Fresh Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

This fresh tomato basil soup recipe is full of creamy sweet tomato flavor using just-picked tomatoes, onions, basil, marsala wine, a little butter, and cream. 

I've been on a hunt for quite some time for the perfect tomato soup recipe. I knew I wanted it to be fresh-tasting, having a hint of basil and a slight bit of chunkiness to the tomato base. 

Experimenting with ingredient combinations I have come up with the perfect fresh tomato basil soup recipe. You can serve it as a classic tomato basil soup or add a cream & butter sauce.

TIPS AND QUESTIONS FOR MAKING A FRESH TOMATO SOUP RECIPE

BEST TOMATOES TO COOK WITH

Plum tomatoes, also known as Roma are the best tomatoes to cook with. Their thin skins, relatively low water content, and minimal seeds mean that they are perfect for making tomato soup.

HOW TO PREPARE TOMATOES FOR SOUP

• Blanch tomatoes in a large pot of boiling water. Remove the tomatoes after a minute or two and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water
• When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, simply peel away the skin and cut out the core
• Cut tomatoes in ½ then place in a large stockpot

USE AN IMMERSION BLENDER

After your tomato soup has cooked us an immersion blender or stick blender so make your soup smooth. Be careful though, you use an immersion blender right in the pan you cooked in so it can splatter some. However, it's much easier than pouring hot soup in a standard blender.

Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender

IS TOMATO BASIL SOUP GOOD FOR YOU?

According to FEMINA, tomato soup is very high in a number of essential nutrients. For starters, this vegetable, which is technically a fruit, is rich in lycopene. This nutrient gives tomatoes their bright red color and is a powerful antioxidant. It protects against aging, heart disease, stroke, and a host of other diseases. A cup of tomato soup contains about 13.3 mg of lycopene. Also, the interesting thing is that the body absorbs lycopene better when tomatoes are cooked, hence the nutritional benefits from tomato soup is greater than raw tomatoes. Tomatoes are also packed with vitamins A, C, and B6.

IS FRESH TOMATO BASIL SOUP VEGAN?

Yes, this soup is vegan and vegetarian if you don't add the cream sauce after cooking. However, if you like a creamy vegan soup then replace the cream sauce with Spicy Cashew Cream Sauce for a creamy flavor.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOMATO SOUP AND TOMATO BISQUE?

A traditional bisque is made with stock from shellfish such as lobster or crab. Bisque usually consists of dairy cream to make it rich. Regular tomato soup would be just tomatoes and spices. Adding dairy cream to make it creamier is optional.

HOW TO MAKE A FRESH TOMATO SOUP RECIPE

INGREDENTS IN HOMEADE TOMATO BASIL SOUP

• Fresh Tomatoes - Choose a meaty flesh tomato such as Romas. Be sure they are fully ripe with no blemishes.
• Minced garlic
• Chopped onions - I like to use a sweet onion such as Vidalias
• Basil - Only use fresh basil leaves, the dried basil you get in the jar will not do.
• Marsala wine - just a splash but this is the secret ingredient to this delicious homemade tomato basil soup.
• Sugar - my grandma always told me to add a bit of sugar to my fresh tomato recipes to neutralize the acid, and sweeten the dish.
• salt & pepper
• Butter & cream - this makes your soup creamy and perfect to dip a toasted cheese sandwich in.

HOW TO COOK FRESH TOMATO SOUP

1. Blanch tomatoes in a large pot of boiling water. Remove the tomatoes after a minute or two and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water
2. When the tomatoes are cool enough to handle, simply peel away the skin and cut out the core
3. Cut tomatoes in ½ then place in a large stockpot
4. Add onions, basil, garlic
5. Cook on medium-low heat until vegetables are soft, about 40 minutes
6. Using a stick blender, mix until smooth
7. Add marsala, sugar, salt, and pepper
8. Heat 2 tablespoon butter in a pan, simmering until just slightly brown
9. Add flour, cook for 1 minute
10. Add 1 1/2 cups tomato base and cream
11. Whisk until thickened and serve warm

HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE TOMATO BASIL SOUP

Store this tomato basil soup recipe in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. I suggest you make the cream sauce each time you are ready to serve a bowl of soup.

HOW TO CAN TOMATO SOUP

If you would like to can this fresh basil tomato soup recipe then be sure and head over to Canning Tomato Soup with Fresh Tomatoes Recipe for step by step directions.

CAN IF FREESE THIS EASY TOMATO BASIL SOUP?

This soup freezes well, just allow the soup to cool after cooking. Ladel it into freezer safe containers or quart freezer bags. If you put it in freezer bags lay them on a cookie sheet, stacking as needed and freeze. Once frozen remove cookie sheet and stack bags on a freezer shelf.

Thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat on the stove top. At this point you can make the cream sauce and add to the pan. Soup should always be frozen before the cream is added.

WHAT GOES WITH TOMATO BASIL SOUP?

Tomato soup is always good with grilled cheese sandwiches or good crusty bread. Try my Italian Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread for a delicious side with your soup.

Hungry for more soup recipes?

• Mexican Vegan Tomato Soup
• Greek Lemon Rotisserie Chicken and Rice Soup
• Wendy's Chili Recipe
• Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Soup

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