Recipe: Tomato Bisque ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food (2024)

48 Reviews / 4.9 Average

I absolutely love ordering Tomato Bisque when out at restaurants and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty the outcome can be at home too. This recipe pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese sandwich during those colder months. Make sure to make a double batch to freeze for later.

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Recipe: Tomato Bisque ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food (1)

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We are at the very tail end of tomato season here in N.C. (thanks to the warm fall weather we’ve been having) so we did use fresh tomatoes, but this tomato bisque recipe can easily be made with canned tomatoes as well. (For a tomato bisque with fresh tomatoes, aim for roughly 10 of them in lieu of the canned version we use for this recipe).

Easy Tomato Bisque Soup Recipe

I should also mention that my kids (who are not even tomato fans other than spaghetti and pizza sauce) loved this dish! They even asked for seconds. Tomato bisque is a great way to sneak some more veggies into your family’s diet! The creamy and delicious soup is packed with flavor, and seriously stands as an entire meal on its own. So enjoy and don’t forget to freeze the leftovers!

Below, find our recipe for making Tomato Bisque from scratch including all of the hearty ingredients and step-by-step directions!

Creamy Homemade Tomato Bisque

This is a great opportunity to use up some extra tomatoes from the garden, and a must-try easy to make soup recipe if you’re new to the game! I intentionally created this recipe with nutrition and ingredient quality in mind. Unlike the canned stuff, there’s no hidden sodium or sugars. That makes this bisque a comfort-style meal your whole family can enjoy without sacrificing your commitment to real food.

How to Make This an Even More Creamy Tomato Bisque

True to this recipe, it’s really easy to make it this tomato bisque even creamier! The secret isn’t in the hearty whole wheat roux, but instead the heavy cream. Whether you’re using organic or regular cream, you can simply adjust the creaminess of this tomato bisque by adding more or less. Pairing it with a grilled cheese? You might want it to be a bit on the creamy side so it’s perfect for dipping!

Tip: If you don’t have any heavy cream on hand, whole milk can be substituted, but of course wont’ be as thick. Add it a little at a time to get the texture and taste combination you’re looking for.

Can you Freeze Tomato Bisque?

This tomato bisque recipe is ideal for freezing! In fact, I recommend doubling the batch so your next soup night can be an easy one. Whether you’re saving your leftovers for another meal or cooking a batch of this ahead of time, you’ll find it freezes exceptionally well. To freeze this bisque, pour the completely cooled soup into freezer proof jars up to the fill line, screw on the top, and add a label with date. We use a mix of 8 oz jelly jars (for individual servings) and 16 oz wide mouth mason jars at our house.

*I suggest consuming the frozen soup within a year for best flavor and consistency, however there is no safety issue if you wait longer.

How to Reheat Bisque:

Place the freezer container under some warm water momentarily to help dislodge the frozen bisque if need be. Next, place the frozen soup in a pot and cook it on low to medium temperature to melt and then begin reheating.

Alternatively, you could freeze it in smaller portions and reheat it in the microwave for work or school lunches! Open the container and set the lid aside (no metal in the microwave!), place a folded piece of paper towel on top to avoid splatters, and microwave it on the reheat setting until it’s steaming and heated through.

More Soup Recipes

I have many more soup recipes for you to try. Enjoy!

Recipe: Tomato Bisque ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food (2)

Tomato Bisque

I absolutely love ordering Tomato Bisque when out at restaurants and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty the outcome can be at home too. This recipe pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese sandwich during those colder months. Make sure to make a double batch to freeze for later.

48 Reviews / 4.9 Average

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 50 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Soups

Cuisine: French

Method: Freezer Friendly, One Pot / Sheet Pan

Diet: Egg Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free

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Servings: 6 people

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Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter (we used unsalted)
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 slices bacon (proscuitto, or ham, minced)
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 5 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
  • 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 28-oz can peeled tomatoes ((with liquid))
  • 3 sprigs parsley
  • 3 sprigs thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or less if desired)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or more if you are using unsalted homemade broth)
  • pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Heat the butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5–6 minutes or until it starts to get soft.

  • Add the bacon (or other meat) and the garlic and stir for another minute or two or until the meat gets crisp.

  • Add the flour and stir vigorously for 2–3 minutes.

  • Pour in the broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil while whisking constantly.

  • Throw in the herbs and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

  • Remove the herbs and puree the soup either in a blender (in batches) or with a handheld immersion blender (if you like to make soups this is a great tool to have by the way!)

  • Stir in the desired amount of heavy cream and salt & pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Notes

  • You may need to adjust the amount of salt depending on whether you used canned tomatoes (try to avoid varieties with added salt and sugar!) or fresh and also what type of broth you use (homemade, canned, or low-sodium canned). As with any recipe, it’s best to start light on the salt and adjust to taste. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.
Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Tomato Bisque

Amount Per Serving

Calories 269Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 14g88%

Trans Fat 0.3g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Cholesterol 71mg24%

Sodium 1329mg58%

Potassium 280mg8%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 965IU19%

Vitamin C 10mg12%

Calcium 78mg8%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Recipe: Tomato Bisque ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between tomato soup and tomato bisque? ›

While both are delicious, they are quite different, especially when it comes to the texture. Tomato bisque is thicker and creamier in texture, and calls for the use of milk and/or cream.

How to make homemade tomato soup thicker? ›

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.

Is tomato bisque soup healthy for you? ›

Tomato soup is an excellent source of antioxidants, including lycopene, flavonoids, and vitamins C and E, among many others ( 3 , 7 ). Consuming antioxidants has been linked with a lower risk of cancer and inflammation-related diseases, such as obesity and heart disease ( 3 , 8 , 9 ).

What is the thickening agent in bisque? ›

Authentic recipes for bisque actually ground the shells of the crustacean into a fine paste, using that to thicken the soup. Nowadays, it is more common to use rice as a thickener.

How long does homemade tomato bisque last? ›

In a sealed nonreactive container, tomato soup will keep up to one week in the refrigerator, or six months in the freezer.

Is milk better than water for tomato soup? ›

The standard direction for a can of condensed Tomato Soup is to put the condensed soup in a saucepan, fill the can with water, add the water to the pan, stir, and heat just to the point of simmer. BUT. It's MUCH better with Milk, which makes it a creamy tomato soup, a bit more like a tomato bisque.

Why do you add baking soda to homemade tomato soup? ›

When you add baking soda to tomato soup (or sauce, or chili), it neutralizes the acid in the tomatoes. Not only will this make the tomatoes taste less acidic (good news if your tomatoes turned out more sour than you expected), but it also means that you can now add milk to your soup without risking curdling it.

Why does my tomato soup have no flavor? ›

This tip comes from food science. Add a small spoonful of sugar to enhance the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Season with salt in all of the steps (starting with the sauteed onions). This ensures your tomato soup is never bland.

How to add more flavor to tomato soup? ›

This probably isn't a surprise, as basil and tomatoes are a delicious duo. But think beyond basil — rosemary and thyme can add earthiness; chives and parsley showered on top add a fresh finish; even freshly chopped mint (maybe with some feta cheese) can add a refreshing pop of flavor to every spoonful.

What can I add to tomato soup to reduce acidity? ›

Yes, adding a pinch of baking soda can help neutralize the acidity in tomato soup. However, it is important to use it sparingly, as using too much can alter the flavor of the soup. Alternatively, adding herbs like basil or oregano can complement the acidity and add a fresh, aromatic element.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

Does tomato soup lower blood pressure? ›

Everyone filled out annual questionnaires on their food consumption, including raw tomatoes, tomato sauce, and gazpacho (a Spanish tomato soup). After three years, researchers observed an association between eating more tomatoes and lower blood pressure.

Is tomato soup good for kidneys? ›

Tomatoes. Tomatoes are high in potassium. People in the earlier stages of kidney disease don't usually have to limit their consumption of tomatoes. If your healthcare provider says your potassium levels are high, however, tomatoes may have to be on your restricted foods list.

What vitamins are in homemade tomato soup? ›

It also contains a high concentration of some important vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, calcium, selenium, and potassium.

Is Campbell's tomato bisque the same as tomato soup? ›

Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Bisque is a delicious, indulgent twist on our classic tomato soup crafted with cream and tasty tomato pieces.

Does tomato bisque taste like tomato soup? ›

So that begs the question, what's the difference between a tomato bisque and cream of tomato soup? After combing through countless recipes I can honestly say there doesn't seem to be much of a difference. They can be seasoned a little differently, but in essence these two soups are the same thing.

What makes a bisque different from soup? ›

In fact, a bisque is a type of soup, so all bisque is soup, but not all soups are bisque. If you make bisque the old-fashioned way, the key difference is the way in which cream is used in the dish.

What makes a bisque different than a soup? ›

Key Differences

Ingredients: Bisque is often made with seafood and enriched with heavy cream, whereas soup can be made with a wide range of ingredients, offering more versatility. Consistency: Bisque is consistently smooth and velvety, while soup can have a diverse range of consistencies, depending on the recipe.

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