Easy Keto Low-Carb Instant Pot Panera Broccoli Cheddar Cheese Soup is the best, quick pressure cooker recipe that includes stovetop directions, too. This copycat recipe is healthy, cheesy, and gluten-free, best of all, it’s keto-friendly. This meal-prep dish is loaded with cream, fresh or frozen broccoli and includes the macros and information about carbs found in broccoli.
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Since Panera first opened I have always been a fan of their broccoli cheddar soup. I can eat it year round. It doesn’t have to be cold outside for me to crave a bite! I’m sharing my favorite homemade version. I prefer to make it in my Instant Pot because it gives the broccoli the PERFECT texture. I have also included stovetop instructions below.
If you are a soup lover you will also love my Instant Pot Split Pea Soup and Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Here is a list of the Best Low Carb Keto Soups. Keto Chicken Soup and Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup are my favorites.
Is Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup Keto?
One bowl of Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup has 24 net carbs. That will zap your keto macros. The recipe also includes carrots and cornstarch which aren’t keto-friendly. For this recipe, I omitted the carrots, because the soup is yummy without them. I substituted the cornstarch for xanthan gum. Click the link to purchase it from Amazon.
Xanthan gum helps hold ingredients together (commonly used in baking) and is great to use as a thickening agent. You only need about a half a teaspoon for most recipes. Be sure to look for gluten-free xanthan gum as it will not contain wheat.
Xanthan gum is made by fermentation, it does not itself ferment. Many things are made by fermentation. In the case of xanthan gum sugars are digested by bacteria, and they excrete xanthan gum.
How to Make Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Gather your ingredients.
- Saute the onions and garlic.
- Add the chicken broth, broccoli, and seasonings.
- Pressure cook for 4 minutes. Quick-release the steam and add the remaining ingredients.
What Type of Cheese to Use
I like to use sharp cheddar cheese. You can use whatever cheese you wish.
How Many Carbs are in Broccoli?
One cup of broccoli has about 3.5 net carbs. 4 cups of broccoli are used in this recipe, that is divided among 8 servings.
This soup has 6 net carbs per serving.
How Long Will it Last in the Fridge
It will last tightly covered for 3-4 days.
Freezer Tips
I love to use these soup freezer molds from Amazon to freeze the soup. I reheat it using the slow cook function or you can thaw and microwave. It will freeze up to a few months.
You may also enjoy my Keto Cheeseburger Casserole and Keto Peanut Butter Cookies.
Popular Keto Recipes
Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
Keto Shrimp Alfredo
More Instant Pot Soups
Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
Instant Pot Chicken, Seafood, and Sausage Gumbo
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup with Spinach
Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Sweet Potato Soup
Keto Low-Carb Instant Pot Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 cups stock (chicken or vegetable) Note this is stock, not broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets (with stems) You can use frozen if you wish, the pot may take a little longer to come to pressure.
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum be sure to grab gluten-free to stay keto-friendly
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese I purchase block cheese and grate it. It melts much better than pre-shredded cheese.
Instructions
- Place the Instant Pot on the saute function. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, chopped onions, and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth, broccoli florets, salt and pepper to taste to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal. Cook for 4 minutes on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking.
- While the soup cooks melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the butter and stir.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, quick release the steam and place it on the saute function.
- Open the pot and add the heavy whipping cream and shredded cheddar to the pot.
- Scoop out a couple of tablespoons of the soup and add it to the bowl with the melted butter and xanthan gum. Stir and add the mixture back to the pot. This will thicken up the soup.
- Place the Instant Pot on saute for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.
- Serve in bowls.
Stovetop
- Add 1 tablespoon of butter, chopped onions, and garlic to a large pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the broth, broccoli, salt, and pepper to taste to the pot. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.
- While the soup cooks, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the butter and stir.
- When the broccoli is tender, add the heavy whipping cream and shredded cheddar to the pot.
- Scoop out a couple of tablespoons of the soup and add it to the bowl with the melted butter and xanthan gum. Stir and add the mixture back to the pot. This will thicken up the soup.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Allow a few minutes for the cheese to melt and the soup to thicken.
- Serve in bowls.
Bryan
I’ve never tried the broccoli soup from Panera even though my wife gets it all the time! I know she’d love to give this recipe a try though
Emily
Can you use half and half in place of heavy cream?
staysnatched
Yes you can.
Taryn
Delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!
Aimee Shugarman
This is our favorite soup, so glad you made it low carb!!
Detra
You did it AGAIN!! Another delicious, easy and kid approved recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Marcia
How will milk work instead of the heavy cream?
staysnatched
It will taste different. Cream adds more flavor.
Beth
It was even BETTER the next day!! Thank you, one of my new go to soups.
staysnatched
I completely agree! You are welcome!
Marcia Scott
Fantastic recipe! I subbed out xantham gum with one teaspoon beef gelatin – worked perfectly! Also added some truffle cheddar cheese – ohhh sooo good! Will definitely make it again.
staysnatched
Truffle cheddar cheese sounds amazing! I will have to try this.
Kris
Can this be doubled I an 8 qt intantpot?
Kris
Can this be doubled in an 8 qt intantpot?
staysnatched
I don’t have an 8 quart, but I would assume so.
Djancar
I made this exactly and got 4 x 1.5 cups servings out of it which with my ingredients is 13 net carbs. So am I to half those servings ? That is such a smallllll bowl for such a tasty soup. How big are your servings?
staysnatched
I divide the soup equally into glass Tupperware containers. The recipe makes 8 servings. I also pair this soup with a protein. I don’t eat it as its own meal, so it does not feel like a small serving to me.
H
What is the serving size?
staysnatched
Hi there. It’s documented in the recipe card above this comment section.
Amber
I make this every week! It’s our absolute favorite. Thank you!
staysnatched
That’s awesome! It’s a favorite in our home, too!
Lori
Great recipe, easy to follow. I loved it! I am new on the Keto diet and have been craving some soup so this was perfect! Thanks for the recipe!
Anonymous
Got my Instant Pot today and this was the first recipe I tried. I used half and half instead of heavy cream, it turned out sooo good! Thanks for the recipe, my husband loves it.
Kristin R Richards
This soup was amazing. Made in the instant pot, only switched up chicken broth instead of the stock. Plan to make a double batch next time. Thank you for sharing!
staysnatched
So glad you enjoyed it! You’re welcome.
Katie
Hello!
I’m new to Instand Pit recipes. If I wanted to add chicken, at what point/how long would I pressure cook it in the pot?
Can’t wait to try it!
Thank you!
staysnatched
I would cook the chicken separate from the soup, as chicken breasts require a 10 minute cook time with 10 minutes of natural steam release vs quick release. Cook the chicken first and remove it from the pot. Then cook the soup. While the soup cooks, shred the chicken. When it’s finished, add the shredded chicken to the pot with the dairy ingredients.
Rich R
Can you use cream cheese to thicken
staysnatched
Yes you can.
Marlene
Thank you for this recipe, I’ve been looking for a good Keto broccoli cheddar soup recipe and this is it! Of course I tweaked it to my personal taste but it would be amazing as written. I made this as a full meal so I cooked chicken breasts, sprinkled with salt, pepper and garlic powder, I removed the chicken and diced it. In the pan I cooked the chicken I added the onion and garlic and two chopped jalapeños . I followed the recipe as stated but then added two extra cups broth. I don’t have an insta-pot but it worked beautifully on the stove top.
My husband and I will add this recipe to our Keto menus.
Again many thanks!
staysnatched
I love your modifications! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Rebekah
Will this work if doubled in the 6quart instanta?
staysnatched
Yes, you can double the recipe. You will have to check if the sizing of your pot will be ok.
Kristina
If I use frozen broccoli do I still set the cook time for 4 minutes.
staysnatched
You can start with the same time. The pot will likely take longer to come to pressure.
Anonymous
This was great! Thanks!
Kristi
This was great! My daughter also loved it. Will add to my recipes! Thanks for sharing!
Keri Horn
What’s the net carbs for one serving
staysnatched
It’s noted at the top of the post.
Vic
This soup looks so yummy! I can’t wait to try this someday! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Shane
Nice post! I like this recipe, it’s very healthy and easy to do. Thanks for sharing!
staysnatched
I’m glad yo like it!
Darlene
This recipe is so good! Made this for my family and even my pickiest eaters loved it. This recipe is definitely a keeper.
staysnatched
Awesome! It’s such a great soup! I make it often.
Shannan
This was delicious and so easy to make!! Thank you for the recipe! Can you tell me what each serving size is? I see net carbs and reference to a bowl of soup but all my bowls are different sizes! Is it based on roughly a cup?
staysnatched
I suggest you measure them out and divide them up accordingly, you can use a measuring cup even if you have different sized containers/bowls.
sado
nice post
Fitoru keto
This soup recipe looks so simple and elegant. I can’t wait to try this someday. Thanks for sharing!
Kelley A Switzer
Do you think if I doubled the recipe it would fit in the 6 qt instant pot?? Thanks in advance!!!!
staysnatched
Maybe. You can always try it and test it out. If the broth exceeds the max line on the Instant Pot then decrease the amount in the recipe.
E Claywell
Thank you so much!!! This is the best recipe ever!! I missed soup so much, and this is by far my favorite!!!
staysnatched
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Krista
I’m new to Keto and I don’t have Xanthan gum on hand. Can I use ground flax seed or almond flour to thicken? If so how much would you recommend? Thanks!
staysnatched
I have not tested this and would not use these in soups because of the consistency. You can start with a teaspoon and continue to add more if necessary.
Synnova
I’ve made this soup so many times because it is so tasty and HITS THE SPOT! Trust, this is always a rotation in my house for an easy, quick and delicious meal.
staysnatched
This is one of my favorites!
Lila
Omg i loooove this recipe!!!!!! So glad i found the copycat panera bread broccoli cheddar soup. It makes a good amount of portions so i froze the rest and enjoy them whenever i want.
staysnatched
I love freezing this!
Amanda
I have made this recipe several times, and I happily keep coming back to it. Homerun, Brandi! This recipe is perfect. Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂
staysnatched
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
LaKenya
Made this exactly how you instructed and hunny when I tell you it’s so delicious!!!! Whew Chile, I’m licking the bowl. Thank you for this bomb recipe!
staysnatched
ha ha! Love it!
Candice
I can not find xathan gum what can I use instead to keep it keto friendly?
staysnatched
Almond flour, but I’m not a fan of the consistency, that’s why I use xanthan gum. I see that xanthan gum is available right now on Amazon.
Lauren
Admittedly, I am a huge fan of Panera, but I have never had their Broccoli soup. After making this dish several times, I will never order panera’s. This recipe is quick and so tasty. You can eat it over the course of a full week, the cost to make it is low, and the family loves it. I can truly eat this monthly. I will sometimes cut up chicken and add it, but totally not necessary. I highly recommend you make this dish
staysnatched
I do that with chicken, too!
Brittany
Absolutely love this recipe. I’ve made it so many times! I even purchased the souper cubes to freeze it when I make it. Panera who????
staysnatched
haha! Yes Panera who?! So much better.
Trista
One of my all time favorite meals. I make this regularly and freeze individual portions. I never get tired of it, and my coworkers always tell me how good it smells.
staysnatched
I love to freeze this dish!
Eunice
Another good one! I made it dairy free and it was still good. I just never have enough left to freeze for lunches because I eat the entire batch!
staysnatched
haha! It’s just that good.
Debbie
We love this soup, I make it all the time. (I love soup, even in the summer.) And it’s so quick and easy to make. If you like broccoli cheese soup, you have to try it!
staysnatched
It’s definitely my favorite!
Mallory
This was my first time using an Instant Pot and the directions in this recipe were so clear! It took less than 10 minutes to cook this and it tasted delicious. Won’t be going back to Panera for broccoli cheddar soup anymore now that I can make it at home!!
staysnatched
Congrats on your first recipe!
Melissa
Can I use Guar Gum instead of Xanthan Gum?
staysnatched
I’ve never used that, so I’m not sure. If you have substituted it in the past, I assume it would be fine.
Melissa Palozie
I will give it a shot and let you know. I’m pretty sure Xanthan and Guar gum have the same measurements in recipes. I’m new to Keto and Guar gum was cheaper. LOL