Gma’s Homemade Tomato Soup is something I make often, especially if I have some extra tomatoes.
Folks the leaves are turning up North and the weather is cooler here in Florida and my thoughts turn to soup.
This is such a simple recipe that it is almost a joke to write down the ingredients.
This soup is real comfort food and my Gma’s Homemade Tomato Soup has always had a rotation in my soup files.
I love this soup and it is so quick and easy to make plus, you can add a dairy product if you want the soup a little richer and creamy.
Of course, I usually add a grilled cheese sandwich (or a grizzled cheese sandwich as my kids always called it) or the soup is great by itself.
I have made this soup with a creamy consistency by using a hand blender, but most times I make it just like my Gma did …which was to use a potato masher and mash as little or as much as desired. Gma always said it was best to leave a few chunks of tomato in this soup. 😋
The same for the dairy.
It is optional and if you like a thicker soup, use less dairy or leave it out completely which is what I usually do.
You can use either fresh or dried herbs and even though I feel the sugar is not tasted, it, too is optional.
Gma always added a pinch of baking soda because she said it helped with the acidity of the tomatoes, sometimes she added sugar and sometimes she added both after tasting.
I have to confess that sometimes I add it and sometimes I do not.
When adding soda…the soda may fizz up a little until it is mixed in the soup.
I usually use chicken broth but if you have a vegetable broth, that will work just as well.
If you taste your soup and feel your tomatoes don’t have much flavor (as some purchased at the super market might fall into this category)… or you use canned tomatoes, you can add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and that should perk up the flavor.
This homemade tomato soup is so versatile for all tastes.
Toppings can be anything.
I have used parmesan cheese, tortilla strips, basil or parsley or a dollop of sour cream…or…nothing at all.
This soup is good all by itself.
The Homemade Tomato Soup recipe is below:
Gma's Homemade Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 2 1/2-3 cups Tomatoes (about 2 -3 medium)
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped fine or (1/2 tsp minced from jar)
- 1/4 cup onion, diced
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp parsley
- 1 tbsp sugar or pinch of baking soda if tomatoes are tart (optional)
- 1/4 cup half&half, heavy cream or milk (optional)
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- I like to boil water and drop in the whole tomatoes for about 20 seconds, remove and core and pull the skins off but you can also add some olive oil to sheet pan and roast tomatoes if desired.
- While tomatoes are being prepared, melt butter in skillet and saute the onions, peppers and garlic to soften.
- To prepare the tomatoes, I like to mash the tomatoes with hand held potato masher because that is how my Gma did it, but you could use a hand blender or immersion blender. Gma always wanted her tomato soup with small chunks of tomatoes rather than be completely smooth. The choice is whatever your preference is.
- To a medium pot add the chicken broth and bring to a boil
- Add the soft onions, garlic and peppers followed by the tomatoes, dried (or fresh) herbs, sugar or soda and salt & pepper.
- At this point you may add the dairy of your choice, using as much or as little as needed for desired consistency. You may even omit the dairy.
- You can garnish with parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, green onions, sour cream or tortillas strips
If you have not made your own homemade tomato soup, you are missing out.
It really tastes better than the canned soup.
Have a great and Blessed day.
Genesis 1: 29
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
Julie Briones says
THAT looks like an amazing recipe! I love how rich and creamy it looks! (My grands call me “G-ma”, too… but it has shortened to simply “G” now. I love it!)
Kari says
Julie I enjoy my grands so much as I am sure you do yours. And this recipe is so delish. I have such wonderful memories of my Gma. thanks for stopping by my friend.
Pam says
Kari, tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches make for a delightful fall supper. Thanks for the recipe, my friend!
Kari says
And so easy to make and adjust to your taste. Also helps by using up those tomatoes that are the end of the harvest of the home gardener. yum….thanks for stopping by. Blessings!
the Painted Apron says
I love tomato soup, but I confess, I’ve never made it~ thank you for sharing your recipe, Kari, I’m sure it’s wonderful and paired with a grilled cheese sandwich, I would be in heaven!
Jenna
Kari says
So easy Jenna I was thinking do I really want to list the ingredients!!! LOL Have a great day
Sandy Marshall says
It sounds delicious, and I always have a grilled cheese with deli ham (shredded) between the slices, but Rita I think your idea of bacon sounds better. I love bacon.
Kari says
Sandy who doesn’t love bacon? It all sounds yummy to me, and I like the idea of deli ham in the cheese sandwich too! Thanks for commenting…hugs to you and Ron.
Rita C. says
Sounds absolutely yummy! And yes, I would naturally expect to see a grizzled cheese sammich beside that bowl of soup (and I’ve started adding strips of cooked bacon between the layers of cheese in mine). Happy soup season!
Kari says
That sounds yummy Rita…bacon is good on anything! The other day I made chile dogs and realized I didn’t have the can of chile sauce that we like to use… and I had the cheese already shredded, so I just put everything together with some leftover bacon from breakfast and made a hot dog with, bacon, cheese, onion, and mustard! And it tasted great! thanks for stopping by my friend.