13 Best Herbs and Spices for Broccoli Soup

When it comes to making broccoli soup, nothing beats the right combination of herbs and spices!

A few well-placed seasonings can take a dish from bland to bold in an instant.

The same goes for broccoli soup.

To create irresistible, unforgettable bowls full of flavor, you’ll want to reach for these 13 best herbs and spices that I’ve handpicked just for this recipe.

Keep reading for my top ingredients to give your soup a flavorful boost—they might just become your new kitchen staples!

1. Himalayan Salt

Himalayan salt is a great way to add flavor and depth to your broccoli soup.

It has a unique mineral-rich taste that brings out the natural sweetness of vegetables.

When added in small amounts, it can help enhance the flavor of your soup without overpowering it.

It’s best to start with about 1/4 teaspoon for every four cups of broth or stock used in the recipe, then adjust from there depending on how much you like the flavor.

Himalayan salt releases its flavors differently than regular table salt, so you may need more or less than what you would normally use for other recipes.

2. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper adds a nice kick of flavor and heat to any dish like broccoli soup.

It has a slightly sweet and smoky flavor that can add depth to the soup.

When using cayenne pepper, it’s important to use it sparingly as it is very spicy!

A good rule of thumb is to start with half a teaspoon and then adjust according to your taste preference.

With that said, it’s best not to go overboard as too much cayenne pepper will overpower the other flavors in the dish.

3. Ground Coriander

Ground coriander adds a sweet, citrusy flavor to soup.

A little goes a long way – start with 1/2 teaspoon and adjust to taste.

The ground coriander will bring out the sweetness of the other ingredients in the soup and give it an overall bright flavor.

It’s also great for adding some warmth without being too overpowering.

When added at the end of cooking, it brings a nice aroma to your finished dish as well!

4. Ground Cumin

Ground cumin adds a unique, earthy flavor to soups.

It is also very popular in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines, so it would work well in any of those types of recipes.

Aim for about 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin per cup of liquid used in the recipe.

Start with that amount, taste the dish as you go along, and add more if necessary.

Be sure to adjust your spices according to personal preference!

5. Fresh Basil

Fresh basil is an excellent addition to any soup.

It has a strong and aromatic flavor that can add depth and complexity to your dish.

Basil also has a slight sweetness that pairs really well with the earthy taste of broccoli.

When it comes to how much basil you should use, it depends on personal preference.

Start by adding just a few leaves per bowl and adjust according to taste.

For a larger pot of soup, about 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil should be enough for 4-6 servings.

6. Thyme

Thyme adds a wonderful earthy flavor to broccoli soup.

It’s one of the most popular herbs used in soups, and it works especially well with broccoli.

The subtle herbal notes can really bring out the sweetness of this vegetable.

When it comes to how much thyme you should use, that depends on your taste preference.

Start by adding about 1/4 teaspoon dried or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme during the last few minutes of cooking time.

If you find that you need more flavor, add a bit more until it suits your taste!

7. Sage

Sage is a great herb to add to your soup for an extra layer of flavor.

Sage has a slightly bitter, earthy taste that pairs nicely with creamy soups and stews.

It also adds complexity and depth of flavor with its musky aroma.

When adding sage to your dish, use it sparingly as it can be quite strong.

For a pot of soup, I would recommend using 1 teaspoon of dried or 2 teaspoons of fresh sage leaves per 3 quarts (2.8 liters) of liquid in the recipe.

You can always increase the amount if you want more flavor but be careful not to over-season!

To prepare and add sage to your soup, start by finely mincing the leaves if they are fresh.

Then add them towards the end of cooking so that their flavor does not become too overpowering or stale from overcooking.

If using dried, simply sprinkle them into the pot and stir until all ingredients are combined before serving up piping hot bowls full!

8. Garlic Powder

Garlic powder adds a pungent, earthy flavor to any soup.

It is an excellent addition to broccoli soup as it enhances the other flavors and brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables.

When using garlic powder, start off with about 1 teaspoon per 4 servings and adjust according to taste.

1. To prepare and add it to your soup, simply sprinkle some garlic powder on top of the broth or mix it into the other seasonings you are adding in.
2. Stir everything together until combined before adding in your vegetables.
3. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes before serving!

9. Onion Powder

Onion powder is a great addition to your soup!

It adds an earthy flavor that can help to round out the dish.

When it comes to how much onion powder you should use, I would recommend starting with one teaspoon and adding more as desired.

1. To prepare and add onion powder to your soup, simply mix it in with other spices like garlic or cumin first until everything is evenly distributed. This will ensure that the taste of the onion isn’t overpowering.
2. Then, stir in the mixture into your soup base before bringing it all together on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.

10. Black Pepper

Black pepper has a strong and pungent taste that can instantly bring out the flavors of other ingredients.

When using black pepper, you should use it sparingly as it can be quite overpowering if used in large amounts.

To prepare black pepper for use in your soup, you will need to grind it up first.

For a finer texture, I recommend grinding the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or electric grinder.

Alternatively, you could just crush them lightly with the back of a spoon or knife on your cutting board before adding them to the soup.

Once your black pepper has been prepared, simply add it into your soup during cooking as per your taste preference.

Start by adding 1/4 teaspoon at first and adjust from there until the desired level of spiciness is reached!

11. Paprika

Paprika is a great way to add both flavor and color to your broccoli soup.

It has a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor that will complement the vegetables in your soup nicely.

When it comes to adding paprika, start small and work your way up from there – use about 1 teaspoon per 4 servings of soup.

To prepare the paprika for adding to your soup, you’ll want to mix it with a bit of oil or butter first.

This helps bring out the flavors of the spice even more!

Once it’s mixed with oil or butter, you can stir it into the soup at any point during cooking – just make sure everything is combined well before serving.

12. Nutmeg

Nutmeg has a warm, nutty, and sweet taste that pairs perfectly with the earthy flavors of broccoli.

When adding nutmeg to any dish, it’s important to use it sparingly as its flavor can quickly become overpowering.

To prepare and add nutmeg to your soup, start by grinding or grating whole nutmegs into a fine powder using either a coffee/spice grinder or microplane (a small kitchen tool).

Then simply sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of the ground nutmeg when you are sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc.) before adding in your other ingredients.

Make sure not to burn the spice as this will make it bitter and unpleasant!

Taste for seasoning at the end and adjust if necessary.

13. Dry Mustard Powder

Dry mustard powder adds a sharp, pungent flavor that pairs nicely with the natural sweetness of broccoli.

When using dry mustard powder in a dish, it’s best to start out with a small amount and go from there.

A good rule of thumb is one teaspoon per four servings.

To prepare dry mustard powder for use in your soup, mix it first with some cold water to make a paste. This will help the spices dissolve more evenly into your soup and give it more depth of flavor.

Add this paste right before you serve your soup so that the flavors don’t become too intense or overwhelming.

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