Vegetarian Cauliflower Chowder (Printable version)

Creamy chowder with cauliflower, potatoes, and carrots. Comforting vegetarian soup ready in 45 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into small florets
02 - 1 large carrot, diced
03 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
04 - 1 stalk celery, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Base & Seasoning

07 - 3 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1 cup whole milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
10 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground white or black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped
16 - Shredded cheese or plant-based cheese

# How to Prepare:

01 - Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir continuously for 2 minutes to cook the flour and eliminate raw taste.
04 - Gradually whisk in the vegetable broth while stirring, ensuring no lumps form.
05 - Add potatoes and cauliflower florets to the pot.
06 - Season with thyme, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
07 - Stir in the milk and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
08 - For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the chowder directly in the pot, or transfer 2 cups to a blender, purée, and return to the pot.
09 - Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
10 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh chives, parsley, or shredded cheese if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can go from wanting comfort to actually eating it without losing steam.
  • The cauliflower becomes creamy and almost buttery without any cream at all, which feels like a small miracle every single time.
  • One pot, minimal fuss, and somehow it tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
02 -
  • Don't skip the two minutes of cooking the flour in the roux, because raw flour tastes floury in a way that no amount of seasoning can hide.
  • When you add the milk, keep the heat gentle because if it boils it'll separate and look curdled, which tastes fine but looks unfortunate.
  • Partial blending is the secret to why this chowder tastes creamy without actual cream; you're relying on the vegetables themselves to thicken it.
03 -
  • Dice your vegetables while the broth comes up to temperature so you're not standing around watching water that refuses to boil.
  • If you accidentally let the milk boil and it separates, don't panic, just turn off the heat and let it sit for a few minutes; often it comes back together as it cools.
  • Make extra and freeze it in portions because having emergency comfort food in the freezer is like having a hug saved for a difficult Tuesday.
Go back