Creamy Smoked Tomato Basil Soup (Panera Copycat Recipe)
Savor the velvety richness of this Creamy Smoked Tomato Basil Soup, a delightful Panera copycat recipe with perfectly balanced flavors.
I can’t believe fall has come and nearly gone already! While we don’t have snow yet, the chill in the air is a reminder that it definitely on its way.
This time of year calls for cozy socks and sweaters, snuggly blankets by the fireplace, and food that warms the body and soul.
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For me, a bowl of soup is the perfect comfort food on a cold winter day. Today, I’m sharing a homemade tomato soup recipe with you to add to your collection this season.
There are no fancy ingredients or complicated steps to follow. The main ingredient in this incredibly easy recipe is fresh tomatoes and it has a wonderfully warm smoky flavor.
My boys love this homemade soup with a classic grilled cheese sandwich on the side. You could also serve it with different toppings, like Parmesan cheese and croutons. Or how about a swirl of cream? So delicious!
Ingredients
- Large beefsteak tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves
- Garlic cloves
- Chicken broth or turkey stock
**Using vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock will give you a completely vegan tomato soup.
Instructions
1. Place the tomatoes in a cast iron skillet and drizzle with olive oil.
2. Smoke for 2 hours at 165 degrees F.
3. Remove the tomatoes from the smoker and peel off the skins.
4. Place ingredients in a large soup pot and heat on medium.
5. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes before using an immersion blender to puree tomatoes and basil to a smooth consistency.
Alternate Ingredients
- For a creamy tomato basil soup, stir in some milk or heavy cream after you have blended it.
- If you are concerned about keeping it dairy-free, but still want a creamy soup, try including almond milk or full fat coconut milk.
- If you are keeping track of your salt intake, use a low-sodium broth.
- Include a chopped large yellow onion and a couple of red bell peppers in the soup. You can smoke the peppers with the tomatoes or just add them to the pot to cook.
- Red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce would add some extra spice.
- Other fresh herbs, like parsley, would make delicious additions.
Tips and Tricks
- Most soup recipes work equally well in a slow cooker as on the stove. Give it a try!
- Make your own soup stock at home. You can then freeze it in a freezer-safe container and pull it out when you need it. You can do this with chicken, beef, or turkey stock.
- In my opinion, using an immersion blender is the easiest way to achieve a really smooth texture to your pureed soup. If you don’t have one, you can use a stand blender instead.
- Store any leftover soup in the fridge in an airtight container.
The next time you are in the mood for heartwarming comfort food, make a batch of this deliciously smoky classic tomato soup. It will quickly become a new family favorite, I promise! If you want even more delicious soup recipes, try this vegetarian borscht, a creamy butternut squash soup, or old-fashioned potato soup.
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Creamy Smoked Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 6 large beefsteak tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
- 3-4 garlic cloves
- 4 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Place the tomatoes in a cast iron skillet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Smoke for 2 hours at 165 degrees F.
- Remove the tomatoes from the smoker and peel off the skins.
- Place ingredients in a large soup pot and heat on medium.
- Allow to simmer for 30 minutes before using an immersion blender to puree tomatoes and basil to a smooth consistency.
Notes
- Most soup recipes work equally well in a slow cooker as on the stove. Give it a try!
- Make your own soup stock at home. You can then freeze it in a freezer-safe container and pull it out when you need it. You can do this with chicken, beef, or turkey stock**.
- In my opinion, using an immersion blender is the easiest way to achieve a really smooth texture to your pureed soup. If you don't have one, you can use a stand blender instead.
Nutrition
