This Trader Joe’s Tomato Soup is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with canned tomatoes and butter. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 50 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Tomato Soup Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 large onion, cut into large wedges
- 1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes, we prefer whole peeled tomatoes or crushed
- 1 ½ cups water, low sodium vegetable stock, or chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, or more to taste
How To Make Trader Joe’s Tomato Soup
- Sauté the onion: Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion wedges and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.
- Simmer the soup: Add the water (or stock), the canned tomatoes with their juices, and ½ teaspoon of salt to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook until tender: Continue to cook, uncovered, for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onions should be very soft and the flavors melded.
- Blend the soup: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot until it reaches your desired consistency. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender.
- Season and serve: Taste the soup and season with more salt if needed. Serve hot.

Recipe Tips
- How to make it extra creamy? For an even richer, creamier soup, you can stir in a splash of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk after blending.
- Can I use fresh tomatoes? Yes. For this recipe, you can substitute the canned tomatoes with about 2 pounds of fresh, ripe tomatoes (like Roma or vine-ripened). There’s no need to peel them as everything gets blended at the end.
- How to make it vegan? To make a vegan version of this soup, simply substitute the butter with an equal amount of good-quality extra-virgin olive oil or a plant-based butter.
- Can I add herbs? Absolutely. For a classic tomato basil soup, add a handful of fresh basil leaves to the pot just before you blend it.
What To Serve With Tomato Soup
This classic soup is a perfect partner for all the comforting favorites.
- A classic grilled cheese sandwich for dipping
- Buttery croutons or oyster crackers
- A slice of crusty bread with butter
- A simple side salad
How To Store Tomato Soup
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavor is often even better the next day.
- Freeze: This soup freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tomato Soup Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: Half of the recipe
- Calories: 348kcal
- Fat: 24.9g
- Carbohydrates: 29.6g
- Protein: 7.8g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Blending the soup creates its signature creamy texture. However, if you prefer a more rustic, chunky soup, you can use a potato masher to break up the tomatoes and onions directly in the pot.
This recipe is a great example of how a few high-quality ingredients can create a delicious and satisfying dish. The simplicity allows the rich flavor of the tomatoes to be the star.
Yes, the recipe notes that you can use water, vegetable stock, or chicken stock interchangeably depending on what you have on hand and your dietary preferences.
Trader Joe’s Tomato Soup Recipe
Course: SoupsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes45
minutes348
kcalA simple, 4-ingredient recipe for a rich and creamy tomato soup that tastes like it simmered for hours, but is ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
4 tbsp unsalted butter
½ large onion, cut into wedges
1 (28-oz) can tomatoes
1 ½ cups water or stock
½ tsp fine sea salt
Directions
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion wedges.
- Add the water or stock, the canned tomatoes with their juices, and the salt.
- Bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 40 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the soup to your desired consistency.
- Taste and season with more salt if needed. Serve hot.
Notes
- An immersion blender is the safest and easiest way to puree the hot soup.
- For the best flavor, use high-quality canned whole peeled or crushed tomatoes.
- This is a fantastic base recipe; feel free to add fresh herbs, a splash of cream, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Don’t be afraid to let the soup simmer for the full 40 minutes; this is key to developing the deep tomato flavor.
