Indian Spiced Tomato Soup (gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free) 20 minute

Clear your sinuses with this easy, homemade, Indian spiced tomato soup.  Seasoned with garlic, cumin, coriander and turmeric, it’s a perfect meal on a chilly evening or when you’re feeling under the weather. This recipe was originally published in Sept 2016

This super easy spiced tomato soup is brimming with flavor from lots of Indian spices. It’s warming with a mild spiciness, perfect if you have a stuffy nose or just need a warming meal.

You can make this spiced tomato soup using fresh tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, or a mix. This flexibility means that you can make this cozy soup year-round, whether you want to make the most of summer’s tomato bounty or are craving tomato soup when tomatoes are out of season.

It’s a spiced, tangy tomato soup with notes of coriander, cumin, bay leaf, and turmeric. It also has loads of garlic and some cayenne and black pepper for heat and flavor and to warm you up from the inside.

If you prefer a creamy tomato soup, add a handful of cashews or pumpkin seeds in while blending, or use white beans for creaminess plus some protein. This is a simple and versatile tomato soup. Use spices and herbs of choice for variation.

I love this spiced tomato soup with a vegan grilled cheese to go with it. Or, you can cut the sandwich into bite-sized croutons and float them in the bowl!

Why You’ll Love Spiced Tomato Soup

• soothing, warming soup ready in 20 minutes
• easy to make in 1 pot
• full of warming Indian spices, like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and black pepper
• naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free with an easy oil-free option

Ingredients and Substitutions

• oil – to saute. You can dry roast the cumin seeds and use water or broth to cook the veggies instead, for oil-free.
• cumin seeds – Roasted cumin seeds give this spiced tomato soup such a rich flavor!
• aromatics – Onion and garlic add a ton of umami.
• carrots – Adds some sneaky extra veggies and a little sweetness to offset the acidity of the tomatoes.
• ground spices – Coriander, turmeric, cayenne, and black pepper give this soup an amazing flavor!
• tomatoes – You can use fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, or a mix of the two.
• sugar – To offset the acidity of the tomatoes a little bit more.
• bay leaf – To boost the flavor.

How to Make Spiced Tomato Soup

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add cumin seeds and cook for 1 minute or until the cumin seeds get fragrant.

Add chopped onions, garlic, carrot and a pinch of salt. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until onions are translucent, stirring occasionally. Add the coriander, turmeric, cayenne and pepper, and mix for a few seconds.

Add the onion mixture to a blender along with the tomatoes and water and blend until pureed.

Transfer the pureed tomato mixture back to the saucepan.

Add bay leaf, salt and sugar and cook over medium heat for 12 to 14 minutes. Taste and adjust salt, sweet and heat. Add more water if needed.

Make your vegan grilled cheese, if using.

I make mine with some curry leaves, pepper flakes and vegan cheese. Heat a pan over medium heat, add some vegan butter. Tear some curry leaves and add to the butter. Then add cheese and pepper flakes or gochugaru pepper flakes and place the bread slices on the cheese. Once the cheese melts, flip the bread slices and add more cheese and pepper flakes. Then press the slices together until toasted and the cheese melts. Slice and Serve with the soup.

Garnish the soup with green onions and serve with crusty bread, croutons, or vegan grilled cheese sandwiches.

What to Serve with Spiced Tomato Soup

Serve this with crusty bread for dipping or with a vegan grilled cheese alongside it.