As the summer season winds down, I’m dusting off my box of soup recipe cards and other warm and hearty dishes. This Tomato Bisque has long been on my list (probably after I made this Lobster Bisque about a year ago), so this is the perfect time to finally get it up on the blog to welcome the new season.

Tomato Bisque vs. Tomato Soup

I’m probably one of those few who believe there’s a fine line between a tomato bisque and tomato soup. Tomato soup is more liquidy, while bisque has a distinct thick, velvety texture (compared to soups). Another difference is that tomato soups are generally served hot, while tomato bisque can be served either hot or cold.

Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients for this bisque are pretty simple. In fact, I’ve served this dish numerous times on busy weeknights, and it’s always a hit. Here are just a few of the ingredients for today’s smooth and comforting tomato bisque:

How to Make Tomato Bisque

Prepare the Base

Saute the Seasonings – In a large, heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and pour olive oil. Add minced garlic, fresh thyme, onions, and celery. Cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until vegetables are soft and beginning to get brown.Make the Roux – Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and frequently stir over low heat for about a minute until the mixture is smooth and the flour is fully incorporated. This helps to thicken the soup later.

Make the Soup

Add the Liquids – Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and brown sugar. Season the soup with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste.Simmer – Cover partially and cook the soup over moderate heat, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Make sure to scoop the bottom of the pan every 5 minutes to avoid burning.Puree – Allow the soup to cool off slightly, then transfer the soup to a blender in batches and blend on high until smooth and silky. Return the puree to the saucepan.Finishing Touches – Add the heavy cream and cook until the soup is just heated through. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with basil or parsley and serve with croutons. Bisque is best served warm or hot.

Recipe Variations

Tips and Tricks

Make-Ahead Instructions

This tomato bisque recipe is an excellent make-ahead dish. Let the finished bisque cool down to room temperature and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan and serve as usual.

Serving and Storage

The advantage of bisque over soup is that it doesn’t have to be steaming hot. Serve this deliciousness in a bowl and top it with grated parmesan and homemade croutons for the win. Bisque can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days or kept in a tightly sealed, freezer-safe container and frozen for six months. If you are purposely making tomato bisque for freezing, leave out the cream and add it when reheating it. It’s easy to reheat in a saucepan on low heat. If you’ve frozen it before adding the cream, heat it to barely a simmer, then add the cream.

What to Serve with Tomato Bisque

Honestly, you can enjoy it as a meal starter or a full meal paired with a grilled cheese sandwich or homemade garlic bread. Dunk ’em all the way!  Although tomato bisque is hearty enough to be a complete meal, it certainly pairs well with any main dish. Take meatloaf or beer can chicken, for example, and add a tossed salad or seasonal fruit for a soul-satisfying dinner.

More Comforting  Soup Recipes

Chicken Tortilla SoupCream of Mushroom SoupBeef Barley SoupVegetable SoupTrinidad Style Corn SoupMinestrone Soup

Closing Thoughts

This velvety cream tomato bisque is the perfect summer, fall, or winter soup substitute. Are you hungry for more delicious recipes? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube for all the updates. Happy eating!

Watch How To Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”2f5J1BhD” upload-date=”2020-10-13T05:23:07.000Z” name=”Tomato Bisque” description=”Tomato Bisque – rich, creamy and smooth tomato bisque made with fresh or canned tomatoes and a touch of cream. A very comforting dish as a starter or a full meal with or without any accompaniment!” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”] This was blog post was last published in August 2019 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.

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