This homemade tomato soup recipe starts with homegrown tomatoes simmered with onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Served with fresh basil and chopped bacon, itโ€™s a nutritious, comforting dinner or lunch.

overhead photo of tomato soup made from fresh tomatoes topped with bacon, cheese, fresh basil and croutons on a wood cutting board with cheesy bread to the right

Every year I have big plans for tomato season on the farm. And just about every year, they end up running wild. 

Thatโ€™s just what real life looks like sometimes. I think people often want to start a garden but feel overwhelmed with trying to learn a new skill or wanting everything to be perfect.

Well, Iโ€™m far from the perfect gardener, and yet we still enjoy so many lovely fruits and veggies. We get loads and loads of tomatoes, even if the suckers arenโ€™t pruned or some donโ€™t get staked at the right time.

Donโ€™t be afraid to startโ€ฆ just start. You can even grow tomatoes in pots on a balcony. Itโ€™s worth it. Homegrown food always tastes better.

When you have loads of fresh, ripe tomatoes, you need to make this fresh tomato soup recipe. Itโ€™s such a cozy and filling soup. If youโ€™ve never made tomato soup with fresh tomatoes, you need to try it. 

Canned tomatoes might get the job done, but the taste is entirely different — there simply won’t be that bright, fresh, depth of flavor. 

two bowls of tomato soup from scratch with fresh tomatoes topped with fresh basil, croutons, and cheese on a wood cutting board with a loaf of cheesy bread and a white and black stripped towel to the left

Why you will love this fresh tomato soup:

  • Made from fresh summer tomatoes and the robust combination of garlic and onions, this soup is deliciously rich and bursting with flavor.ย 
  • It is a healthy and perfect way to use up all those fresh garden tomatoes.
  • Even with prepping the vegetables, this recipe can be made up quickly enough for a busy weeknight meal.
  • Tomato soup is a cost-efficient recipe made from simple ingredients that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner and throughout the week!
  • This recipe can easily be adapted to other dietary needs. You can make it vegan by using vegetable broth or make it gluten-free by leaving out the flour entirely or substituting it with a cornstarch and water slurry.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

โ€‹Tips:

  • If you don’t grow your own tomatoes, check your local farmers market.
  • If you have a food processor, you can also chop up your tomatoes in there.
  • An immersion blender makes this homemade soup even easier. If you don’t have one, use a regular blender and process the hot soup in smaller batches. Take care to release the steam as you blend, placing a towel over the lid so you don’t burn yourself. Don’t overfill the blender!
  • When making the roux, cook for several minutes to remove any flour taste at the end.
  • Caramelizing the onions will add loads of flavor, so donโ€™t skip this step.
  • You can add a handful of fresh basil to turn it into tomato basil soup, add a little sugar for some extra sweetness, or experiment with other spices for a personalized flavor.
  • Double the recipe to have easy lunches throughout the week.
close up picture of a white bowl full of tomato soup with homemade croutons, fresh basil, and cheese in a bowl on a wood cutting board
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What Can I Serve With Tomato Soup?

overhead photo of fresh tomato soup in a white bowl on a cutting board with herb and cheese bread to the left

Ingredients

Olive oil or butter – To sautรฉ the onion and garlic.

Yellow onion – Diced

Garlic – Fresh or powdered, though fresh will add the most flavor.

Italian seasoning – Dried or fresh

Einkorn flour – You can also use all-purpose flour.

Tomatoes – Any variety will work, but I like San Marzano tomatoes.

Chicken broth or vegetable broth – I like to make my own chicken stock in the Instant Pot

Salt – Sea salt to boost all of the fresh flavors.

Black pepper – Freshly ground

Extra toppings (optional) – Crumbled bacon, red pepper flakes, parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, fresh basil, or even a drizzle of heavy cream to make a creamy tomato soup.

Tools you may need

Large pot or dutch oven

Immersion blender

Garlic press โ€“ one of my favorite tools in the kitchen

Cutting board

Knife

two bowls of homemade tomato soup is white bowls on a wood cutting board with a white and black towel to the right and a cheesy herb bread behind the bowls

How To Make Tomato Soup From Scratch

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add diced yellow onion and oil. 

Sautรฉ for about 5 minutes or until the onions begin to become translucent. I like to brown the onions a bit to add even more flavor to the soup.

Using a garlic press, add the garlic cloves to the onions. You can also use a knife to finely dice the garlic.

Add herbs and cook one more minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, stirring well for another minute or two. This creates a roux, which helps thicken the soup. Make sure to cook the roux to remove any flour taste at the end.

Add in chopped tomatoes, chicken or veggie broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a low simmer for 15 minutes.

Blend with an immersion blender. This is the easiest way, but you can also ladle the soup into a blender and blend until smooth, working in batches and pouring back into the pot. Cover the blender lid with a kitchen towel to help prevent burning your hands when the steam escapes and to reduce the risk of the soup spurting out the top.

Ladle into bowls and add any toppings you would like. Cooked bacon, croutons, cheese, and fresh herbs are some of our favorites.

two bowls of tomato soup topped with fresh herbs and croutons on a wooden cutting board with some garlic herb bread behind the bowls

Storage

Keep leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm in a saucepan over low heat to serve.

You can store cooled, leftover tomato soup in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for several months. Thaw enough to release from the container, then transfer to a saucepan to reheat.

a bowl of roasted red pepper and tomato soup in a white bowl and garnished with basil. The bowl of soup is on top a cutting board with a grilled cheese sandwich behind

FAQ

Do I need to peel tomatoes before making tomato soup?

This comes down to preference, so I don’t peel my tomatoes. I like to use the whole tomato and all of its nutrition. If you don’t like the texture, you can certainly peel them first!

Can you make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, just omit the flour. The soup will be a little runnier, but still delicious. You also may be able to thicken it with a cornstarch slurry, adding it after the soup has been blended. This has worked well for me in the past with other recipes.

What can I add to tomato soup to make it taste better?

Fresh herbs are a great way to give more depth to tomato soup. Adding cooked bacon or a dollop of sour cream enhances the flavors and adds richness. Something else that is delicious is adding a little bit of sugar. It can help balance out the acidity of the dish.

How do you thicken tomato soup?

You can thicken tomato soup by adding flour to the onion and oil mixture to create a roux. For those that are gluten-sensitive, you could substitute einkorn flour. Those who cannot tolerate any gluten may be able to use cornstarch to thicken the soup.

Find more of my favorite soups:

If you make this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone with your delicious creation.

Fresh Tomato Soup

4.45 from 94 votes
Fresh tomato soup from scratch starts with tomatoes simmered with onions, garlic, and seasonings. Serve with fresh basil and chopped bacon for a yummy and cozy dinner or lunch.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
two bowls of tomato soup from scratch with fresh tomatoes topped with fresh basil, croutons, and cheese on a wood cutting board with a loaf of cheesy bread and a white and black stripped towel to the left
Save this recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
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Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons oil or butter
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning , or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon einkorn flour, can also use all-purpose flour
  • 10 medium tomatoes, about 2 lbs, chopped
  • 2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Chopped fresh basil, crumbled bacon (optional)

Instructions 

  • In a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add diced yellow onion and oil.
  • Sautรฉ for about 5 minutes or until the onions begin to become translucent. I like to brown the onions a bit to add even more flavor to the soup.
  • Using a garlic press, add the garlic cloves to the onions. You can also use a knife to finely dice the garlic.
  • Add herbs and cook one more minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, stirring well for another minute or two. This creates a roux, which helps thicken the soup. Make sure to cook the roux to remove any flour taste at the end.
  • Add in chopped tomatoes, chicken or veggie broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a low simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Blend with an immersion blender or regular blender*.
  • Ladle into bowls and add any toppings you would like. Cooked bacon, croutons, cheese, and fresh herbs are some of our favorites.

Notes

  • When adding flour to create the roux, make sure to cook the roux to remove any flour taste at the end.
  • *Using an immersion blender is the easiest way, but you can also ladle the soup into a blender and blend smooth, working in batches and pouring back into the pot. Cover the blender lid with a towel to help prevent burning hands and reduce the risk of the soup spurting out the top.

Nutrition

Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 540mg | Potassium: 406mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1374IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.45 from 94 votes (78 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




53 Comments

  1. Paul says:

    5 stars
    Thanks Lisa

    This is my kind of recipe. It uses simple, natural ingredients, an easy method, and great results. This will definitely be my go-to tomato soup recipe.

    1. Lisa Bass says:

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  2. Linda Boullard says:

    I don’t grow tomatoes, but there is the most wonderful farmer’s market in my area. Even duck eggs are available. I do have an herb garden on my patio. I poach a lot of chicken so I save the broth. This recipe for tomato soup is wonderful. I use an immersion blender (a tool that the chef Emeril used to call a “boat motor.” Don’t throw away stale bread. Freeze it and use it to make croutons for the soup (or salads). Never waste food!

  3. Lucy says:

    Hey, this might be kind of a stupid question. Tomatoes are out of season here, are canned tomatoes ok?
    Hoping to meal prep this soon for our baby due this winter!

    1. Lisa says:

      Yes, you can use canned tomatoes.

      1. Teena says:

        Can you give an idea of the amount of canned tomatoes needed? Thanks

        1. Lisa says:

          2lbs worth!

  4. April says:

    Delicious! Thanks for all of your recipes.

  5. Nancy says:

    Hi Lisa, You didn’t mention whether the tomatoes should be peeled or not. Haven’t tried your soups yet but your breads are delicious. Thanks

    1. Bre Wilson says:

      Iโ€™m also wondering this.

      1. Lisa says:

        I leave the skins on.

  6. Anonymous says:

    This was a good recipe!! It was fun to make. The product tasted very good.

    1. Lisa says:

      Wonderful!

  7. Hannah Hadley says:

    Can this soup be frozen?

    1. Lisa says:

      I would think so. We always eat it before it makes it to the freezer.

  8. Holly says:

    Lisa,
    Do you think this soup could be canned? If so, for how long would you water bathe it?

    1. Lisa says:

      I’m not sure. I would find a tomato soup recipe that is meant for canning to make sure it has the right amount of acidity to make it safe.

  9. Debbie Anderson says:

    Thank you for sharing this recipe. I made it yesterday and my family loved it ! Great flavor and easy to make. I have canned tomatoes, froze tomatoes, made sauce and now this soup with our fresh home grown tomatoes. Yummm .I will be making this again

    1. Lisa says:

      So glad you enjoyed it! We are for sure ready for soup season here at the farmhouse. Have a great day!

  10. Carol says:

    Excellent and easy recipe! I collect soup recipes and this is a keeper. Thanks so much. Do you have any other soup recipes? One of my faves is Tuscan white bean soup with kale.
    โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ

    1. Lisa says:

      So glad you enjoyed it! Here are my other soup recipes (you can also search my website to find any recipe you are looking for!): https://www.farmhouseonboone.com/soup