This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Table of Contents
  1. Vegan Tomato Soup Ingredients
  2. How to Make Vegan Tomato Soup
  3. What to Serve with Vegan Tomato Soup
  4. Common Questions
  5. More Vegan Soup Recipe Ideas
  6. Vegan Tomato Soup Recipe

Creamy vegan tomato soup instantly takes me back to my childhood. A big bowl with a grilled cheese sandwich was my ideal lunch on a rainy day. My friend Lindsey told me she sneaks in fresh zucchini and carrots to hers and I had to give it a shot. It was phenomenal with the additional vegetables, which is why I’m sharing it with you.

Ingredients for vegan tomato soup on cutting board.

Vegan Tomato Soup Ingredients

Wondering how this vegan tomato soup version compares to traditional heavy cream-based tomato soups? Letโ€™s take a look at the vegan-friendly ingredients I’m using in this recipe:

  • Avocado Oil: A heart-healthy fat perfect for sautรฉing, avocado oil adds smooth richness while keeping the soup dairy-free. You can swap for olive oil or coconut oil, if you prefer.
  • Yellow Onion: Packed with antioxidants, onions not only bring a savory foundation to the soup but also offer numerous health benefits, like supporting heart health and fighting inflammation.
  • Carrots: Add natural sweetness and a vibrant color to the soup while loaded with beta-carotene.
  • Celery: This versatile veggie adds a hint of earthiness and a satisfying crunch, balancing out the flavors of the tomato and other ingredients.
  • Garlic: Rich in antioxidants, garlic not only adds a robust, aromatic flavor but also supports immune function and heart health.
  • Zucchini: With a mild flavor and creamy texture, zucchini blends seamlessly into the soup, providing nutrients like fiber that help thicken the soup.
  • Vegetable Stock: Opt for low-sodium vegetable stock or vegetable broth for the best flavor. It forms the base of the soup, adding richness and depth to every spoonful. I can even show you how to make vegetable stock.
  • Diced Tomatoes: The key ingredient, diced tomatoes bring a burst of tangy, bold flavor. Tomatoes are also packed with vitamins and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that supports skin and heart health. You can also use fire-roasted tomatoes, which I did in my Fire-Roasted Tomato Soup recipe or roast cherry tomatoes in the oven to make from scratch.
  • Italian Seasoning: A blend of classic herbs like oregano and basil, Italian seasoning enhances the soupโ€™s flavors with fragrant, earthy notes. Add in red pepper flakes and black pepper if you like spiciness.
  • Cashew Cream: A vegan-friendly alternative to heavy cream, cashew cream provides a luscious, creamy texture and additional protein without any added dairy.
  • Fresh Basil Leaves: A vibrant and aromatic finishing touch, fresh basil complements the tomatoes and enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Stainless steel pot of tomato soup on stove.

How to Make Vegan Tomato Soup

This one-pot vegan soup recipe can be made in 45 minutes with a few basic steps. To speed up the process, you can buy onions, carrots and celery pre-diced. Follow along for step by step instructions to make this:

  1. Heat some avocado oil over medium heat in a stock pot. Mix in some diced onion and add a touch of salt for flavor.
  2. Stir frequently while cooking for 7 minutes, or until the onions show signs of softening.
  3. Add in sliced carrots and celery and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. 
  4. Mix in chopped zucchini and cook until it starts to become tender. Since you are going to puree your tomato soup, no need to peel the zucchini.
  5. Stir in the vegetable stock, diced tomatoes, and your Italian herbs. 
  6. Bring just to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until the vegetables become very soft and tender.
  7. Puree the soup using an immersion blender. If youโ€™ve got a regular blender with a heat-safe container, you can puree the soup with that, just make sure you work in batches to avoid a soup explosion in your kitchen!
  8. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with your choice of toppings (I like to add in cashew cream, fresh basil or vegan parmesan cheese sprinkle). 

How to Store Vegan Tomato Soup

After cooling the soup fully, pour into 2-cup Souper Cubes or your fav freezer safe containers (leaving room for expansion) and freeze. When ready to enjoy, reheat the cubes in microwave or stove top.

Serving a creamy vegan tomato soup on a rustic wooden cutting board.

What to Serve with Vegan Tomato Soup

The right side dish can turn a soup into a truly satisfying meal. The follow ideas pair beautiful with my vegan tomato soup:

  • Crusty Bread or Garlic Toast: Great for soaking up the soupโ€™s flavors.
  • Green Salad: Adds freshness and a crispy texture. Try my lemon arugula salad for a tasty crunch.
  • Avocado Toast or Croutons: Adds creamy or crunchy toppings for extra texture.
  • Vegan Quesadilla or Vegan Grilled Cheese: A satisfying, hearty option for the cheese lovers.
  • Stuffed Sweet Potato: A comforting side with natural sweetness. My Loaded Sweet Potato is always a winner.

Common Questions

Is traditional tomato soup vegan?

Traditional tomato soup contains dairy in the form of cream or milk. A vegan tomato soup recipe swaps dairy for coconut milk or cashews to create a super creamy soup. I like to puree once everything is cooked through, then add a dollop of cashew cream (or vegan sour cream) to bump up the cream factor.

Is vegan tomato soup good for you?

It can be! If you’re choosing a canned soup, read the ingredients… canned soup companies love sneaking in additives, preservatives and dyes to their soups. If you want to control what goes into your soup, then make it at home. My tomato soup recipe is loaded with a variety of vegetables yet is still super creamy and flavored like the tomato soup of my childhood.

What type of tomatoes are best for tomato soup?

I use Muir Glen brand diced tomatoes. They are organic and taste great! If you use fresh tomatoes I recommend using brandywine. They’ve got the best flavor for tomato soup.

More Vegan Soup Recipe Ideas

These vegan soup recipes are high in flavor and veggies, making them extra filling. Grab an insulated water bottle or thermos to enjoy any of these on the go:

Let me know in the comments how this vegan tomato soup turned out for you. Itโ€™s a Hansard family favorite recipeโ€” I hope it can be on regular rotation for you, too!

Two bowls of vegan tomato soup topped with vegan cream and basil leaves on a wooden table next to two spoons.
4.64 from 671 votes

Vegan Tomato Soup

Vegan tomato soup makes for a creamy and nutritious meal using canned tomatoes, herbs, zucchini and carrots to boost nutritional content without sacrificing on flavor. I loaded this soup up with a variety of veggies, yet it still tastes like my momma's recipe from my childhood.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Entree, Soup
Cuisine: Healing, Vegan
Serves: 4

Ingredients  

  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • โ…› tsp sea salt
  • โ…› tsp black pepper
  • 2 carrots peeled and sliced
  • 1 ribs celery chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 zucchini sliced
  • 3 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 cups diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Toppings

Instructions 

  • Warm oil over medium-high heat in stock pot. Add onion and season with a little salt. Cook, stirring often, for 7 minutes or until the onion starts to soften.
  • Add carrots and celery and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add the zucchini and cook for a few minutes, until it starts to soften.
  • Stir in vegetable stock, tomatoes, and Italian herbs. Bring just to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are very soft and tender.
  • Remove soup from heat then blend using an immersion blender to puree soup. If you prefer it chunky, blend less.
  • Season to taste with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve with your choice of toppings.
Save this recipe
Enter your email to get this recipe sent to you, plus enjoy weekly healthy recipes.

Notes

  • Fire-roasted tomatoes (canned) gives this dish a rich, robust flavor that I am obsessed with.
  • Feel free to spice this soup up with red pepper flakes, paprika, or fresh chopped chili peppers.
  • You can use olive oil or coconut oil in place of avocado oil.
  • If you have a blender that is heat-safe, then you can use a regular blender over an immersion blender. If your blender container is not heat safe, then allow your cooked soup to cool down before adding to the blender in batches to blend. If you want to serve after blending, reheat to eating temp after pureed.
  • To keep this soup nut-free swap out the cashew cream topping for a dairy-free sour cream of your choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Sodium: 821mg, Potassium: 720mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 5723IU, Vitamin C: 24mg, Calcium: 85mg, Iron: 4mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

You might Also Love…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rating





Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Super tasty! Paired it with grilled cheese sandwiches and it was a wonderful meal on this cold rainy day!

  2. 4 stars
    Followed the recipe exactly with regard to timing, ingredients and amounts. Really amazing flavor! Used the emersion blender and it was still a bit โ€œchewyโ€. Simmered another 20 minutes and used the emersion blender again with comparable results. Put in VitaMix on the โ€œhot soupโ€ setting but did not run for the full time as it was already hot (unknown timeframe). Result was a smooth, creamy soup. Not as โ€œtomato-yโ€ in flavor and color as I expected, but quite delicious and creamy without even adding the cashew cream. Will still do that though lol.

  3. 2 stars
    My husband and I enjoyed this soup with the cashew cream. It was truthfully โ€œjust okโ€ I felt it was missing something…..it tasted slightly bitter .

  4. 4 stars
    Had a good tomato taste. Was easy to prepare. I used the fire roasted tomato instead of plain. Next time I would add a little more spice.

  5. 5 stars
    Delicious! I donโ€™t really like tomato soup, but this was wonderful. Full of flavor. Not too strong. Family loved it. We will be making it again!

  6. 4 stars
    Souper simple soup! Instead of Italian seasoning (which I did not have) I just threw in some red crushed pepper and cumin. I put red crushed pepper in everything, so it is fine!
    Took nearly as long to make the cashew cream as it did the soup!

  7. 5 stars
    This soup is easy to make and so delicious. My son even loves it. Be sure to make extra.

  8. 5 stars
    This was a hit! Two out of three kids loved it, always a win in my house. I did not add the cream, fresh basil hit the spot. This recipe will make a regular rotation in my house. Maybe if I had the cream for the other kid I will have a complete win.

  9. 5 stars
    This was so easy to make and very good canโ€™t wait to try all the other soups

  10. 5 stars
    Since going Whole Food Plant Based, Iโ€™ve been looking for a tomato soup, tried a few, none really did it for me. This one hit the spot! I added a few more seasonings. Yum

  11. 5 stars
    Very tasty tomato soup, but I must confess. I used homemade lobster broth and added leftover mahi-mahi from last night. Sorry vegansโ€ฆ. The cashew cream also was a great addition

  12. 5 stars
    This was a very tasty soup and I love all the vegetables that were added. It’s definitely a way to hide veggies in a meal. My picky 10 year old son even loved it!

  13. 5 stars
    This Vegan Tomato soup is delicious, the whole family loved it.. We will definitely be making this again.

  14. 5 stars
    Delicious and forgiving. Sauteed ingredients plus fennel ( cuz I had it ) and added salted water and made broth( i did not have any on hand) out of the vegetables. Added diced tomatoes ,seasoned and simmered before blending. Its filling and yielded quite a bit .I love it with basil and will add Forager cashew yogurt for my daughter on a GFCF diet tonight. Thank you!