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Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup

Coconut milk, curry and Indian spices compliment the flavor of the butternut squash in this savory Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup. One of my favorite ways to enjoy butternut squash. Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup This Coconut Curry Butternut …

Coconut milk, curry and Indian spices compliment the flavor of the butternut squash in this savory Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup. One of my favorite ways to enjoy butternut squash. Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup This Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup takes less than 25 minutes to make and it’s so good! If you love

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Tomato Bisque

This tomato bisque recipe is tangy and creamy! This classic soup makes a tasty lunch paired with bread or grilled…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This tomato bisque recipe is tangy and creamy! This classic soup makes a tasty lunch paired with bread or grilled cheese.

Tomato Bisque

Here’s a cozy, creamy soup that works in nearly any season: try Tomato Bisque! This vibrant puree melds bright tomatoes, garlic and aromatic vegetables with a touch of creamy for a rich, silky body. It’s pure and simple, perfect with a hunk of crusty artisan bread or a grilled cheese sandwich. Here’s how to make a simple tomato bisque!

Ingredients in tomato bisque

A bisque is a creamy pureed soup that’s French in origin. A traditional bisque uses ground seafood shells as a thickener, like ground lobster or shrimp shells, and heavy cream to add richness. There are also vegetable-based bisques that are blended and thickened with cream, like butternut squash, red pepper or tomato.

While it sounds fancy, a tomato bisque is simple to make: it’s essentially a French-style creamy tomato soup. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

  • Butter or olive oil
  • Yellow onion
  • Carrot
  • Celery
  • Garlic
  • White wine vinegar (or white wine)
  • Fire roasted diced tomatoes (or San Marzano or best quality tomatoes)
  • Vegetable or chicken broth
  • Sugar and salt
  • Heavy cream
Fire roasted tomatoes

Use fire roasted or best quality tomatoes

The key to this tomato bisque recipe? The quality of the tomatoes. Low quality canned tomatoes have a bitter, flat flavor that can’t be compensated with extra seasoning. If you can find fire roasted tomatoes, they have a pure, developed flavor with less simmering time. Here are a few notes on finding best quality tomatoes:

  • Fire roasted tomatoes are a type of canned tomato that’s cooked over an open flame before canning. It makes the flavor beautifully sweet out of the can, instead of acidic like many canned tomato varieties.
  • Where to get them? This type of tomatoes are becoming pretty easy to find in grocery stores in the US; they’re sold by several brands (Muir Glen is a favorite of ours). Look in the canned tomatoes section.
  • What if you can’t find them? Substitute the best quality canned tomatoes you can find and increase the simmer time by 10 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar if the flavor still seems bitter.
Tomato bisque recipe

Tips for tomato bisque

This tomato bisque recipe is simple to make: you’ll sauté the vegetables, add tomatoes and broth and simmer, then puree the soup and add cream. Here are a few pointers:

  • Sauté the vegetables until tender. It’s important to make sure the vegetables are tender before adding the tomatoes so they’re not crunchy in the final soup.
  • A standard blender works best (vs a stick blender). We used to love the convenience of an immersion blender (aka stick blender), but it doesn’t get the soup nearly as creamy of a texture.
  • Don’t skimp on the cream. The cream brings a rich, thicker texture and a luxurious mouthfeel. It’s absolutely essential!

Ways to serve it

Pureed soups like tomato bisque are delicious: but they’re not a meal in themselves! You’ll need to add some protein to make a filling meal. Here are a few ideas:

Tomato bisque recipe

More soup recipes

Love cozy soups? Here are a few more great soup recipes to try?

This tomato bisque recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free.

Print
Tomato Bisque

Tomato Bisque


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Description

This tomato bisque recipe is tangy and creamy! This classic soup makes a tasty lunch paired with bread or grilled cheese.


Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter or olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar**
  • 28-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes*
  • 1 quart vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • ½ tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. In a medium pot, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery and sauté for about 6 to 8 minutes, until the onions are tender and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the white wine vinegar and cook until evaporated.
  2. Add the tomatoes, vegetable broth and salt and bring to a steady simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes. Carefully transfer to a blender using a ladle, then blend until creamy (or an immersion blender). Stir in the cream.
  3. Serve immediately, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil or cream and chopped or thinly sliced basil. Leftovers store refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months.

Notes

*If you can’t find fire roasted tomatoes, use the best quality tomatoes you can find (San Marzanos are also a flavorful variety). Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, then taste and add a teaspoon or so of sugar if the flavor tastes bitter.

**If you have it on hand, substitute ¼ cup white wine and cook until all of the wine evaporates. 

  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stoveop
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Tomato bisque, tomato bisque recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.


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Creamy Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

We absolutely love broccoli cheddar soup, but relying solely on store-bought vegan cheddar for a “cheesy” flavor? That felt like cheating. Instead, we set out to recreate the cheesy flavor with whole food ingredients and as many vegetables …

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup

We absolutely love broccoli cheddar soup, but relying solely on store-bought vegan cheddar for a “cheesy” flavor? That felt like cheating. Instead, we set out to recreate the cheesy flavor with whole food ingredients and as many vegetables as possible. The result? Luxuriously creamy, nutrient-packed soup with classic, indulgent flavor. Swoon!

Just 10 ingredients required for this comforting dish that might just become your new favorite way to eat broccoli.

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup from Minimalist Baker →


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The Most Flavorful And Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe

Inside: ​Check out this delicious, flavorful, and easy to make tomato soup recipe which is an easy option for an appetizer or a meal on its own.  ​If you are like …

The post The Most Flavorful And Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe appeared first on My Latina Table.

Inside: ​Check out this delicious, flavorful, and easy to make tomato soup recipe which is an easy option for an appetizer or a meal on its own. 

Homemade tomato soup in a bowl with cream and cheese on top

​If you are like me, there are some nights where you just want to hunker down with a hot bowl of tomato soup. Of course you can always just open a can of soup from the store, but it is so much better for you and tastier as well if you make the soup with fresh ingredients and from scratch. 

The delicious recipe I am going to share today may have a lot of ingredients, but it is easy to make and you will love it! It includes fresh herbs, fresh ripe tomatoes, garlic cloves, and other simple ingredients that will give it so much flavor. 

Why you will love this homemade tomato soup more than the store-bought version

Tomato soup in a can is a pantry staple that many people have, but once you have tried this homemade version, you will not go back! Instead of having processed ingredients from the version you buy at the store, this recipe has only fresh ingredients and is made from scratch. I know it may seem daunting, but it is really easy to make. 

The combination of flavors from the herbs, tomatoes, and other ingredients will have you going back for more. You can serve this as an appetizer or a side dish to go along with a tasty grilled cheese sandwich, or you can serve it as a main dish. No matter how you eat it, you will not be disappointed, and I am sure you will agree this is the best tomato soup recipe you have tried. 

What ingredients do you need to make homemade tomato soup?

I mentioned above that this recipe has fresh ingredients. This is important so that you can know what you are putting in your body and so that you get the best flavors possible. 

ingredients for this soup on a cutting board

To make this recipe, start by gathering the following ingredients:

  • 2 lbs of ripe, fresh tomatoes (roma tomatoes or other types of tomatoes will work)
  • 1 medium onion (red)
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1-2 fresh basil leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp of dried oregano
  • 1 tsp of nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp of brown sugar
  • 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup of white wine
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1/4 stick of butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/8 cup heavy cream
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Croutons

How do you make this tomato soup recipe?

Now that you have gathered the ingredients, it is time to make the recipe. It is important to wash all of the vegetables and herbs before cooking, so do that first. 

Next, you will chop the tomatoes, onion, and garlic cloves and set them aside separately for a later step. 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and butter until the butter just melts. Then add the chopped garlic and onions and let cook until the onions are transparent. 

The next step is to add the tomatoes and to continue cooking for 2-3 minutes before adding the salt, pepper, oregano, nutmeg, bay leaves, and basil. Reduce to medium-low heat and stir well. At this point, add the brown sugar, stir well, and cook for about 2 minutes.

tomatoes cooking with the other ingredients in a large skillet

After 2 minutes have passed, add the balsamic vinegar and stir well. You can add additional salt and pepper if it is needed at this point. Add everything from the skillet to a blender and blend until smooth, but thick. You can also use an immersion blender at this stage, but I usually just use a traditional blender. 

In the same skillet, add another 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and heat over medium heat before adding the blended mixture back to the skillet. 

Add the white wine and let cook for 5 minutes.

At this point, the soup is ready, so you can serve it in a bowl topping with a little bit of heavy cream, the cheese, and the croutons. 

tomato soup in a blue bowl with a spoon and vine ripened tomatoes next to it

​How to use this recipe for pizza or pasta sauce.

This recipe is mainly made for soup, however you can make some slight modifications to it so that you can use it for pizza or pasta! The only modification that you need to make for this recipe is to omit the white wine. This will give it a thicker consistency which is perfect for adding to your favorite homemade pizza recipe. You can also use it as an easy sauce for pasta with meat or without meat. You will find that this adds a great flavor to any of your favorite pasta or pizza recipes, so I definitely recommend it. 

When I use it for that purpose, sometimes I will add some red pepper flakes to add a bit of heat, but only if I am making it for my husband and me, since some of the kids don’t quite like spicy food yet. 

Check out these other soup recipes

This homemade tomato soup recipe is a hit around our house and is a great way to incorporate healthy ingredients into your diet. The kids love it also, especially when you serve it with tasty cheese sandwiches. I always make a large pot of this when we have it, and there is almost nothing left every time. 

It has a mild, but delicious tomato flavor and  is great for any time of year.

Let me know in the comments below how it turns out!

tomato soup in a blue bowl with a spoon and vine ripened tomatoes next to it
Print

Fresh Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

Check out this delicious, flavorful, and easy to make tomato soup recipe which is an easy option for an appetizer or a meal on its own. 
 
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword fresh, soup, tomato soup
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 1/2 cup servings
Calories 116kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ripe tomatoes
  • 1 red onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1-2 basil leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 stick butter
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Accompaniments

  • 1/8 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup croutons

Instructions

  • Chop the tomatoes, onion, and garlic cloves and set them aside separately for a later step. 
    2 lbs ripe tomatoes, 1 red onion, 3 garlic cloves
  • Heat large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and butter until the butter just melts. Then add the chopped garlic and onions and let cook until the onions are transparent. 
    1/4 stick butter, 1 tbsp olive oil
  • The next step is to add the tomatoes and to continue cooking for 2-3 minutes before adding the salt, pepper, oregano, nutmeg, bay leaves, and basil. Reduce to medium-low heat and stir well. At this point, add the brown sugar, stir well, and cook for about 2 minutes.
    1-2 basil leaves, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp brown sugar, salt, pepper
  • After 2 minutes have passed, add the balsamic vinegar and stir well. You can add additional salt and pepper if it is needed at this point. Add everything from the skillet to a blender and blend until smooth, but thick. You can also use an immersion blender at this stage, but I usually just use a traditional blender. 
    1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • In the same skillet, add another 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and heat over medium heat before adding the blended mixture back to the skillet. 
    1 tbsp olive oil
  • Add the white wine and let cook for 5 minutes.
    1/2 cup white wine
  • Serve with cream, mozzarella cheese, and croutons
    1/8 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup croutons, 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Nutrition

Serving: 11/2 cup serving | Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

The post The Most Flavorful And Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe appeared first on My Latina Table.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This healthy loaded baked potato soup recipe is comforting, delicious, and so easy to make! Made with hidden veggies! Loaded Baked Potato Soup This baked potato soup has everything you love about a baked potato – sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and chives,…

This healthy loaded baked potato soup recipe is comforting, delicious, and so easy to make! Made with hidden veggies! Loaded Baked Potato Soup This baked potato soup has everything you love about a baked potato – sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and chives, at a fraction of the calories. The secret to slimming it down is swapping part

Chicken Corn Chowder

This chicken corn chowder recipe is creamy and bursting with potatoes and fresh sweet corn! It makes a deliciously hearty…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This chicken corn chowder recipe is creamy and bursting with potatoes and fresh sweet corn! It makes a deliciously hearty meal.

Chicken corn chowder

When corn season is in full swing, it’s the moment for all the sweet corn recipes. And chicken corn chowder recipe is our new favorite! It’s creamy and cozy, punctuated by soft potatoes and bright bursts of sweet corn. Adding chicken gives it a protein boost that makes it a filling meal. It’s one of our top ways to enjoy those sweet seasonal cobs, and it even works with canned corn too!

PS If you’ve been following for a while, you’ll notice this is our first recipe with chicken! Welcome to A Couple Cooks 2.0. For a recipe without chicken, go to Corn Chowder or Vegan Corn Chowder.

Ingredients for chicken corn chowder

Chicken corn chowder is the perfect recipe for using up fresh, seasonal corn cobs. However, you can make it with canned corn: though the sweet flavor won’t be nearly as developed, it works in a pinch! This soup is great for transitional weather from summer to fall, and it’s fitting for winter with canned corn when you need a cozy, filling meal. Here’s what you’ll need for this chowder recipe:

  • Vegetables: sweet onion, celery, carrots, garlic, corn, yellow potatoes
  • Butter and olive oil
  • Chicken broth
  • Milk
  • Heavy cream
  • Skinless chicken breast
  • Spices: Smoked paprika, dried thyme, onion powder, garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper
Chicken Corn Chowder

Tips for making chicken corn chowder

The flavor secret for great corn chowder? There are a few important things to note about this classic cozy soup. Here’s what to know:

  • Simmer with the corn cobs (and chicken). Traditionally in a corn chowder, you’ll place the corn cobs right into the broth and simmer with the cobs. This infuses that sweet corn flavor throughout the entire soup. (You’ll also simmer with the whole piece of chicken, which cooks it before you shred it.)
  • Puree some of the soup itself. Blending a few cups of the soup together results in a beautifully creamy soup body.
  • Add a little heavy cream. But there’s nothing little a bit of cream to make a rich, hearty broth! We think it tastes best with just ¼ cup of heavy cream. You can add more if desired!

Ways to cut corn off the cob

This chicken corn chowder requires a bit of time to prep all the ingredients, especially when it comes to cutting corn off the cob! This is a notoriously tedious process that often ends with kernels of corn all over the floor. Here are a few of our favorite methods for cutting corn:

  • Bundt pan method. Place the corn cob right on top of the raised center part of a Bundt pan. When you slice downward, the Bundt pan catches all the corn kernels! Go to How to Cut Corn Off the Cob.
  • Inverted small bowl inside larger bowl. You can also use an inverted small bowl inside a larger bowl to catch the kernels (here’s a video).
  • Mandoline. If you have a mandoline, use it to cut corn off the cob. It slides right off without making a mess!
Corn

Swap in canned corn if desired

If it’s not corn season, canned corn works in a chicken corn chowder, though the flavor is not quite as corn-forward and developed. Simply use 2 15-ounce cans of corn, and use only 2 cups corn kernels when simmering the soup. You’ll use the remaining 1 cup corn kernels to stir in at the end after blending.

Dietary swaps for corn chowder

Want to make this soup without chicken, or make it dairy-free? We’ve got you! Here’s what to do:

  • Vegetarian: Make this Corn Chowder! Or take the recipe below, omit the chicken, and use vegetable broth. You may find you need to add extra salt: you may want to substitute the 2 teaspoons kosher salt with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons soy sauce, which adds a nice meaty flavor.
  • Dairy-Free or Vegan: Make this Vegan Corn Chowder, which uses cashews to blend into a creamy base.
Chicken Corn Chowder

More corn recipes

Sweet corn makes versatile and tasty recipes! Here are a few of our favorite corn recipes to try:

This chicken corn chowder recipe is…

Gluten-free. For vegetarian, go to Creamy Corn Chowder. For dairy-free and vegan, go to Vegan Corn Chowder.

Print
Chicken corn chowder

Chicken Corn Chowder


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6

Description

This chicken corn chowder recipe is creamy and bursting with potatoes and fresh sweet corn! It makes a deliciously hearty meal.**


Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet onion, diced
  • 3 ribs celery, diced
  • 2 carrots, peel and diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 pounds yellow potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 4 large or 6 medium ears corn, enough for 4 cups corn kernels, plus cobs (or 2 15-ounce cans corn*)
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 quart chicken broth
  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (optional but recommended)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive over medium high heat. Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and potatoes and sauté for 5 minutes.
  2. Add 3 cups* of the corn kernels, the corn cobs (broken into a few pieces, if necessary to fit in the pot), broth, milk, raw chicken, smoked paprika, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, the kosher salt, and several grinds of fresh black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Remove the cobs from the soup and discard. Remove the chicken breast and shred with a fork.
  4. Using a 2-cup glass measuring cup with spout, carefully scoop out about 4 cups of the hot soup and place it in a blender. Blend on high for about 1 minute until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour the puree back into the soup pot. Stir in the reserved 1 cup corn kernels and the chicken. Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving (it will be very hot and the residual heat cooks the corn). Taste and add additional salt or cream if desired. Ladle into bowls and allow to cool. 

Notes

*If using canned corn, use 2 cups in the soup in Step 2.

**Dietary swaps: Vegetarian: Make this Corn Chowder! Or use the recipe above, omit the chicken, and use vegetable broth. Consider substituting the 2 teaspoons salt with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons soy sauce, which adds a nice meaty flavor. For Dairy-Free or Vegan: Make this Vegan Corn Chowder, which uses cashews to blend into a creamy base.

  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Soup
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Keywords: Chicken corn chowder, chicken corn chowder recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Enjoy this quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup in your lunch box, on a cold day or when you’re feeling under the weather. It’s so comforting! Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup There’s nothing quite as soothing and satisfying as a steamin…

Enjoy this quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup in your lunch box, on a cold day or when you’re feeling under the weather. It’s so comforting! Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup There’s nothing quite as soothing and satisfying as a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup with egg noodles. It’s the best

Gazpacho

Gazpacho, a chilled soup made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, is a delicious way to stay cool and hydrated during the hot summer months. Easy Gazpacho Recipe This basic gazpacho recipe includes ripe heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, bell p…

Gazpacho, a chilled soup made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, is a delicious way to stay cool and hydrated during the hot summer months. Easy Gazpacho Recipe This basic gazpacho recipe includes ripe heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, garlic, shallots, olive oil, and vinegar. The vegetables are raw, emphasizing the freshness of the

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Zucchini Soup

I have a love hate relationship with zucchini. It is one of my favorite vegetables, but during the summer months when I can’t keep up with all of zucchini, it kind of stresses me out, ha! I do my best to keep up (I make zucchini bread, zucchini m…

I have a love hate relationship with zucchini. It is one of my favorite vegetables, but during the summer months when I can’t keep up with all of zucchini, it kind of stresses me out, ha! I do my best to keep up (I make zucchini bread, zucchini muffins, zucchini fritters, salads, and more), but…

Simple Tofu Soup

This tofu soup recipe makes a nourishing, satisfying meal! It features spinach, mushrooms, and a flavorful broth. Are you a…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This tofu soup recipe makes a nourishing, satisfying meal! It features spinach, mushrooms, and a flavorful broth.

Tofu soup

Are you a tofu fan? Then you’ll love this simple tofu soup recipe, a tasty, nourishing plant-based meal! Cubes of tofu float in a savory broth flavored with miso, ginger, dried mushrooms, and fresh mushrooms. Add crunchy carrots and green onions just before serving, and it’s a satisfying combination of hearty earthiness with crisp, fresh vegetables. Our entire family are tofu-lovers, so this vegan soup was a big hit over here: everyone got seconds!

Ingredients in tofu soup

There are many ways to make a tofu soup. There’s a popular Korean tofu soup that’s made with soft tofu called soondubu, or Japanese homemade miso soup with tofu (head to those recipes if you’re looking for those styles!).

The recipe below is a spinach and tofu soup with a simple mushroom broth made from dried miso and mushrooms. We experimented with a few methods for making a tofu soup, and found that store-bought vegetable broth just doesn’t cut it! Making your own has a much richer, developed flavor. Here’s what you’ll need for this style of tofu soup:

  • Olive oil
  • White onion
  • Baby bella or shiitake mushrooms
  • Dried mushrooms, like porcini
  • Celery
  • Garlic
  • Grated ginger
  • Yellow or white miso
  • Soy sauce
  • Salt
  • Extra-firm tofu
  • Spinach
  • Carrots
  • Green onions
Tofu soup

Why dried mushrooms are key

This tofu soup is made with dried mushrooms, which infuse a hearty, savory flavor into the broth. Because here’s the thing: you’ll be making broth from water! That’s right: vegetable broth doesn’t work here. When we tried making this soup with veggie broth, both the flavor and color was muddy and unsatisfying. Alex had the idea of making miso mushroom broth with water and dried mushrooms, and it works! You don’t even need extra time: the soup still comes together in 30 minutes.

The dried mushrooms, miso, ginger and salt are key to making a broth from water that tastes bright, savory and bold. Do not skip them! The type we used was porcini mushrooms. You can find dried mushrooms near the produce in most standard grocery stores.

Tofu soup recipe

Tips for tofu soup

This tofu soup recipe uses the tofu raw, and it soaks up all the delicious flavors in the broth. It makes the method very simple, since you won’t need to cook the tofu beforehand! (While we love our baked tofu and fried tofu, it’s not necessary here). Here are a few things to note about this tofu soup method:

  • Use extra-firm tofu. Make sure to have the right type of tofu: check the package for the words “extra firm.”
  • Prep all ingredients in advance. The cook time goes quickly, so make sure to have everything chopped and ready to go.
  • Don’t skip the dried mushrooms! As noted above, they are essential to the flavor.
  • Add the crunchy vegetables at the end for garnish. The contrast of savory and soft versus crunchy and fresh really makes this one!
Tofu soup

Optional garnish: hot sauce

You can garnish this tofu soup recipe with hot sauce: we added a dollop of chili garlic sauce to the mix. However, we found it made for a very spicy soup and that we preferred it without hot sauce! The delicate flavors don’t need the sauce, though you can add it if you love heat.

This tofu soup makes a tasty healthy dinner idea: serve it with edamame or a simple green salad. This carrot ginger dressing makes a nice pairing!

More tofu recipes

Tofu is one of our best loved plant-based proteins around here! Here are a few more tofu recipes to add to your arsenal:

Print
Tofu soup

Simple Tofu Soup


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 13 minutes
  • Cook Time: 17 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Description

This tofu soup recipe makes a nourishing, satisfying meal! It features spinach, mushrooms, and a flavorful broth.


Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium white onion, sliced
  • 12 ounces baby bella and/or shiitake mushrooms, sliced (stems removed for shiitakes*)
  • ½ ounce dried mushrooms (like porcini)
  • 2 celery ribs, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 2 tablespoons yellow or white miso**
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 package extra firm tofu, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 4 cups baby spinach (or chopped spinach)
  • 3 carrots, sliced into ribbons
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Chili garlic sauce, to garnish (optional; we found we preferred this soup without!)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and fresh mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender.
  2. Add 6 cups water to the pot. Stir in the dried mushrooms, celery, garlic, ginger, miso, soy sauce, salt and tofu. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 12 minutes. Taste and adjust salt until the broth tastes bold and flavorful.
  3. Turn off heat and stir in the spinach. Serve hot in bowls, garnished with shredded carrots and green onions.

Notes

*Standard size shiitake mushrooms have very tough stems that should be removed before cooking. If you can find baby shiitake mushrooms, the stems are edible.

**Avoid red or brown miso, which has a very strong, salty flavor.

  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegan
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Tofu soup, tofu soup recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.