Vegetarian Cauliflower Chowder (Printable Version)

Creamy chowder with cauliflower, potatoes, and carrots in a rich, comforting broth. 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

# Directions:

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, ensuring no lumps remain. Add potatoes and cauliflower florets.
05 - 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.
06 - Stir in the milk and simmer for another 5 minutes.
07 - For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the chowder directly in the pot, or transfer 2 cups to a blender and purée, then return to the pot.
08 - Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh chives, parsley, or shredded cheese if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's ready in under an hour and tastes like it simmered all day.
  • The smoked paprika adds a subtle depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and can easily shift to vegan with simple swaps.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
02 -
  • Don't rush the initial vegetable softening, that's where the actual flavor comes from, not just from seasoning.
  • Whisking the broth in slowly prevents lumps that will ruin the texture, even though it feels slower than just pouring it in.
  • If your chowder breaks and the milk separates, don't panic, just turn off the heat and let it rest for a minute, it usually comes back together.
  • Blending too much turns it into baby food, so partial blending is the sweet spot between creamy and chunky.
03 -
  • If you don't have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the hot soup in batches to a regular blender, but let it cool slightly first so it doesn't explode.
  • Tasting and adjusting seasoning at the very end is non-negotiable, salt levels shift as soup simmers and milk is added.
  • Save a bit of the broth before you add the cream, that way if you over-blend, you can loosen it back up.
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