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Smoked tomato soup is a delicious and flavorful dish that can be served as a side or as the main course. The smoked flavor adds an extra complexity to the classic tomato soup recipe, making it perfect for any occasion.
This quick and easy ‘go to’ recipe has so much flavor and is made of simple ingredients; it is perfectly served with rosemary parmesan bread. It is the perfect meal at our house because even my teenager can make it alongside his grilled cheese in a pinch. Here is how you can make smoked tomato soup in your kitchen!
Why We Love This Recipe
There are just so many reasons to love this delicious recipe. It is such a simple go-to in our home. A few of the main reasons we love it are:
- Rich Smoky Flavor
- Comforting Creamy Texture
- It’s Healthy and Nourishing
- Quick and easy to prepare..
Fire Roasted Versus Liquid Smoke
One of the most important decisions when making smoked tomato soup is whether to use fire-roasted tomatoes or liquid smoke. Fire-roasting imparts a smoky flavor and texture to the tomatoes that can be difficult to replicate any other way.
On the other hand, liquid smoke gives you more control over the amount of smoked flavor in your dish. It can also add a smoky taste quickly if you are in a rush.
Both methods are great for smoked tomato soup, but it’s important to understand their differences so you can choose which one works best for your recipe.
The Best Tomatoes To Use For Soup
Although any type of ripe tomato will work when making this warm soup, it is so important to use fresh tomatoes and understand that particular tomatoes will taste better than others. By the end of the year, I always have so many garden tomatoes, so this soup is perfect to make with them.
The best tomatoes to use are Roma or plum tomatoes. Their thick flesh makes them ideal for roasting and pureeing. They also contain fewer seeds and less liquid than other varieties, which helps give smoked tomato soup its silky texture.
Additionally, these types of tomatoes are higher in acidity and natural sugar than others, which balances the smokiness of the fire-roasted or liquid-smoked flavorings.
Roma and plum tomatoes can be found year-round at most grocery stores, so you don’t have to wait for peak season to enjoy this delicious smoked tomato soup!
How To Make Smoked Tomato Soup
Materials Required
- Large pot or crock
- Wooden Spoon
- Blender, food processor or handheld blender
- Chef’s Knife
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Tomato Soup Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small white onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 Tbsp paprika, smoked is best
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 15 oz cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes or make your own smoked tomatoes.
- 1 cup vegetable broth or chicken stock
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- Cracked pepper to taste
Optional
- 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
- Cayenne pepper to taste
Directions For Smoked Tomato Soup
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add them to a soup pot with the olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft, fragrant and translucent.
- Add tomato paste, smoked paprika, and cumin to the pot and combine. Continue to stir and cook for about two minutes to slightly caramelize the tomato paste and toast the spices.
- Add the roasted tomatoes, broth, brown sugar, liquid smoke (optional), bay leaf and some freshly cracked pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the tomatoes are soft.
- Remove the bay leaf, and then, using an immersion blender or food processor, puree the soup until it is smooth.
- Taste your smoked tomato soup once more before serving to adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Sprinkle with some parmesan cheese, or serve with a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or fresh basil on top, and enjoy! You can also drizzle a bit of the whole cream, as I love to do.
Tips and Tricks for Smoked Tomato Soup
To make smoked tomato soup that is flavorful and delicious, there are a few tips and tricks you can use.
- Start with the freshest ingredients possible for the best flavor.
- Use smoked paprika rather than other smoked spices to add an authentic smoky flavor to the soup.
- Use heavy cream or cashew cream instead of butter or oil to achieve a creamy texture. For added complexity and depth of flavor, try adding roasted red peppers or smoked bacon.
- If you want to add more flavor to your soup, you can also include herbs such as thyme or oregano.
- Finally, smoked tomato soup is a great way to warm up during cold winter months – serve it with crusty artisan bread and enjoy!
Storing Smoked Tomato Soup
Smoked tomato soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. To freeze, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container with a tightly-fitting lid. When storing smoked tomato soup in the freezer, make sure the container is labelled clearly with the date and contents so you don’t have to guess when it was made. This soup can also be kept for up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy your soup again, simply thaw it out overnight in the refrigerator and heat it up on the stovetop or microwave before serving. As an added bonus, smoked tomato soup often has even deeper flavor when reheated!
More Easy Soups and Salads
- Best Ever Chicken Barley Soup From Scratch
- Pesto Potato Salad (Healthy and Easy)
- Sautéed Green Bean Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Almonds
- Tomato Mozzarella Basil Salad With Balsamic
Reader’s Ask
Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomato puree that has been cooked for an extended period of time and then strained to remove the seeds, skins and excess liquid. This results in a thick paste that can be used as a base for soups, sauces and other dishes. Tomato soup on the other hand is usually composed of diced tomatoes.
Yes, you can leave the skin on tomatoes when making smoked tomato soup. Leaving the skin on adds more flavor and texture to the soup and it also helps to retain some of the tomato’s natural nutrients. However, if you are looking for a smoother texture, it is best to peel the tomatoes before adding them to the soup. When leaving the skin on, be sure to dice the tomatoes fairly small so that they cook evenly.
Smoked tomato soup is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. Try serving it as a side dish or appetizer with crusty bread. You can also use smoked tomato soup as a base for other dishes such as smoked tomato and cheese pasta bake, smoked tomato risotto or smoked tomato pizza. Smoked tomato soup can also be used to add flavor to soups, stews and sauces.
No matter how you choose to enjoy it, smoked tomato soup is sure to be a hit!
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Equipment
- Large pot or crock
- Blender, food processor or handheld blender
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 small white onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tbsp paprika smoked is best
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 15 oz cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes or make your own smoked tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth or chicken stock
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar
- cracked pepper to taste
Optional
- 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
- Cayenne pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat up some olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add them to a soup pot with the olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft, fragrant and translucent.
- Add tomato paste, smoked paprika, and cumin to the pot and combine. Continue to stir and cook for about two minutes to slightly caramelize the tomato paste and toast the spices.
- Add the roasted tomatoes, broth, brown sugar, liquid smoke (optional), bay leaf and some freshly cracked pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the tomatoes are soft.
- Remove the bay leaf and then using an immersion blender or food processor, puree the soup until it is smooth.
- Taste your smoked tomato soup once more before serving to adjust the seasoning if needed.
Notes
Deb’s Tips
-
- Start with the freshest ingredients possible for the best flavor.
-
- Use smoked paprika rather than other smoked spices to add an authentic smoky flavor to the soup.
-
- To achieve a creamy texture, use heavy cream or cashew cream instead of butter or oil. For added complexity and depth of flavor, try adding roasted red peppers or smoked bacon.
- Sprinkle with some parmesan cheese, or serve with a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt or some fresh basil on top and enjoy! You can also drizzle a bit of whole cream as I did here.
