Bacon-Cheddar Cauliflower Chowder

4.8
(13)

A quick, low-carb cauliflower chowder. This soup is wonderfully smooth and filling, and thoroughly enjoyed at my house. Serve as is, or garnish with green onion or parsley.

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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
8
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Ingredients

  • 8 strips bacon

  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic

  • 5 cups finely chopped cauliflower

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 2 cups milk

  • 2 cups chicken broth, divided

  • 3 dashes hot sauce, or to taste (Optional)

  • 2 tablespoons flour

  • 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon, leaving bacon grease in the skillet. Crumble bacon when cool to the touch.

  2. Add celery and garlic to the skillet and cook in the bacon grease until celery is tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cauliflower, water, and onion powder; cover skillet to steam cauliflower. Cook, stirring every so often, until cauliflower is tender, about 5 minutes.

  3. Add milk, 1 3/4 cups chicken broth, and hot sauce. Bring to a boil.

  4. Meanwhile, whisk flour into the remaining chicken broth in a small bowl and drizzle into the boiling chowder. Add Cheddar cheese and 1/2 of the crumbled bacon. Stir until smooth and cheese has melted.

  5. Season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Ladle into bowls and top with remaining bacon.

Cook’s Note

Use any type of bacon you'd like, such as turkey, low-sodium, or precooked.

You can use a food processor for the celery, garlic, and cauliflower if you prefer. I originally hand chopped all the ingredients, but the chowder was too chunky, so I started finishing it with my blender.

If you'd like a smoother chowder, use a blender before adding the Cheddar cheese and bacon. Fill blender halfway with chowder. Cover and hold lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend to desired consistency. Pour into a pot. Repeat with remaining chowder.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

252 Calories
17g Fat
10g Carbs
16g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 252
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 9g 47%
Cholesterol 53mg 18%
Sodium 796mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 16g 32%
Vitamin C 30mg 34%
Calcium 342mg 26%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 394mg 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.