French Onion Tomato Soup combines the savory depth of classic French onion soup with the bright, tangy flavor of tomatoes for a comforting, hearty twist that’s perfect for warming you up.
Tomato soup is one of my favorites so when I had the idea to cross it with a French onion soup, I knew it’d be good! I wasn’t disappointed- it’s smooth and velvety with a wonderful bright, rich flavor. It’s perfect for dipping grilled cheese on a cold day.
The tomatoes you use have a big effect on this recipe since it’s the main ingredient. I used Hunts Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes- not only do they taste incredible, but they’re super simple to keep on hand in your pantry. Hunt’s process their tomatoes differently than other brands and you can taste the difference. Tomatoes are vine ripened and are canned within hours of being picked. Their tomatoes are peeled using steam- no chemicals involved. All this helps their canned tomatoes to be sweet, flavorful and ready to be made into soup!
Recipe Highlights
- Flavorful Ingredients: The onions provide a natural sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the acidity and depth of the ripe tomatoes. The herbs enhance the taste an aroma, creating a delightful and delicious dish.
- Health Benefits: This soup isn’t just tasty, it’s healthy too! Tomatoes are high in antioxidants and onions contribute to heart health. This recipe is versatile too, make it vegetarian or vegan easily!
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy dinner or a gathering, this soup fits all occasions. It can be served as a starter or a main course. This dish is satisfying and nourishing, it brings warmth and comfort to any table.
French Onion Tomato Soup Recipe ingredients
Onion: For a flavorful soup, you need 1 medium sized sweet onion, chopped.
Garlic: Add 1 tsp of minced garlic for a great earthy taste.
Thyme: ½ tsp of thyme gives the soup a subtle woodsy flavor.
Butter: You need 4 TBSP of butter for a rich and delicious soup.
Diced tomatoes: The base of this soup is two 14-oz cans of Hunt’s Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes. You can use any brand you like or have on hand, but Hunt’s does taste incredible.
Broth: Thin the soup out by adding 1 cup of beef broth.
Brown sugar: Cut down the acidic taste with 1 TBSP of brown sugar.
Water: Using ¼ cup + 9 TBSP of water further thins the texture down for a perfect soup consistency.
Bread: Add some sliced baguettes topped with cheese, for garnish.
Serving suggestions for French Onion Tomato Soup
French Onion Tomato Soup pairs well with various accompaniments, enhancing its flavors and presentation.
Bread Options: Toasty bread selections can elevate the experience. Consider these:
- Baguette Slices: Crisp and classic, ideal for dipping.
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Combines well with the soup’s ingredients.
- Garlic Bread: Adds a fragrant, savory touch.
Toppings Enhancements: Adding toppings can introduce texture and flavor. Options include:
- Shredded Cheese: Gruyère or mozzarella melt beautifully on top.
- Fresh Herbs: Chopped basil or parsley add a burst of freshness.
- Croutons: Homemade or store-bought for a crunchy contrast.

How long is Tomato Soup good for?
This soup is generally good for 3–4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.
If you want to keep it longer, tomato soup freezes well for up to 2–3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing, and leave a little space in the container for expansion. If it contains cream or dairy, the texture may change slightly after thawing, but it’s still safe to eat.
When you’re ready to eat it, just defrost on the countertop, then transfer the soup to a saucepan and heat over medium until just barely bubbling. You can also reheat tomato soup in the microwave.

French Onion Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized sweet onion chopped
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp thyme
- 4 TBSP butter
- 28 oz Hunt's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes two 14-oz cans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 TBSP brown sugar
- ¼ cup water + 9 TBSP
- sliced baguette topped with cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Prep: Chop the onion into small chunks.
- Cook: Combine the onion, garlic, thyme, and ¼ cup of water in a hot pan. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding an additional 3 TBSP of water every 4-5 minutes. The onions should caramelize and turn dark brown in color.
- Add in the butter, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and brown sugar. Continue to cook on medium heat until the mixture is bubbling, then decrease the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Assemble: Once the ingredients are cooked through, blend it using an immersion blender or a standard blender if that is what you have on hand.
- Top each bowl of soup with toasted baguette and cheese, and sprinkle with fresh basil, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
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What herbs and spices go in homemade tomato soup?
I added dried thyme and minced garlic to this tomato soup recipe to give it an extra punch of flavor. You’re welcome to use ½ tsp garlic powder instead. I use beef broth in the soup also to give it added flavor, but you’re welcome to use vegetable broth if you’d prefer.
Is tomato soup vegan and gluten free?
You can make my tomato soup recipe both vegan and gluten free by leaving out the butter and using vegetable broth in place of beef broth. The texture and flavor will be minimally affected; you’ll just lose a bit of richness to the recipe. Top the tomato soup with cornbread croutons marked as gluten free and fresh basil.
Can you make Tomato soup using only fresh ingredients?
A fresh ingredients-only version of French onion tomato soup is certainly possible. Using fresh tomatoes instead of canned offers an opportunity for bright flavor.
Choosing high-quality onions and fresh herbs like thyme or basil can enhance the soup’s aroma and nuance. Vegetable or beef broth made from fresh ingredients adds richness, ensuring a flavorful end product.
Love soup? Try these other favorite soup and stew recipes!
- This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is loaded with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory broth that slowly develops deep, comforting flavor. It’s an easy, cozy classic that fills makes dinnertime effortless.
- Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup brings together tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and classic vegetables. It’s a warm, satisfying meal that’s perfect for family dinners.
- Our recipe for Three-Meat Crockpot Chili features three kinds of meat, hearty beans, rich tomato flavor, and warm spices. It’s a bold, satisfying chili that’s perfectly balanced and irresistibly delicious.
- Italian Beef Soup is made with tender beef, hearty beans, tomatoes, and a richly seasoned broth for a comforting, filling soup that’s perfect for chilly nights.
- Made in under 30 minutes, this Chicken Pot Pie Soup is full of tender chicken and flavorful vegetables. A simple dish with amazing homemade taste!
- This Slow Cooker Beef Stew features tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory broth with red wine and warm herbs. It’s a comforting, flavor-packed meal that’s easy to make and great for dinners.
French Onion Tomato Soup combines rich flavors and comforting textures. It offers a unique twist on traditional soup recipes. This tomato soup pairs well with various accompaniments, enhancing its flavors and presentation.















Rebecca Hubbell says
I love french onion soup and I love tomato soup, I never thought to combine the two, but holy yum!
Trang says
This is so perfect, we are getting a little bit of a cold front this week and I’m so ready for soup. And hello cheesy bread!
Mike says
What was the brown sugar for?
Jessica says
It balances out the acidity of the tomatoes! That small amount makes a difference!
Nicki says
I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to go in with the garlic, onion & Thyme. That’s what caramelizes the onion. The recipe never does call for it???
Jessica says
I apologize- I understand her comment now! The brown sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes. It goes in with the broth and tomatoes, near the end. The water is what helps caramelize the onions, surprisingly. I updated the recipe to make it more clear. Thank you! 🙂
Jami says
I made this last night — it was a big hit. Absolutely loved it, and it was super simple to make. It seemed to make almost two quarts, which is the perfect quantity. This is on my keeper list.
Jessica says
I’m SO glad you liked it! 🙂
Denise says
I didn’t make it yet but definitely will. All the soup recipes sound delicious.
Jessica says
thanks Denise!
Jen @ The Frozen Mind says
This looks delicious! All it needs is a bit of cool weather, a fire in the fireplace and a grilled cheese sandwich! I love this more “grown up” rendition of tomato soup. I will definitely be trying this when it finally starts getting cooler.
#OURMINILINKYPARTY
Nellie says
Jen – Yes, soup is the perfect fall food, isn’t it?!
April J Harris says
You’ve combined two of my favourite soups here! Your French Onion Tomato Soup looks awesome! Pinned and shared. Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope you are having a lovely week!
Abeer Rizvi says
Omg! Such a comforting soup for this chilly season.
Wilhelmina Wessel says
This is a genius combination of flavors! I am totally in love with this soup!
Moriaelini says
Since the late 70s, my mom made her french onion soup with tomatoes. So when I moved out on my own I adapted hers to make a family staple in our house. I use tomato sauce & crushed tomatoes though, she used V8. Mine is usually heartier and slightly thicker, but the rest is basically her standard. Three to four diced onions (yours sounds amazing, but honestly, not enough onion to be a french onion soup, lol.), the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, beef or mushroom broth (mushroom if I want to make it vegan), garlic and bay leaves. Always bay leaves. And I always caramelize the onions in unsalted butter and deglaze with sherry.
In recent years I have adapted mine to cook in the instant pot and tonight, for a change up, I added a bag of frozen cheese ravioli…we do not put the toasted bread and shredded cheese in our individual bowls, we eat it with either toasted garlic cheese bread or grilled cheese.
Jessica says
Love your adaptations!!
Kathi says
I only made 2 changes – First I used 10 fresh Roma tomatoes and then changed out the brown sugar 1 tablespoon white sugar. Then cooked the whole thing in my electric pressure cooker on the Soup icon for 15 minutes. And then, of course, pureed the whole thing – yum. I can control the sodium and make sure there are no preservatives in this soup by using fresh tomatoes, as I am highly allergic to MSG. Thanks for posting a great recipe.
Rita says
Excellent taste. I’m not a tomato fan, however, I will definitely make again. Big hit. Thankyou