Have you ever been craving the comfort of a tomato soup but can’t find or make it at home? Don’t worry.
You have many alternatives to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
In this article, you’ll discover the top five tomato soup substitutes that you can use.
What’s Tomato Soup?
Tomato soup is a convenient food item that is popular with people of all ages.
It’s not only comforting, but it’s also healthy and packed with nutrition.
In recent years, there has been an increasing trend toward homemade tomato soup recipes as opposed to those made from canned soups.
This trend has opened up many new opportunities to explore unique and creative options for creating delicious tomato soup variations.
Tomato soup is typically made by combining tomato puree or tomatoes cooked down with stock, onions, garlic, and herbs before being pureed into a smooth consistency.
It can also have cream added to make it richer or be flavored with spices such as oregano, basil or thyme.
It tends to have a sweet-tart flavor and can be served hot or cold depending on preference.
Tips on Making Tomato Soup
To make delicious, flavorful tomato soup, there are a few things to take into account.
First of all, you want to use high quality tomatoes, preferably deep-red ripe ones such as Roma tomatoes or San Marzano tomatoes.
Secondly, use aromatics like onions and garlic to add flavor.
Finally, use a natural tomato sauce as a base to add richness and depth of flavor.
Once you’ve chosen good-quality ingredients, the next step is to choose the right cooking method.
The most traditional way is to start by sautéing your onions in butter or olive oil until they are soft and lightly golden in color.
Then you’ll add your garlic, tomato sauce and any additional spices or herbs.
Simmer the mixture until it thickens before blending into a smooth soup.
Finally, top the soup with creamy ingredients such as sour cream or heavy cream for added richness and texture.
You can also add croutons or noodles for a heartier dish.
Remember — when making tomato soup from scratch it is best not to overdo it with spices — use just enough of each one for a nice balance of flavor without overpowering the taste of tomatoes.
5 Best Tomato Soup Substitutes to Consider
Tomato soup is a classic comfort food enjoyed by many.
Unfortunately, some people are unable to enjoy it due to dietary restrictions or other factors.
If you’re looking for alternatives to tomato soup, then the following five options might be the perfect fit for you.
1 – Tomato Sauce
Tomato Sauce is the most obvious and easy substitute for canned tomato soup.
Tomato sauce has a slightly thinner consistency than canned tomato soup and usually doesn’t have added cream or extra ingredients, like carrots or celery.
Adding a few spices, like garlic powder or Italian seasoning, can add more flavor to your soup.
It’s also important to make sure you’re using the right kind of tomato sauce — “plain” or “marinara-style” are best for soups because they don’t have any extra ingredients that would overwhelm the flavor of your soup.
To thicken it up more like a traditional canned tomato soup, you can add some heavy cream or coconut milk while cooking.
2 – Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is a dense, concentrated form of tomato puree that has been boiled down to a thick consistency.
It has a rich, intense flavor and can be used to create creamy tomato soup without having to use heavy cream or milk.
One tablespoon of tomato paste is equivalent to around three tablespoons of tomato puree, so make sure you adjust the ratio of paste to liquid when creating your soup substitute.
You can mix it with stock, water or cream and add other seasonings as preferred.
Even though it’s not as flavorful as traditional tomato soup, using tomato paste is a time-efficient way of achieving a creamy texture without adding any extra fat.
3 – Nomato Sauce
Nomato sauce is made with a special blend of ingredients such as carrots, beets, butternut squash and spices that give a similar flavor profile to that of canned tomato soup.
Although it is not as widely available as canned tomato soup, nomato sauce can be found at some specialty grocers or online.
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Though the consistency on nomato sauce may vary from brand to brand, it is generally thicker and more robust in flavor compared to regular canned tomato soup.
This makes it a great option for those looking for an alternative with fewer calories but still full flavors.
In addition, this might be a great option for those following vegan or gluten-free diets since it does not contain any animal products or gluten-containing ingredients.
4 – French Onion Soup
French Onion soup is one of the oldest varieties of soup and can be traced back to Roman times.
It consists of a beefy broth with sweet caramelized onions and often includes either beef, beef stock, or beef consomme.
Typically endnote, it’s a perfect addition to any tomato soup fan’s repertoire.
The traditional French onion soup tends to contain a combination of different types or sizes of onions cooked in butter and simmered in a flavorful broth until soft and browned.
This gives the dish an incredible depth of flavor that goes beyond the initial sweetness of the onions but still affords you plenty of luxuriously thick texture.
Popular options include diced sweet yellow onions, white onions, shallots and even garlic.
Cheese is then melted over the top for added flavor and texture before serving it up with your favorite crusty bread.
5 – Creamy Broccoli Soup
If you’re looking for a creamy soup to substitute for tomato soup, you can’t go wrong with a classic broccoli soup.
This full-bodied soup is cooked with onions, celery and stock and blended with cream to create a velvety texture and flavor.
To give it an extra bit of flavor, some people like to add sharp cheddar cheese or sautéed garlic.
Another great option to try is roasting the broccoli before adding it to the soup for a more intense flavor.
This is an ideal way to make use of those flavorful bits that are often left on the cutting board after prepping vegetables for another dish.
If you want something more piquant, add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper while cooking your broccoli.
Finally, if you are feeling adventurous, try substituting your standard creamy broccoli soup with cauliflower or mushroom varieties.
These veggies also make a wonderful base for soups, packed with flavor but without that signature tomato zing.
Conclusion
Tomato soup is a classic dish that is enjoyed all over the world.
Although it’s traditional to serve with a grilled cheese sandwich, there are some delicious alternatives that can be used instead.
From the mild sweetness of butternut squash to the bright acidity of citrus fruits, there are several options for creating a tasty and unique substitute for tomato soup.
No matter which alternative you choose, it’s important to remember that taste testers should be involved in the cooking process so that each substitution will bring out the best flavors in your finished dish.
Experiment with various ingredients and try out different combinations until you find one that satisfies your pallet.
And don’t forget to enjoy your special creation.
5 Best Tomato Soup Substitutes to Consider
Ingredients
- 1 – Tomato Sauce
- 2 – Tomato Paste
- 3 – Nomato Sauce
- 4 – French Onion Soup
- 5 – Creamy Broccoli Soup
Instructions
- Choose your preferred substitute from the list of options.
- Organize all of your ingredients.
- Use the proper substitute to cook your recipes.
Carrie is a food writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked for some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Living.
As the Editor in Chief of IntroChicago.com, Carrie oversees all of the content on the site. She also manages the team of contributing writers and editors, who help to create delicious recipes, helpful tips, and informative articles that you’ll find on the site.
A native of the Chicago area, Carrie is passionate about all things food. She loves trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She’s also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, so she knows a thing or two about food!