemade crispy topping that adds texture and crunch to the creamy soup.
• Chives: Fresh herb that provides a mild onion flavor and bright green color for garnish.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Ina Garten’s Cauliflower Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add chopped yellow onions and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become soft and translucent without browning.

Step 2: Layer Vegetable Flavors

• Celery root
• Fennel

Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables become tender and release their rich aromas.

Step 3: Introduce Cauliflower and Broth

• Cauliflower florets
• Chicken stock
• Kosher salt

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until vegetables are completely soft.

Step 4: Enhance Liquid and Flavor

Pour of water into the pot. Return to a boil, then reduce heat to low simmer. Cook uncovered for 20 minutes to deeply meld flavors and further soften cauliflower.

Step 5: Create Silky Smooth Texture

• Blender
• Immersion blender

Puree until completely smooth. Return to pot and stir in heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Gently reheat on medium-low heat.

Step 6: Serve with Elegant Garnish

• Homemade croutons
• Freshly chopped chives

Serve immediately for maximum flavor and warmth.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Cauliflower Soup

• Intensify Roasted Flavor: Caramelize cauliflower florets at high heat to develop deeper, nutty undertones that transform the soup's overall taste profile.
• Balance Richness with Acidity: Drizzle fresh lemon juice moments before serving to cut through the creamy texture and awaken subtle flavor notes.
• Customize Soup Thickness: Adjust liquid quantities strategically during blending to achieve desired consistency without compromising the soup's smooth texture.
• Create Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace chicken stock with vegetable stock seamlessly, maintaining robust depth and nutritional integrity of the original recipe.
• Enhance Herb Complexity: Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like chives or parsley just before serving to introduce bright, fresh aromatic layers.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Cauliflower Soup

• Freezer Preservation: Stash portions in heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label each bag with the date and contents to track freshness. Divide soup into individual serving sizes for convenient future meals.
• Refrigerator Storage: Seal soup in glass containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain optimal taste and texture. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Check soup daily and consume within four days for best quality.
• Long-Term Preservation: Skip adding cream before freezing to prevent separation. Use vacuum-sealed bags for maximum protection against freezer damage. Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to restore smooth consistency.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Cauliflower Soup

• Roasted Veggie Boost: Enhance the soup by roasting cauliflower, fennel, and celery root with olive oil and herbs before adding to the pot, creating deeper caramelized flavors and a richer texture.
• Spicy Mediterranean Version: Incorporate smoked paprika, cumin, and a touch of harissa paste to transform the soup into a warm, spicy Mediterranean-inspired dish with complex layered heat.
• Cheesy Comfort Upgrade: Stir in grated gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese at the final stage, melting it completely to create a luxurious, creamy soup with a tangy cheese undertone.
• Vegan Protein Option: Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth, swap heavy cream for coconut milk, and top with roasted pumpkin seeds or crispy chickpeas for added protein and crunch.

Ina Garten’s Cauliflower Soup: A Smooth, Hearty Meal

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s cauliflower soup, a symphonic blend of earthy vegetables and creamy elegance.

Sophisticated palates will discover layers of comforting complexity within this simple yet refined recipe.

Subtle fennel and celery root whispers create depth beyond traditional soup expectations.

Fresh chives and crispy croutons provide delightful textural contrasts that elevate each spoonful.

Mediterranean olive oil infuses warmth throughout this classic comfort dish.

Delicious secrets wait in this recipe – you’ll want to share its charm with friends, bookmark this page, and spread delectable inspiration across social networks.

Ina Garten Cauliflower Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Luxurious Cauliflower Soup from Ina Garten brings elegant simplicity to winter dining. Creamy roasted cauliflower blends with rich chicken stock and subtle herbs, creating a silky smooth comfort that warms you from first spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Vegetables:

• 2 cups yellow onions, chopped
• 2 cups celery root, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cups fennel, diced into 1-inch pieces (core and stalks removed)
• 2 pounds cauliflower, cut into florets

Liquids and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil, plus extra for serving
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) heavy cream
• Kosher salt to taste

Garnish:

• Homemade Croutons for serving
• Fresh chives, chopped for serving

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Instructions

1. In a spacious Dutch oven, warm the olive oil (1/4 cup or 60 milliliters) over medium-low temperature. Introduce the finely chopped yellow onions and gently sauté for approximately 10 minutes, stirring intermittently until they become translucent and tender without achieving a golden brown color.
2. Incorporate the diced celery root and fennel into the softened onions. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to release their aromatic essences and gradually soften.
3. Add the cauliflower florets to the vegetable mixture. Pour in 2 cups (480 milliliters) of chicken stock and sprinkle 2 teaspoons (10 grams) of kosher salt. Elevate the temperature to create a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and allow the ingredients to meld together for 25 to 30 minutes, ensuring the vegetables reach complete tenderness.
4. Introduce 3 cups (720 milliliters) of water to the pot, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and continue cooking uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, which will further concentrate the flavors and break down the vegetable fibers.
5. Transform the soup into a velvety consistency using either a standard blender or an immersion blender. Process in batches until achieving a smooth, uniform texture. Return the puréed soup to the pot and gently stir in 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of heavy cream. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if required, then reheat slowly over medium-low heat.
6. Serve the soup steaming hot, ladling into individual bowls. Embellish each portion with crisp homemade croutons and a delicate sprinkle of freshly chopped chives, creating an elegant presentation that elevates the humble vegetable soup.

Notes

• Discover how slowly sautéing vegetables builds incredible depth, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary soup experience.
• Blending hot soup requires careful technique: fill blender halfway, remove center cap, and cover with towel to prevent messy steam explosions.
• Homemade or premium store-bought chicken stock elevates the entire flavor profile, creating a rich and complex base.
• Heavy cream delivers luxurious silkiness, though health-conscious cooks can skip it for a lighter version without sacrificing taste.
• Restaurant-worthy soups develop even more intense flavors when refrigerated overnight, making this a perfect make-ahead meal for busy home cooks.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 215
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg