Olivia Carter
Making tomato soup in a slow cooker is a fantastic way to create a rich and flavorful dish that requires minimal effort. Slow cooking allows the flavors of the ingredients to meld together, resulting in a delicious and comforting soup that can be enjoyed any time of the year. Whether you’re looking for a versatile meal option or a cozy dinner on a chilly evening, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings.
To start, gather all the necessary ingredients, including fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, and a variety of herbs and spices. The beauty of making tomato soup in a slow cooker is that you can adjust the ingredients to suit your personal taste preferences. For a deeper flavor, you can opt for fire-roasted tomatoes or add a dash of balsamic vinegar. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!
Begin by sautéing the onions and garlic in a little olive oil until they become soft and translucent. This step helps to enhance the flavors and adds depth to the soup. Then, transfer the sautéed onions and garlic into the slow cooker. Add the fresh tomatoes, vegetable broth, and your desired herbs and spices. A combination of basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper works well, but feel free to get creative and experiment with different seasonings.
Cover the slow cooker and let the soup simmer on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. Slow cooking allows the flavors to develop and intensify, resulting in a rich and satisfying soup. Once the soup has finished cooking, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the ingredients until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier soup, you can skip this step and leave some texture.
Once the soup has been blended to your desired consistency, serve it hot and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or a dollop of sour cream. Pair it with crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich for a complete and satisfying meal. The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing you to enjoy it as leftovers or freeze it for future meals.
So, why not give this easy and delicious tomato soup recipe a try? With a slow cooker, you can create a flavorful and comforting dish that will warm your soul and impress your taste buds. Gather your ingredients, set it and forget it, and come home to the mouthwatering aroma of homemade tomato soup.
How to Cook Tomato Soup
If you want to make a delicious tomato soup from scratch, follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of fresh tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 cup of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. Chop the onion and garlic cloves. Cut the tomatoes into quarters.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook until they become soft and translucent.
3. Add the quartered tomatoes to the pot and cook for about 10 minutes, until they start to break down.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, until the tomatoes are completely soft.
5. Remove the pot from the heat and let the soup cool slightly. Then, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the soup until it reaches a smooth consistency.
6. Return the soup to the pot and stir in the sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7. Serve the tomato soup hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
Now you know how to cook a delicious tomato soup from scratch. Enjoy!
Prep Your Ingredients
Before you can start making your delicious tomato soup in a slow cooker, you’ll need to gather and prep your ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of tomatoes, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, grated
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 can (14 ounces) of diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Once you have all your ingredients, it’s time to start prepping them. Begin by chopping the tomatoes into smaller pieces and dicing the onion and celery. Make sure to mince the garlic cloves and grate the carrot as well.
In a slow cooker, combine the chopped tomatoes, diced onion, minced garlic, grated carrot, and diced celery. Add the vegetable broth and canned diced tomatoes. Stir everything together to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
Next, it’s time to add the seasonings. Sprinkle in the dried basil and oregano, and place the bay leaf on top of the mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
With all the ingredients prepped and in the slow cooker, you’re now ready to let the magic happen. Simply cover the slow cooker with its lid, set it to low heat, and let the soup simmer for 6-8 hours, or until the tomatoes are softened and the flavors have melded together.
Once the cooking time is up, remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender or carefully transfer the soup to a countertop blender to puree until smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids to avoid any accidents.
With your tomato soup smooth and velvety, it’s now ready to be served. Ladle it into bowls, and if desired, garnish with fresh basil leaves or a dollop of sour cream. Your homemade tomato soup is now ready to be enjoyed!
Use the Slow Cooker
To make tomato soup in a slow cooker, you will need to gather the following ingredients:
- 2 pounds of fresh tomatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream
Start by washing and quartering the fresh tomatoes. Place them in the slow cooker along with the chopped onion and minced garlic. Add the vegetable broth, sugar, salt, black pepper, basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary to the cooker.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until the tomatoes are tender. Once the tomatoes are cooked, use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the soup to a blender and blend in batches until smooth. Just make sure to be careful when blending hot liquids.
After pureeing the soup, return it to the slow cooker and stir in the heavy cream. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for an additional 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Once the tomato soup is ready, serve it hot with a garnish of fresh herbs or a dollop of sour cream. The slow cooker method results in a rich and flavorful tomato soup that is perfect for a comforting meal.
Season and Spice
Seasoning is an essential step in making delicious tomato soup in a slow cooker. It helps to enhance the flavors and bring out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Here are some seasoning options to consider:
1. Salt and Pepper
The classic combination of salt and pepper can never go wrong. Add a generous pinch of both to season your tomato soup. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly before serving.
2. Herbs
Herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary can add a burst of flavors to your tomato soup. You can use fresh or dried herbs based on your preference. Add them to the slow cooker at the beginning with the other ingredients for a more infused flavor.
| Herb | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Basil | Earthy and slightly sweet |
| Oregano | Pungent and slightly bitter |
| Thyme | Earthy and slightly minty |
| Rosemary | Woody and fragrant |
You can experiment with different combinations of herbs to create your own unique flavor profile.
Serve and Enjoy
Once the tomato soup is cooked and ready, you can serve it in a variety of ways and enjoy its rich flavors. Here are a few suggestions:
- Serve the tomato soup hot in bowls as a comforting and satisfying meal on its own. You can pair it with some crusty bread or garlic toast for added texture.
- Add a dollop of cream or sour cream on top of the soup for a creamy and indulgent touch. Swirl it in for a beautiful presentation.
- Garnish the soup with freshly chopped herbs like basil or parsley for a pop of freshness and color.
- Serve the tomato soup as a starter before a main course. It pairs well with grilled cheese sandwiches or a salad for a complete and balanced meal.
- You can also serve the tomato soup in smaller portions as a part of a multi-course meal. It can be an elegant appetizer in a shot glass or small bowl.
No matter how you choose to serve the tomato soup, make sure to savor each spoonful and enjoy the comforting flavors of homemade goodness. Bon appétit!
Questions and answers
What are the ingredients for making tomato soup in a slow cooker?
The ingredients for making tomato soup in a slow cooker are tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, basil, and heavy cream.
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes?
Yes, you can use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes. Just make sure to drain the excess liquid from the canned tomatoes before adding them to the slow cooker.
