How many calories are in a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup?

November 23, 2025 •

3 min read

The calorie count in a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup can vary substantially. This variation is influenced by factors including ingredients, portion size, and preparation method. The range can be between approximately 175 to over 450 calories per serving.

Quick Summary

Broccoli cheddar soup's calorie count depends on ingredients, portion sizes, and preparation methods. Restaurant versions often contain more calories than homemade. This guide provides a breakdown of typical calorie ranges.

Key Points

Restaurant soups are often highest in calories: Commercial versions use more cream, butter, and cheese, resulting in a higher calorie count per bowl, often exceeding 350-400 calories.
Homemade versions offer more control: Homemade recipes allow you to reduce the calorie count, with some healthy recipes coming in under 200 calories per serving.
The portion size is a crucial factor: A restaurant's large "bowl" portion is often 12-16 ounces, compared to a standard 1-cup (8-ounce) serving, leading to a much higher calorie intake.
Ingredient swaps can reduce calories: Using low-fat milk, Greek yogurt, or a pureed vegetable base instead of heavy cream or a traditional flour roux can cut fat and calories.
Toppings add hidden calories: Garnishes like croutons and bacon bits, and especially a bread bowl, can significantly increase the total calories of your soup.
High-quality, sharp cheddar allows for less cheese: A stronger-flavored cheese means you can use a smaller amount to achieve the desired taste, cutting down on total fat and calories.

What Affects the Calorie Count in Broccoli Cheddar Soup?

The caloric value of a creamy and comforting bowl of broccoli cheddar soup is not a single, fixed number. Several key factors can heavily influence this dynamic figure. Understanding these variables is crucial for anyone monitoring their intake or simply curious about their meal's nutritional profile.

Ingredients: The Building Blocks of Calories

The ingredient list determines the calorie content. The quality and quantity of certain components can dramatically increase or decrease the final number.

Cream Base: Heavy cream, whole milk, and butter create a rich texture. These ingredients are high in saturated fat and calories. Lower-fat milk, a flour-based roux, or a pureed potato base can reduce the fat content.
Cheese Variety and Amount: Cheddar cheese is key, but the type and amount matter. Using a sharp cheddar can help to use less cheese overall. High-fat cheeses contain more calories. Excessive amounts of cheese will, naturally, increase the calories significantly.
Thickeners: A flour-based roux adds calories. Potato puree or cauliflower thicken the soup while being lower in calories.
Add-ins and Toppings: Croutons, bacon bits, or extra cheese increase calories. A bread bowl adds hundreds of calories.

Portion Size: The Crucial Variable

Serving sizes vary. A restaurant's standard soup bowl might hold 12 to 16 ounces, while a more modest cup is often 8 ounces. Commercial brands and homemade servings can vary just as much. Serving sizes should be considered for an accurate calorie assessment.

Homemade vs. Restaurant and Store-Bought

Calories differ between homemade and commercial broccoli cheddar soup. Restaurants often use more cream, butter, and cheese. This can result in a calorie count of 360 to over 400 per bowl at popular chains. Store-bought versions can also be high in calories, though some offer lighter options. Making the soup at home allows control over ingredients. Swapping heavy cream for a lower-fat alternative or reducing the amount of cheese can result in as little as 200 calories.

A Comparison of Broccoli Cheddar Soup Calories


Soup Type	Serving Size	Approximate Calories	Key Calorie Contributors
Popular Restaurant Chain	12-16 oz bowl	360-400+	Heavy cream, butter, large cheese portion, high sodium
Store-Bought (Pre-made)	1 cup (8 oz)	215-290	Whole milk, butter, processed cheese, flour thickener
Homemade (Lighter Version)	1 cup (8 oz)	175-200	Skim or low-fat milk, less cheese, vegetable-based thickener
Homemade (Traditional Version)	1 cup (8 oz)	250-320	Whole milk or cream, butter, traditional cheese amount
Popular Restaurant Chain in Bread Bowl	Large bowl in bread	900+	Large soup portion, plus a massive, carby bread bowl

How to Create a Lighter Broccoli Cheddar Soup at Home

Creating a healthier, lower-calorie version of this classic comfort food is straightforward. Ingredient swaps and techniques include:

Use lighter dairy: Swap heavy cream for low-fat milk and a thickener like Greek yogurt or pureed potato for a creamy finish with fewer calories and less fat.
Embrace veggie power: Blend some of the cooked broccoli, carrots, and potatoes into the broth for a rich, naturally thick consistency.
Choose sharp cheese: Opt for a high-quality, sharp cheddar. Its more intense flavor means you can use less cheese overall without sacrificing the cheesy taste.
Spice it up: Add flavor enhancers like nutmeg or Dijon mustard to create depth without adding significant calories.
Control your portion size: A smaller, 1-cup serving will reduce total calorie intake.

Conclusion

While broccoli cheddar soup can be calorie-dense, the exact number depends on several key factors. Restaurant versions are typically highest in calories. A homemade recipe offers the flexibility to reduce the calorie and fat content through substitutions. By understanding the variables at play—from cream and cheese to portion size—you can enjoy this classic comfort food while remaining mindful of your nutritional goals.

Mayo Clinic provides additional nutritional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The calorie count for a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup can vary widely, typically falling between 175 and over 450 calories depending on whether it's a lighter homemade version or a decadent restaurant portion.

The variation is due to several factors, including the type of dairy used (heavy cream vs. low-fat milk), the amount and fat content of the cheese, and the use of fattening thickeners and toppings like bread bowls.

Yes, restaurant versions often prioritize rich flavor and use more heavy cream, butter, and cheese, making them typically higher in calories than a carefully prepared homemade version.

To reduce calories, you can swap heavy cream for lower-fat milk, thicken the soup with pureed vegetables like potatoes or cauliflower instead of a roux, and use less cheese.

Yes, the fat content of the cheese directly impacts the calorie count. Using a smaller amount of a flavorful, sharp cheddar can help reduce the total calories without losing the cheesy taste.

A bread bowl can add a significant number of calories to your meal. For example, some restaurant bread bowls add over 600 extra calories, more than doubling the total calorie count of the soup alone.

Yes, you can make a higher-protein version by incorporating ingredients like blended cottage cheese or adding lean, shredded chicken to the soup.