Indonesian tomato soup (sop merah) is one of the best comfort foods that will fill you up and make you fall back in love with tomatoes again. Skip the grilled cheese, this tomato soup version is comforting, ready in under 30 minutes, and rich in flavors.
Soup season is here, and IMO, it is the best season! There’s just something so comforting and warming about a bowl of hot soup. It feels like getting a hug in a bowl. Thankfully, making soup at home is always better than buying it from the store because you can control the ingredients, texture, and flavors. It’s also cheaper, and it’s great for making a big batch and then portioning it up for the freezer.
What is sop merah
Some people call this Indonesian minestrone since it looks similar to the Italian minestrone; however, sop merah has a completely different flavor. Sop merah, literally translated as red soup, is a very popular dish in Indonesia, particularly Surabaya and Malang, that happens mainly around Christmas time. It all started back in the old days during the colonial era. The influence of Dutch/European cuisine can be seen by using tomato puree, which makes the color rosy red.
Why you need to try this tomato soup
Unlike regular tomato soup that pairs well with grilled cheese, Indonesian tomato soup has many ingredients (and adaptations) as it is considered food for wealthy people. Today, you can find sop merah easily or make this at home.
- Easy to make. This soup won’t need special ingredients from specific stores
- Ready in 30 minutes and rich in flavors!
- Perfect for cold winter days or any day, really
- Make a big batch of this tomato soup for your next gathering, or if you do meal prep
The ingredients of sop merah
Making sop merah is pretty simple, and I recommend using fresh ingredients for the best result. Here’s a list of ingredients you need:
- Chicken stock for the soup. I recommend the chicken stock as it is made from chicken bones; while the chicken broth is made from meat and vegetables
- Chicken breast, sausages, such as spicy Italian chicken sausage, for protein
- Carrot and peas for colors and textures
- Tomato, tomato puree or tomato paste for flavors and red colors
- Butter to cook the onion and garlic
- Onion and garlic to add the umami flavors
- Salt, pepper, and sugar for flavors. Sugar will balance out the tartness or tanginess of tomatoes
- Cornstarch to thicken the soup
How to make Indonesian sop merah
- Boil the tomato or blanch it in hot water. Peel the skin, then puree in a blender. Discard all the seeds and set aside
- Boil the carrot in a separate pot until tender. Set aside
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pot. Add onion and garlic; cook for 4-5 minutes. Make sure the garlic doesn’t get burnt. Add diced chicken and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked
- Add chicken stock, carrot, sausage, peas, and tomato paste. Adjust the taste by adding salt, pepper, and sugar
- Thicken the soup, then serve it right away
Got a question?
Stock vs. broth for soup
When it comes to soup, I prefer using chicken stock since it is made purely from bones, while the broth is made from meat and vegetables. The broth has a lighter and thinner texture and is perfect for soup that doesn’t require a thickening agent.
How long will this soup last
We hardly have any leftovers every time I make this soup; however, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tomato soup variations
No chicken stock? You can always substitute it with vegetable stock!
I like adding roasted red bell pepper to tomato puree for an extra depth of flavor.
You can also add fried shrimp crullers right before serving the soup.
Some variations also include diced spam which goes well with this soup.
Can you freeze sop merah
Good news: yes, you can. Tomato soup freezes well; however, I don’t recommend freezing it for too long unless you separate the fillings. And when you do, portion the soup into containers or zip-lock bags for easy storage.
Full of flavor and aromas, this Indonesian tomato soup (sop merah) will become a favorite. It’s delicious, simple to prepare, and ready in 30 minutes! If you crave more soup recipes, try sweet potato Thai curry soup, creamy mushroom soup, or rice cake soup with dumplings for extra comfort.
Indonesian Tomato soup (Sop Merah)
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 4-5 tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 2 cups diced chicken breast
- 2 cups baby carrots quartered
- 6 sausages sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cloved garlic finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Sugar to taste
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolve in 2 tablespoons or water
Instructions
- Boil the tomato or blanch it in hot water. Peel the skin, then puree in a blender. Discard all the seeds and set aside
- Boil the carrot in a separate pot until tender. Set aside
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pot. Add onion and garlic; cook for 4-5 minutes. Make sure the garlic doesn’t get burnt. Add diced chicken and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked
- Add chicken stock, carrot, sausage, peas, and tomato paste. Adjust the taste by adding salt, pepper, and sugar
- Thicken the soup with cornstarch, then serve it right away
So yummy and perfect for dinner on a chilly night. My whole family enjoyed this flavorful soup!!
Oh, boy, this soup was packed with flavor, easy to make, and so delicious!!!