A recipe for Instant Pot creamy tomato basil soup. Rich, delicious and full of flavor. Easy preparation and only a few simple ingredients, perfect for the Instant Pot.
An Instant Pot is perfect for making tomato soup
I’ve absolutely loved my Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. You can use it to make so many different and amazing dishes, and soups are among my favorite recipes to make. I’ve adapted a favorite recipe for creamy tomato basil soup to make in the Instant Pot. And WOW is it good!
One of my very favorite meals growing up was always a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. There’s nothing quite like melted American cheese between two piece of white bread which is perfectly toasted, along side a bowl of rich and delicious tomato soup. Oh, just the thought brings me right back grade school. Of course, as i’ve gotten older, my tastes have refined a bit and i’ve learned that there’s often more to a good grilled cheese sandwich and more to a bowl of great tomato soup. For the grilled cheese sandwiches, I love them on fresh sourdough bread using fresh sliced deli-style cheddar and American cheeses (or provolone, or gouda, etc.) And for tomato soup, my tastes have really refined over the years. So mush so, I don’t think I can ever go back to regular canned tomato soup again. Once I discovered creamy tomato soup with a little basil – I was in soup heaven.
This recipe for Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is very easy to make and absolutely delicious. The only prep required is cutting up ½ an onion and a stalk of celery. Then they go in your Instant Pot and saute for a few minutes. The aroma is awesome and you’re only about 15 minutes away from enjoying one of the best bowls of soup you’ll ever have.
Use Greek Yogurt instead of cream for better taste
For this recipe we’ll use 2 28oz (or 4 14oz) cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes; a tablespoon of dried basil, some sugar, chicken broth, and finally – some Greek yogurt. Cream soups often use heavy cream but for a creamy tomato soup, Greek yogurt adds a flavor that just can’t be beat. And let’s be honest – a ½ cup of Greek yogurt is much more appetizing that a ½ cup of heavy cream.
One very important thing to note is that in order add a creaminess to your Tomato Soup, remember you are not adding cream. Make sure to add Greek yogurt after the cooking cycle – It will be added AFTER the cooking is done. And when it’s all whisked together at the end – wow! The flavors all come together so perfectly and the Greek yogurt ads a creamy, delicious flavor that’s so much better than heavy cream.
Why does tomato soup go with grilled cheese?
Why exactly are grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup such a popular combination? The general consensus seems to start all the way back in 1910’s. It was during that time when a man named J.L. Kraft (yep – “that” Kraft) invented pasteurized processed cheese products. Soon thereafter, in the 1920’s, when sliced bread became a staple of the American diet, was when the grilled cheese sandwich came to prominence. Then it would be during World War II when tomato soup started getting served with grilled cheese sandwiches on Navy ships. This practice would later be adopted by American school cafeterias as the tomato soup met the governments requirements for vitamin C and protein in school lunches. Thus began a tradition that continues today. And really, regardless of the origins, a bowl of tomato soup is simply delicious with a grilled cheese sandwich – the flavors compliment each other perfectly.
Best Damn Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 6 cups
Ingredients
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 1 stalk celery
- 2 28.5oz cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to saute on high setting and melt the butter. When butter is melted and hot, add onions and celery and saute for about 5 minutes.
- Press cancel and add tomatoes, broth, sugar, salt and basil. Not the yogurt yet! With the tomatoes, broth, sugar and basil added to the sauteed onions and celery, secure the lid, close the seal and pressure cook for 10 minutes. When cooking cycle is complete do a quick release of the pressure and remove lid.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until it’s an even consistency. Usually takes a couple of minutes. Now add the Greek Yogurt and slowly blend it into the soup for about 30 seconds.
- Category: Soup
- Method: Pressure cooker
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: instant pot, soup, tomato, basil
Lizzie
This was just what the doctor ordered! It’s not at all heavy like the canned cream of tomato soup of yore. It tastes bright and creamy. I don’t have an immersion blender, so I let it cool and then poured half into my pitcher- style blender and then transferred that to a container, then blended the rest and added that to the container. Because I can tell this will last a while, I didn’t add any yogurt until I was heating up smaller portions. I think it will keep better that way. I sliced some crusty Italian round loaf topped with butter, parmesan sprinkles, and fresh parsley snips. This will probably be a new Sunday night favorite because it was so easy and felt a little fancy! (Be sure you are getting 2 28.5 oz cans of tomatoes or 4 14.5 oz cans)
Suzanne
Hi I’m not a fan of plain Greek yogurt can I substitute with sour cream ?
RecipeTeacher
So I’ve not tried it with sour cream, but I’m sure it would be good!
Deb
I made a few modifications:
1. Substituted 1 cup of mirepoix for onion/celery (I get it pre-chopped at Traders).
2. In addition to dried basil I added 1 tsp Italian seasoning
3. Added a lot of chopped garlic when sautéing mirepoix
4. Added 1 T. balsamic vinegar
5. Added 2 T. pesto
6. Reduced sugar to 1 T.
Topped with Greek yogurt, grated Parmesan and chopped fresh basil.
★★★★★
RecipeTeacher
It all sounds great, Deb! How did it turn out?
KFP
Thanks so much for this recipe. Is there a vegan option for the Greek Yogurt? I have vegan friends and am always looking for lunch or dinner recipes for when I have them over. Thanks in advance!
Sarahpina
What if the Instant Pot is saying food burn? Did you all encounter this problem?
RecipeTeacher
Hi Sarahpina. I’ve never had that problem, but, perhaps you just needed a bit more broth? Which cooker were you using?
CAMILLE Darbone
I used a simular recipe and blended my caramelized onion, and garlic with my room temperature tomatoe sauce and returned to pot b4 setting the Insta pot timer.
Coy
Can I freeze and reheat?
★★★★★
Jen
I used Walmart brand roasted tomatoes and green chili’s. Just like Rotel but roasted. SO yummy!!!
★★★★★
TW
Made this last fall. It was great and wish to make a large batch at the end of this summer and can the soup into 16 oz mason jars. I suspect I should omit the yogurt since I intend on canning but are there any other considerations?
Sirhceth
If I don’t have an immersion blender does it matter?
RecipeTeacher
You’ll still need to blend the soup. You could carefully pour it into a regular blender and try it like that. I would suggest an immersion blender if you ever get the chance to pick one up. I’ve seen them for as little as $20. They make soup making so much easier and they’re fun to use.
Amanda Caudillo-Wilson
For how many people does this recipe yield for?
Also is this for a 6quart
Thank you in advance
RecipeTeacher
Hi Amanda. Serves 4-6.
Bryan
I made it but added a can of Rotel tomatoes because I like a little more spice. I also sautéd chicken breasts for a more hearty soup. It turned out delicious.
★★★★
RecipeTeacher
That sounds awesome, Bryan!
V. Rosato
Question: If I make the soup but want to give some to a sick friend. ..Mix in yogurt first then take it or take it minus the yogurt but include some with the soup for them to add after re-heating?
If heating doesn’t harm the yogurt, why add it after cookng?
Meesa
Yogurt can.and does seperate under high heat. And dairy will curdle.
Marilyn
I am about to make this, I like to make soups and freeze for lunches…….just wondering if you have ever froze it?
Taryn
This looks so tasty! After the yogurt is added, can the soup be refrigerated and reheated later?
RecipeTeacher
Oh absolutely! Made some this past Sunday and have had at lunch all week.