Classic Julia Child Tomato Soup Recipe for Rich Comfort

Julia Child’s tomato soup embodies the soulful warmth of French countryside cooking, transforming humble ingredients into liquid gold.

This velvety nectar bursts with vibrant, sun-kissed flavors that transport you straight to Provence.

Simplicity reigns supreme in this culinary masterpiece, where each ingredient plays a symphony of taste.

Fresh tomatoes mingle with aromatic herbs, creating a luxurious texture that caresses your palate.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike marvel at the recipe’s elegant simplicity and profound depth.

Seasonal nuances allow for playful personalization while preserving the dish’s timeless charm.

Grab your ladle and get ready to fall in love with a soup that promises pure, comforting bliss!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Julia’s Tomato Soup

• Unsalted Butter: Select high-quality European-style butter for richer flavor and smoother texture.
• Large Onion: Choose firm, glossy onions without soft spots or sprouting for sweetest taste.

• Whole Peeled Tomatoes: Look for San Marzano variety with deep red color and minimal seeds for intense tomato essence.
• Liquid Base (Water/Vegetable Stock/Chicken Stock): Select low-sodium options to control overall salt content and enhance natural flavors.

• Fine Sea Salt: Use premium hand-harvested salt for clean, mineral-rich seasoning.
• Optional Garnishes (Cream, Fresh Basil, Croutons, Parmesan Cheese): Select fresh, high-quality ingredients that complement the soup's rich tomato profile.

Pots and Tools for French Tomato Soup

• Large Saucepan: Spacious pot for creating the soup's base and simmering ingredients smoothly.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and breaking down tomato pieces without scratching the pan.
• Measuring Cup: Essential for accurately portioning liquid stock or water.
• Immersion Blender: Handy tool for pureeing soup directly in the pot, creating a silky texture.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving hot soup into bowls with precision and care.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for chopping onion wedges cleanly.
• Cutting Board: Stable surface for preparing ingredients safely.
• Optional Blender: Alternative to immersion blender for pureeing soup in batches.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tool for adding the right amount of salt.

Simmering Tomato Soup à la Julia

Craft Cozy Tomato Soup

Transform ordinary ingredients into a soul-warming dish that hugs your taste buds from the inside out. This simple recipe turns basic components into liquid comfort.

• Build Flavor Foundation

Gently melt butter in a large pot, letting it develop a golden shimmer. Drop chopped onions into the buttery pool and let them dance until they soften and turn translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

• Create Liquid Magic

Tumble whole tomatoes into the pot, crushing them with your hands to release their vibrant essence. Pour in your chosen liquid – whether water or stock – and stir lovingly. Season with a whisper of salt, letting the flavors mingle and develop depth.

• Simmer and Transform

Allow the soup to bubble gently, covered, for about half an hour. Stir occasionally, coaxing the tomatoes into submission and helping them break down into a luxurious mixture. The kitchen will fill with an irresistible fragrance that promises deliciousness.

• Smooth Out Texture

Grab an immersion blender and transform the chunky mixture into silky perfection. If you prefer, carefully transfer to a standard blender, working in batches. The goal is a creamy consistency that glides across your palate.

• Final Flourish

Taste and adjust seasonings, perhaps adding a pinch more salt or a splash of liquid to reach your ideal consistency. Serve piping hot in generous bowls, crowned with your favorite garnishes – a swirl of cream, fresh herbs, or a sprinkle of cheese.

Savor each spoonful of your homemade comfort.

Flavoring Tips for a Balanced Bowl

• Boost Your Tomato Soup Magic: Clever Cooking Tips & Twists
• Customize Your Cream: Experiment with different dairy or non-dairy cream options like coconut cream, Greek yogurt, or cashew cream for unique flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Herb-Infused Delight: Elevate the soup by adding fresh herbs during simmering – try fresh thyme, oregano, or rosemary for an aromatic depth that transforms the basic recipe into a gourmet experience.
• Spice It Up: Create heat and complexity by introducing red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a dash of cayenne pepper during the cooking process, allowing the spices to bloom and develop rich, nuanced flavors.
• Texture Transformation: Play with soup consistency by adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers or carrots during blending, which introduces subtle sweetness and creates a more complex, hearty texture that makes the soup more substantial and nutritionally diverse.

Serving Soup with French Flair

• Serve with Crusty Companions: Pair this velvety soup with warm, toasted bread slices or crispy garlic crostini for a delightful texture contrast and satisfying crunch.
• Customize with Creamy Swirls: Drizzle a dollop of heavy cream, sour cream, or Greek yogurt on top to add richness and create beautiful marble-like patterns in the vibrant red soup.
• Transform into a Hearty Meal: Turn this simple soup into a complete dinner by adding grilled cheese sandwiches, roasted chicken strips, or a side of quinoa for extra protein and substance.
• Elevate with Herb Magic: Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like basil, parsley, or chives to brighten the flavors and add a pop of fresh green color to your comforting tomato soup.

Refrigeration Tips for Homemade Soup

• Preserve Fresh Flavors: Store leftover tomato soup in airtight containers within the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining its rich taste and smooth texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for quick, delicious meals anytime.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Gently warm refrigerated or thawed soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and preserve its velvety consistency.
• Portion Control Hack: Freeze soup in individual serving sizes using ice cube trays or small containers for easy, personalized meal prep that reduces waste and saves time.

Vibrant Julia Child Tomato Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic French Tomato Soup highlights Julia Child’s culinary mastery with simple, rich ingredients. Comfort meets elegance in this smooth, hearty recipe that delights with each spoonful you savor.

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Ingredients

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• 1 (28 oz / 794 g) can tomatoes, whole peeled or crushed
• 1 ½ cups low sodium vegetable stock or chicken stock
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) unsalted butter
• ½ large onion, cut into large wedges
• ½ tsp fine sea salt, or more to taste

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Instructions

1. Butter Infusion: Melt unsalted butter in a spacious saucepan over medium heat until golden and aromatic, creating a rich flavor foundation.
2. Onion Transformation: Introduce diced onion wedges to the butter, sautéing until translucent and tender, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and develop a soft, sweet undertone.
3. Tomato Integration: Combine whole peeled tomatoes and their juices, manually crushing them into smaller fragments, allowing their vibrant essence to permeate the developing soup.
4. Liquid Enhancement: Incorporate vegetable or chicken stock, seasoning with fine sea salt, and stir thoroughly to marry the ingredients’ complex flavors and create a harmonious base.
5. Simmering Alchemy: Elevate heat to initiate a gentle simmer, then reduce to low, covering the saucepan and allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify for approximately 30 minutes, occasionally stirring and softly breaking down tomato pieces.
6. Textural Refinement: Utilize an immersion blender or transfer to a standard blender, pureeing the mixture until achieving a silky-smooth consistency, ensuring no lumps remain and maximizing flavor integration.
7. Final Calibration: Assess the soup’s depth and consistency, adjusting with additional stock, water, or seasoning to perfect the taste profile and desired thickness.
8. Presentation Flourish: Serve in warm bowls, adorning with optional garnishes like fresh cream, chopped basil, crisp croutons, or delicately grated Parmesan cheese to elevate the sensory experience.

Notes

• Butter Browning Technique: Melt butter slowly to develop a rich, nutty flavor that enhances the soup’s overall depth and complexity.
• Tomato Breaking Tip: Crush tomatoes by hand for a more rustic texture and to release natural sweetness, avoiding overmixing that can make the soup tough.
• Simmering Secret: Low and slow cooking allows flavors to meld together, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying soup.
• Blending Wisdom: Use an immersion blender for minimal cleanup, or transfer carefully to a standard blender in small batches to prevent hot liquid splashing.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg