Slow-Simmered Heirloom Tomato and Herb Soup
A slow-simmered soup capturing the essence of vintage home cooking, made with heirloom tomatoes and herbs for a taste of culinary history. This american-inspired soups ready in about 90 minutes pairs heirloom tomatoes, onion, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups, chopped heirloom tomatoes
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 2, chopped carrots
- 2 stalks, chopped celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup, optional heavy cream
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks, cooking for 8 minutes until softened and onions are translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 cups chopped heirloom tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth, bringing to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until tomatoes break down.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches).
- Step 5: Return to pot, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and season with salt and pepper. For creaminess, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and heat through without boiling.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Heirloom Tomato and Herb Soup take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (25 min prep + 65 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Simmered Heirloom Tomato and Herb Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep heirloom tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Heirloom Tomato and Herb Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Simmered Heirloom Tomato and Herb Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Simmered Heirloom Tomato and Herb Soup?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
