Fire Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe
This soup is the kind that smells like home from the moment you smash the garlic and let the tomatoes sing in the pan. It’s smoky, tangy, a little creamy if you want it that way, and oddly nostalgic — like tomato soup but grown up and winking. If you love comfort food that still feels a tiny bit fancy, this fire roasted tomato soup is the one to make on a weekday when you need a hug in a bowl.
My little household is embarrassingly enthusiastic about this. My husband calls it “fancy kid soup” and will literally toast three slices of bread to dunk in it. Once I made a double batch and hid half in the back of the fridge because I knew we’d inhale it within 24 hours; he found it and declared me a monster for hiding food. It’s become our go-to when someone’s sniffly, when it’s storming, or when I want to impress company without trying too hard.
Why You’ll Love This Fire Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe
– It tastes smoky and layered without needing a grill — the fire-roasted canned tomatoes do the heavy lifting.
– Comes together fast on a weeknight but feels like you made something thoughtful.
– Flexible: dairy-free, creamy, chunky, or smooth — your call.
– Freezer-friendly and still delicious reheated (if you like saving the world one soup tub at a time).

Kitchen Talk
This recipe is goofy in the best way — sometimes I forget to peel the tomatoes (no one died), sometimes I overdo the smoked paprika (learned that lesson), and once I swapped basil for oregano in a lazy moment and it still worked. I like to let it simmer while I clean up the chaos because that little bubble of simmering soup feels like the kitchen is giving me permission to relax. Also, blending hot soup in a blender is dramatic and slightly terrifying — use an immersion blender whenever you want fewer adrenaline spikes.
This Fire Roasted Tomato Soup is wonderfully smoky and comforting, with just the right balance of acidity and creaminess. It’s easy to make and perfect for a cozy meal, especially when topped with a bit of fresh basil or a grilled cheese on the side. The fire-roasted tomatoes really elevate the flavor compared to regular tomato soup.
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Shopping Tips
– Canned Goods: Buy fire-roasted diced or crushed tomatoes for the smoky flavor; whole canned fire-roasted tomatoes are great if you want more texture.
– Fresh Herbs: Grab a small bunch of basil or parsley — basil brightens it up at the end, but don’t buy a massive bunch unless you’ll use it soon.
– Dairy: Use heavy cream for richness or coconut milk for dairy-free creaminess; a little goes a long way.
– Fats & Oils: Good olive oil makes a difference in the sauté phase — you don’t need extra-extra expensive, but avoid the cheapest that tastes waxy.
– Vegetables: Look for firm onions and plump garlic; sweet yellow onions caramelize best for the soup’s base.
Prep Ahead Ideas
– Chop the onions and mince the garlic a day ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge so you can toss them into the pot instantly.
– Roast or caramelize any extra veggies (carrots, red pepper) ahead of time and add them when you simmer for body and sweetness.
– Make a big batch of soup and freeze in single-serving containers for grab-and-go lunches — label with date and shake the container before reheating.

Time-Saving Tricks
– Use canned fire-roasted tomatoes to shortcut smoky flavor instead of roasting fresh tomatoes for an hour.
– An immersion blender saves the blender-transfer drama and cleans up faster.
– Swap in store-bought vegetable or chicken stock to skip simmering bones or making stock from scratch.
– If you want it extra fast, sauté onion and garlic while the kettle boils, then add tomatoes and stock and simmer for 10–15 minutes.
Common Mistakes
– Burning the garlic: sauté garlic briefly and add tomatoes soon after; burned garlic tastes bitter. I once charred a batch and had to start over — lesson learned.
– Too thin a soup: if it’s watery, simmer uncovered to reduce or stir in a spoonful of tomato paste or a handful of cooked rice to thicken.
– Oversalting early: taste after reducing — flavors concentrate, so it’s easy to overdo it at the start.
– Cold soup syndrome: reheating too fast can separate cream; reheat gently and stir.
What to Serve It With
– Grilled cheese or a gooey cheddar sandwich for dunking.
– A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut the richness.
– Crusty bread or garlic knots for scooping.
– Quick sautéed kale or a simple grain bowl to make it a meal.
Tips & Mistakes
– Don’t add cream until the end — it keeps the color and texture prettier.
– If you want smoky and not spicy, use smoked paprika, not chipotle.
– Over-blending can make the soup gummy; pulse until smooth and stop.
– Taste as you go — tomatoes vary in sweetness and acidity.
Storage Tips
Put leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove and add a splash of stock or water if it’s thick. Cold tomato soup is weird but fine — some people like it like gazpacho for breakfast (no judgment here). If you heat in the microwave, stir halfway to prevent hot spots.

Variations and Substitutions
– Dairy-free: swap heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk or just skip the cream and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
– Smokier: add a tiny splash of liquid smoke or more smoked paprika, but add bit by bit.
– Chunky vs. Smooth: reserve half the tomatoes and stir them back in after blending if you like texture.
– Add-ins that work: roasted red pepper, a spoonful of pesto, or cooked lentils for protein. Don’t add raw, bitter greens without cooking them first — they overpower the soup.
Frequently Asked Questions

Fire Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter optional, for richness
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 0.75 cup diced carrot
- 0.5 cup diced celery
- 0.75 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1.5 tbsp tomato paste
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- 28 oz fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- 3 cup low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 tsp granulated sugar balances acidity
- 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
- 0.25 cup heavy cream optional, for a silky finish
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil for serving
- 0.5 cup croutons for serving
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Warm olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
- Soften onion, carrot, and celery with a pinch of the salt, stirring, 6–8 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant and darkened, 1–2 minutes.
- Pour in fire-roasted tomatoes, broth, and sugar. Scrape the pot and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender, 15–20 minutes.
- Blend the soup smooth with an immersion blender, or carefully blend in batches until velvety.
- Stir in cream, remaining salt, and black pepper. Warm 2 minutes and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Ladle into bowls and top with basil and croutons. Serve hot.
Notes
Featured Comments
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