Next Day Rice & Broccoli Soup

This is a leftover hero. Got half a cup of rice and some cooked broccoli sitting in the fridge? That’s most of this soup already done.

The unexpected addition here is apple. Half an apple, finely diced, gets softened in butter alongside onion before the broth goes in. It dissolves into the background as the soup simmers, adding a subtle sweetness that rounds out the broccoli’s slightly bitter edge without tasting fruity.

You can serve this chunky or toss it in a blender for a silky puree. Both ways work, but the pureed version is especially satisfying on a cold night when you want something that feels more substantial than it actually is.

Kitchen Tips

• Use whatever stock you have on hand. Chicken, vegetable, even a light mushroom broth all work here.
• If your leftover rice is cold and clumpy, break it apart before adding. It’ll heat through more evenly.
• For a richer soup, stir in a splash of cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt right before serving.
• Season assertively. Broccoli and rice are both mild, so this soup needs enough salt and pepper to come alive.

Variations

• Add a wedge of stirred-in cheddar cheese for a broccoli cheddar spin.
• Swap broccoli for cauliflower and add a pinch of curry powder for a completely different bowl.
• Toss in shredded rotisserie chicken to make it a fuller meal.