Easy Tomato Bisque with Canned Tomatoes

Indulge in a warm bowl of homemade Tomato Bisque with canned tomatoes, the perfect comfort food for a chilly evening!

This Tomato Bisque is a creamy, silky smooth, tomato-based soup, a variation of 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, are the Creamy Roasted 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. For café style dining, serve this bisque in Homemade Bread Bowl.

I make this soup quite often and my family devours this soup. This soup is a 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 the perfect balance of flavors from the tomatoes and the cream.

Jump to:

• About Tomato Bisque
• Ingredients For Tomato Bisque Recipe
• How to make Creamy Tomato Bisque
• Storage
• Tips
• Variation to Tomato Bisque
• FAQ's
• Healthy Soup Recipes
• Easy Tomato Bisque with Canned Tomatoes
• More Nourishing Soups

About 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.

When tomatoes are in season, I use fresh tomatoes to make this tomato bisque. Sometimes, I also roast these tomatoes, to bring out the 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. Good quality diced tomatoes are 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 the 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?

Ingredients For Tomato Bisque Recipe

Here's a description of the ingredients used in making tomato bisque with canned tomatoes:

1. Canned Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes are a convenient alternative to fresh tomatoes. They provide the base for the soup, contributing a rich, tomato flavor and a smooth texture. The juice from the canned tomatoes also adds depth to the bisque.
2. Onion: Chopped onions are used to add a savory and aromatic base to the soup. When sautéed in olive oil, they become tender and sweet, enhancing the overall flavor.
3. Garlic: Minced garlic adds a pungent, savory flavor and aromatic quality to the bisque. It complements the tomatoes and onions beautifully.
4. Olive Oil: Olive oil is used for sautéing the onions and garlic. It imparts a mild, fruity flavor and helps create a silky texture in the soup.
5. Vegetable or Chicken Broth: Vegetable or chicken broth serves as the liquid component of the bisque. It adds depth, umami, and a savory note to the soup. Vegetable broth keeps the bisque vegetarian, while chicken broth offers a meatier flavor.
6. Heavy Cream (Optional): In most bisque recipes, cream is a key component. But in this recipe, I have used rice which makes this bisque creamy without adding any cream. Feel free to add cream for richer and a velvety mouthfeel to the soup.
7. Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning the bisque. They enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and allow you to adjust the taste to your preference.
8. Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): If you want a hint of spiciness in your bisque, red pepper flakes can be added. Use them sparingly to add a subtle kick to the soup.
9. Butter (Optional): Butter is an optional ingredient that can be added for extra richness. It gives the soup a luxurious quality.
10. Fresh Basil or Parsley (Garnish): Fresh herbs like basil or parsley are used to garnish the finished bisque. They add a burst of fresh flavor and a pop of color.

These ingredients come together to create a delicious and comforting tomato bisque with a balance of flavors and textures, making it a favorite soup for many.

How to make Creamy Tomato Bisque

Sharing a 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 the stovetop. Post includes Instant Pot and Stovetop directions.

Tomato Bisque using Instant Pot

1. Turn ON the sauté mode (more), when it displays "HOT", add oil, and butter.
2. Add onion, garlic, and carrots. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, rice, cayenne pepper, some salt, and black pepper to taste. 
4. Add broth, and mix well. Close the Instant Pot lid, pressure value on sealing.
5. Turn the Manual / Pressure Cook (high) for 10 minutes.
6. After the Instant Pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally, around 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, manually release the remaining pressure.
7. Open the Instant Pot. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to a smooth consistency.
8. Turn ON sauté mode (more). Add cream (optional), sugar, or honey to taste, and bring it to a gentle boil.
9. Adjust seasoning - salt and pepper as per taste. Turn OFF the sauté mode.
10. Garnish with some fresh basil, and drizzle some cream or croutons.
11. Tomato bisque is ready to be devoured. Enjoy!!

Stovetop Tomato Bisque Recipe

1. Heat a Dutch oven or a soup pot, and add oil and butter.
2. Add onion, garlic, and carrots. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, rice, cayenne pepper, some salt, and black pepper to taste. 
4. 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.
5. Remove the pot from the heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup to a smooth consistency.
6. Note: You can also blend the soup in a blender jar in batches.
7. Return the pot to the stove. Add cream (optional), sugar, or honey to taste, and bring it to a gentle boil.
8. Adjust seasoning - salt and pepper as per taste. Turn OFF the heat.
9. Garnish with some fresh basil, and drizzle some cream or croutons.
10. Tomato bisque is ready to be devoured. Enjoy!!

Storage

Tomato Bisque should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days to maintain its freshness and flavor. To reheat, gently warm the bisque on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent curdling, or use a microwave at lower power settings for even heating.

Tips

Here are some tips for making the perfect tomato bisque:

Choose Quality Canned Tomatoes: Opt for good-quality canned diced or whole tomatoes without added sugars or excessive preservatives for the best flavor in your bisque. When in season, you can use fresh tomatoes.

Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Take your time sautéing the onions and garlic until they're soft and fragrant. This step adds depth and sweetness to the soup. Use fresh garlic, it adds a ton of flavor to the bisque.

Choose Low Sodium Broth: For extra flavor, use broth. Low sodium broth helps control sodium intake. You can also use a bouillon, mix it with water as per package instructions, and use it.

Use White Rice: Rice gives this soup a nice creamy consistency without adding a whole lot of cream. Any variety of white rice would work in this recipe. The starch in the rice 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.

Make Bisque Vegan: Skip the dairy and add any natural, plant-based milk such as almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, or cream.

Sugar or Honey (Optional): helps balance the flavors, adjust to your taste. I prefer honey or brown sugar. You can use any sweetener of your choice.

Baking Soda (Optional): Sometimes tomatoes are quite tangy. Adding baking soda to bisque neutralizes the acid in the tomatoes. Thus, making the bisque taste less acidic or sour, and also preventing the cream from curdling when added to the soup.

If the bisque turns out to be tart, add a ¼ teaspoon of baking soda, mix well and bring a soup to a boil.

Variation to Tomato Bisque

Tomato Bisque with Fresh Tomatoes: Blanch the tomatoes in 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, and arrange the tomatoes on a baking sheet. Toss them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast the tomatoes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.

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

Lighter Version of Tomato Bisque: Use half-n-half, evaporated milk, or regular milk to keep it light.

Vegan Tomato Bisque: Skip the dairy and add any plant-based milk such as almond milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk. Instead of butter, use vegan butter or oil.

FAQ's

Healthy Soup Recipes

More Nourishing Soups