Vegetarian Cauliflower Chowder (Printable Version)

Creamy chowder with cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and warming spices. Ready in 45 minutes for cozy comfort.

# 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, adjusted to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

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

# Method:

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 flour taste.
04 - Gradually whisk in 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 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort feels, without any animal products getting in the way.
  • Forty-five minutes from empty pot to something warm enough to chase away almost anything.
  • The kind of soup that tastes even better the next day, so it's perfect for cooking ahead.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooking the flour—it needs those two minutes to lose its raw taste and thicken properly.
  • Add the milk at the end, not the beginning, so it doesn't separate or curdle from the long heat.
  • Partial blending changes everything—you want some vegetables to stay whole so each spoonful feels textured and interesting.
03 -
  • Cut your vegetables smaller than you think you need to—they cook faster and distribute more evenly throughout the broth.
  • Keep the heat medium or lower once you add the milk so it stays creamy rather than breaking into separated curds and liquid.
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