15-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup (Vegan) Recipe (2024)

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This soup gets a rich, creamy texture from the emulsion of olive oil and bread.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

15-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup (Vegan) Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated August 17, 2022

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15-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup (Vegan) Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • This recipe uses pantry staples like canned tomatoes, which are reliably fresh year-round.
  • Blending bread and olive oil together gives the soup a creamy texture without any dairy.

Most of us have some sort of nostalgic idea of eating sweet, creamy, canned tomato soup with a side of grilled cheese sandwich, right? I mean, Ineverate tomato soup as a kid, but even I have nostalgia for the stuff. It's something that's just ingrained in the collective conscious as an essential part of childhood, and a flavor combination that as adults we take joy in turning back to.

Well, the canned stuff is all fine and good in my mind, but when I actually taste it these days, the nostalgia disappears in a puff of high fructose corn syrup-scented smoke. Cloyingly sweet and one-dimensional, it's a tough dish to swallow.

The good news:Making excellent tomato soup from scratch at home is almost as easy as simply opening a can, and the return on your minor time investment is significant.

This variation of a tomato soup recipe I first wrote down for Cook's Illustrated a few years ago starts with a sauté of onions, garlic, dried oregano (which, in applications like this, is just as good as fresh), and crushed red pepper in really good olive oil. I use canned tomatoes because we're cooking them anyway, and canned tomatoes are more reliably fresh year-round than actual fresh tomatoes are. Plus, the fact that they're cooked already means that you have little more do to than bring them to a boil before puréeingin a blender.

But where does the creaminess come in?

When push comes to shove, I suppose that this recipe should more aptly be entitled "hot gazpacho" rather than "dairy-free creamy tomato soup," because a hot gazpacho is exactly what it is. If you read mypiece on gazpacho, you'd know that at its heart, gazpacho is really a soup of bread and olive oil, and that's exactly what I use to make this vegan version of creamy tomato soup, well, creamy.

See, when olive oil and a water-based soup come together, they don't exactly like to mix. Oil and water and all that. If you can somehow manage to force the two to come together harmoniously, what you end up with is a creamy, rich liquid that is thicker and richer than either the soup or the olive oil on their own, much in the same way that mayonnaise is thicker than the eggs or oil that comprise it.

The key to getting the olive oil and liquid to emulsify? Sliced bread and a blender. A blender on its own will break down large oil droplets into microscopic ones that get dispersed evenly throughout the soup. But this on its own is not enough; Eventually those microscopic droplets come together and coalesce into visible droplets that turn the soup greasy.Enter bread. Sliced sandwich bread adds plenty of starch and wheat proteins to the soup. Both of these act as physical emulsifiers, both thickening the liquid, and preventing dispersed oil droplets from coalescing and separating from the mix.

A quick whizz in the blender, and you've got a soup that you couldswearhas some dairy richness to it, but with a far more intense, bright flavor than an actual cream soup.

A drizzle of olive oil, a few grinds of black pepper, a sprinkling of fresh herbs, and lunch is served.

February 10, 2012

Recipe Details

15-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup (Vegan) Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 2 cloves garlic, grated on a microplane grater

  • 1 small onion, finely sliced (about 1 cup)

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 2 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into rough 1/2-inch pieces

  • 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes packed in juice

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Minced chives, basil, or parsley as garnish

  • Toasted bread or grilled cheese for serving

Directions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add garlic, onions, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently until onions are softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add bread and tomatoes. Roughly mash tomatoes with a whisk or a potato masher. Add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes.

    15-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup (Vegan) Recipe (3)

  2. Transfer half of the soup to the jar of a blender. Blend soup, starting at low speed and gradually increasing to high. With blender running on high, gradually trickle in half of remaining olive oil. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl and repeat with remaining half of soup and olive oil. Ladle into individual serving bowls, top with minced herbs, drizzle with more olive oil, and serve with toast or grilled cheese.

    15-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup (Vegan) Recipe (4)

Special Equipment

Blender

Notes

Be careful starting up the blender, the soup can shoot out the top. Open the vent and hold a kitchen towel over the lid to prevent blowout.

Read More

  • Serious Entertaining: The Vegan, One Meal Convince-A-Meathead Challenge
  • Serious Entertaining: Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups for a Crowd
  • Soups
  • Vegan
  • Vegan Mains
  • Tomato
  • Quick Dinners
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
324Calories
23g Fat
26g Carbs
6g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories324
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g30%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 448mg19%
Total Carbohydrate 26g9%
Dietary Fiber 4g16%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 66mg330%
Calcium 169mg13%
Iron 2mg11%
Potassium 799mg17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

15-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup (Vegan) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for heavy cream in tomato soup? ›

To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.

How do you thicken tomato soup without heavy cream? ›

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.

What's the difference between creamy tomato soup and tomato soup? ›

But what about cream of tomato soup? Any “cream of” soup, tomato included, is pureed like a normal soup but then goes through a “creaming” process, wherein cream is added to the mixture. Cream of tomato soup is actually cooked at a much lower temperature than normal tomato soup.

What happens when milk is added to tomato soup? ›

Tomatoes are very acidic and milk or cream is added to them, curdling can occur. Curdling will be more likely to happen when the ratio of acid to cream increases or when mixing a cold and hot mixture. To thwart the curdling tendency, changing procedures will render a smooth tomato soup.

What is a vegan alternative to heavy cream? ›

What Do Vegans Use Instead of Heavy Cream? Fortunately, nearly any plant-based milk can be made into a heavy cream substitute. Nut milks, including hemp milk, oat milk, coconut milk and soy milk can all be used as the base for a heavy cream substitute with the addition of the right fats.

Can I use sour cream instead of heavy cream in soup? ›

Sour cream is an easy replacement for heavy cream. It can be easily stirred into a dish and offers another flavor profile to soups, stews and sauces. Plus, using it as a heavy cream substitute is a great way to use up that lingering tub in the fridge.

What is plant-based tomato soup? ›

Heinz Plant-Based Creamy Tomato Soup has been made to our own special recipe and with a blend of the finest ingredients. Enjoy a delicious meal with Heinz Plant-Based Creamy Tomato Soup. Prepared to a time-honoured recipe using ripened tomatoes and a dairy free creamy alternative, our soup can be enjoyed by everyone!

How to dr up tomato soup? ›

Use Herbs and Seasonings

Add chopped fresh basil or parsley at the end of cooking to bring out that rich tomato flavor. Turn to your pantry for seasonings like fresh cracked black pepper, Italian seasoning or oregano, stirring them in while the soup is still cooking.

Is Campbell's tomato soup vegan? ›

One of Campbell's most popular options, Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup, is not vegan, because it contains double cream. But if you're in the mood for a steaming bowl of nourishing tomato soup, don't worry! The company can still deliver what you're craving. Campbell's Healthy Request Tomato Soup is totally dairy-free.

How do you thicken creamy tomato soup? ›

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.

What's in Panera tomato soup? ›

Detailed Ingredients

Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Puree, Citric Acid), Water, Heavy Cream, Onions, Contains 2% or less of: Butter (Cream, Salt), Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Spices), Corn Starch, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic and Nisin Preparation.

Does tomato soup taste better with water or milk? ›

Tomato soup is better with milk because it makes it creamier. You can add water if you have no milk or want to keep dairy-free but it will change the texture.

Can you add cream to tomato soup without curdling? ›

The recipe uses cream instead of milk, which is crucial: The fat in the cream protects the dairy from curdling. A little more science: Fat protects the proteins in milk.

How to make tomato soup with milk without it curdling? ›

Stabilize with a Starch

Starches like flour or cornstarch help stabilize the milk emulsion. This will prevent it from separating. A common technique is to thicken your sauce or soup with roux before adding the milk. This changes the makeup of the liquid and prevents curdling.

Why did my tomato soup get white spots? ›

Sometimes white dots appear around the top of the jar in canned tomato products, especially those that have added ingredients such as onion and green pepper. It occurs after the tomato product has been stored for a long period of time.

Can I add milk to soup instead of heavy cream? ›

Cream and milk can be used as substitutes in soup recipes, but it will affect the texture and flavor of the soup. Milk is a thinner liquid than cream and is generally used to add a creamy texture to soups without the added fat content. It will also give a slightly tangy flavor to the soup.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in a recipe? ›

You can make a stand-in for the heavy cream called for in a recipe where it will be mixed with other ingredients. Melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a large glass bowl and gradually whisk in 3/4 cup whole milk or half and half. You'll end up with 1 cup of a cream substitute. Use in soups, sauces, puddings, etc.

What can you use instead of cream to thicken soup? ›

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.

How can I thicken soup without cream? ›

Aside from rice, you can also use bread, potatoes or beans, according to Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD. Killeen says, "When stirred into soup, stale bread, mashed beans and mashed potatoes cook down to create a creamy, rich texture, all without adding cream.

References

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