Easy 20-Minute Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Dairy Free)

This is my new favorite tomato soup recipe, hands down.

Vertical image of two white bowls filled with tomato basil soup, with spoons, garnished with toasted cubes of bread and fresh chopped herbs, on a brown wood table topped with gray cloth placemats, with scattered pieces of bread and herbs, printed with orange and white text near the top and at the bottom of the frame.

Few things say “comfort food” more clearly than a bowl of tomato soup. It’s the simplest of foods, but it’s absolutely one of the most satisfying.

Especially when it is snowing outside.

We just got hit with another snowstorm here in Colorado, and it is chilly. I am sitting here wearing fuzzy socks and flannel, sipping hot chocolate as I try to warm up after shoveling the sidewalk.

As much as I felt like I was ready for summer to be over, I was kind of hoping to enjoy more of those crisp fall days… Instead, the snowy season set in quickly and it’s here to stay. At least that means that soup season is in full swing now, am I right?

Vertical overhead image of two white ceramic bowls filled with tomato soup, garnished with toasted bread cubes and chopped basil, on a brown wood surface with slices and pieces of bread and a sprig of fresh herbs, on pale gray cloth placemats.

This is all making me think back to the first time I made this recipe, and those memories are making me want to make it again.

Try it once, and you’re going to feel the same way about this simple dish.

A soup like this, seasoned with basil and made creamy with coconut milk, is one of those quick dinner solutions that I adore. The fact that it is completely dairy-free is just a fantastic bonus.

Making tomato soup from scratch is super easy. All you need are a few simple ingredients, and it can be prepared in only 20 minutes, making this the ideal weeknight meal.

I like to make sure that I use a canned tomato puree that is really high quality, whenever I can. Personally, I think San Marzano tomatoes yield the best results in terms of flavor. However, you can use whatever type of tomato puree you prefer.

The results are genuinely delicious, made with simple and straightforward ingredients. You really just need a blender and a large pot to bring it all together, so there isn’t a ton of cleanup involved either.

Vertical closely cropped image with selective focus. Two white bowls of red tomato soup with a spoon in the foreground, garnished with toasted bread cubes and fresh chopped herbs, on a brown wood surface topped with gray fabric placemats.

I only wish I had made a grilled cheese sandwich to go with my last bowlful… But I’m trying to cut back on the dairy and extra carbs after an epic trip to Europe that I took recently, particularly in the cheese department.

I’m pretty sure I devoured all of the dairy and carbs that it was physically possible to consume on this trip, and it was fantastic. However, there’s a reality check that happens when you get back and your pants feel just a little bit too tight…

Instead, I topped each bowlful of homemade comfort with a few toasted cubes of bread, a little shredded vegan cheese, and a sprinkling of fresh basil. You get the added bonus of those grilled cheese elements without the dairy, and with a little cut in the carbs and calories.

Vertical image of a manicured hand holding a spoon full of tomato soup, in front of two full bowls in the background, on a wood table topped with gray cloth placemats, with scattered fresh basil leaves.

If you want, you can even add a little extra swirl of coconut milk on top. It offers a touch of added creaminess, which is ideal when you are preparing this for anyone who consumes a dairy-free diet, but who at least once loved their dairy. A dollop of vegan sour cream would also make a nice addition.

I love to make a big batch of this soup on a lazy Sunday afternoon as part of my meal prep for the week ahead, especially when I know a snowstorm is in store. It doesn’t take long to prepare, and better yet, it’s so easy to reheat on the stove or even in the microwave. Paired with a light salad, this makes a wonderful lunch or light dinner.

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Horizontal image of a white bowl of homemade tomato soup, garnished with cubes of toasted bread and chipped fresh basil, on a brown table topped with gray cloth placemats, and scattered bread and herbs.

20-Minute Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (Dairy Free)


  • Author: Meghan Yager
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Description

Who says you can’t have comfort in a flash? Our creamy 20-minute tomato basil soup brings all the classic flavor you crave without any dairy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 28-ounce cans tomato puree, no salt added
  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 14-ounce can full fat coconut milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly chopped basil (or 1/4 teaspoon dried basil)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Cover and pulse for about 30 seconds, until well blended.
  2. Pour contents into a large pot and cook on the stove over medium-high heat until boiling, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  3. Taste and season with additional salt as desired. Serve immediately.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keywords: dairy-free, tomato soup, tomato, basil, coconut milk

Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Chop Basil and Measure Remaining Ingredients

Chop enough basil leaves until you have 1/2 teaspoon total. If you plan to use some for garnish as well, chop a little more.

Horizontal overhead image of three small square glass bowls of chopped basil, tomato paste, and spices, a larger pale blue bowl of coconut milk, and a stainless steel bowl of pureed canned tomatoes, on a striped brown and blonde wood surface.

Measure out all of the remaining ingredients as listed on the ingredients list.

Step 2 – Blend

Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender. Cover and pulse until well blended, for about 30 seconds. You could also do this in your food processor in batches, or use an immersion blender right in your soup pot.

Horizontal overhead image of a plastic blender pitcher filled with a pureed tomato mixture, on a striped blonde and light brown wood surface.

Pour the contents into a large pot.

Step 3 – Cook

Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently to avoid scorching the bottom.

Reduce heat to low. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Horizontal overhead closely cropped image of a large saucepan filled with a smooth pureed tomato mixture, on a brown and blonde wood surface.

Taste and season with additional salt, if desired. Serve as is, or with your choice of garnishes.

I love to top this soup with fresh chopped basil, shredded vegan cheese, cubes of toasted bread, and a dollop of extra coconut milk or vegan sour cream.

Can I Freeze Homemade Tomato Soup?

The good news is, this recipe freezes very well. All you have to do is cool the soup down to room temperature before storing it in airtight containers or resealable freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.

To thaw, leave it in the refrigerator overnight. This is the preferred method, but you can also slowly defrost it in the microwave on low or the defrost setting, stirring every one to two minutes. Reheat the rest of the way in the microwave, or on the stove.

If the coconut milk separates after reheating, add the soup to a pot and stir constantly with a whisk over medium-low heat until it comes back together, or blend with your immersion blender.

Horizontal image of a white bowl of homemade tomato soup, garnished with cubes of toasted bread and chipped fresh basil, on a brown table topped with gray cloth placemats, and scattered bread and herbs.

Are you in the mood for even more homemade soup? I know I am! Try these recipes from Foodal:

Do you love homemade soup? Tell us what your favorite kind is in the comments below. After you try the recipe, be sure to rate it to let other readers know how much you enjoyed it!

Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on January 22, 2015. Last updated on December 23, 2019. With additional writing and editing by Allison Sidhu.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Meghan Yager

Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.

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