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    Home » Soups & Stews » Cream of Jalapeño Cauliflower Soup

    Cream of Jalapeño Cauliflower Soup

    Sep 28, 2021 · by Valentina · 22 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Cream of Jalapeño Cauliflower Soup is a vegan soup that's made rich and creamy with slowly cooked cauliflower, and deliciously comforting with warming spices and peppers. It's an ideal meal or first course during the fall and winter months. Cream of Jalapeno Cauliflower soup in rust-colored bowl with slices of jalapeno on top

    There's something incredibly delicious about the heat of a jalapeño pepper mixed with creamy cauliflower.

    This blend is both warming and soothing, and together they create a comforting and flavorful bite.

    That's why Cream of Jalapeño Cauliflower soup so magical.

    a few jalapenos on cutting board with knife

    How hot are Jalapeño Peppers?

    The jalapeño pepper heat level varies from mild to hot, depending on cultivation and preparation.

    When working with jalapeños, or any chile peppers, you should always take a (very tiny) taste before you use them. You have to know how much heat you're adding to your recipes. No matter what most recipes call for, you can adjust the amount of jalapeño you add.

    The inside membranes of the pepper carry the most heat, followed by the seeds. If they're particularly hot, I remove all of the seeds and the membranes (see above image). If they're only half as hot as I'd like, I leave some in. This is totally a matter of taste.

    Is a jalapeño a fruit or a vegetable?

    Botanically speaking, jalapeño peppers are a fruit. They are actually a berry, as berries are fruits with seeds inside them.

    garlic, cauliflower, jalapeno, ground cumin and half onion of cutting board

    Recipe Tips and Substitutions

    • As I mentioned in discussing the heat of the jalapeños, taste them first and adjust the amount to your taste. I find that the amount listed in the recipe is perfect for medium hot peppers. The creamy cauliflower mellows it a bit, but you'll still get the heat.
    • The recipe calls for four to five cups of stock. The stock should go just to the level of the cauliflower in the pot, before you simmer it. You can vary the texture if you'd like, by adding more or less. Wait until you blend it before deciding if you want to add more liquid so you can see (and taste) it first. It's also okay to add water to thin it.
    • The color of your soup will vary, depending on the vegetable stock you use. A very rich and hearty stock will produce a darker, more golden-colored soup. The stock I used was on the light side. It's likely no two soups will look alike.

    cauliflower and cilantro in blender

    Other Uses for Cream of Jalapeño Cauliflower Soup

    While serving this for what it is -- a soup -- is perfect, it can also be used in other recipes.

    This soup is perfect for mixing into vegan casseroles to make them flavorful and creamy. (I roast root vegetables, caramelize onions, and then layer them with the Cream of Jalapeño Cauliflower Soup and grated Gruyere cheese. It's fantastic!)

    This can also be used as a pasta sauce, or mixed into rice.

    top view of Cream of Jalapeno Cauliflower soup with 3 slices of jalapeno on top

    I hope you enjoy Cream of Jalapeño Cauliflower Soup as much as my family and I do.

    More recipes with jalapeño peppers:

    • Citrus Carpaccio with Yuzu Jalapeño Dressing
    • Grilled Jalapeño Pepper Jack Turkey Burgers

    More recipes with cauliflower:

    • Citrus Whole Roasted Cauliflower
    • Roasted Cauliflower Basil Soup
    • Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Orange Basil Butter
    • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
    Cream of Jalapeno Cauliflower soup with 3 slices of jalapeno on top

    Cream of Jalapeño Soup

    Valentina K. Wein
    Rich and creamy, spicy and hearty -- this Cream of Jalapeño Cauliflower Soup recipe is a super delicious bowl of comfort!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 to 6
    Calories 117 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • olive oil for the pan, and a bit more to drizzle for garnish
    • 1 cup roughly chopped yellow onion
    • 1 tablespoon roughly chopped garlic
    • 2 (approximately 3-inch) jalapeño peppers (approximately ¼ pound), washed and dried
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1½ pounds cauliflower, washed and dried, roughly chopped (weight is for whole head -- the way you purchase it) with greens
    • approximately 5 cups vegetable stock
    • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, washed and dried
    • salt to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Sauté the onion and garlic. Coat the bottom of a large soup pot with olive oil and place it over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 7 minutes.
    • Prepare and add the jalapeños with the cumin. Cut the stems off the jalapeños and then slice them in half, lengthwise. Remove the seeds, roughly chop them, and add them to the pan, along with the cumin. Cook until the jalapeños are soft, about 4 minutes. (If you want more heat, leave some of the seeds and/or membranes.)
    • Add cauliflower and stock and cook. Now add the cauliflower and stir to coat it with the other ingredients. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil. Immediately turn the heat to low, cover and let it simmer until the cauliflower is very tender, about 30 minutes.
    • Add cilantro and blend. Add the cilantro and then pour the contents of the pot into a powerful blender and blend until very smooth, about 10 seconds. Return the soup to the pot and season with salt.
    • Serve. Drizzle each serving with a bit of olive oil and garnish with slices of jalapeño if desired.

    Notes

    Calorie count is only an estimate.
    Keywords fall and winter soups, comfort food recipes for winter, creamy vegan soups
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    More Soups & Stews

    • Slow Cooked Red Cabbage Stew
    • Easy Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup
    • Vegan Asparagus Soup
    • Easy Pork and Mushroom Stew

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. John / Kitchen Riffs

      September 29, 2021 at 8:17 am

      Neat soup. I've added chilies to cream soups before, but not a cream of cauliflower. Totally want to do that. Particularly since I love jalapeños 🙂 Really good stuff -- thanks.

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 02, 2021 at 9:33 pm

        Thanks, John. It's a tasty blend. Hope you enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    2. Marissa

      September 29, 2021 at 8:54 am

      I love cauliflower soup, but never thought of kicking it up with jalapeños! Such a great idea, Valentina and so cozy for the cooler weather.

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 02, 2021 at 9:34 pm

        Hope you like it, Marissa. Thanks! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    3. Chef mimi

      September 29, 2021 at 10:11 am

      Wow! This looks wonderful! We’re not shy about using jalapenos here. They’re wonderful!

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 02, 2021 at 9:35 pm

        Love it, Mimi. Enjoy and thank you! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    4. Eha

      September 29, 2021 at 4:45 pm

      Love cauliflower soups but have not used chillies/peppers as an ingredient, probably because of geographical manners and mores . . . . this looks appetizing . . . my initial thought actually is to use it as a pasta topping accompanied by a green salad for a light spring lunch . . . shall see what kind of chillies are on the market and try . . .

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 02, 2021 at 9:36 pm

        It's delicious on pasta, Eha. Enjoy and thanks for checking it out and visiting. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    5. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      October 01, 2021 at 3:30 am

      Occasionally I use jalapeños as a small addition to recipes, but I've never thought of it as one of the major ingredients - great idea. This soup looks irresistibly silky and smooth without any cream added which is wonderful!

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 02, 2021 at 9:38 pm

        Thank you, Ben. I usually use jalapeños as small addition too. I love it as a main, though. Enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    6. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      October 01, 2021 at 10:27 am

      So I must admit, I've never had anything like this before. I am excited to give it a try. We just harvested all our peppers and have an abundance of jalapenos. I've been struggling with what to do with them. This soup will now be on my list to make!

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 02, 2021 at 9:39 pm

        I hope you love it, Kathy. I imagine you have fields upon fields of beautiful veggies growing. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    7. Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!

      October 03, 2021 at 10:37 am

      I've never heard of jalapeno as being a source of comfort, which makes me really eager to tatste this soup. I'm guessing the cream and cauliflower must tame the heat, leaving you with that wonderful jalapeno flavor.

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 03, 2021 at 9:26 pm

        That's exactly it -- the creamy cauliflower totally mellows the heat. Thanks for checking it out, Jeff. Hope you try it and love it. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    8. David Scott Allen

      October 03, 2021 at 4:36 pm

      Oh, my — this looks fabulous! You must have a really good blender to get it that smooth! Definitely trying but it won’t be as pretty as yours!

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 03, 2021 at 9:28 pm

        Of course it will! Your presentations are always beautiful. Thanks for checking it out. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    9. 2pots2cook

      October 05, 2021 at 2:31 am

      We enjoy cauliflower everything ! This spicy kick will be such a great surprise !!!!!! Perfect !!!!!

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 13, 2021 at 1:07 am

        We’ve been loving all things cauliflower also hope you like the bit of extra heat with it in this recipe. Enjoy! 😊 ~Valentina

        Reply
    10. Dawn

      October 05, 2021 at 4:36 am

      The weather is getting colder and that means soup (though, I can pretty much enjoy soup all through the year). This creamy cauliflower soup looks delicious, Valentina, and I just love the spicy kick from jalapeno!

      Reply
      • Valentina

        October 13, 2021 at 1:04 am

        Hi Dawn! I could eat soup all year long also. Hope you love this one. 😊 ~Valentina

        Reply
    11. Lucy

      September 11, 2022 at 12:50 pm

      Love this recipe! Made it twice last fall/winter and will be making it again today.

      Reply
      • valentina

        September 11, 2022 at 1:19 pm

        Hi Lucy, Thanks so much for writing in and sharing. I'm so happy you like this recipe. I love this time of year, when we enter fall/soup season. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply

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