Tomato Soup

The BEST tomato soup recipe! It’s rich, flavorful, and made with pantry ingredients. Pair it with a grilled cheese for a delicious, comforting meal!

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Homemade tomato soup is like a hug in a bowl, which, when the weather is as gray as it has been here lately, is exactly what I need.

This tomato soup recipe is a cold weather staple in our house. It couldn’t be simpler to make, and the ingredients are largely pantry basics that I always keep on hand. But more importantly, this tomato soup is creamy, comforting, and full of rich flavor. The tomatoes make it tangy, balsamic vinegar adds sweetness, and red pepper flakes give it a warming kick of heat. You could serve it on its own, topped with a swirl of olive oil, black pepper, and fresh basil leaves…or you could pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich. If you’re craving cozy comfort food as much as I have been recently, I definitely vote for the latter.

Tomato Soup Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade tomato soup recipe:

• Tomatoes, of course! Canned diced tomatoes, to be exact. If you’d prefer to make a tomato soup recipe that calls for fresh tomatoes, check out this tomato basil soup recipe instead.
• Olive oil and butter – They create the soup’s rich base. To make this recipe dairy-free, feel free to use additional olive oil instead of the butter.
• Carrots, onion, and garlic – These aromatic veggies give the soup savory depth of flavor.
• Balsamic vinegar – It adds sweetness and tang.
• Vegetable broth – Use store-bought, or make your own. Water works here too!
• Full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream – Honestly, both are fantastic! They make the soup equally creamy. If you go the dairy-free route, I promise, you won’t taste the coconut one bit!
• Dried thyme – For warm, earthy flavor.
• Red pepper flakes – For heat.
• Fresh basil leaves – You can’t beat the combination of tomatoes and basil! I shower the basil over the soup to add bursts of fresh flavor.
• And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Tomato Soup

This homemade tomato soup recipe is so simple to make! Here’s how it goes:

First, sauté the veggies. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, and add the olive oil. Add the onion, carrots, garlic, and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften, about 8 minutes.

Stir in the vinegar.

Next, add the remaining ingredients and simmer. Add the canned tomatoes, water, coconut milk or heavy cream, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and several grinds of pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Then, blend part of the soup. This step makes it sooo creamy! Scoop 4 cups of the soup out of the pot and set aside. Transfer the remaining soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. If you like, you could use an immersion blender for this step, though I prefer the smoother texture I get when I use my upright blender. Return the pureed soup to the pot, along with the 4 cups of chunky soup. Stir to combine.

Finally, season to taste and serve. That’s it!

Homemade Tomato Soup Serving Suggestions

When you’re ready to eat, top your bowl with a swirl of olive oil, a drizzle of coconut milk or heavy cream, lots of fresh black pepper, and fresh basil. Enjoy the soup with a side of crusty bread, or top it with homemade croutons for crunch. And of course, you can’t beat pairing it with a grilled cheese sandwich.

Want something lighter on the side? A cup of this tomato soup is delicious with a simple green salad, my kale Caesar salad, or a classic Caesar salad.

Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze the tomato soup for up to 3 months!

More Favorite Soup Recipes

If you love this tomato soup recipe, try one of these homemade soups next:

• Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Butternut Squash Soup
• Minestrone Soup
• Tortellini Soup
• Best Lentil Soup
• Cabbage Soup
• Many-Veggie Vegetable Soup
• Or any of these 35 Best Soup Recipes!

Tomato Soup

rate this recipe:#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg *{fill:#343434}#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg *{fill:url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33)}#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg *{fill:url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50)}#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg *{fill:url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66)}linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop{stop-color:#343434}linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop{stop-color:#343434}linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop{stop-color:#343434}4.99 from 70 votesPrep Time: 15 minutes minsCook Time: 30 minutes minsTotal Time: 45 minutes minsServes 6
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Print RecipeOur favorite tomato soup recipe! Made with pantry staples, this simple homemade tomato soup is creamy, rich, and flavorful. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich for a delicious, comforting meal!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, or an additional 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 3 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1⅓ cups full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream, plus more for drizzling
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

• Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, garlic, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until softened.
• Stir in the vinegar, then add the tomatoes, water, coconut milk, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and several grinds of pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
• Scoop 4 cups of the soup out of the pot and set aside. Transfer the remaining soup to a blender. Puree until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot with the reserved 4 cups of chunky soup. Stir to combine and season to taste.
• Ladle into bowls and serve with a drizzle of coconut milk, a drizzle of olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh basil leaves for garnish.

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133 comments

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1. Bonnie
   09.23.2023

   Can crushed tomatoes be used- instead of diced?

   Reply ↓

   • Jeanine Donofrio
     09.27.2023

     yep!

     Reply ↓

2. Rishwa
   06.16.2023

   Did anyone test the rails on this? Enough to feed 12 people liquid. Yes I made the recipe as is.

   Reply ↓

3. suriya
   03.15.2023

   
   Such a healthy n comforting soup! A must try recipe..
   very delicious..

   Reply ↓

4. Laurie Bettini
   02.28.2023

   
   I really enjoyed the combination of creamy and chunky and love the flavor profile! I paired it with your suggested grilled cheese, which was perfect!

   Reply ↓

   • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
     03.03.2023

     So glad you loved the recipe!

     Reply ↓

5. Becky Andersen
   02.28.2023

   This soup was great! I was a little unsure about the coconut milk, but it provided creaminess without making this taste like tomato/coconut soup. I’ll definitely make this again.

   Reply ↓

   • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
     03.03.2023

     So glad you loved it! I know, it’s such a surprise how well the coconut blends in.

     Reply ↓

6. Hilary Kenny
   02.28.2023

   
   Really liked this recipe, carrots added sweetness and extra nutrition. Coconut milk made it creamy without dairy. And I had a lot leftover to freeze!

   Reply ↓

   • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
     03.03.2023

     Hi Hilary, I’m so glad you loved it!

     Reply ↓

7. Samantha Barnett
   02.28.2023

   
   Delicious soup!! Love the savory sweet flavor! Perfect with grilled cheese!

   Reply ↓

   • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
     03.03.2023

     Hi Samantha, I’m so glad you loved it!

     Reply ↓

8. Bridget Cassun
   02.28.2023

   
   This is the best tomato soup; delicious and easy! Loved the addition of the vegetables and the balsamic vinegar! I made it with the coconut milk; yummy!

   Reply ↓

   • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
     03.03.2023

     Hi Bridget, I’m glad you loved the soup!

     Reply ↓

9. Jessica Wisnieski
   02.28.2023

   
   This soup is perfect! Love the pinch of red pepper flakes and leaving some of the soup chunky for texture.

   Reply ↓

   • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
     03.03.2023

     So glad you loved it!

     Reply ↓

10. Erin Dominy
    02.28.2023

    
    Delicious! I love the addition of balsamic vinegar for sweetness and tang but I’m convinced the carrots are the showstopper. I loved the texture and balance they gave. I had some cream to use up this time, but can’t wait to try it with coconut milk next time.

    Reply ↓

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.03.2023

      I’m so glad you loved the soup!

      Reply ↓

11. Julia Paradine-Rice
    02.28.2023

    
    This soup is so rich and full of flavor!

    Reply ↓

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.03.2023

      So glad you loved it!

      Reply ↓

12. Engin
    02.28.2023

    This recipe is delicious! I’m not vegan, but I avoid dairy so I didn’t use butter. I didn’t also add extra olive oil but it still turned out to be amazing. Thank you for all your lovely recipes!

    Reply ↓

13. Engin
    02.28.2023

    
    This recipe is delicious! I’m not vegan but avoid dairy, so I didn’t use butter. I didn’t add extra olive oil, but it still turned out to be delicious! I love your recipes!

    Reply ↓

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.03.2023

      I’m so glad you loved the soup!

      Reply ↓

14. Evelun
    02.27.2023

    
    Just finished making it. It is delicious. It is not a quick recipe, but is easy.
    I’m not a vegan, so use cream and butter.

    Reply ↓

15. Carrie McCormack
    02.27.2023

    
    So easy and so tasty! We enjoyed with grilled cheese, of course! Perfect cozy February meal. We’ll make this again!

    Reply ↓

16. Fan
    02.26.2023

    
    The soup was super delicious and creamy! It was so easy to make, and I will make this again for sure.

    Reply ↓

17. Miranda Wodarski
    02.26.2023

    This recipe was delicious! I loved the blended creaminess but I did love the few chunks of veggies left from the unblended portion. We had this two nights in a row with grilled cheese and loved it both times!

    Reply ↓

18. Anastasia Stipakhno
    02.26.2023

    Loved it!

    Reply ↓