Slow Cooked Tomato Soup

This post may contain affiliate links, see my Privacy Policy.

Fresh garden tomatoes are the star in this Slow Cooked Tomato Soup. 

There are times when I need meals that I can throw together quickly. Then there are times when I can take the time to slowly bring out the flavors of the best ingredients. This is a soup that capitalizes on fresh, homegrown tomatoes and  onions, homemade broth, and low, slow cooking.  

What type of tomatoes should I use?

This soup is best made with garden fresh tomatoes. Pick them fresh from your garden or buy them from a farmer’s market. Most tomatoes found in a grocery store just don’t have the full flavor you find in garden fresh tomatoes. I use a variety of tomatoes, depending on what’s in my garden. I often use roma tomatoes, early girl tomatoes, and several other varieties. 

If you have a surplus of garden fresh tomatoes, you might also want to try making oven roasted tomatoes.

What ingredients do I need?

Make this soup with fresh tomatoes, onions, carrots, chicken broth, brown sugar, salt and pepper and a bay leaf. 

I like to use a finely ground white pepper for this soup, but you can also use ground black pepper if you prefer. 

Tomatoes are often very acidic. Sugar is added in order to tame the acidity.   Sweet onions, whole carrots and garlic are added to help balance the taste.  You really want to add whole carrots here, not those small baby carrots. They just don’t have a ton of flavor.  Don’t peel the carrots.   There is so much flavor, and nutrients in the carrot skin.

How do I make the soup?

Cored tomatoes, chopped onions, chopped carrots, and whole garlic are all thrown together in a large stock pot and cooked on a low heat for about an hour.  The only attention you need to give it is the occasional stir.

Then throw everything into a food processor and puree mixture.

The tomato mixture is then press through a food mill or a food strainer.

  This leaves you with just the beautiful sauce.

 All the skin, seeds, and solids are discarded.

Return the sauce to the stock pot for another hour of simmering!  Just add homemade chicken broth, or veggie broth, salt and pepper and sugar and a bay leaf.  Bring soup to a low heat and simmer for about one hour or until soup has reduced to a nice consistency. 

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, this soup can be frozen. Allow soup to cool and place in a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. To use, thaw, heat and eat. 

What should I serve with tomato soup?

Serve this tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich, homemade potato chips or  ham and cheese biscuits.

Do I need any special equipment?

There are a few items you will need to make this soup:

• Large pot
• Food processor
• Food strainer

Tips for making this soup:

• Use garden fresh tomatoes
• Cook over a low to medium low heat
• Stir occasionally to keep from scorching 

Other Great Soup Recipes:

Creamy Tomato Soup – this is a quick cooked tomato soup 

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup – creamy and delicious with wild rice

Cheesy Broccoli Soup – cheddar cheese and broccoli are the stars

Chicken Noodle Soup  – a classic made with small pasta for the noodles

Clam Chowder – a white creamy clam  chowder

Enchilada Soup – a delicious Mexican soup

Butternut Squash Soup – creamy and delicious

Don’t forget to PIN for later!

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

If you love to cook, check out all my recipes!

This recipe was originally published in September, 2015. The pictures and recipe have been update.

 

Adapted from Ina Garten