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Creamy Cauliflower Shrimp Chowder
PIN THIS RECIPE!I want you to understand something right now. I love this effing soup. Love love love love it. It’s easy to make and it would be delicious with any sort of meat. I think next time I’m going to make it then add pulled rotisserie chicken to it. It’s my new best friend. My soup friend.
I need to talk something over with you. Because I’m becoming one of those stressed out brides. Which is why we booked a destination wedding in the first place: so it wouldn’t be stressful. But I can’t help but start to feel that way now that it’s only 3 months away. I think I’m just nervous that I’m going to forget something that’s important and since we’ll be in Jamaica, I won’t have it available. And since 3 months comes so effing quickly, I have to start figuring out the little things. Like a veil and gifts for guests and a playlist and swimsuits and makeup and outfits and jewelry and what the guys are wearing…and what MY guy is wearing. They are totally little things that aren’t worth stressing over, but I can’t help but feel that way.
I’ve even started stressing out about looking my best in my wedding dress. I haven’t felt that way or stressed out about my weight/body in a looooong time, but I can’t help but worry about it. My dress isn’t exactly forgiving and I want it to look just right, so I keep finding myself worrying about it. Which is stupid because I’ve been working out HARD for the past 6 years. There’s really nothing different I could do at this point to change anything. Or want to change anything. What’s wrong with me!? I’m getting married to a man I completely adore, in a beautiful place with only a handful of guests who are our close friends. I need to get a massage or something…because eating an entire cake to relieve that stress is just not an option right now. Damnit.
Enough about annoying insecurities, those are the worst, let’s talk about fun girly stuff. I’m playing dress up today with Cassy from Fed and Fit in San Antonio! Being in this warmer, sunny weather is really helping me change around my attitude. I’m serious. Anywho, we are wearing girly little numbers and all kinds over-the-top jewelry during a photo/video shoot today. She’s the best. Have you ever met this girl? She has the absolute best taste in style. Whenever I hang out with her, I end up going home and buying a bunch of clothing that I wouldn’t have worn otherwise because she showed me how it could stylish. She’s wonderful. And her personality is even better. Can’t wait to show you what we are working on!
But enough about girly crap, go make this soup.
PrintCreamy Cauliflower Shrimp Chowder
- Yield: 5-6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 1/2 pound bacon (I used peppered bacon for extra flavor), cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 4 stalks of celery, diced
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (may use more depending on salt in the bacon and broth)
- 6 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- for garnish: olive oil and fresh parsley
Instructions
- Steam cauliflower then set aside.
- Place a dutch oven over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove then set aside on a paper towel. Remove excess bacon fat from dutch oven leaving behind 2-3 tablespoons.
- Pat shrimp dry and sprinkle with salt. Add shrimp to the dutch oven and cook on both sides, about 2-3 minutes until shrimp is pink. Remove and set aside.
- Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic cloves to the pot and use a wood spatula to scrape the bacon of the pan and toss the veggies. Once onion becomes translucent, add garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano and thyme and salt. Stir for about 1 minute in the veggies.
- Add chicken broth and bay leaves to the pot.
- Add cauliflower to a high speed blender and blend until completely smooth. Scoop out cauliflower puree into the dutch oven along with 1/2 the bacon. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.*
- Remove bay leaves and add fresh parsley then use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth and combine. Lastly, add the shrimp back to the back to the pot to heat through.
- Top each bowl of soup with fresh parsley, bacon and a swirl of olive oil.
Notes
*I pureed the cauliflower first instead of doing it with an immersion blender later because it gives it a much smoother consistency. You could always puree the cauliflower later with everything else, I just prefer the consistency of the high speed blender.
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60 thoughts on “Creamy Cauliflower Shrimp Chowder”
Stop. I have all of these ingredients! This will be dinner tonight yay! 🙂
It’s natural to be stressed out because there are so many things to remember. You love lists though! Start your list now, and carry it with you so that anytime you think of anything else you can add it. Sometimes you’ll think there is something new, and it’s already on the list. Then you can rest assured that everything is on there and you wont forget. I am SO excited to see pictures and your dress! You’re body is banging, you have NOTHING to worry about there. Thanks for everything you do Juli, your blog is the only one I read everyday 🙂
so true, lists totally calm me down. i need to get on theknot.com and start looking at their lists to help with my own! and thank you so much for the support, you’re the best!! i needed that pep talk lol!
This looks like the ultimate comfort food- I’m droooooling over here!
Oh yeah! I just bought some cauliflower today. Will have to get the other ingredients though. I love cauli soup, but this is like the Queen of cauliflower soups. Thanks! :o)
I remember my dress being this gorgeous off the shoulder princess thing with a train… and the sleeves were supposed to stay OVER my arms… they never did. And I don’t recall even thinking about it during the wedding!!! It’s funny how we stress about so many details before the wedding – and then recall nothing but the ceremony (or some parts of it) and exhausted ride to the hotel for the wedding night (or is that only me??). Don’t sweat the details – plan as much as you can, then let go. Seriously – just breathe. In the end, all that matters is that you say “I do”.
FYI: any recipe that calls for 1.5 POUNDS of bacon better be awesome!
★★★★★
hahaha yeah i went a little over the top with the bacon, but it’s totally worth it!!
Dude. You remember how many of us look at your photos on here and on IG and say, “How can we get that body?” Like, so many of us that you wrote a whole, totally helpful and inspiring post about it? You’re going to look gorgeous, no doubt. And all those little things…I mean, gift bags are totally fun, but if they happen to get left in CO, you are still going to be married to the love of your life! I totally feel you though. I didn’t even WANT a wedding (my mother made me have one) and all we invited was immediate family and it was seriously low-key, but I still got so stressed with all the phone calls to make and all that…I get how the stress happens. For sure. But it is going to be amazing for you!
Can’t WAIT to try this recipe!!!
I’m getting married in May and I’m starting to get stressed about it. There are SO many tiny little things that have to be planned and most of them I don’t even care about. I understand why people get wedding planners. Plus, my fiance is Canadian so I’m crossing my fingers his visa comes through in time! Yikes. Anyways, that soup looks delicious, and I don’t ever think that about soup, so I will definitely have to give it try!
omg the visa part would definitely be SO stressful! hope everything goes well!!
Allergic to shrimp here, if I was going to use chicken would you recommend that I just add it at the end instead of cooking it like you did with the shrimp? I am thinking yes, but want to be sure! and Ditto to what everyone else said above. I try not to be envious of other peoples bodies because we are each our own but I know you work out hard and you still eat some pretty amazing stuff and enjoy your life. Just remember, the wedding is ONE day. Don’t get caught up on the small stuff. We are coming up on our 5 year and I remember the day a an amazing day but it was a day. Worry about the memories you will make that day than whether or not he wore a blue or a grey tie… 🙂 Good luck!
★★★★★
yes, just cook it the same as the shrimp, but I would recommend adding it back to the soup before you cook it for 15 minutes, that will help thoroughly cook the chicken and keep it moist! thanks for the positivity!
the only thing to worry about is whether you both get on the plane. in the end the rest is just icing on the cake. i look back at my wedding a gazillion years ago…well 8. and laugh. theknot will make you neurotic as they make all theses lists of things you never even thought of nor need. you look amazing so stop obsessing and walk the dog.
very very true lol
Made it tonight. Very good!!
★★★★★
I am totes making this soup! No matter what you forget or what you don’t do your wedding is going to be perfect! Enjoy the journey, it only happens once. And let’s be real… All you need is your wedding dress and and swim suits! Boom planning done!
I just made this soup and I’m sitting here waiting for my husband to get home so we can eat it!! It’s really yummy and I can’t wait for him to try it… I have walked down the aisle twice but only got to plan the second one…they were both stressful but I am a list person so that helped!! I just remember how I kept thinking about finally being alone with my new husband and that helped me make it through the stress… You will be alright!!
I’m making this soup tonight!!!!
As for your wedding, it’s completely normal to feel that way. I too had a destination wedding this past summer and I can honestly say that I had to learn to accept that if we all get there and the flowers don’t show up, the food sucks, well at LEAST we are hanging with our loved ones in paradise. I think accepting ahead of time there will likely be little bumps will help. In the end, no one really remembers what the food was, what China you used, they just remember how stunning and happy you two were. And I guarantee once you get there, you’ll be so much more relaxed. Paradise has a way of doing that to us 🙂 You got this, let the waves of stress come and then go kick some a$$ in the gym to get it all out! Oh and I agree, theknot might make you feel more stressed/anxious. I stayed away from Pinterest after a while because it made me think I needed one million little details. Screw the little details, ENJOY PARADISE 🙂
Oh. My. God. This might be the best soup ever. I can’t get over how good it is. Whoa.
★★★★★
that’s how i felt?! i wish i had it in my house every single day!! so glad you liked it too!!
Quick question…what brand of Dutch oven do you recommend? I’ve tried making do with other pots and such, but I really need to break down and get one. Thanks!
i use le creuset. best investment i’ve ever made!
This soup looks amazing, I’m making it tonight! One piece of unsolicited advice- don’t do gifts for your guests. I totally thought I had to since I had tons of people flying from California to Switzerland for my wedding. But half the people forget to even take them home and no one really cares. Let’s be honest, what do you remember from the weddings you’ve been to? You remember if you danced, drank and had a good time. That’s pretty much it. No one remembers or cares what color the tablecloths were or what the flowers looked like. That’s all. Everything will come together perfectly…and you are looking amazing, so definitely don’t stress about that! Xx
About wedding planning, here is something important to remember: IT’S YOUR DAY! Do what ever the hell you want. I wanted to have giant jenga, beer pong, a beautiful cake, flip cup racing, be outside, and just party. AND I DID. I tried all the blogs and stuff and it just stressed me out. You, oh-paleo-recipe-wizard are clearly adept in planning and carrying out plans to your liking. It’s your day; celebrate it how you guys want to.
What an original recipe. It looks great, especially for a winter time meal. Can this be easily reheated as leftovers without over cooking the shrimp?
★★★★★
i reheated mine and the shrimp still were good, even a couple days later. just definitely not as fresh as tender as the day of
Love this and I really want to make it, but have no immersion blender. Would a regular blender or food processor do alright?
i think so, you may just need to do it in batches to not overflow it!
I made it last night!!! I subbed 1# chicken thighs for the shrimp, seared them as I would have seared the shrimp, then added them to the dutch oven for the 15 minutes to make sure they cooked through. Removed them, shredded, and topped the soup with the chicken, 1/2 the bacon, and cilantro when I was done. Blender handled it just fine in batches. DELICIOUS!
OMG. I made this last night- I’m pretty sure it is my favorite soup ever now! The flavor combinations are so perfect!
★★★★★
This is one of the best soups I’ve ever made, and even my 5 yo son AND 2 yo daughter devoured it! I’m always looking for new ways to make cauliflower, and this “hides” it really well for the kiddos. Thanks!
My husband and I have been together for almost 20 years and married for over six. Our wedding was a simple, private park retreat early in the morning on the first Saturday in September. I am usually such a type A person, yet for some reason, I was able to relax for the wedding and its planning. My family members were the biggest stressors, and I had to block out a lot of their crap and ridiculous chatter. We were so relaxed that I totally forgot to order my bouquet and had to grab some stems from an arrangement I used during the rehearsal dinner! It was too funny, and nobody even knew the difference since our location was naturally gorgeous. Your wedding is in such a lovely natural location, and that beauty will be exquisite. Congrats!
★★★★★
I followed this recipe “almost” exactly and it was delicious. I didn’t have a bag of only frozen shrimp but I had a frozen seafood medley of shrimp, calamari and scallops that I used. And I added a couple teaspoons of Old Bay Seasoning in addition to your seasonings listed. My husband and I both thought it was delicious. I have used many of your recipes and have always been so happy with them. Thanks so much for sharing!
★★★★★
Absolutely LOVE your website and can’t wait to try this recipe!
As far as your worrying about forgetting details, as long as you and your soon to be hubby show up, all is good. Take it from someone who’s been married 21 years…as long as you end up married, love each other, and having a beautiful destination is definitely an added bonus… it’s all good:) Wishing you an amazing day and a loving marriage. Have fun!
Shrimp is one of my favorite types of fish! Mmmmm, this looks fantastic!
★★★★★
I just made this soup. THIS IS THE BEST SOUP!!!! Unreal!!!
★★★★★
Hi, Julie! Awesome recipe. Also-I got married in Cancun last January. Looking back, the only thing I wish I’d done differently is be a little more specific with my photographer (wanted more close-ups, less full length shots. Ok, I know it’s a wedding dress, but every picture does not need to include the entire thing!) And the best thing I remembered to take with me was games to play with guests! We had so much fun drinking and playing them in our room together and by the pool. Congratulations!
★★★★★
Have you ever tried roasting (vs steaming) the cauliflower? I think it could add a little flavor but I’m concerned it may affect the consistency of the puree. Thoughts?
i think the consistency would change some but i don’t think it would be a bad thing!
Sooo, one of my best friends did destination (because like you, she didn’t want to be stressed)…and horror of all horrors (seriously) she forgot her g-damn wedding dress at home. No lie. The wedding was still a blast but snap was it awful about her dress. Really though, you can buy EVERYTHING else while you’re there. EVERYTHING. So even if you lose a suitcase or whatever, you can scrounge together everything else other than your dress…so I suggest you bring your dress as carry on.
Ps. this soup sounds amazing.
omgawwwwwwd, that’s terrible! i would be so so upset!!!
I found your blog and absolutely love it. My boyfriend and I are halfway through our very first whole30 and are excited about all the different ways fruits, veggies, and meats have come alive!
Quick question, I don’t own a Dutch oven and was wondering how you would suggest using a crock pot instead??
Also, good luck with wedding planning as I’m sure you’ll look, feel, and embrace all the greatness the two of you create together. Not married but my boyfriend and I are planning that whole next part out soon so I might be needing pointers soon….
Thanks !
★★★★★
yes, you could definitely make it in a crockpot! i would just recommend stirring it a couple times throughout to keep it from sticking to the bottom!
Love, Love, Love this soup!!!! I’ve made it every week for the past three weeks. Also, I bought your new cookbook a month ago and I’ve been feverishly cooking as many of your recipes as possible. They are absolutely delicious! It is by far the best cookbook I have ever purchased. Thank you! I gave it 5 stars on Amazon:)
★★★★★
This was soooo good! The soup was even better the next day! Definitely a keeper!
★★★★★
This was amazing!!! I just threw the cauliflower in to cook and blended later instead of steaming it separately. Just because I’m lazy. I also used leftover rotisserie chicken because, again, I’m lazy. I actually dreamed about this soup that night .
Side note. Fantastic blog and I’m loving all the positive self image posts lately. Keep up the great work!
★★★★★
thanks so much, Sam! So glad you liked the soup, it’s seriously one of my all time favorites!
This soup was delicious! I had to tinker a bit with the spices at the end and also added some Old Bay, like someone else suggested. YUM!!! I have been cooking off of your website for weeks now and haven’t hit a bad recipe yet. Thanks!!
★★★★★
awesome!! so glad to hear it!!
Amazing! Looks so colorful and delicious. I would love to try this soup at home with the help of your blog. Thanks
★★★★★
Juli-
This soup is great. I find it easy to blend the steamed cauliflower and the cooked vegetables in the blender before adding the broth.
Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
E
★★★★★
Just made this tonight and it’s amazing. Husband approves as well. A decent amount of work but 100% worth it. Will make this again!
★★★★
This was a hit with my family! Do you know what the macros would be?
★★★★★
i do not, i have no idea how to count macros
OMG, this was fantastic. We got our shrimp from US Wellness and the bacon from Dartagnan……the bacon is a little salty so we used only 12 oz, this soup was a bomb…thanks Juli…..love your Friday updates
Nick
★★★★★
This recipe is so delicious. My husband was very hesitant when I told him I was going to make a cauliflower chowder, but this did not lack on flavor at all! He was asking if I added any dairy because it had such a creamy taste. The only thing I did differently was season the shrimp with a little extra smoked paprika and garlic powder before cooking. Everyone enjoyed the soup! My husband and my two kids (9 months and 3). We don’t have an immersion blender so I used our blender and it worked well. We also didn’t have any parsley so I chopped up some cilantro and bacon to top it and it was quite yummy! Thanks for the great recipe!
so glad you liked it!
Hi, I am LOVING all of your recipes!! Where do I find reviews if I wanted to see them? I see a quantity of 22 for this recipe but have no idea how to actually view them…! Thanks!
when i did an update to my blog, that previous widget i used was removed so it doesn’t show the individual star ratings. i’m so sorry for the inconvenience!
Juli, you never disappoint!
I used hamburger instead of shrimp and added potatoes and a can of full fat coconut milk to add some more calories!
Delicious:)
Thank you!
★★★★★
awesome!! so happy it turned out and you loved it!!