Smoky Chipotle Tomato Soup: A Velvety & Flavorful Twist on a Classic
Chipotle Tomato Soup is a rich, smoky take on a beloved classic. Crafted with expertly sautéed garlic, onions, and carrots, infused with the deep, complex heat of chipotles in adobo, and brimming with the richness of ripe tomatoes, this soup strikes the perfect balance of warmth and robust flavor. Packed with nourishing, wholesome ingredients, it offers a smooth, velvety texture that’s incredibly easy to achieve. Elevate your bowl with crispy homemade croutons for an irresistible added crunch.
This Chipotle Tomato Soup recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a comforting blend of cherished memories, creative inspiration, and my enduring love for classic tomato soup, all brought together in one harmonious bowl. This rendition takes the familiar classic and injects it with a bold, smoky character, drawing inspiration from my mom’s incredible Sopa de Tortilla Azteca.
It masterfully combines the deep, sun-ripened flavors of juicy tomatoes with the distinct, earthy smokiness of chipotles in adobo, creating a smooth, luxuriously velvety broth. This fusion celebrates the comforting richness of traditional tomato soup while embracing the vibrant, warming essence of Mexican culinary ingredients. Each spoonful offers a delightful interplay of sweet, tangy, and smoky notes, making it an experience for the senses.
If your palate gravitates towards hearty, tomato-based broths found in dishes like Sopa de Fideo or the wholesome goodness of Caldo de Verduras, then you are sure to fall in love with this effortlessly simple yet intensely flavorful spicy tomato soup. It’s a perfect meal for a cozy evening, a light lunch, or even as an impressive appetizer.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]Why You’ll Love This Smoky & Velvety Soup
- Effortlessly Easy to Make: Forget complicated techniques! This soup is designed for simplicity. With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, you can whip up this gourmet-tasting soup quickly, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights or when you crave a delicious homemade meal without extensive effort.
- Nourishing and Packed with Wholesome Vegetables: More than just a delight for your taste buds, this soup is a powerhouse of nutrients. It’s generously packed not only with vitamin-rich tomatoes but also includes onions, garlic, and carrots, each contributing to its depth of flavor and providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s a deliciously healthy way to enjoy your vegetables.
- Luxuriously Smooth and Velvety Texture: Experience a truly comforting texture with every spoonful. This soup boasts a rich, creamy consistency that melts in your mouth, achieved entirely without the need for any added dairy. This makes it a fantastic option for those avoiding dairy or seeking a lighter, yet equally satisfying, experience.
- Perfectly Smoky with a Hint of Spice: The star of the show, chipotles in adobo, infuse this soup with an unparalleled smoky depth and just the right amount of warmth. It’s a subtle kick that enhances the overall flavor profile without overwhelming your palate, creating a wonderfully balanced and intriguing taste.
- Naturally Vegetarian (and Easily Vegan): This recipe is inherently vegetarian, celebrating the goodness of plant-based ingredients. For a completely plant-based and vegan-friendly option, simply opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious creation.
- Highly Customizable with Delicious Toppings: While delightful on its own, this soup truly shines with personalized toppings. Enjoy it plain for a pure taste, or unleash your creativity. Our recipe includes instructions for crispy homemade croutons, but you can also add a swirl of Mexican crema, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, diced avocado, or crumbled cotija cheese for extra flavor and texture.
For more velvety smooth soup recipes that warm the soul, be sure to check out our Poblano Cream Soup (with a Dairy-Free Option) or the refreshing Vegan Asparagus Soup.
Essential Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
Soup Ingredients
- Tomatoes: The foundation of our soup. For a bright, fresh flavor, opt for ripe Roma tomatoes. Alternatively, for convenience and a deeper, slightly sweeter, more concentrated tomato taste, high-quality canned whole peeled tomatoes (like San Marzano) work beautifully. They’re typically packed at their peak ripeness.
- Tomato Paste: This concentrated paste is crucial for building intense depth of flavor and a rich, appealing color. It adds a powerful umami punch that elevates the entire soup.
- Butter: Used to sauté the aromatics, butter imparts a wonderful richness and a subtle creamy undertone. If you’re looking for a dairy-free or vegan option, feel free to substitute with an equal amount of good quality olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative.
- Onion and Garlic: These classic aromatics form the essential flavorful base of the soup. When sautéed until soft and translucent, they release their sweet, pungent notes, which are then absorbed by the other ingredients. Both white or yellow onions are suitable choices.
- Carrots: Beyond adding nutritional value, carrots contribute a natural sweetness that beautifully balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Their subtle earthy flavor blends seamlessly with the other robust ingredients, enhancing the soup’s complexity without overpowering it.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: The heart of the smoky, spicy character of this soup. These smoked and dried jalapeños, rehydrated in a tangy, spiced tomato sauce, provide both heat and an irresistible smoky depth. Adjust the quantity (1 to 2 peppers, or even just a spoonful of the adobo sauce) based on your desired level of spice.
- Broth: Choose your broth wisely! Chicken broth or chicken bone broth will lend a richer, more savory depth to the soup, enhancing its overall body. For a vegetarian or vegan option, high-quality vegetable broth is an excellent substitute that still provides a flavorful liquid base.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Simple yet essential seasonings that bring out and enhance all the wonderful flavors in the soup. Always taste and adjust these to your preference at the end of cooking.
Homemade Croutons (Optional, but Highly Recommended)
Adding homemade croutons to this soup is a game-changer, providing a delightful textural contrast and an extra layer of flavor. They’re surprisingly easy to make and require just a few basic ingredients:
- Dinner Rolls or Baguette: Utilize any sturdy bread you have on hand. Stale bread works particularly well as it crisps up beautifully. If you follow a gluten-free diet, simply use your favorite gluten-free bread.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This helps the bread crisp up to a perfect golden brown while imparting a rich, fruity aroma and flavor to your croutons.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: These seasonings are crucial for enhancing the overall taste of your croutons, making them savory and irresistible.
- Red Pepper Flakes: (Optional) For a subtle additional kick that complements the chipotle heat in the soup, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Feel free to adjust the amount or omit entirely based on your spice preference.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Craft This Spicy Tomato Soup: Step-by-Step
- Sauté the Aromatics: Begin by melting the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the butter is shimmering, add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced carrots. Sauté these ingredients gently for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent, and the garlic is fragrant. This step is crucial for building a foundational layer of flavor.
- Combine & Simmer: To the sautéed aromatics, add the canned whole peeled tomatoes (or fresh Romas), concentrated tomato paste, the smoky chipotle peppers, your chosen broth, and season with salt and pepper. Stir everything thoroughly to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes. This simmering time allows all the distinct flavors to meld beautifully and deepen.
- Blend Until Velvety Smooth: Carefully transfer the soup mixture to a high-speed blender and process until it reaches a perfectly smooth, velvety consistency. If you have an immersion blender, you can achieve the same silky texture directly in the pot, saving on dishes. Ensure all solids are thoroughly pureed for that luxurious mouthfeel.
- Final Simmer & Seasoning Adjustment: Pour the blended soup back into the pot. Bring it to a gentle simmer once more and let it cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to fully integrate post-blending. Now is the time to taste and adjust the seasoning—add more salt, pepper, or even a touch more chipotle if you desire more heat.
- Prepare Crispy Homemade Croutons: While the soup simmers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut your chosen bread (dinner rolls, baguette, or gluten-free bread) into uniform 1-inch pieces. Toss them with extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden. For extra crispiness and color, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. Serve your warm, smoky soup topped generously with these delightful, crunchy croutons.
Recommended for This Recipe
Immersion Blender
While a standard blender works perfectly, an immersion blender offers incredible convenience. It allows you to achieve that wonderfully smooth texture directly in the pot, eliminating the need to transfer hot soup and clean extra dishes. It’s a real time-saver!
How to Serve Your Smoky Chipotle Tomato Soup
This versatile Chipotle Tomato Soup can be enjoyed in many ways. It makes a fantastic, satisfying lunch on its own, a light yet flavorful dinner, or an elegant starter for a larger meal. For an extra layer of texture and visual appeal, always top your serving with a generous handful of those freshly made, crispy croutons. To enhance its creaminess, drizzle a little Mexican crema or a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt over the top. A swirl of good quality extra virgin olive oil can also highlight the soup’s richness. Consider garnishing with fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or parsley, finely diced avocado for a cool contrast, or a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese. For a truly comforting meal, pair it with a classic grilled cheese sandwich or a warm, crusty bread roll to dip into the rich broth.
Storing and Freezing Your Soup
This Chipotle Tomato Soup is an excellent candidate for meal prepping, as its flavors often deepen and improve with time. To store, first allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight.
To reheat, gently warm the soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. If the soup has thickened significantly during storage, you can easily restore it to your desired consistency by adding a splash of chicken or vegetable broth, or even a little water, while stirring. Remember to always taste and adjust seasonings after reheating.
For your homemade croutons, ensure they are completely cooled before storing. Store them separately in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their delightful crispiness. Storing them with the soup would make them soggy.
Expert Tips and Delicious Variations
- For a Mild Spice Profile: If you or your family are sensitive to heat, begin cautiously. Start with just half a chipotle pepper and blend it in. Taste the soup, and if you desire more warmth, add another half or a spoonful of the adobo sauce from the can. This allows you to perfectly customize the heat level.
- For Those Who Crave Extra Heat: If you love a bold, fiery kick, feel free to add an extra whole chipotle pepper (or even two!) into the soup base. You can also include a dash of cayenne pepper or a few extra red pepper flakes during the simmering stage for an added layer of spice.
- Achieve Extra Creaminess (Dairy or Dairy-Free): While this soup is naturally velvety, you can make it even more luxurious. Stir in a splash of heavy cream for a traditional creamy finish. For a dairy-free alternative that still adds richness, a swirl of full-fat canned coconut milk provides a wonderful, subtle sweetness and smooth texture.
- Add Protein for a Heartier Meal: Transform this soup into a main course by adding cooked protein. Shredded rotisserie chicken, sautéed ground turkey, or roasted chickpeas (added at the end) are excellent choices. For a vegetarian option, stir in some black beans or kidney beans during the final simmer.
- Incorporate More Vegetables: Enhance the nutritional value and texture by adding other vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, or corn kernels can be sautéed with the initial aromatics or added during the simmering phase.
- Smoky Boost: If you want to amplify the smoky flavor without increasing the heat, a pinch of smoked paprika can be added along with the tomato paste.
- Serve with a Classic Pairing: Nothing beats the classic combination of tomato soup and grilled cheese! Serve this smoky chipotle version alongside a gooey, cheesy grilled sandwich for the ultimate comfort meal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chipotle Tomato Soup
Absolutely! This Chipotle Tomato Soup is an ideal make-ahead meal. In fact, the flavors tend to meld and deepen over time, often tasting even better the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days, or freeze it for longer-term storage.
Yes, definitely! Any sturdy bread works wonderfully for homemade croutons. Baguettes, French bread, sourdough, ciabatta, or even day-old sandwich bread can be used. Slightly stale bread is actually preferred for croutons as it’s drier and will crisp up more effectively in the oven, resulting in a superior crunch.
For the best flavor and texture, we recommend using high-quality canned whole peeled tomatoes (like San Marzano for their sweetness) or fresh, ripe Roma tomatoes. Canned tomatoes offer convenience and a consistently rich flavor, while fresh Romas can provide a brighter, more vibrant taste, especially when in season.
The spice level is easily customizable! For a milder soup, start with just one chipotle pepper or even just a spoonful of the adobo sauce. Taste it before adding more. For extra heat, simply include another chipotle pepper, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the pot during the simmering stage.
I truly hope you enjoy this rich and smoky Chipotle Tomato Soup as much as I do! If you try this recipe, please leave me a comment with a star rating below. Your feedback means the world to me. Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to stay in touch and discover more delicious recipes. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive updates and culinary inspiration!
Related Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for other comforting and flavorful soup recipes? Explore these delightful options from my kitchen:
- Crema de Espárragos (Dairy-Free Cream of Asparagus Soup)
- Chipotle Tomato Soup with Homemade Croutons
- Green Chile Turkey Soup
- Poblano Cream Soup (Dairy-Free Option)
Recipe
Chipotle Tomato Soup
by Gemma Aguayo-MurphyEquipment
- Blender or immersion blender
- Large pot
Ingredients
Soup
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter can use oil or plant-based butter
- ½ white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 28 oz whole peeled canned tomatoes or 2 pounds of fresh Roma tomatoes
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 cups broth, chicken or vegetable
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Croutons
- 3 whole dinner rolls (sub gluten-free if desired) or half a baguette
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Soup
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots and cook until the garlic and onion are soft and translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, tomato paste, chipotle peppers, broth, salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil. Then, reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Carefully puree the soup in a blender until smooth, or use an immersion blender to blend in the same pot.
- Add soup back to the pot and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Croutons
- Preheat oven to 375ºF.
- Cut the rolls into 1″ pieces.
- Add bread pieces to a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.
- Drizzle olive oil over the bread pieces and sprinkle with salt, pepper and black pepper. Toss to combine.
- Place in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven, shake the baking sheet and place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Serve soup warm with a few croutons on top.
Notes
- For Mild Spice: Start with half a chipotle pepper and add more as needed or only add in a spoonful of the adobo sauce.
- For Extra Heat: Add an extra chipotle pepper.