This simple and flavorful Spicy Tomato Soup is perfect for a cold winter day. A little smokey spice makes a big difference in this bowl of goodness. But it's surprisingly simple to make. All you need are a few ingredients and about 30 minutes! (gluten free, dairy free)
If you love soup don't miss these gluten free favorites like Instant Pot Lentil Soup, Turkey Chili with Sweet Potatoes, Italian Sausage Soup, and Instant Pot Beef Stew.
It's amazing how comforting a simple bowl of hot soup can be. It brings back warm and fuzzy memories for me! Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches were a regular on our family menu when I was growing up. Sometimes it was even Sunday dinner!
This comfort food classic is loaded with antioxidants and a great way to start the year off with a bang. I love adding spices like cumin (basically to everything) and some red pepper flakes to give it a kick. If I had my way I would add more spices but gotta feed the kids I guess.
Ingredients for Spicy Tomato Soup
- white onion or red onion
- garlic cloves, diced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- olive oil
- can of whole peeled canned tomatoes
- gluten free chicken broth or vegetable broth if vegan
- cumin
- red pepper chili flakes
- salt
- black pepper (or cayenne pepper if you like it really spicy)
- sugar
- bacon
- fresh basil leaves (optional)
- grilled cheese sandwich (optional)
- if you like it creamier you can add a little heavy cream at the very end
As you can clearly see, these are pantry staples. I suggest you keep this super simple recipe at the ready for those nights when you are exhausted, and you just don't know what to cook. This 7 Can Taco Soup is another super easy weeknight wonder.
Instructions for Spicy Tomato Soup
- Place olive oil in a large saucepan and heat over medium heat. I prefer to use my dutch oven for this. Add onions and garlic and saute for about 7-8 minutes or until onions soften and turn translucent.
- Add cumin and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring for one minute. Be careful with the red pepper flakes because they are super spicy.
- Add tomatoes and juices, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Bring to a low boil then reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 20 minutes.
- Working in batches, blend the soup in a blender until smooth. Use a kitchen towel to carefully cover and hold on to the lid. Return to pot and proceed with the next batch. You can also easily use an immersion blender. A hand blender can be used but it might be a messy venture.
- Serve immediately with grilled cheese and bacon for garnish.
How To Spice Up Tomato Soup
Well, there are several ways to do this. In my case, I use red pepper flakes and a few of those go a long way so be careful. You can also use cayenne pepper or tabasco sauce. If you are simply looking for ways to make tomato soup more fun try these
- croutons (gluten free if needed)
- tortilla strips or crumbled tortilla chips
- parmesan crisp crackers or other crumbled crackers (gluten free if needed)
- shredded cheese, we like Mexican cheese
- salsa
- hot sauce
- leftover proteins, like grilled chicken or steak
- basil
- green onion
- chives
- roasted shallots
- cubed grilled cheese
- poached egg
- nuts
- heavy cream or coconut cream
- sour cream
- Greek yogurt
Frequently Asked Questions about Making Homemade Tomato Soup
- How do you thicken up tomato soup?
I did not feel the need to do this with my Spicy Tomato Soup Recipe but if want thicker soup you should use a slurry. A slurry isimply a mixture of cornstarch and water that is mixed in a small bowl and then added to the pot and mixed well. Once your soup comes to a boil this slurry mixture should make it thicker.
- How long does Spicy Tomato Soup last in the refrigerator?
I like to place mine in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. It should last for three to four days. Reheat in the microwave oven covered with a paper towel for about a minute.
The grilled cheese is non-negotiable. My favorite gluten free bread is Udi's Multigrain Bread which I am currently buying at Costco. Some people like to use shredded cheese on theirs but I am a straight-up American Cheese girl. Please buy American CHEESE and not cheese food. It's a subtle difference in packaging but the taste is totally different and even the way it melts is better. I prefer Kerrygold butter and generously spread it on both sides.
Spicy Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 onion diced small
- 3 garlic cloves diced
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes less or more to taste
- 1 28 oz can of whole tomatoes in juices
- 3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth for vegan, gluten free
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional, avoid if keto, whole30 or paleo
Instructions
- Place olive oil in a dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for about 7-8 minutes or until onions soften.
- Add cumin and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring for one minute.
- Add tomatoes and juices, chicken broth, salt, pepper and sugar.
- Bring to a low boil then reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 20 minutes.
- Working in batches, blend soup in a blender until smooth or use an immersion blender. Be careful when blending hot liquids!
- Serve immediately with grilled cheese and bacon for garnish.
MaryAnn says
Please include an Imstant Pot version .
Thank you!
Tammy88 says
just tried making the spicy tomato soup and my kids loved it! thanks, karen kelly, for making this recipe super easy to follow. always struggling to find something quick and healthy during those busy days.
JazzyJeff says
i'm all for trying new soups but wasn't too sure about the spice level in this one. sounds intriguing but how spicy we talking?
GardenGuru says
Super excited to try this recipe using tomatoes from my garden! There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh ingredients. Hope it turns out as good as it sounds.
GastroAdventurer says
Absolutely loved how you broke down the instructions for the spicy tomato soup, The way you've layered flavors using basic ingredients is nothing short of genius. I experimented with the addition of coconut milk for a creamy texture, and it turned out wonderfully. This recipe clearly demonstrates that simplicity, when executed correctly, can lead to extraordinary results. I'm thrilled to feature a variation of this soup on my blog and direct my readers to your original recipe for more culinary inspiration. Keep up the fantastic work!
SimoneTells says
was looking for more healthy soup recipes and glad I found this. the spicy tomato soup sounds like a great way to change things up. any suggestions on making it kid-friendly but still tasty for adults? our household loves a bit of spice but nothing too crazy.
HerbNspice says
SimoneTells, maybe start with mild spices and gradually add more to portions for adults. Smoked paprika is great for adding flavor without too much heat. Also, consider serving the spice on the side, so everyone can adjust to their taste!
D Hughes says
Made it this this morning using my canned at home tomatoes.
Excellent recipe. Definitely will make again.
MARGARITA ARRIOLA says
I loved this recipe, thank you for sharing.