The BEST Tomato Basil Soup Recipe (2024)

This tomato basil soup is one of my all time favourite family recipes. My mom has been making this soup for YEARS. Mmmm… It’s the perfect soup recipe for summer! The flavours are perfect, and it always tastes amazing!

I grew up in a big house on a huge property in the country. We were surrounded by farms, (I could hear cows mooing and the donkeys braying (yep, totally had to google what that sound was called)if I listened carefully…), but we were definitely not farmers. Every year when I was little, I’d beg my mom to plant a vegetable garden, and even though we had tons of space, we didn’t have the best green thumbs when it came to growing food. But we always managed to grow tons of tomatoes, tons of parsley and tons of basil. Those seemed to bethe fool proof things that we could pull off each year. We’d collect them from our messy little garden patch and my mom would whip up a batch of this amazing tomato basil soup.

I still struggle with growing vegetables in my backyard. I try, I really do, but if I try growing new and different vegetables, I end up getting, say, one green pepper that I end up “saving” until it shrivels up and falls off, and two overgrown baseball bat sized zucchinis. That and a whole garden full of weeds. Did I mention, I don’t put anyeffort into my garden patch?

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My vegetable garden is a little embarrassing, but I’m pretty sure more people would notice the broken sandbox toys that are all over the grass – or rather the field of dandelions that we call a lawn. If anyone raises their eyebrows when they go intoour backyard, I’m pretty sure it’s not because of the overgrown garden boxeswith tomato plants creeping out and almost falling over. Hopefully they think to themselves, “Wow, three slides, a swingset, a sandbox, a wagon and a mini coup. Kids definitely live here!” Priorities, right?

So I’ve kind of given up on growing anything other than tomatoes, basil and parsley in our garden boxes in the backyard. Which actually works out PERFECTLY for this soup! The tomatoes aren’t ready yet, but when they are, man oh man, I bet this soup will taste even more amazing than it already does!

The BEST Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post, but here’s what you’ll need:

  • Tomatoes
  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Carrots
  • Onions
  • Chicken Stock
  • Garlic
  • Butter
  • Secret Ingredient – Lemon Juice!

Roma tomatoes were on sale at the store, so that’s what I used when I made it, but you can use your favourite variety. The redder and sweeter the better!

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I diced the tomatoes, but I didn’t go crazy making them overly small. I also didn’t peel them. You can peel them if you want, but as long as you chop them like mine or smaller, you won’t really notice the peels in your soup. Or at least I didn’t notice them.

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You start by simmering all the veggies together to make the broth. This was chicken broth, onions, garlic, and tomatoes before I blended them.

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I have to admit, I’m slightly in love with my hand held blender. I don’t really know what it’s called officially? We call it a “soup whipper” because it’s so darn convenient for making blended soups. There’s no need to remove the soupfrom the pot, you just blend it right in the pot.

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Add the herbs at the very end when everything is finished cooking. I chopped my herbs super fine and stirred them in. You can blend them in if you want to, but I had a fear that it might make my soup turn green. I’m sure it wouldn’t turn green. Or brown. But I didn’t want to risk it. 🙂

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Top it with a little bit of grated parmesan cheese, some more basil or parsley and some pepper.Mmmm…

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Serve it hot with fresh garlic bread. Yum!It’s such a fresh recipe for summer! Those sweet tomato and basil flavours go together so perfectly!

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If you find the flavour needs just a little something, add a squirt of lemon juice. I don’t usually have fresh lemons in my fridge, so I used lemon juice from concentrate. Oh my goodness, when I added the lemon juice it went from “meh” to “holy amazing flavour in my mouth!”

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The BEST Tomato Basil Soup Recipe (10)

Print Recipe

4.37 from 11 votes

The BEST Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

This tomato basil soup recipe is PERFECT for summer!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 medium cloves garlic minced
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup Water
  • 8 roma tomatoes or 6 regular tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsely finely chopped
  • Secret Ingredient - A squirt or two of concentrated lemon juice

Instructions

  • In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in garlic, carrots and onions.

  • Cook over medium-low heat until the onion is tender.

  • Add the chicken stock and water, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

  • Stir in the tomatoes and simmer for another 10 minutes.

  • Remove from heat and use a hand held blender to blend the soup until smooth.

  • Stir in the basil and parsley.

  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • If the flavour is flat, add 1 to 2 squirts of lemon juice to taste.

  • Serve hot with fresh garlic bread!

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This tomato basil soup recipe is PERFECT for summer! Serve it hot with fresh garlic bread and Mmmmm… You can make it with store bought tomatoes, or you can use those awesome garden grown tomatoes from the backyard. If you’re anything like me, surely you can pull off a few tomato plants with some basil and parsley. Trust me, my plants aren’t perfect, and my tomatoes end up having spots on them, but the great thing about this soup, is that no one will ever know! 🙂

You may also enjoy these other tomato basil recipes:

Easy Caprese Calzones:

Cherry Tomato and Basil Rotini:

The BEST Tomato Basil Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What to put in tomato soup to make it taste better? ›

Roast the onions and garlic before adding the tomato base can enhance the flavor, and adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a drizzle of olive oil can also provide depth. You can experiment with adding a splash of lemon juice or a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Is tomato and basil soup good for you? ›

Tomato soup helps prevent cell damage

With one serving, you'll exceed your daily requirement. In our own organic tomato soup, we've also added various herbs, such as oregano and basil. These are also exceptionally rich in antioxidants. Together with the garlic in our soup, they create an extra healthy blend.

How to thicken tomato basil soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

Why is my tomato basil soup bitter? ›

When cooked for too long, herbs such as sage, oregano, and basil can release an overly bitter flavor, so it's best to incorporate them when the tomato sauce is almost done cooking.

Why is Rao's tomato sauce so good? ›

Rao's Homemade® quickly became the world's leading brand of premium pasta sauce and for good reason: Rao's sauces are simmered slowly and made in small batches with only the best ingredients, like pure Italian olive oil and hand-picked, naturally ripened tomatoes from southern Italy.

How to add depth of flavor to tomato soup? ›

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.

Why does my tomato soup have no flavor? ›

Always check seasonings and taste-test before serving. If the soup tastes bland at all, a bit more salt will do the trick, that doesn't just apply to this tomato soup recipe but just about anything you'll ever find yourself cooking.

Does tomato basil soup raise blood sugar? ›

However, it may not be the healthiest option for those watching their blood sugar levels or trying to lose weight. This is because when tomatoes are pureed and cooked into a soup, their fibre content breaks down. This makes it easier to digest and potentially causes a spike in blood sugar levels.

What goes good with tomato basil soup? ›

Tomato Basil Soup Serving Suggestions

Enjoy the soup with homemade focaccia or good crusty bread for lunch, or pair it with a sandwich, salad, or pasta for a heartier meal. Most often, Jack and I eat it with grilled cheese sandwiches, but it'd be great with a Caprese sandwich or avocado toast as well.

Is Panera tomato basil soup healthy? ›

The Creamy Tomato Soup provides 8 grams of saturated fat—62% of the American Heart Association's daily recommendation. And since just 1 gram of fiber and 4 grams of protein are all this soup has to offer, it's not a very balanced choice.

How do you make tomato basil sauce taste better? ›

A generous sprig or two of fresh herbs like basil, parsley, rosemary, or sage can all amp up the flavor of a jarred pasta sauce. Alternatively, some of those herbs, like parsley, sage, and rosemary, can be great minced up and gently fried into fresh olive oil before adding the sauce to the pot.

When should I add basil to my soup? ›

Fresh basil leaves: basil has a slightly sweet flavor and should be added to the recipe before serving, as too much heat can remove its flavor and sometimes turn it slightly bitter. This herb also helps to cut the acidity of the tomatoes.

Why does my tomato soup taste watery? ›

Tomatoes have a high water content, and the addition of broth and cold water can lead to a thin tomato soup, especially when you're making the dish in a slow cooker. Here are a few tips that will help you prevent a watery tomato soup: Drain the liquid from canned tomatoes.

What is tomato basil soup made of? ›

Tomato Basil Soup Ingredients

Tomato juice: Cook the diced tomatoes in four cups of tomato juice. Basil: You'll need 14 leaves of fresh basil. Cream: Heavy whipping cream creates a rich and creamy texture. Butter: A stick of butter adds to the richness and lends flavor.

What are the ingredients in rao sauce? ›

ingredients
  • 112 ounces tomatoes with basil, whole and canned.
  • 12 cup olive oil.
  • 6 tablespoons onions, minced.
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced.
  • 12 teaspoon salt and pepper, freshly gound.
  • 12 fresh basil, torn (optional)
  • 14 teaspoon oregano.

Is tomato basil soup OK for diabetics? ›

This tomato basil bisque not only is heart healthy but great for people living with diabetes.

What is the difference between marinara and tomato basil? ›

Marinara is a simple sauce made with garlic, crushed red pepper and basil, and it comes together in about an hour. Tomato sauce, on the other hand, is thick, rich and complex. Making it takes hours. Tomato sauce typically contains more ingredients, too, including vegetables and salt pork.

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