When I was a kid, the Cream of Broccoli Soup was one of my favorite foods at Tim Hortons. I remember going there after school and getting teased for how much I liked it. Itโs actually very easy to make at home, and you can make it even better.
Can't get enough of Tim Hortons? Try my Tim Hortons Chili and Chicken Noodle Soup.
๐ฅฆ About This Recipe
I couldn't find any other recipes for Tim Hortons' cream of broccoli soup, so I thought I'd try my hand at it. The recipe is very simple, and it's based on one I got from a friend's mom. Depending on how fast you can cut vegetables, it can be done in 35 minutes or less.
The most important thing is to thicken the soup properly. I did some digging and found that Tim Hortons uses cornstarch in all their soups. It's actually the third ingredient in their canned soup, so they use a lot of it.
๐ง Ingredients
- Vegetables: Broccoli, celery, and onions.
- Dairy: Heavy cream (whipping cream), butter, white cheddar, and milk powder. The milk powder is optional, but it adds so much concentrated milky flavor to the soup. White cheddar can be substituted with mozzarella or regular cheddar.
- Chicken stock: I'm using 4 teaspoons of Better than bouillon roasted chicken base mixed with 3 ยฝ cups of water.
- Seasoning: Marmite, black pepper, and salt. Marmite is a brand of yeast extract. It adds a ton of umami and richness. You can get it in the baking section of most grocery stores.
- Cornstarch: For thickening the soup.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is super important to give the soup a bright and fresh flavor.
๐ช Instructions
STEP 1: Melt butter in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Cook the onions and celery for about 5 minutes until tender but not browned.
STEP 2: Add the broccoli and chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for about 15 minutes.
STEP 3: Use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the soup. If you use a regular blender, work in batches, and make sure you start on low speed.
STEP 4: Bring the soup back to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and stir in cream, cheddar cheese, marmite, milk powder, salt, and pepper. Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the soup to thicken slightly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then finish it off with 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
The soup can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days! I actually think it tastes better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld.
๐ Recipe
Tim Hortons Cream of Broccoli Soup
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 8 cups broccoli florets and stalks (roughly chopped)
- 3 ยฝ cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
- ยฝ cup cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon milk powder (optional)
- ยฝ teaspoon marmite (optional)
- ยฝ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ยฝ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Cook onions and celery for 5 minutes until tender but not browned.
- Add broccoli and chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender or regular blender to puree the soup. If you use a regular blender, work in batches, and make sure you start on low speed.
- Bring the soup back to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and stir in cream, cheddar cheese, marmite, milk powder, salt, and pepper. Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the soup to thicken slightly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then finish it off with 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Alan P
Came out exactly like the picture. Tastes even better than timmies. I needed more pepper but my wife enjoyed it as written. Thanks!
Grump
Thanks Alan, I always add a little extra pepper to taste as well ๐
Alice Parsons
thank you. its only available in cans here so great to make homemade