Vegetarian Cauliflower Chowder (Printable Version)

Rich, creamy chowder featuring cauliflower, potatoes, and carrots. Ready in under an hour.

# 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 4-5 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 out the raw flour taste.
04 - Gradually whisk in the vegetable broth, ensuring no lumps form. 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 an additional 5 minutes.
07 - For creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend directly in the pot, or transfer 2 cups to a blender, purée, and return to the pot.
08 - Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
09 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chives, parsley, or shredded cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It achieves a velvety richness that makes you double check if there really is no heavy cream involved.
  • The smoked paprika adds a subtle campfire quality that makes every spoonful feel surprisingly deep and complex.
02 -
  • Do not rush the flour cooking stage or your chowder will have a pasty aftertaste that lingers.
  • The immersion blender is your best friend here because it creates thickness without losing all the satisfying vegetable chunks.
03 -
  • Cut your cauliflower into very small uniform florets so every spoonful has a bit of everything.
  • Add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg at the very end to enhance the creaminess of the dairy.
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