Tomato Bisque Recipe

The Coziest Homemade Tomato Bisque Recipe for Chilly Evenings

Creamy tomato bisque delights taste buds with its velvety texture and rich, comforting flavors.

Ripe, sun-kissed tomatoes create the foundation for this luxurious soup.

Blending roasted vegetables and fragrant herbs intensifies each spoonful’s warmth.

Kitchen magic happens when simple ingredients combine into something extraordinary.

Home cooks can easily master this elegant recipe with just a few techniques.

Smooth and silky, this bisque promises to become your new favorite comfort meal.

Prepare to impress everyone at your table with this restaurant-quality dish.

Why Tomato Bisque Recipe Deserves a Spot on Your Table

  • Conquer Culinary Complexity: This tomato bisque recipe transforms complex cooking techniques into an approachable, enjoyable kitchen adventure for home cooks of all skill levels.
  • Craft Comforting Cuisine: Create a silky, luxurious soup that wraps you in warmth and delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal professional cooking experience required.
  • Maximize Ingredient Potential: Utilize fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, and aromatic herbs to build deep, layered flavors that elevate a simple soup into a gourmet experience.
  • Versatile Dining Delight: Perfect for intimate family dinners, sophisticated gatherings, or a soul-satisfying solo meal that impresses with minimal effort and maximum taste.

What Goes Into Tomato Bisque Recipe

Fresh Produce:
  • Tomatoes: Ripe and juicy base for the bisque's rich flavor.
  • Onion: Provides a sweet and aromatic foundation.
  • Garlic: Adds depth and intensity to the overall taste.
Herbs and Seasonings:
  • Dried Basil, Dried Oregano: Contribute classic Mediterranean herb notes.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the dish's flavors.
Dairy and Cream:
  • Heavy Cream, Whole Milk: Create a luxurious and creamy texture.
  • Butter: Adds richness and smooth mouthfeel.
Tomato Concentrates:
  • Tomato Paste, Sundried Tomatoes: Intensify the tomato flavor and provide depth.
Cooking Essentials:
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and building initial flavor base.

Making Tomato Bisque Recipe with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Vibrant Vegetables

Gather your fresh tomatoes, sweet onions, and aromatic garlic. Chop these ingredients into consistent, bite-sized pieces to ensure every spoonful delivers maximum flavor and texture.

Step 2: Sizzle and Soften

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium warmth. Toss in chopped onions and garlic, allowing them to dance and become translucent, releasing their irresistible fragrance for 4-5 minutes.

Step 3: Unleash Tomato Magic

Add chopped fresh tomatoes to the pot. Let them simmer and break down, transforming into a luscious base that captures the essence of summer’s bounty.

Step 4: Intensify Tomato Depths

Introduce tomato paste and sundried tomatoes. Stir continuously to blend these concentrated flavor bombs, creating a rich foundation for your bisque.

Step 5: Sprinkle Flavor Boosters

Shower the mixture with dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. These seasonings will elevate the dish from simple to spectacular.

Step 6: Create Silky Smoothness

Lower the heat and gently pour in heavy cream and whole milk. Stir with care to prevent any unwanted curdling, creating a luxurious, velvety texture.

Step 7: Develop Rich Complexity

Add a pat of butter and let the bisque simmer softly. Watch as it thickens and develops a depth of flavor that will make taste buds dance.

Step 8: Blend to Perfection

Use an immersion blender or carefully transfer to a standard blender. Puree until the bisque becomes impossibly smooth and creamy, with no lumps to interrupt its silky journey.

Step 9: Fine-Tune the Flavor

Taste your creation. Adjust seasonings with a discerning palate, balancing the flavors until they sing in perfect harmony.

Step 10: Present with Flair

Ladle the steaming bisque into beautiful bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a delicate swirl of cream, transforming a simple soup into a culinary masterpiece.

Tomato Bisque Recipe Success Tips

  • Chop with Precision: Use a sharp knife to create uniform-sized tomato pieces, ensuring even cooking and consistent flavor in every spoonful.
  • Prevent Cream Curdling: Add cream and milk slowly over low heat, stirring continuously to maintain a smooth, silky texture without separation.
  • Boost Flavor Depth: Roast tomatoes before adding to the pot to intensify their natural sweetness and create a more complex taste profile.
  • Dietary Swap Options: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use vegetable broth instead of milk for a lighter consistency.
  • Texture Perfection: Blend bisque in batches if using a standard blender, ensuring a creamy, lump-free soup with restaurant-quality smoothness.

Fun Variations on Tomato Bisque Recipe

  • Spicy Tomato Kick: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes during sautéing for a fiery version that tingles taste buds.
  • Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and chopped kalamata olives, giving the bisque a Greek-inspired profile.
  • Roasted Vegetable Depth: Char tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions before blending to create a smoky, caramelized flavor foundation.
  • Protein Boost: Stir in cooked shredded chicken or crispy pancetta for a heartier, more substantial soup experience.

Pairings That Work with Tomato Bisque Recipe

  • Pair with Crusty Garlic Bread: Slice a rustic baguette, brush with garlic-infused olive oil, and toast until golden brown. The crispy texture and garlicky flavor perfectly complement the smooth, creamy tomato bisque.
  • Recommend Crisp Chardonnay: Select a chilled, unoaked Chardonnay with bright acidity to cut through the bisque's richness. Its light citrus notes and clean finish enhance the tomato's natural sweetness.
  • Match with Parmesan Crostini: Top thin baguette slices with grated Parmesan cheese, bake until crisp and golden. The salty, nutty cheese adds depth and crunch to the velvety soup.

How to Store Tomato Bisque Recipe

  • Transfer cooled bisque to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container away from strong-smelling foods to preserve the tomato flavor.
  • Pour cooled bisque into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving about an inch of space for expansion. Label with the date and store for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing portions with cream for best texture.
  • Thaw frozen bisque overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore the original creamy consistency if needed.

Your Questions About Tomato Bisque Recipe Answered

  • Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can substitute fresh tomatoes with high-quality canned whole or crushed tomatoes. Drain excess liquid and adjust seasoning accordingly.

  • Is it possible to make this bisque vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace heavy cream and milk with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream or cashew milk for a delicious vegetarian version.

  • How can I make the bisque less rich?

Reduce the amount of heavy cream and butter, or use half-and-half instead. You can also increase the tomato content to balance the richness.

  • Can I freeze this tomato bisque?

While you can freeze it, the texture might slightly change due to cream separation. If freezing, cool completely and store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.

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Tomato Bisque Recipe

Tomato Bisque Recipe


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4.8 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 48-60 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Creamy tomato bisque brings comfort and warmth to your table with its rich, velvety texture. Hearty Italian-inspired flavors mingle in this simple yet elegant soup, inviting you to savor each spoonful of pure culinary bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Tomato Base:

  • 2 lbs ripe tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes

Dairy and Cream:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp butter

Seasonings and Aromatics:

  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Chop ripe tomatoes, onion, and garlic into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, sautéing onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add chopped fresh tomatoes and cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their natural juices.
  4. Incorporate tomato paste and sundried tomatoes, stirring continuously to blend flavors and prevent sticking.
  5. Sprinkle dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper into the mixture, creating a robust aromatic base.
  6. Reduce heat to low and slowly pour in heavy cream and whole milk, stirring gently to prevent curdling.
  7. Add butter and continue simmering for 15-20 minutes, allowing the bisque to thicken and develop a rich, velvety texture.
  8. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a standard blender to puree the mixture until smooth and creamy.
  9. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed, ensuring a balanced and harmonious flavor profile.
  10. Serve hot, garnishing with fresh herbs or a drizzle of cream for an elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Dice tomatoes uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and flavor throughout the bisque.
  • Sauté onions and garlic slowly to develop a deep, sweet underlying flavor without burning.
  • Use fresh herbs if possible, as they provide more vibrant and intense aromatics compared to dried alternatives.
  • Prevent cream curdling by adding dairy ingredients gradually and maintaining a low, steady heat during the simmering process.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 38-50 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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