11 Best Spices for Tomato Soup (+Herbs for Soup w/ Tomatoes)

Tomato soup is a simple and delicious dish that can be enjoyed by all.

However, it can be made much better with a seasoning of the right spices.

Read Also:

• The 13 Best Toppings for Tomato Soup
• Tomato Soup Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Tomato Soups

Often, people tend to forget about spices when making tomato soup.

That is why I created this guide to help you out with what spices are good to put in tomato soup and make your meal much tastier.

See Also: 13 Best Tomatoes for Tomato Soup

11 Best Tomato Soup Spices And Seasonings

Tomato soup can be made with different types of spices, depending on the recipe. Some of the more popular ones include basil, oregano, thyme, garlic, onion, parsley, bay leaves, paprika, and cinnamon.

Looking for more?

Keep reading!

1. Basil

Tomato soup and basil are the best of friends.

See Also: What Salad Goes with Tomato Soup? 10 Best Salads

The earthy sweetness of the tomato soup is a perfect backdrop for the aromatic herbiness of the basil, which adds a sharp kick to balance out the soup’s creaminess.

While these two foods are perfectly delicious as an unadulterated duo, there are plenty of other herbs and spices that also play well with basil and tomato soup.

Some of our favorite additions include cilantro, oregano, chili powder, ginger, paprika, sage, and garlic.

When you’re searching for recipes that include these ingredients, keep in mind that they can be used in combination with each other in all sorts of ways.

You might consider trying:

1. Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
2. Tomato Basil Soup
3. Best-Ever Tomato-Basil Soup (Made with Fresh Tomatoes!)

2. Thyme

Tomatoes and thyme were practically made for each other.

Thyme isn’t just a great herb to use in tomato soup, it also goes well with oregano, basil, and rosemary.

For a savory tomato soup, try using all of these herbs together.

For a sweeter tomato soup, you can combine thyme with parsley, cinnamon, or cardamom!

If you’re looking for some recipes that include both tomato soup and thyme, we have some great options for you:

1. Homemade Tomato Soup with Thyme
2. Creamy Tomato Thyme Soup
3. Roasted Tomato Soup with Lemon and Thyme

3. Oregano

Have you ever had tomato soup and thought, “Man, this could be a lot better?”

Us too.

But we found the secret ingredient that can make all the difference: Oregano.

It’s true!

Oregano is the perfect herb to add to your tomato soup.

It adds just the right kick while still maintaining that classic tomato taste.

The best way to use oregano in tomato soup is to add it at the beginning of the cooking process.

This will give it a chance to meld with other ingredients, like garlic or onion, while they soften and release their flavors into the broth.

If you prefer your oregano to be more distinct, add it toward the end of cooking so that its flavor doesn’t get lost among other herbs and spices.

If you’re looking for a great recipe that uses both oregano and tomatoes, these tomato soup recipes are a great place to start:

1. Chunky Fresh Tomato Oregano Soup
2. Rustic Tomato Herb Soup
3. Tomato Cream Soup with Basil and Oregano

4. Parsley

Parsley and tomato soup are a match made in heaven.

Parsley’s fresh flavor pairs perfectly with the rich, savory taste of tomatoes.

Even better, parsley is versatile enough to mix with other herbs and spices to create some great-tasting dishes.

Here are some tips on how to combine parsley with other herbs and spices for the best results:

• Parsley’s bright, green flavor complements basil’s sweet notes for a perfect pairing. Together, these two create an abundance of flavor that will make your tomato soup sing.
• Parsley’s herbal flavor can add a layer of complexity when combined with black pepper’s distinct heat.
• You can’t go wrong with oregano and parsley, which together offer a strong but sweet herbal taste that works well with the savory nature of tomatoes.
• You don’t need to stick to just one or two other herbs or spices when you’re experimenting! Sprinkling in some rosemary alongside parsley and basil will give your dish an extra dash of originality.

Looking for some recipes where these foods pair well? Try these:

1. Tomato and Parsley Soup Recipe
2. Herbed Tomato Soup Recipe
3. Tomato soup with gremolata

5. Chili powder

Whether you’re making a soup, dipping your bread in it, or just enjoying it on its own, tomato soup is a classic.

And when you look at a classic like this, you want to find ways to make it better—to elevate the flavors and bring out the best in them.

A great way to do that is with chili powder.

There’s no denying that tomato soup has got some heat of its own, but chili powder takes it to the next level: it enhances that heat and brings out the boldness of the tomato’s flavor.

What’s more, chili powder pairs perfectly with other spices and herbs common in soups: oregano, basil, garlic, paprika…

It can also make for some delicious baked goods (and not just cornbread!).

So if you’re looking for a way to spice up your tomato soup game, consider adding some chili powder. You won’t regret it!

Check out these spicier versions of tomato soup:

1. Spicy Tomato Soup
2. Easy Tomato Soup Chili
3. Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup Recipe

6. Cayenne powder

Tomato soup and cayenne powder are an incredible pairing.

The cayenne has a warmth that really complements the tomatoes.

This spice’s hotness isn’t overwhelming, though—it just brings out the best in both flavors.

If you’re looking for a way to make your tomato soup taste even more like… tomatoes, then this is the spice for you!

Cayenne also pairs well with basil and oregano, giving your soup a bright freshness.

If you feel like a change of pace, try making chili instead of soup!

You can use the same ingredients, just go with ground beef instead of stew meat and add in some beans or corn.

You won’t regret it!

Finally, once you’ve mastered these flavor combinations, why not try them out in these recipes?

1. Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
2. Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
3. Creamy Tomato Bisque

7. Pepper

The peppery, tangy flavor of tomato soup pairs perfectly with a pinch of pepper, whether it’s black, white or green!

Since pepper is strong enough to stand up to the tangy tomato flavor, you can use it in conjunction with other herbs and spices without worrying about overpowering them.

• Try adding a dash of cumin, oregano and paprika to your bowl.
• If you like your soup spicy, try adding some chili powder.
• When using pepper in your tomato soup, be careful not to add too much at once!

It’s so easy to get carried away when seasoning food with this spice.

If you’re looking for ways to use these two ingredients together, be sure to check out these recipes:

1. Roasted tomato and red pepper soup
2. Roast Red Pepper & Tomato Soup
3. Easy Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup

8. Rosemary

We’ve found the perfect herb to not only complement this delicious dish but really bring it to the next level: Rosemary.

If you haven’t tried tomato soup with rosemary yet, you don’t even know what you’re missing.

These two foods were made for each other.

But don’t just take our word for it—here are some tips on how to use this spice/herb in combination with other herbs and spices:

• Rosemary is best used with herbs that have a milder flavor, like basil, cilantro, parsley, and tarragon.
• Try sprinkling in some of these herbs with your rosemary when you cook up a batch of tomato soup.
• Don’t go crazy—a little goes a long way!

If you want to get real crazy (and why wouldn’t you?), try adding these extra-special ingredients to your tomato soup while it cooks:

• crispy bacon bits
• fresh basil
• fresh spinach

If you’re looking for some recipes that feature rosemary and tomato soup together, try these out:

1. Roasted Tomato Rosemary Soup
2. Creamy Roasted Tomato & Rosemary Soup
3. Rosemary White Bean Tomato Soup

9. Paprika

Paprika is known for its ability to improve the flavor of tomato soup.

It’s no surprise, really.

Paprika, a spice made from dried sweet peppers, adds a smoky, sometimes spicy kick to soups and stews and can help your tomato soup taste even richer than it already does.

Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of paprika in your tomato soup:

• Add it to the pan with a little butter or oil before you even add your onions or tomatoes. Let it cook in the oil/butter for a minute or two before adding your tomatoes and onions. This will make sure that both your paprika and your tomatoes get some time to caramelize, which will give them both an extra rich flavor – and will help bring out the natural sweetness of your tomatoes.
• Try adding some chili powder along with the paprika. This will give you more of a spicy kick if you’re into that sort of thing.
• Try mixing in some ground ginger or cayenne pepper for another layer of spice and heat.

Here are some great recipes that use both paprika and tomato soup:

1. Roasted Tomato and Paprika Soup
2. Smoky Tomato Soup with Gruyère Toasts
3. Lentil, tomato and paprika soup with crispy kale

10. Celery salt

Celery salt is a classic combination with tomato soup.

However, celery salt can also be used to enhance other spices in your spice cabinet.

For instance, try adding celery salt to basil or oregano to bring out the herbiness of both spices and make them work together even better.

Here are some recipes where celery salt is combined with tomato soup:

1. Simple Tomato Soup
2. Easy Homemade Tomato Soup
3. Roasted Tomato Soup

11. Onion powder

You might think of onion powder as the main ingredient in your onion dip, but it’s truly more versatile than that.

Onion powder is a great cornerstone to build your tomato soup on.

So why do they go so well together?

Well, tomato and onion are both part of the nightshade family. They’re cousins!

That means they’re related and that they’re going to play nice with each other.

Now, I’m not saying you should put them in the same aisle at your wedding or anything like that, but you can definitely put them in the same bowl in a soup.

Here are some tips on how to use onion powder to enhance your tomato soup:

• Use it as a “pinch” salt and pepper substitute—it has a similar heat profile to black pepper
• Add it after cooking, when you’re seasoning your soup (like you would with salt)
• Use it as part of a blend of herbs and spices for your tomato soup (I like to mix onion powder with cumin and basil for a super-fresh flavor twist)

If you want to try out a new tomato soup recipe with onion powder in it, give these a shot:

1. Quick and easy Tomato Soup
2. Easy Tomato Basil Soup (with onion powder)
3. Classic Tomato Soup

FAQs

What are some essential spice combinations to enhance the flavor of my dishes?

To enhance the flavor of your dishes with essential spice combinations, consider experimenting with various seasonings like cumin, paprika, and turmeric. These spices can not only elevate the taste of your soup but also provide potential health benefits.

Where can I find a variety of soup recipes suitable for different dietary preferences?

For a variety of soup recipes catering to different dietary preferences and life styles, consult a health nutritionist, or browse trusted websites and cookbooks. You can find soups with various broths, such as vegetable, chicken, or beef, to accommodate different diets.

Can you recommend a healthy and delicious recipe that’s both easy to make and budget-friendly?

A healthy and delicious recipe that’s both easy to make and budget-friendly is a classic tomato soup. Start with a tomato broth, add seasonings like basil and oregano, and finish with a touch of hot sauce for an extra kick. This soup can be served with a side of grilled cheese for added comfort.

What is a simple tomato soup recipe that requires minimal ingredients?

A simple tomato soup recipe requires just a few ingredients: tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, and seasonings. You can enhance the flavor by adding a dollop of hot sauce. Pair this tomato soup with a classic grilled cheese sandwich for a complete meal.

How can I customize a basic tomato soup recipe to make it vegan or vegetarian?

To customize a basic tomato soup recipe for vegans or vegetarians, substitute the chicken or beef broth with vegetable broth. You can also add more vegetables, such as bell peppers and zucchini, to increase the nutritional value. Serve your customized tomato soup with a vegan grilled cheese sandwich made from dairy-free cheese.

What are some tips for freezing and reheating homemade tomato soup to maintain its taste and quality?

When freezing and reheating homemade tomato soup, follow these tips to maintain its taste and quality: let the soup cool to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers, leave some space for expansion during freezing, and thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating. When you’re ready to enjoy the soup again, pair it with a freshly made grilled cheese for a satisfying meal.

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