In 30 minutes you can have this, creamy tomato basil bisque recipe to warm you from the inside out for those chilly days. You can use fresh or canned tomatoes, roasted or regular.
A delicious creamy soup that is even better when served with croutons or a grilled cheese sandwich! Equally delicious with basil or with dill.
Check out this great post on the best bread recipes for soup!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
Soup Season is the Best
This homemade tomato soup is from my mother-in-law’s recipe box and it is a great recipe. She served this creamy tomato bisque recipe, blend at her European Tea House, and it was a customer favorite. Come find out why!
I love curling up in front of the fire with a big bowl of tomato bisque soup or having it for game night with the family and this tomato bisque recipe is a family favorite.
Love soup? Try these other reader favorites: Creamy Poblano Chicken Soup, 10-Vegetable Soup (Panera Copycat) and this Colorado Green Chile recipe — all so good!
Why You Will Love This Creamy Tomato Bisque Recipe
- EASY | Ready in 30 minutes or less.
- Use Fresh or Canned Tomatoes | Got some tomatoes past their prime; this is a great way to use them up! No fresh? No worries use canned tomatoes, I love San Marzano Tomatoes for this recipe.
- Tastes Fancy | Make this restaurant-quality soup right at home!
Simple Ingredients
Tomatoes | If you don’t have fresh tomatoes, substitute canned tomatoes, whole, diced, and roasted tomatoes — use your favorite. This is a great use for bruised or beyond prime garden tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and cherry tomatoes are especially great.
Chicken Broth (or Chicken stock) | Better Than Bouillon is an easy way to keep this on hand, vegetable broth is a great vegetarian option.
Heavy Whipping Cream and Half-and-Half | This makes this tomato dill soup thick and rich and tones down the acidity of the tomatoes.
Onion | Finely mince or grate and your kids won’t even know it’s there, but you’ll still get great flavor!
Butter | This helps to enrich the flavor of the onion and contributes to a velvety texture.
Flour | I use King Arthur’s Organic Flour for thickening. Use GF Flour for gluten-free tomato bisque soup!
Honey | The sweetness balances the acidity in this tomato bisque soup. You may also use a touch of brown sugar if preferred.
Herbs | If available, use fresh basil leaves or dill; we’ll also add some oregano, thyme and fresh parsley, kosher salt and pepper. Use fresh or dried.
Croutons | I have two great options: my crunchy Homemade Croutons that are chewy on the inside or my Pretzel Bites that you can make in the air fryer or oven. Both are delicious!
How to Make Tomato Bisque without roasting tomatoes
Step 1 | Caramelize Onions & Make Roux
Melt butter over medium heat in a large pot and saute chopped onions. Once they begin caramelizing (become translucent and caramel in color), add flour (regular or gluten-free) and cook for another few minutes. This removes the flour taste, leaving behind a great thickener.
Stir in kosher salt, pepper, and dried herbs until their aroma becomes fragrant. Watch carefully so they don’t brown or burn.
Step 2 | Add Tomatoes
Add the tomatoes (canned or fresh) and chicken stock and bring to a low boil. Reduce the heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
Step 3 | Finish the Bisque
Stir in the fresh basil (or dill) and honey, then slowly whisk in the cream and half-and-half.
For an extra creamy tomato soup recipe, blend the soup to the desired creamy texture. Use an immersion blender for a chunkier soup or a high-speed blender for a silky smooth tomato soup. A regular blender or food processor may also be used.
Fresh Tip
- When adding hot liquids in a traditional blender or similar device, add only a few cups at a time, vent it and place a paper towel over the top to catch any splatters. Pour pureed soup into large saucepan or soup pot and proceed with the balance of the soup in batches.
For the best flavor, do a taste test, adding a little black pepper and kosher salt to taste if needed. Stir in fresh basil (or dill)
Want to Save this Recipe?
Top with croutons and fresh herbs and if desired, a drizzle of sour cream, creme fraiche or plain Greek yogurt. Ahh the perfect comfort food.
How to Make Roasted Tomato Bisque
Preheat the oven to 400° F (205° C) and cut the tomatoes in half; if desired, remove the seeds – I do not. Place tomatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons olive oil and a generous sprinkle of kosher salt and pepper.
Optional: Add a couple of peeled garlic cloves with the tomatoes. Roast tomatoes for 25-45 minutes until fragrant and darker in color. Cool for 10 minutes before adding to the recipe. Hint: You can start your onions caramelizing while the tomatoes are roasting.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add Bacon | Saute 3-5 pieces of bacon (chopped) until crispy, then remove to towel towel-lined plate and reserve for serving. Saute your onion in the bacon grease!
- Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup | Wash and de-seed the red peppers, add with the tomatoes and roast together!.
- Like it Spicy? Add a few dashes of red pepper flakes or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
- Cheesy Tomato Soup | Top with creamy blue or gorgonzola cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, Gruyere or other strong cheese.
- Lite Tomato Bisque | Replace the half and half with whole milk, I still recommend you use the heavy cream, but if you want to lighten it up, you can replace both half and half and cream with whole milk.
Gluten-free Tomato Bisque
This tomato basil soup recipe is so easy to make gluten-free, swap your favorite all-purpose gluten-free flour for the regular flour, or leave it out all together!
How to Make Vegan Tomato Basil Bisque
Use vegetable stock instead of chicken broth. Combine ¾ cup of plant-based heavy cream and ¼ cup unsweetened soy or almond milk to replace the cream and half-and-half. Or, use a can of full fat coconut milk. Use agave or maple syrup in place of the honey.
Fresh Tips
- For the silkiest soup blend the tomato basil soup in a high-speed blender. For chunkier tomato soup, use an immersion blender instead, or only process half the soup.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque Recipe
To make it in a slow cooker (crockpot), add all the ingredients (except basil, and cream) to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours. Add basil leaves and blend the soup using an immersion blender or in batches in a blender. Stir in heavy cream and half and half and cook on low for an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main differences between tomato bisque and tomato soup are their richness, texture, and intended use. Tomato bisque is a creamier, more elaborate dish with a velvety texture and a complex flavor, often served in more formal settings. Tomato soup is a simpler, lighter dish enjoyed for its comforting and straightforward taste, commonly served in casual settings.
Always start with room-temperature ingredients! If you’re in a rush, mix a little bit of the hot stock mixture into the cream to temper it first. Then, stir it into the pot and keep the heat low so it doesn’t boil. So how to freeze below if it does curdle.
After rinsing and patting your herbs dry, spread them on a sheet pan in a single layer. Put the pan in the freezer for about an hour, then transfer the herbs to an airtight container. They last for about 12 months!
Storage Tips
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Even better for meal prep, place soup in 1 cup portions in airtight containers in the fridge up to 5 days.
Can I freeze tomato bisque soup?
Soups with cream or milk in them do not typically freeze well; you will get some curdling when reheating. This won’t hurt you though, so freeze your cream soup if it comes to throwing out or freezing! Check out this post about fixing curdled soups! If you are planning on freezing, then wait to add the cream until you reheat.
How to best rewarm tomato basil bisque
My Favorite Way | Pour soup into a small saucepan and reheat over low heat, stirring occasionally until warm, if it starts curdling, stir in a little extra heavy cream or half and half.
To microwave, place soup in microwave safe bowl, cover with a paper towel and heat soup for 45 seconds, stir and reheat until hot in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.
What to serve with Creamy Tomato Bisque Soup
Now we are talking! Of course, we all love tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich, but you can change it up too!
- Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits on the table in 30 minutes tops!
- Cheddar Beer Popovers or 4 ingredient Beer Bread
- This 4 ingredient Irish Soda bread or Whole Wheat Soda Bread, is the perfect quick loaf of crusty bread.
- Caprese BLT’s are a late summer favorite.
- This Heirloom Tomato Tart would go perfectly with this fresh creamy tomato soup!
Grilled Cheese Recipes for your Tomato Soup
Nothing says comfort food like grilled cheese and tomato soup! Try these fun grilled cheese recipes.
- Try something different like this Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Or these baked grilled cheese sandwiches, great for feeding a crowd.
- Or easy peasy with these air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches.
- How about a dessert grilled cheese, Nutella Banana Grilled Cheese.
More Soup Recipes to Enjoy
- Instant Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Panera Copycat Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup
- Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup
- Best Beer and Cheese Soup {with Sharp Cheddar Cheese}
- Ham, Mac & Cheese Soup
- Easy Italian Wedding Soup
I hope you loved this Tomato Basil Bisque Recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Easy Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque Recipe (or Dill)
Click stars to rate now!
Print Pin Save RateIngredients
- ¾ cup onion chopped or grated, about half a medium onion
- ½ cup butter 1 stick
- ¼ cup flour or use GF Flour
- 3-4 cups tomatoes fresh, diced or sub with 28-32 ounce canned tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken stock or broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup half-and-half
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup or agave
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped (sub with 2 tablespoons dried parsley)
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon white or black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped, or chopped dill weed (or use 2 teaspoons dried basil or dill)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Garnish Options
- Chopped Fresh basil or dill fresh basil, fresh parsley or fresh thyme
- Croutons or replace bread in crouton recipe with day old pretzel bites
- Creme Fraiche sour cream, coconut milk or plain Greek Yogurt
- Spoonful of cheese; try gorgonzola blue cheese, sharp cheddar, Gruyere, etc.
Instructions
- In a medium-large soup pot, saute onion in melted butter over medium heat. Once translucent and starting to brown, stir in flour, cooking until golden, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, dill*, oregano, and thyme, stirring for a minute to bloom the herbs.
- Add tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add fresh parsley (and fresh basil or dill if using instead of dried) and honey, stirring until combined, then slowly whisk in cream and half and half until smooth.
- For chunkier tomato bisque, use an immersion blender or blender and only blend a portion of the soup. For a silky, smooth tomato soup, blend in a high speed blender until silky smooth.
- Delicious served with croutons and a garnish of dill, parsley or thyme and a swirl of creme fraiche, sour cream, plain Greek yogurt or coconut cream. And of course grilled cheese!
Sara Welch
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a savory success! Light yet bold and delicious; my whole family loved it!
Kathleen Pope
So glad everyone loved it, Sara, thank you!
Kushigalu
What a flavorful recipe to try. Thanks for sharing.
Kathleen Pope
Thank you!
Luci Petlack
The family loved this! It was so good.
Kathleen Pope
So glad to hear that Luci, thank you!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Can’t beat homemade tomato soup as the ultimate comfort food. This version is delicious!
Kathleen Pope
The ultimate isn’t it!! Thanks!
Beth
This is just about the best soup for a fall and winter day. I’ll be making this one a lot this coming season.
Kathleen Pope
Yay!! Thanks so much, Beth!
Amy
Those caramelized onions and roux at the beginning makes such a difference! I tried your cheesy variation with some gruyere on top and it was divine!
Kathleen Pope
Sooo good!! I love your spin.
Jules
I can eat soup every day all year long and will definitely be making this recipe again. We absolutely loved it!
Kathleen Pope
Me too! So glad you loved it!
Janelle
Made this with a grilled cheese sandwich and it was devoured by my kids! YUM!
Kathleen Pope
Dinner win, I love it! Thanks!
Rebecca
Lick your lips and go back for more because this recipe is fantastic. Easy to make and so good. Just give it a try.
Kathleen Pope
So glad you loved it!
Debi
The perfect way to use up the garden tomatoes. I used vegetable broth to make the soup vegetarian. It was delicious.
Kathleen Pope
Perfect! So glad you loved it and made it yours!
Sue Ringsdorf
I just made this delicious soup and my family LOVED it! So great served with crusty bread!
Kathleen Pope
Perfect with crusty bread!
Peti
You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this recipe K! Making it now, already it smells oh so good. Thank you – P