How many calories does tomato bisque soup have?

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to some nutrition databases, canned, condensed tomato bisque prepared with water can contain as few as 124 calories per serving. However, the real answer to how many calories does tomato bisque soup have depends heavily on how it is made and its key ingredients.

Quick Summary

The caloric content of tomato bisque soup is highly variable and directly influenced by its cream, butter, and broth base. Homemade and canned versions differ significantly in nutritional values.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: The calories in tomato bisque are not fixed and can vary from under 150 kcal for lighter versions to over 250 kcal for richer recipes.
Cream is a Calorie Driver: The type and amount of dairy, especially heavy cream, is the most significant factor influencing the soup's calorie count and fat content.
Smart Swaps Reduce Calories: You can lower the calorie count by substituting heavy cream with alternatives like Greek yogurt, tofu, or pureed white beans.
Canned vs. Homemade: Canned bisques are often lower in calories (especially when prepared with water) but frequently higher in sodium than homemade versions.
Lycopene Bioavailability: Tomato bisque is a rich source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant whose absorption by the body is actually increased by cooking the tomatoes.
Portion Control is Key: For decadent, high-calorie versions, controlling portion size is crucial for managing your intake.
Nutrient-Dense Base: Regardless of the added dairy, the tomato base provides beneficial vitamins (A, C, K) and potassium, offering solid nutritional value.

Calorie Breakdown: What’s in Your Bowl?

The caloric content of a bowl of tomato bisque is not a single, fixed number. It's a spectrum, ranging from light and lean to rich and indulgent. The primary drivers of this calorie count are the ingredients used to achieve the soup's characteristic creamy and silky texture. While the tomato base itself is relatively low in calories and packed with beneficial nutrients like lycopene, the dairy and fats added can increase the energy density dramatically.

Homemade vs. Canned Bisque

One of the biggest factors is whether the bisque is made from scratch or from a can. Canned soups, such as Campbell's condensed tomato bisque, can be a lower-calorie option, especially when prepared with water. For example, a 129g serving (approximately 1/2 cup) of the condensed version offers 96 calories, and preparing a full cup with water can keep the calories around 124-125. However, canned soups prepared with milk will naturally be higher. They also tend to be very high in sodium, a significant health consideration.

Homemade bisque, on the other hand, offers complete control over ingredients but often results in a richer soup. Many traditional homemade recipes rely on heavy cream and butter to achieve their velvety consistency, pushing the calorie count higher. Search results for homemade recipes show averages often fall between 200 and 300 calories per serving, depending on the specific ratio of fat-rich dairy.

The Impact of Key Ingredients

To understand the calorie variations, it’s helpful to look at the contribution of each main ingredient:

Tomatoes: The base of any bisque, tomatoes are naturally low in calories. A large tomato contains only around 33 calories. They are also a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which is more readily absorbed by the body after cooking.
Heavy Cream: This is the primary culprit for a high-calorie bisque. One tablespoon of heavy cream contains over 50 calories, so adding just a quarter cup to a serving of soup can significantly increase the total calories.
Butter and Olive Oil: Often used to sauté the foundational vegetables (onions, garlic) or to add richness, these fats contribute considerable calories. Just one tablespoon of olive oil is around 120 calories.
Broth: Using a vegetable or chicken broth as the liquid base instead of water can add flavor but generally keeps calories low. The calorie count of broths is minimal compared to dairy.

How to Make a Lower-Calorie Tomato Bisque

For those looking to enjoy a creamy bisque without the high-calorie impact, several modifications can be made:

Swap Heavy Cream: Instead of high-fat dairy, consider using lighter alternatives. Plain Greek yogurt or low-fat milk can provide creaminess with far fewer calories and saturated fat. Some recipes even suggest using silken tofu or pureed white beans to create a rich, thick texture without any dairy at all.
Reduce Fat: Use less butter or olive oil when sautéing vegetables. A tablespoon of oil can be replaced with a teaspoon, or a non-stick pan can be used to minimize oil entirely.
Control Portion Size: Especially with richer restaurant versions, minding your portion size is key. A single cup of a full-fat bisque can satisfy a craving without overdoing it on calories.

Health Benefits Beyond Calories

Despite the caloric considerations, tomato bisque offers significant health benefits, especially in its healthier forms. The high lycopene content from cooked tomatoes is a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers and heart disease. The soup is also a good source of potassium and vitamins A and C, which support the immune system and overall health.

Comparison Table: Calorie Variations


Bisque Type	Preparation	Approximate Calories (per cup)	Notes
Canned	With water	125	Lower fat, but often high in sodium.
Canned	With milk	198	Higher fat and calories due to added milk.
Homemade	Lean recipe (Greek yogurt, low-fat milk)	125-190	Control over ingredients and sodium.
Homemade	Rich recipe (heavy cream, butter)	200-300+	High in fat and calories.
Restaurant	Varies widely	240-285+	Typically made with heavy cream and butter for a decadent texture.

Conclusion: A Meal of Choices

In conclusion, the question of how many calories tomato bisque soup has does not have one simple answer. The calorie count is highly dependent on whether the soup is homemade, canned, or from a restaurant, and the richness of its ingredients. By being mindful of the cream, butter, and portion sizes, you can easily control the caloric impact. For a guilt-free indulgence, opting for a homemade version with a lighter dairy alternative like Greek yogurt or pureed white beans allows you to enjoy the same comforting flavor with fewer calories and less saturated fat. Whether you prefer a rich, classic recipe or a healthier, modified version, tomato bisque can be a delicious and nutritious part of your diet. For more recipe ideas, consider exploring reputable cooking websites like Allrecipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always. While some canned, condensed versions prepared with water are low in calories (around 125 kcal per cup), many homemade recipes using lightened ingredients can be comparable or even lower. However, homemade rich bisques with heavy cream are typically higher in calories than their canned counterparts.

The high calorie count of tomato bisque is primarily due to the type and quantity of dairy and fats used. Heavy cream and butter, commonly used to create the classic velvety texture, are very calorie-dense ingredients.

For a lower-calorie, lower-fat bisque, you can use plain Greek yogurt, low-fat milk, silken tofu, or pureed white beans instead of heavy cream. These options provide a thick, creamy consistency while significantly reducing the fat and calorie content.

Yes. The cooked tomatoes in bisque are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant more readily absorbed by the body when heated. Tomato bisque also provides essential vitamins (A, C, K) and potassium, supporting heart health and immunity.

Restaurant tomato bisques are often higher in calories due to their reliance on heavy cream and butter to achieve a decadent flavor profile, with many exceeding 250 calories per serving. Calorie counts will vary by establishment, however.

The best way to reduce sodium is to make your bisque from scratch, allowing you to control the amount of salt added. When using canned ingredients, opt for low-sodium or no-salt-added crushed tomatoes and vegetable or chicken broth.

Yes. A dairy-free bisque can be made using plant-based milks like coconut milk or cashew cream for richness. Using pureed white beans or silken tofu is another effective way to add a creamy texture without any dairy.