Dairy Free Cauliflower Soup (2 Ways)

Introducing Dairy Free Cauliflower Soup - a versatile dish that offers two flavorful twists: the classic version topped with crispy bacon crumbles or a variation with a spicy kick using buffalo sauce! Made with my Cashew Cheese sauce, this soup is entirely dairy free and freezer-friendly, making it a convenient option for any occasion.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This dairy free cauliflower soup is a win for several reasons! Firstly, it is dairy and gluten free, catering to various dietary preferences without compromising on taste or creaminess. Secondly, the versatility of enjoying it as a classic or with a spicy buffalo twist allows you to make it your own. Lastly, its freezer-friendly quality ensures that the delightful flavors can be enjoyed time and time again, making it both convenient and oh so delicious.

Ingredients You Will Need

Cauliflower: When cooked and blended, cauliflower becomes smooth and velvety, creating a creamy consistency.

Celery: Adding celery to a soup base helps make the flavors and aroma well-rounded.

Onion: Yellow or vidalia onions add a mellow sweetness to the soup, but you can also use white onions in this recipe.

Garlic: Incorporating garlic adds a savory note that enhances the base of the soup with its bold and aromatic flavor.

Cashews: These nuts are a great addition to soups without cheese, as they create a smooth, velvety texture when blended and add richness through their natural fats.

Nutritional Yeast: Different from regular yeast, nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor to dishes without the need for a lot of dairy.

Lemon Juice: The acid from the lemon juice brings out a bright and tangy flavor to the soup, balancing all of the flavors.

Ghee: Incorporating ghee into a recipe adds a rich, nutty flavor with a higher smoke point compared to butter. Ghee is clarified - meaning impurities have been removed, resulting in a pure and clear form of butterfat with lower lactose content than butter.

Organic Chicken Bone Broth: You can use chicken bone broth or regular chicken broth. Chicken bone broth has additional health benefits with a more strong flavor.

Coconut Cream: Coconut cream is ideal for dairy-free dishes, providing a creamy texture with a taste that is very mild and usually hidden by other flavors. Opting for coconut cream over coconut milk creates a thicker, creamier texture.

Bacon: Bacon crumbles contribute a salty and crispy touch when used as a soup topping!

Buffalo Sauce: If you're craving a spicy kick in your soup, consider adding buffalo sauce - I recommend Noble Made for an extra punch!

Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances and balances flavors, while pepper adds a gentle heat, improving the overall flavor of a dish.

Instructions

Prepare the soup base: Melt ghee in a large pot, then add onions & celery & cook till soft. Add the garlic and stir for one minute.

Soften the cauliflower: Add the cauliflower and broth, then cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower and simmer until the cauliflower is fork-tender.

Prepare the cashew cheese sauce: Add drained cashews, lemon juice and nutritional yeast to a high-speed blender and blend until creamy. If it's a little too thick, add some water to thin it out.

Blend the cauliflower: In your large pot, use an immersion blender to blend the cauliflower until it is creamy.

Season the soup: Add salt and pepper, then add in the coconut cream.

Combine the soup and the cheese sauce: Add the cheese sauce to the large pot and stir to combine everything together.

Simmer on low: Simmer on low for 10 minutes.

Serve warm: Serve with crumbled bacon on top.

Make it spicy: If you want to add a spicy kick, mix in buffalo sauce and stir well to combine.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Achieving a creamy consistency with the immersion blender: Make sure the cauliflower is cooked until it's super soft before you use the immersion blender. Once it's ready, begin blending in the middle of the pot, then move outward in circles with the blender until you achieve the desired consistency.

Adjust the spice level: If a spicy soup isn't your thing, you can skip the buffalo sauce altogether. If you like a little heat, start with a smaller amount of the buffalo sauce, increasing until you reach your desired spice level. The more buffalo sauce you add, the spicier the soup will become.

Recipe Variations

Keep it nut-free: If you have a nut allergy or need to avoid nuts altogether, try blending in cooked potatoes or white beans with your cauliflower soup using an immersion blender. This adds creaminess and thickness without needing any dairy or nuts.

Get creative with toppings: You can have fun with the toppings on your soup. Try adding on a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives and parsley or even toasted pumpkin seeds. You can also serve the soup with a warm, crusty baguette or top with some croutons for an extra crunch.

Storage Tips

Allow the dairy free cauliflower soup to cool fully before storing. Once cooled, place in a freezer-safe container, leaving room for the soup to expand, for up to 2 to 3 months. Upon thawing, note that the texture might slightly change due to the cashew base.

FAQs About Dairy Free Cauliflower Soup

How do you thicken cauliflower soup?

This dairy free cauliflower soup uses a blend of cashew "cheese" sauce—a mix of soaked cashews, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast blended together—to thicken the soup.

What soups can be made from cauliflower?

Cauliflower is incredibly versatile for soups due to its mild flavor and creamy texture! You can make creamy cauliflower soup, cauliflower and leek or potato soup, roasted cauliflower soup or even cauliflower curry soup. These are just some ideas out of many!

Why does my cauliflower soup taste bitter?

Cauliflower soup might taste bitter if the cauliflower isn't fresh. Additionally, overcooking the cauliflower may result in a slightly bitter taste.