Cali Coastline Creamy Cauliflower Soup Recipe

This creamy cauliflower soup recipe turns our Cali Coastline Creamy Cauliflower Soup Mix into a rich, velvety bowl with tender cauliflower, herbs, and a splash of cream. Ready in about 45 minutes, it's an easy homemade soup that's cozy enough for dinner and elegant enough for entertaining.

Ingredients

You Will Need

Cali Coastline Creamy Cauliflower Soup
3 Tbsp. butter or olive oil
1 small head cauliflower (white or orange), cut up (about 4 cups)
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth (32 oz.)
1 cup heavy cream (8 oz.)
(optional garnish: fresh chives or parsley)

Instructions

Here's What You Do

In a 4-quart pot, melt butter or heat olive oil over medium high heat.
Add cut-up cauliflower and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring until lightly browned.
Stir in contents of soup mix. Add broth, bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes.
Stir in heavy cream. Use an immersion blender to puree to desired consistency (or pour soup into blender or food processor and puree in batches).
Salt and pepper, if desired.
Serve with toasted pita bread and garnish, if desired.

Got leftovers? Learn how to cool, store, and reheat soup safely in our guide to soup storage and food safety.

Cooking & Nutrition Tips

Use the tips below to customize nutrition, boost flavor, or stretch the soup to fit your needs.

Reducing Sodium

Broth:

To reduce sodium, use an alternative broth such as: low-sodium, organic, stock, bone broth, unsalted, or try making a homemade broth. See chart below to compare.

All our mixes contain no added salt, only what occurs naturally in the ingredients. In the interest of transparency, we use regular (full-sodium) store-bought broth to create our recipes and calculate the nutrition panels — which is why the sodium levels may appear higher than you desire.

While we don’t like it from a health standpoint, salt is a major flavor booster. If you are using reduced sodium broth and looking to enhance flavor, try adding these depending on your preferences: fresh ground pepper, herbs & spices, lemon juice, garlic, onion, red pepper flakes, hot-sauce, flavored vinegar.

Variety (1 cup)	Sodium (mg)	% Daily Value
Standard Broth	860 mg	37%
Low-Sodium Broth	570 mg	25%
Organic Broth	550 mg	24%
Stock	510 mg	22%
Bone Broth	400 mg	17%
Organic Low-Sodium Broth	100 mg	4%
Unsalted Broth	35 mg	2%

Boosting Protein:

Instead of 1 cup heavy cream, use 1 cup cottage cheese (ideally full fat 4%). If using cottage cheese, we highly recommend you: 1) liquify/smooth entirely in blender or with immersion blender before adding, and 2) turn off the heat and let the soup cool slightly before adding so it does not curdle and/or lose its silky texture. See chart below for nutritional info.
Add a can of your favorite bean such as black, white/cannellini, lentil, chickpea, navy, etc.
Add shredded (or diced) cooked chicken (10-20 oz).
Swap standard broth for bone broth.
Top soup with hemp hearts and/or nutritional yeast
Add additional broth or water, if necessary, to thin to desired consistency.

Nutrient	Heavy Cream per 1 cup	Full-Fat Cottage Cheese (4%) per 1 cup
Protein	~5 – 6 g	~23 – 25 g
Calories	~800 – 820 kcal	~220 – 240 kcal
Total Fat	~88 – 90 g	~9 – 10 g
Sodium	~90 – 95 mg	~820 – 850 mg

Nutritious Options/Swaps:

Toss in whatever vegetables you have in the fridge and simmer with soup mix.
Incorporate diced aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, or blend in nutrient-dense greens such as spinach or kale.
Boost volume and texture by adding diced potatoes, broccoli, or leeks during the simmering stage before blending into a smooth, creamy texture.

Recipe Variations

Looking for a different way to serve creamy cauliflower soup? Try one of these easy variations.

Cauliflower and Bacon Soup:
For a richer, savory twist on this creamy cauliflower soup, top it with crispy bacon for an easy cauliflower and bacon soup variation. Serve over brown rice and add roasted cauliflower florets, fresh chives, and a drizzle of olive oil or truffle oil. For added texture and flavor, pair it with crusty bread, Gruyere panini, or top with toasted walnuts, croutons, and cheddar cheese.

Turn Soup into a Bowl/Meal:
Prepare your favorite grain/pasta/starch (white/brown rice, farro, quinoa, mashed/boiled potatoes, or your favorite pasta) and ladle soup on top!

Italian Sausage & Spinach:
Brown Italian sausage in a skillet and stir it into the soup along with a handful of fresh spinach during the final minutes of cooking for a heartier version.

Lighter & Cream-Free:
Skip the heavy cream for a lighter soup that still delivers plenty of flavor.

Coconut Cream Twist:
Replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a subtle richness and dairy-free option.

Rustic Texture:
Cut the cauliflower into smaller pieces while cooking, then mash gently with a potato masher instead of blending for a chunkier, rustic soup.

Inspired by our customers. Thanks to Judi G., Kristie, Jane A., and Sharon M. for sharing their ideas.
Have a favorite twist of your own? Send us an email or leave a review on the product page.

Dietary Adaptations

These mixes are flexible by design. Use the adaptations below to meet your dietary needs or cooking preferences.

Vegan/Vegetarian

This Cauliflower soup is a delectable and delicately balanced blend of herbs and spices that enhance cauliflower’s natural mild, nutty taste. Ready in just 45 minutes, this soup is sure to impress.

You Will Also Need:

3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small head cauliflower (white or orange), cut up (about 4 cups)
4 cups vegetable broth (32 oz.)
1 can coconut milk (15 oz.)
optional: garnish with fresh chives or parsley

Here’s What You Do:

In a 4-quart pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat.
Add cut-up cauliflower and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring until lightly browned.
Stir in contents of soup mix. Add broth, bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes.
Stir in coconut milk. Use an immersion blender to puree to desired consistency (or pour soup into blender or food processor and puree in batches).
Salt and pepper, if desired.
Serve with toasted pita bread and garnish, if desired.

Gluten Free

This soup is naturally gluten free when prepared as directed. No special substitutions are needed.

Dairy Free

Replace heavy cream with your favorite dairy-free substitute.

Cooking Methods

Slow Cooker

We do not recommend using a slow cooker due to the short cooking time on the stovetop.

Pressure Cooker

We do not recommend using a pressure cooker due to the short cooking time on the stovetop.