Rich and creamy Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup is a New England favorite. Following is the original recipe from Simon Pearce Restaurant in Quechee, VT. Read on to learn more about Simon Pearce Glass blowing and how to make this delicious cheese soup at home.
If you’ve never been to New England before and you’re thinking of a visit, add Simon Pearce Glass in Quechee, Vermont to your bucket list. It’s a beautiful experience in every sense of the word.
Watch live glass blowing in the basement.
Shop sparkling treasures on the gorgeous showroom floor.
Dine in the five star restaurant overlooking the covered bridge and falls. (And be sure to order a creamy bowl of Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup!)
Simon Pearce Restaurant, located in this 1800’s mill, is where I first tasted Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup. Such a flavorful cheddar cheese soup, the recipe I’m sharing today is world famous.
Melt butter in a large stockpot. Sauté garlic and onion, then whisk in flour, making a roux. Stir in chicken stock and season with fresh thyme and spices. Add grated Cabot sharp cheddar cheese, cream and half and half.
While this isn’t a diet recipe, Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup is the ideal creamy main dish soup for a satisfying New England lunch or supper after coming in from the cold.
Read my post Simon Pearce Glass for more pictures and information about this fascinating destination.
Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Cheese Soup
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 3 quarts chicken stock
- 1 pound Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup minced celery
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups half & half
- Optional: fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Melt butter in heavy stockpot.
- Add onions & garlic and cook 'til soft.
- Add flour to butter and onion mixture, stirring to combine well.
- Turn heat very low.
- Stir occasionally, and cook 10-15 minutes.
- Add chicken stock incrementally, stirring with whisk until smooth after each addition.
- Add chopped thyme, bay leaves and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook over medium heat 5-10 minutes more until smooth and creamy, watching closely.
- Stir in grated cheese.
- In separate saucepan, bring water to a boil.
- Add celery and carrots, cooking until just tender, about 1 minute.
- Rinse with cold water and drain well.
- Add celery and carrots to large stockpot.
- Stir in half & half and heavy cream.
- Stir soup well.
- Optional: garnish with fresh thyme sprigs
- Serve hot, but don't overheat or the soup will curdle.
Notes
You may also like: Cabot Creamery, Cabot, VT
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
This sounds delicious! My husband is a cheese fanatic so he would definitely be happy if this was on the dinner table 😉
Eva says
What a nice place to discover! I would like to be there and have this nice soupe! Maybe one day! xoxo
Allie says
Dear Eva, you would love Simon Pearce Glass. And I would love to have a bowl of soup there with you! xo
Catherine says
Dear Allie, what a wonderful place to visit…it looks so interesting and fun. This cheddar soup sounds perfect and so comforting! I’m craving a bowl for breakfast this chilly morning. xo, Catherine
Carina says
Dear Allie, What a lovely soup for the colder months, it looks delicious. I love the place mat in the picture and how the colours play off the bowl. The restaurant sounds like a wonderful place, I will check that link later today for sure. Thanks for sharing.xo
Denise says
I just added a visit to Simon Pearce Glass to our bucket list. This soup looks amazing. Worth going off my diet for.
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
whoa- what a great experience and what a delicious recipe to share- the soup looks so comforting!!!
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
Last night I was eating some Vermont cheddar cheese, thinking how lovely it was, and wishing that Philadelphia was closer to Vermont and it’s awesome food scene. This soup look like a perfect outlet for my recent Vermont cheddar obsession!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina says
What a lovely combination to be able to visit the glass factory and then have a great lunch! The soup sounds wonderful, I can’t wait to try it, Allie!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I have never been to New England before, but I’d certainly love to go! Thanks for the 411 on Simon Pearce Glass! That store looks charming and ive always loved how glass is blown! What I also love- this Vermont Cheddar Soup! It looks and sounds super decadent, comforting and delicious! Absolutely perfect for the nasty weather we have been getting in NC the past few days! All I want to do is stay in my PJ’S and slurp a vat of this soup! Cheers, lovely! Xo
Jenn says
I live in Vermont, but have not been to Quechee before, although I hear there is a great Scottish festival in the summer there that I’ve been meaning to check out! This looks like a great stop!
Aunt Pinkie says
What a fabulous sounding place with so much to see! The glass blowing must be amazing, the gift shop would be so enticing, and the soup sounds fantastic! The celery and carrots are the surprises in this soup! Wonder how far Quichee is from Joe’s Pond? Thanks, Allie, for another wonderful blog!
Allie says
Thank you so much for following along Aunt Pinkie! Simon Pearce Glass really is a wonderful place to visit. They also have many carved wooden bowls and pottery for sale. Looks like it’s an hour and 15 minutes from Joe’s Pond. (I sniff a field trip!!!)
Melissa Falk says
I believe I was there many moons ago. Who wouldn’t love this cheddar soup. So decadent!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
This soup is a cheese lover’s dream! Oh, I have to try it – looks amazing! 🙂
Megan Marlowe says
I have never been to New England, but I am dying to go at some point in my life, around this time, so I can enjoy all the foliage! Your soup looks delicious! I love cheese and cheddar soup this time of year sounds perfect!
Susie Mandel says
This looks so yummy. Can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Jessica says
Allie, this looks so warm and comforting. It’s rainy and dreary here in NC and I could really go for a bowl of this right now 🙂
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
Watching them make the glass pieces is absolutely mesmerizing! And I have had some killer meals there too. So glad you are sharing this and I agree it is a must see when you come to VT.
Joanie@ZagLeft says
What a wonderful place to visit and to combine a visit with a lovely lunch sounds perfect. Your soup looks so delicious, I’m looking forward to trying the recipe.
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
I love cheddar soup! Your recipe look a lot like my “Cooks Illustrated” recipe. I love to serve it with hot ham sandwiches.
I’ll have to give your recipe a try.
Jay says
Oh we were nearby earlier this month – too bad we didn’t know!
Allie says
Timing is everything, huh? Sorry you missed out this time, hopefully next time you’re in the area.
Sarah says
What an interesting place! This looks so delicious.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I saw glass blowing once in Florida and was completely fascinated. I simply MUST get Simon Pearce one of these days though! And this soup… amazing!
Kimberly @ KimRidge Farm says
This soup looks so delicious and comforting. Perfect meal on a cool autumn day. Thank you for the recipe, I’ll definitely try it.
Lauren @ Hall Nesting says
Watching glass blowing is truly an experience. We have many Christmas ornaments made from this. I’ve never been to VT but this soup definitely is another reason I would love to go.
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
If I ever find myself in Quechee, Vermont, I know where I’m going for sure – just for the glass blowing though because I can have their soup anytime – thanks to your recipe, sweet Allie!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
I’ve never been to the Simon Pearce factory, but love their stuff. I had no idea they had a restaurant too – must make a pilgrimage. If this soup is any indication, I’ll love it too.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
I’ve never been to New England before, but would love to visit sometime. And Quechee, Vermont would sure be in my bucket list. And this soup looks so exotic, classic and creamy. YUMMY!
Sarah says
This sounds delicious!
Jean says
We have been to Simon Pearce many times when we visit Vermont. It is such a special place. The pottery and glass pieces that we have are treasured pieces for sure. The food at the restaurant is fantastic, and the Cheddar Soup is comforting and delicious! I can’t wait to visit again!
Allie says
It really is wonderful experience isn’t it. It’s almost like time stands still…especially if you’re lucky enough to savor a meal by the falls. I can’t wait to go back either!
Linda Merriam says
Thank you for the recipe, Allie. We had two exceptional meals at Simon Pearce this year, a lunch in April and dinner on our way to our son’s wedding in Montreal in September. Now, making the cheddar soup will bring me back to such happy times.
Allie says
I’m so glad, Linda. What great memories you’ll have while savoring this soup…sounds like you’ve had a wonderful year! I look forward to my next Simon Pearce visit…
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
This recipe sounds divine! I love soup once it gets chilly…and I can’t wait to try this one!
Manila Spoon (Abigail) says
I have never been to Vermont and now am excited to visit it and to especially taste this delicious soup! Thanks for sharing this delightful soup so even those far away can taste its goodness! Stay warm!
Lisa says
I was just up in that area over the Christmas holiday, Allie! I got to Woodstock but didn’t get over to Simon Pearce. I love that place – such beautiful things for the kitchen. Your soup looks delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!
Shinee says
Oh my gosh, those wine glasses!! so pretty! Your photos of glass blowing reminded me of my trip to Seattle a few years ago and taking a glass-blowing class! It was quite an experience!!
And that soup though!!! Love cheddar (especially Cabot’s seriously sharp) cheese soup. So trying this recipe one of these days.
Carol Borchardt says
Wow, this soup recipe really takes me back! Did a wonderful trip to Vermont well over 25 years ago, including Quechee. Didn’t visit the Simon Pearce place, but someone that I was visiting gave me a beautiful glass vase from there that I still have. Wonderful recipe!
Kellie says
I have never been there! I must go! & I must try this recipe!! I can already taste it!!
Aunt Pinkie says
Still haven’t made this delicious sounding soup. And sadly, the chances of visit to Quechee are very remote.
Eva says
L’hiver approche à grand pas et cette soupe me fera du grand bien. Elle est exquise! J’aurais adoré visité le restaurant de Simon Pearce! xoxo
Carina says
Mmmm, I’m glad you reposted this. This is an amazing, elegant soup, and not too difficult to make. Great reminder to add it to our menu over the holidays. Thanks, Allie. Hope you are enjoying the weekend with your family. Xo ?☃️⭐️
Allie says
Thanks Carina – hope you and your family enjoy it! Hope you are enjoying the holidays my friend! XO
Karen (Back Road Journal_ says
When we lived in New Hampshire, we used to ride over for lunch in Vermont and Simon Pearce was often where we stopped. Thanks for sharing the recipe and Happy New Year. Happy to have discovered your blog.
HOWARD STARK says
I DO NOT THINK I HAVE HAD A AUTHENTIC VERMONT CHEDDAR SOUP BRE BECAUSE I AN ROM LAS VEGAS , NEVADA THAT HAS MOVED 2 NEBRASKA , OMAHA SO WE WERE AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE COUNTRY TO EVER GET A TASTE OF AN ORIGINAL RECIPE .
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great combination of flavors!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?