This recipe was originally published in November 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.
Just like my healthy jalapeno popper dip, this jalapeno popper soup is made using a cauliflower base, it’s spicy, and it’s delicious.
And yes, you’re going to love it!
Why?
- Because it’s the most wholesome jalapeno popper soup you’ll ever come across! Using veggies as the base, combined with a healthy, rich cheese sauce made using cashews, nutritional yeast and seasoning.
- It’s low in calories for a generous portion at around 270 calories a bowl, including 11g of protein!
- You want something actually spicy? You got it! This soup is the real deal, there’s nothing mild about the spice level here. (That said, feel free to decrease the amount of jalapenos for less spice, if preferred!)
- This jalapeno popper soup is hearty, filling, satisfying and totally delicious!
How to make vegan jalapeno popper soup
(This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Gather the soup ingredients, peel your garlic, quarter your onion and peppers and break the cauliflower into florets.
To your food processor, add the onion, garlic, red pepper and jalapenos and process until finely chopped. (photos 1-2)
Melt the butter (if using) in a large pot and add the processed ingredients. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and reduced. (photos 3-4)
Meanwhile, process your cauliflower into crumbly, but chunky pieces. Do not over process. You don’t want to puree the cauliflower, so keep it chunky, and work in batches, as needed. (photos 5-6)
Now add the cauliflower, corn and broth to your pot and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. (photos 7-8)
While the soup is cooking, gather your vegan cheese sauce ingredients.
Add them all to a high speed blender and process until smooth. (photos 9-10)
NOTE: If you don’t have a high speed blender, be sure to soak your cashews first.
When the soup is cooked, turn off the heat and pour in your cheese sauce and mix well. (photos 11-12)
Serve garnished with extra jalapeno slices, if desired.
How long does it keep?
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
I haven’t tried freezing this one yet, but I suspect it would freeze well. Freeze in an airtight container, and remember to leave a little room to allow for expansion.
Substitutions/Variations
- Adjust the spice level to your preference. We like ours very spicy, but if you want a more subtle spice, use less jalapenos, and remove the seeds for an even milder level of spiciness.
- Adjust the seasoning. Always season to your taste. Just because a recipe calls for half a teaspoon of salt, feel free to adjust. If you want added smoky flavour, up the smoked paprika as well.
- Make it oil free. Omit the butter or margarine and sauté using water or broth instead.
- For nut free. You may sub the cashews with sunflower seeds, with similar results. Cashews provide a little more richness, but if you can’t have cashews, sunflower seeds make a good substitution.
- For corn free. You may simply omit the corn or replace it with some diced carrots to add some colour and a touch of sweetness.
Expert Tips
- Soak the cashews. If you don’t have a high speed blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec, soak your cashews first. Boil some water in a kettle or on stove top and soak the cashews for 30 minutes. Then drain and use. Soaking the cashews makes them soften up and allows a less powerful blender to process them.
- Do not over process the cauliflower. Work in batches if needed to prevent the cauliflower from turning to mush. You want some nice hearty texture here.
- Want a smooth soup instead? Don’t bother with your food processor, just roughly chop everything. Cook as directed, and then use an immersion or stick blender to puree your soup before adding in the vegan cheese sauce.
More soup recipes
- Healthy Broccoli Potato Soup
- Vegan Tomato Bisque
- Thai Peanut Chickpea Soup Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup (with Stove Top Directions)
- Vegan Cold Pear Soup
- Broccoli Almond Soup
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Buon appetito,
Rosa
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegan butter or margarine use water or broth for oil free
- 1 yellow or red onion quartered
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 red bell pepper quartered
- 3-4 jalapenos halved, seeds removed for less spice
- 1 cauliflower broken into large florets
- 1 cup corn frozen or canned
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
Vegan Cheese Sauce
- 1.5 cups raw cashews
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce if not avoiding gluten
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp sea salt or to taste
Instructions
- Add the onion, garlic, red pepper and jalapenos to your food processor and pulse until very finely chopped.
- In a large sauce pot, add the butter or margarine if using, and melt over medium heat. (Or use water or broth if avoiding oil.) Then add the finely chopped veggies you just processed to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened and reduced.
- Meanwhile, add the cauliflower to the same processor and pulse until broken down, without over processing or pureeing. You want some chunkier pieces. Work in batches if needed.
- Add the processed cauliflower, along with the broth and corn to the pot and mix well. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes.
- While the soup is simmering, prepare your vegan cheese sauce. Add all the ingredients to a high speed blender and process until smooth.
- Turn off the heat, pour in the cheese sauce and mix well. Taste for salt and pepper and add more if necessary. Then serve garnished with jalapeno slices, if desired.
I made this the other day and loved it!
The only thing I would do differently next time is leave some jalapeño seeds as I seeded all of mine.
I blended half of the soup smooth to try it that way and I prefer the chunkier style as it’s more like a chowder. But both versions are great. Thank you for the recipe.
Thanks so much for the review Jess. Thrilled you enjoyed the soup! We like this one spicy and chunky too. 🙂
I was thinking about trying this in IP. Have you tried it that way? Do you think 3-5m HP would be sufficient?
Hi Jessica, I haven’t tried it in the IP but I think 3 minutes should be enough since these ingredients cook quickly. Hope you enjoy!