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

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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.

What do you add to tomato soup to make it thicker? ›

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

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 difference between soup and bisque? ›

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.

How do you thicken tomato bisque? ›

How To Thicken Up Tomato Soup
  1. Add Tomato Paste. One of the easiest ways to thicken your tomato soup is by adding tomato paste. ...
  2. Use Flour or Cornstarch. ...
  3. Incorporate Bread. ...
  4. Utilize Heavy Cream or Yogurt. ...
  5. Blend or Puree. ...
  6. Add Vegetables or Beans. ...
  7. Simmer and Reduce.
Mar 5, 2024

How long does homemade tomato bisque last? ›

In a sealed nonreactive container, tomato soup will keep up to 1 week in the refrigerator or 6 months in the freezer.

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.

Why do you put baking soda in tomato soup? ›

A small pinch of baking soda can help balance the pH levels and reduce the overall acidity. This can result in a milder and less tangy flavor, making the soup taste better! Also, if you want a tomato cream soup- it'll help prevent the milk from curdling when added!

What can I put in tomato soup to make it better? ›

10 Simple Ingredients to Add to Tomato Soup
  1. 1) Fresh Rosemary. Kicking off the list is the simplest way to jazz up your tomato soup – fresh herbs. ...
  2. 2) Sauteed Onions. ...
  3. 3) Crispy Bacon. ...
  4. 4) Cream. ...
  5. 5) Chutney. ...
  6. 6) Melted Cheese. ...
  7. 7) Tinned Anchovies. ...
  8. 8) Toasted Pine Nuts.
Mar 21, 2022

Why put sugar in tomato soup? ›

Next - and this is important - in order to combat the acidity of the tomatoes add 3 to 6 tablespoons of sugar. Now, you'll want to start on the low side, then taste and add more as needed. Some tomatoes and juice have more of an acidic bite than others.

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.

Can you eat too much tomato soup? ›

Some side effects of lycopene overdose can have chronic effects on the body. For example, excessive lycopene due to tomato consumption can cause diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, gas, and even vomiting. So, if you consume many tomato products, try cutting back on them to see if you notice a difference.

What is the main liquid ingredient of a bisque? ›

Liquid — Bisque recipes aren't shy about liquids: cream or milk, broth, clam juice white wine, and often a bit of brandy are used to create a complex, fascinating flavor.

What is the thickener in bisque? ›

A bisque is a smooth, creamy French style of soup, traditionally made from crustaceans like lobster, crab or crayfish. It should include a stock made from the shells, a large amount of cream, and a thickening agent made from either finely-ground shells or rice.

What is the classic thickening for bisque? ›

Most modern bisques are thickened using rice. Some cook the rice in the broth and strain it out later, using only the left-behind rice starch to thicken the soup. Others puree the rice into the soup to thicken it. Almost all bisques are finished with hot cream for a velvety texture.

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

But seriously the primary difference is that a bisque includes cream, where a traditional tomato soup does not.

Does tomato bisque taste like tomato soup? ›

Tomato Bisque is a luxurious alternative to your average canned tomato soup. With the robust taste of whole tomatoes and hint of peppery heat, each smooth and silky spoonful is spilling over with flavor!

What is the difference between Campbell's tomato soup and Campbell's tomato bisque? ›

If you're wondering what is the difference between tomato soup and a bisque, originally a bisque was a combination of seafood and heavy cream. Now, it's most commonly known as a puréed soup that has been enriched with dairy while, a tomato soup, usually uses a veggie stock without the use of whole milk or cream.

What's the difference between Campbell's tomato bisque and soup? ›

Tomato soup has no cream. Cream of tomato soup has cream. Bisque is peeled tomatoes, and lots of cream.

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