Tomato Bisque is a creamy, silky smooth, tomato based soup, a variation to the classic tomato soup. This bisque is easy to make, uses pantry staples and comes together in no time!!

Two of my favorite tomato soup, the traditionally tomato soup, without any cream and the tomato bisque, with some touch of cream. Both have a unique flavor, and texture. Pairs well with some grilled cheese.

TOMATO BISQUE

Bisque is a French style creamy soup made with tomatoes, and cream. This soup is so easy to make and with simple pantry ingredients you can make this delicious soup, great for busy weeknights or even for entertaining.

I make this soup quite often and me and my family devour this soup. This soup is hit in my family, my kids always go for seconds, and thirds. The best part about this soup is that even though it is a cream-based soup, the cream is not overpowering. I find it a nice, rich tomato soup, with perfect balance of flavors from the tomatoes and the cream.

When tomatoes are in season, I use fresh tomatoes to make this tomato bisque. Sometimes, I also roast these tomatoes, to bring out bold flavor of the tomatoes. Roasting the tomatoes, also helps bring out the natural sweetness in the tomatoes.

Today, I am using canned diced tomatoes, as that’s what I have in hand. A good quality diced tomatoes, is a key to this delicious tomato bisque.

I prefer organic diced tomatoes, however, feel free to use tomatoes of your choice. You can also use fire-roasted canned tomatoes, for a bold flavor in the bisque.

The best part about this soup is that you can make it as rich as you like, use heavy cream, half and half, evaporated milk or even milk to keep it lighter, still it tastes so good. This soup is easily customizable and can be made vegan, just skip dairy and use any plant based milk substitute such as almond milk, cashew milk, or even coconut milk or coconut cream tastes great. How cool is it??

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOMATO SOUP AND TOMATO BISQUE

Tomato soup and tomato bisque, both are made with tomatoes as a main ingredient. Tomato soup uses chicken or vegetable broth.

Tomato soup can be made in many different ways and may be served hot or cold. It may be smooth or chunky in texture. Typically, tomato soup does not have any cream. The soup is thicken using a roux, or with cornstarch.

Bisque is a cream-based soup made with vegetables or seafood, where pre-cooked ingredients are pureed along with some cream to get a nice smooth, velvety texture soup. We love the vegetarian version of bisque such as squash, tomato, mushroom, or red pepper bisque.

Today, I am sharing my recipe for this delicious, creamy, velvety texture Tomato bisque, using pantry ingredients. Thus, keeping it simple, and flavorful. I like to serve this Tomato bisque with some grilled cheese sandwich or some homemade croutons.

INGREDIENTS FOR TOMATO BISQUE

(2)  14.5 OUNCES CANS DICED TOMATOES

1 MEDIUM ONION, CHOPPED

1 MEDIUM CARROT, DICED

2-3 CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED

2 TABLESPOON WHITE RICE

3 CUPS BROTH

1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL

1 TABLESPOON UNSALTED BUTTER

SALT & PEPPER, ADJUST TO TASTE

1/8 TEASPOON CAYENNE PEPPER, ADJUST TO TASTE

1 TEASPOON BROWN SUGAR OR HONEY, ADJUST TO TASTE

1/4 CUP HEAVY CREAM, HALF AND HALF, EVAPORATED MILK, OR REGULAR MILK (OPTIONAL)

1/4 TEASPOON BAKING SODA (OPTIONAL), AS NEEDED

FOR GARNISH (OPTIONAL)

HANDFUL OF FRESH BASIL LEAVES, THINLY SLICED

CREAM

CROUTONS

HOW TO MAKE TOMATO BISQUE

Sharing quick and easy recipe to make this luscious Tomato bisque using pantry ingredients. I love to make this bisque in Instant Pot, however, you can also make this on stove top. Please refer to the post later for – STOVE TOP TOMATO BISQUE

INSTANT POT TOMATO BISQUE

Turn ON the saute mode (more), when it displays “HOT”, add oil, butter.

Add onion, garlic, and carrots. Saute for 1-2 minutes.

Add tomatoes, rice, cayenne pepper, some salt and black pepper to taste. 

Add broth, mix well. Close the Instant Pot lid, pressure value on sealing.

Turn the Manual / Pressure Cook (high) for 10 minutes.

After the Instant Pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally, around 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, manually release the remaining pressure.

Open the Instant Pot. Using immersion blender, blend the soup to a smooth consistency.
Note: You can also blend the soup in a blender jar in batches.

Turn ON saute mode (more). Add cream (optional), sugar or honey to taste, bring it to a gentle boil.

Adjust seasoning – salt and pepper as per taste. Turn OFF the saute mode.

Garnish with some fresh basil, drizzle some cream, or croutons.

Tomato bisque is ready to be devoured. Enjoy!!

STOVE TOP TOMATO BISQUE

In a dutch oven or a soup pot, follow the same recipe as discussed. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until rice is cooked and tomatoes are soft. Rest of the recipe is same as Instant Pot.

PRO TIPS FOR THE BEST TOMATO BISQUE

TOMATOES – fresh or canned tomatoes, both work great in this recipe. You can use whole, diced or crushed canned tomatoes. 

GARLIC – I prefer fresh garlic, it adds a ton of flavor to this bisque. Feel free to use garlic powder, will work.

BROTH – low sodium broth adds an additional layer of flavor. Low sodium broth helps control the sodium intake. You can also use a bouillon, mix it with water as per package instructions and use it.

RICE – any variety of white rice would work in this recipe. Rice helps give this soup a nice creamy consistency without adding a whole lot of cream. The starch in the rice, also helps thicken the soup without adding any cornstarch. I used long grain rice for this recipe.

CREAM (OPTIONAL) – add cream at the end to avoid any curdling of the cream. You can use heavy, half and half, evaporated milk or even regular milk to suit your taste. 

Depending upon the amount of cream added to the bisque, the color of the bisque will vary.

For VEGAN – Skip the dairy and add any natural, plant based milk such almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk or cream.

SUGAR OR HONEY – helps balance the flavors, adjust to your taste. I prefer honey, or brown sugar. You can use any sweetener of your choice.

BAKING SODA – though I have not used it in the recipe. Sometimes tomatoes have are quiet tangy. Adding baking soda to tomato bisque, neutralizes the acid in the tomatoes. Thus, making the tomato bisque taste less acidic or sour, and also prevents the cream from curdling when added to the soup.

If the bisque turns out to be tart, add a 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, mix well and bring a the soup to a boil.

VARIATIONS TO THIS DELICIOUS TOMATO BISQUE

TOMATO BISQUE WITH FRESH TOMATOES – blanch the tomatoes in a hot boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Remove and place the tomatoes in ice water. Peel the tomatoes and use them in the recipe.

ROASTED TOMATO BISQUE – roasting the tomatoes brings about their natural sweetness and bold flavors in the tomatoes.

Cut the fresh tomatoes in half, arrange the tomatoes on a baking sheet. Toss them with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast the tomatoes at 425 degree Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.

When they are done, peel the skin and use the tomatoes in the recipe.

LIGHTER VERSION OF TOMATO BISQUE – use half and half, evaporated milk or regular milk to keep it light.

VEGAN – Skip the dairy and add any natural, plant based milk such almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk.

FAQ ABOUT TOMATO BISQUE

WHY ADD RICE

Rice helps give this soup a nice creamy consistency without adding a whole lot of cream. The starch in the rice, also helps thicken the soup without adding any cornstarch. Thus, making the soup light and creamy.

HOW TO THICKEN TOMATO BISQUE

REDUCE THE BISQUE – let the bisque simmer for some time, until the soup thickens to a desired consistency.

CORNSTARCH SLURRY – take equal portions of cornstarch and water, mix it and gradually add this slurry to the bisque. Cook until the soup thickens.

HOW TO MAKE TOMATO BISQUE VEGAN

Skip the dairy and add any natural, plant based milk such almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk.

HOW TO SERVE TOMATO BISQUE

Just before serving the tomato bisque, I like to garnish the bisque with some drizzle of heavy cream, and some finely shredded basil leaves.

Creamy, flavorful Tomato bisque pairs well with classic French bread, grilled cheese sandwich, some homemade croutons or even salads. Enjoy!!

TRIED THIS RECIPE ?

★ If you tried this recipe, I would love to hear your feedback. Please rate the recipe and/or leave a comment below.

Follow me on Facebook ,  Pinterest, for all the latest on my blog!! Subscribe to myYoutubeChannel for easy and delicious video recipes. Happy Cooking!!

RELATED POSTS

CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP

BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP

CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

MINESTRONE SOUP

CHICKEN AND CABBAGE SOUP

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

TOMATO CARROT BEETROOT SOUP

MOROCCAN CHICKPEA TOMATO SOUP

Here are some more Instant Pot (Pressure cooker) recipes:

INSTANT POT BEETS OR BEETROOTS

INSTANT POT BAKED POTATOES

HOW TO GROW SPROUTS – LENTILS AND BEANS

HOW TO STEAM BROCCOLI

HOW TO COOK BASMATI RICE

HOW TO COOK DRY CHICKPEAS

INSTANT POT PERFECT BOILED BABY POTATOES

TOP 10 RECIPES OF 2019