Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredibly creamy Brussels Sprout Soup, bursting with rich garlic flavor. Made effortlessly in your blender in just minutes, this versatile soup is not only dairy-free and gluten-free but also easily adaptable for a vegan lifestyle by simply omitting the bacon garnish. It’s a comforting, healthy, and surprisingly decadent meal perfect for any occasion.
The other day, someone posed that age-old question: “What’s your favorite kind of soup?” I found myself in an awkward silence, pondering the vast culinary landscape of broths and purees, only to admit, “I really don’t know!” It’s a question I’ve always struggled with, much like “what’s your favorite food?” There are simply too many delicious contenders.
Soup, in particular, is a category of endless possibilities. My preferences swing wildly depending on the season, my mood, or even if I’m feeling under the weather. Sometimes, I crave a robust, vegetable-packed classic like a hearty lentil vegetable soup. Other days, only a luxuriously smooth concoction will do, such as a velvety creamy carrot soup with white beans. And then there are those unique creations, like a creative Reuben soup that brilliantly reimagines a sandwich into a bowl of warmth. When a cold strikes, my ultimate comfort is a spicy kick from a spicy chicken lime soup, which has an uncanny ability to clear sinuses!
Today, however, we’re celebrating a different kind of soup: an effortlessly easy blender creamy Brussels sprout soup. This recipe exemplifies simplicity without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. It boils down to a few core components: fresh vegetables, aromatic seasonings, and a clever “cream” component that magically transforms it into a rich, satisfying soup.
*This post is sponsored by Ocean Mist Farms. All content and opinions are my own.
The Magic of Blender Soups: Fast, Creamy, and Nutrient-Rich
If you haven’t yet discovered the transformative power of a high-speed blender for making soups, you are in for a treat. I’ve been a long-time advocate for blender soups, having crafted delightful concoctions like Thai pea soup with minimal effort. My Vitamix, in particular, is a game-changer, turning simple steamed vegetables into unbelievably silky, restaurant-quality purees in mere moments.
The beauty of using a powerful blender for soup extends beyond just speed. It creates an incredibly smooth, lump-free texture that’s often difficult to achieve with traditional methods. The high-speed blades effectively emulsify the ingredients, incorporating air and warmth to produce a light, airy, and uniformly creamy consistency without needing heavy cream or excessive fat. This process also helps to break down the vegetables thoroughly, potentially making nutrients more bioavailable, while retaining their vibrant flavors.
For this Creamy Garlic Brussels Sprout Soup, the blender is key to achieving that luxurious, velvety mouthfeel that rivals traditional cream-based soups, all while keeping it dairy-free and wonderfully healthy. It’s an efficient way to enjoy your vegetables in a comforting and elegant format.
Effortless Preparation with Ocean Mist Farms Season & Steam Bags
What makes this Brussels sprout soup recipe exceptionally easy is the use of Ocean Mist Farms Season & Steam bags. These innovative bags are a true kitchen marvel, revolutionizing how we prepare fresh vegetables. The genius of this convenient packaging lies in its ability to allow you to season your vegetables directly in the bag, seal it, and then steam them in the microwave in just a few minutes. This process significantly cuts down on prep and cleanup time, making healthy eating more accessible than ever.
For our Brussels sprout soup, this means bypassing the need for initial roasting in the oven or boiling in pots on the stovetop. The microwave handles all the cooking, perfectly steaming the Brussels sprouts to tender perfection. Once steamed, the sprouts are simply transferred to the blender, where the high-speed processing takes over, finishing the soup in an additional 1-2 minutes. This streamlined approach allows you to create a gourmet-tasting soup with minimal fuss, proving that delicious, healthy meals don’t have to be complicated.
For this particular recipe, I opted for Brussels sprout halves from Ocean Mist Farms, primarily because the cut surfaces provide more area for the garlic seasoning to adhere during steaming, ensuring every bite is infused with flavor. However, Ocean Mist Farms also offers Season & Steam bags with whole Brussels sprouts and shredded Brussels sprouts, giving you flexibility depending on your culinary needs and preferences for other dishes.
What Does Creamy Garlic Brussels Sprout Soup Taste Like?
Forget everything you know about those “cream of…” soups from your childhood that often came from a can. This Brussels sprout soup is a modern, healthier, and far more flavorful interpretation. It’s like the sophisticated, vibrant cousin that brings wholesome goodness to the table without compromising on indulgence.
The secret to its silky, creamy texture, despite being dairy-free, lies in the combination of unsweetened almond milk and the inherent starchiness of Brussels sprouts. When perfectly steamed and blended, Brussels sprouts contribute their own natural creaminess, creating a decadent mouthfeel that will genuinely surprise you. You won’t miss the dairy! This is similar to how a rich texture is achieved in other plant-based favorites like creamy broccoli soup or creamy vegan sweet potato soup.
Garlic is a prominent player here, infusing every spoonful with its warm, aromatic notes. Yet, it’s expertly balanced, enhancing the earthy, slightly nutty flavor of the Brussels sprouts rather than overpowering them. The result is a harmonious blend where the vegetable truly shines. And for a delightful textural contrast, the crispy garlic chips on top are an absolute must, adding a satisfying crunch and an extra layer of savory depth. If you choose to include bacon, its salty, smoky crispness elevates the soup to another level of deliciousness.
Customizing Your Brussels Sprout Soup: FAQs and Variations
Can I make this on the stovetop?
While the blender method is designed for ultimate convenience and results in an unparalleled creamy texture, you can certainly adapt this Brussels sprout soup recipe for stovetop preparation. The key difference will be the blending process. To do so, you would still cook the Brussels sprouts as directed (either steaming in the microwave or by boiling/steaming in a pot). Once tender, add the cooked Brussels sprouts to a large pot with the vegetable broth already heating over medium heat. Instead of a blender, use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot until it reaches your desired smoothness. Finally, stir in the almond milk until well combined and heated through. This method is quite similar to making a classic creamy root vegetable soup on the stovetop, offering a comforting, albeit slightly less hands-off, experience.
Can I use dairy milk?
Absolutely! This recipe is designed to be flexible. If you’re not concerned with keeping the soup dairy-free, any percentage of regular dairy milk will work beautifully. Whole milk will provide the richest, most decadent texture, while skim or low-fat milk will keep it lighter. If you’re sticking with plant-based alternatives, consider unsweetened varieties of oat milk, soy milk, or even a light coconut milk (for a subtle tropical twist). The most important thing to remember when choosing any milk, dairy or non-dairy, is to opt for an unsweetened and unflavored version to ensure the garlic and Brussels sprout flavors remain the stars of the show.
Can I use a different broth?
Yes, the type of broth you use can subtly influence the soup’s final flavor profile. While vegetable broth keeps the recipe vegetarian and vegan-friendly, feel free to substitute it with chicken broth or turkey broth if you’re not adhering to a plant-based diet. Chicken broth will lend a richer, more savory depth to the soup, complementing the garlic and Brussels sprouts wonderfully. Ensure whichever broth you choose is low-sodium, allowing you to control the seasoning precisely to your taste.
Elevate Your Soup: Creative Garnish Ideas
Garnishes are more than just a decorative touch; they add essential texture, contrasting flavors, and visual appeal that can transform a simple bowl of soup into a truly memorable meal. For this Creamy Garlic Brussels Sprout Soup, thoughtful toppings can make all the difference.
Alternatives for the Bacon Garnish:
If you’re aiming to keep the recipe vegetarian or vegan, omitting the bacon is easy. But don’t let that stop you from adding a salty, savory crunch! Here are some excellent plant-based alternatives:
- Seasoned Tempeh Crumble: Pan-fry crumbled tempeh with a little soy sauce, smoked paprika, and nutritional yeast until crispy for a rich, umami-packed topping.
- Savory Granola: A homemade savory granola, perhaps with nuts, seeds, and spices, would offer a fantastic textural element.
- Crispy Roasted Chickpeas: These are always a winner! My no-fail method for crispy roasted chickpeas creates perfect crunchy nuggets every time, and they can be seasoned to complement the soup beautifully.
- Toasted Nuts or Seeds: A sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or slivered almonds can provide a delightful crunch and healthy fats.
- Simply Sea Salt: Sometimes, less is more. A generous pinch of flaky sea salt can enhance all the flavors of the soup without adding extra ingredients.
Other Versatile Garnish Options:
Beyond the savory crumbles, consider these additions to customize your soup:
- Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley, chives, or thyme adds a vibrant pop of color and herbaceous freshness.
- Microgreens or Sprouts: For a delicate, peppery bite and elegant presentation, microgreens or alfalfa sprouts are a simple yet effective choice.
- Drizzle of Olive Oil or Chili Oil: A finishing drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil enhances richness, while a touch of chili oil adds a gentle warmth and beautiful red hue.
- Croutons: Homemade garlic croutons are always a welcome addition for extra crunch and flavor.
- Dollop of Dairy-Free Sour Cream or Yogurt: A swirl of plant-based sour cream or plain unsweetened yogurt can add a tangy creaminess, contrasting the soup’s richness.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with your garnishes! They offer a fantastic way to personalize the soup and cater to different tastes and dietary needs.
Enjoying Your Brussels Sprout Soup: Serving Suggestions
If you share my enthusiasm for Brussels sprouts, you’ll find this easy blender Brussels sprout soup an absolute must-make. Not only is it a delicious way to enjoy this often-misunderstood vegetable, but it also offers a refreshing departure from traditional preparations. While I adore roasted Brussels sprouts, especially when roasted on the stalk, this soup provides a comforting and novel way to savor their unique flavor.
I typically enjoy this versatile soup in one of two ways. It makes for a wonderfully light yet satisfying lunch all on its own, especially when paired with a fresh side salad or a slice of crusty bread. Alternatively, it serves as an excellent side dish, complementing a more complete dinner. Think about it: we’re transforming a classic side vegetable into a soup, so incorporating it alongside a protein and a starch for a balanced evening meal makes perfect culinary sense. Imagine it alongside grilled chicken, baked fish, or even a robust vegetarian main course. Its creamy texture and savory depth can elevate any plate, proving that healthy eating can be both easy and incredibly delicious.
Want more Brussels sprout recipes like this one? Try these:
Maple Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts Pumpkin and Apple Hash
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Fruit Salad
Crispy Shallot Brussels Sprouts
Creamy Garlic Brussels Sprouts Soup
Equipment
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Vitamix 5200 Blender, Professional-Grade, 64 oz.
Ingredients
- 16 ounce bag Ocean Mist Farms Season & Steam Brussels sprout halves
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, or other milk of choice
For garnish
- 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (*omit for vegetarian/vegan)
- 1 clove garlic, sliced thinly into “chips” and pan-fried until golden brown (**see note)
- pinch red pepper flakes
- drizzle extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
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Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and olive oil to the Season & Steam bag. Reseal bag and microwave for 4-5 minutes until Brussels sprouts are tender.
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Dump cooked Brussels sprouts into a high powered blender. Add broth and milk.
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Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy.
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Taste for seasoning and add more salt and/or pepper if desired.
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Pour into serving bowls and top with desired garnishes.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 182kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 6mg
Sodium: 724mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 3g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.