There is a special comfort in a steaming bowl of tomato soup on a cool day. The aroma feels like a hug, and the first spoonful warms you from the inside out. When it is homemade and plant-based, that comfort comes with even more rewards. Serve with a vegan cheese toastie!
This homemade tomato soup (It’s Liv B) is made with just 4 ingredients: a can of canned diced tomatoes, an onion, some vegan butter (Flora has no palm oil) and salt (plus optional dried basil). And water! You just simmer the ingredients, then cool a little and blend! Use a hand blender if preferred, it makes things easier!
Before making, read our post on food safety for people and pets (some ingredients like onion and garlic are unsafe near animal friends).
Ready to enjoy a bowl that is good for you, your budget, and the environment? Let us look at how homemade vegan tomato soup delivers on all three.
Health Benefits from Fresh Soup
Cooking soup at home gives you full control over quality and nutrition. You can choose ripe tomatoes, sweet carrots, and fresh herbs, instead of relying on canned soups with preservatives or excess salt. You can skip cream and cheese, which many people find heavy. You can set the flavour and texture, from silky smooth to chunky and bold.
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, lycopene, and fibre. Vitamin C supports skin health and helps your body absorb iron from plant foods. Lycopene is a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red colour. It acts as an antioxidant and supports heart health. Cooking tomatoes can help release more lycopene, so a simmering pot is more than comfort, it is smart nutrition.
Fibre is another quiet hero. It helps with fullness, blood sugar control, and a healthy gut. When you add onions, carrots, celery, or red peppers, you boost fibre without relying on thickeners. A blended soup still keeps much of that fibre, so you get a smooth spoonful that is kind to your stomach.
A vegan version suits those who avoid dairy due to intolerance, bloating, or skin breakouts. Instead of cream, use cashews, a splash of oat milk, or a small potato for body. You get a creamy finish without heaviness. Season with sea salt rather than stock cubes high in sodium, and you cut the bloat that often follows shop-bought soups.
You can also use herbs and spices to build flavour and add anti-inflammatory benefits. Try basil for freshness, oregano for depth, and thyme for earthiness. Add turmeric with a pinch of black pepper, or a little chilli for warmth. Garlic and ginger bring fragrance and support immunity. This is the beauty of homemade soup, you tailor it to your needs without extra cost or fuss.
Strengthen Your Immune System Naturally
Tomatoes offer antioxidants that help protect your cells from free radical damage. This support matters when you face cold weather or a busy week. Garlic and onions add more than flavour. They contain natural compounds that show antibacterial and antiviral effects in common knowledge. When you simmer them slowly, they turn sweet and mellow, yet still contribute to defence.
Seasonal herbs help too. Fresh basil adds vitamin K (check medication before eating), which supports normal blood clotting and bone health. A squeeze of lemon at the end can lift vitamin C further. Small steps add up. A regular bowl of tomato soup can mean fewer sniffles and more steady energy through the week.
Aid Digestion with Wholesome Fibres
Tomatoes and vegetables contain gentle fibres that support gut health. They help keep things moving without harsh effects. Unlike many shop-bought soups, homemade versions do not need added sugar to taste good. Your pot stays light, savoury, and clean.
Blending creates a smooth texture that is easy to digest. It soothes the stomach while still delivering nutrients. This makes it a great dairy-free comfort food for vegans and for anyone who wants a calm, warm meal after a long day.
Cut Costs and Minimise Kitchen Waste
Homemade vegan tomato soup is kind to your wallet. It uses basic staples that many kitchens already have. You can make a generous batch for under £2, then portion and freeze it. Shop soups often cost more per serving and expire quickly once opened.
A simple pot needs tinned tomatoes, an onion, a carrot, and garlic. Olive oil, salt, and pepper sit in most cupboards. If you have fresh tomatoes to use up, even better. You can blend them with a tin to strike a balance between freshness and body. The method is quick. Chop, soften the veg, add tomatoes and water, simmer for 15 minutes, then blend.
Batch cooking saves both time and money. Make a double quantity on Sunday, then pack lunches for the next few days. Freeze spare portions for later in the month. A well-labelled freezer means fewer last-minute takeaways and less food waste. It also supports meal planning for families who need quick, honest food after work and school.
The difference adds up over a month. Four homemade lunches might cost under £2. Shop soups and meal deals often exceed £3 each. Over time, homemade soup keeps more pounds in your pocket.
Affordable Ingredients for Regular Meals
- Tinned tomatoes: About £1 for a good tin, and often less.
- Onions and carrots: Pennies per piece, with long shelf life.
- Garlic: Cheap, flavourful, and helpful for immunity.
- Dried herbs: Budget-friendly and last for months.
Cook two or three batches at once and freeze in containers like silicone SouperCubes. Label with the date and portion size. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. This plan beats takeaways on both price and nutrition, and it keeps weekday evenings calm.
Turn Leftovers into Delicious Soup
Use veg that needs attention. Wilting celery, softening peppers, and surplus garden tomatoes fit right in. Chop them small, sweat in a little oil, then add tomatoes and water. Simmer, blend, and season. The pot turns scraps into something you are proud to serve. There is deep satisfaction in resourceful cooking, and it tastes great.
Help the Planet with Eco Choices
A vegan tomato soup at home supports a lighter footprint. You avoid the emissions linked to dairy and meat production. You can buy local produce when available, which reduces transport miles. You also cut packaging waste by using loose vegetables and tins that can be recycled.
Small changes build momentum. Choose seasonal British tomatoes in summer and early autumn. Pick tinned tomatoes when fresh options are poor, since quality tins reduce spoilage and waste. Refill olive oil and spices where possible. Bring reusable produce bags to the shop. Each choice is minor on its own, but the effect grows when these habits stack together.
Cooking at home also reduces single-use plastics. Ready-made soups often come in plastic pots or laminated cartons. A pot on the hob needs none of that. Store soup in glass jars or sturdy containers you already own. You get cleaner storage and less rubbish on collection day.
If you want to go a step further, buy organic tomatoes and onions from a trusted source. Organic farming supports soil health and wildlife. You also avoid some synthetic pesticides. Do what fits your budget and your values, without pressure. Progress beats perfection.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Step by Step
Tomato farming, when local and seasonal, tends to have a lower impact. Vegan recipes also avoid the high emissions tied to dairy production. Growing herbs at home, even on a windowsill, removes transport entirely. One pot of soup made from local tomatoes, garden basil, and a recycled tin cuts emissions and waste in one meal. Repeat that a few times a month and the gains grow.
Choose Ethics Without Compromise
This soup is plant-based, so it aligns with animal welfare values. You can share it with friends who have dietary needs without stress. The personal benefit is simple. You feel good about what you eat and serve. That confidence spreads to family meals, lunchboxes, and cosy nights in.
