Tamatar ka shorba – Spiced Indian Tomato soup

Warm-up your winter evenings with a bowl of freshly made Tamatar ka shorba – Spiced Indian Tomato soup. This irresistible and soul-warming recipe is beautifully contrasted and elevated by adding homemade crispy cubes of croutons and a swirl of fresh cream.

Your taste buds will be charmed by the delicately spiced and delectable flavors of this tomato shorba recipe.

What is Tamatar ka shorba – Spiced Indian Tomato soup?

‘Shorba’ is a Persian name for a stew-like salty dish prepared by simmering veggies/ meat in boiling water. Travelers used to make Shorba (meat version) on the road with whatever spice and ingredient they had on hand, and that is how the term Shorba spread as far as it could.

Shorba or chorba was traditionally a thick and spicy version of the vegetable or meat gravy with a soup-like consistency.

It has undergone multiple modifications since its inception to match up with different taste buds, and many varieties of vegetarian and non-vegetarian shorbas have originated.

My recipe here is named after an Arabic term – ‘Shurbah,’ meaning soup.

In this term – tamatar ka shorba, tamatar translates to “tomato” in Indian, and shorba or chorba, on the other hand, means a rich stew.

What makes tamatar ka shorba different from regular tomato soup?

Although they may look and sound similar, Instant Pot tamatar ka shorba and tomato soup have a few significant differences. The tomato shorba, or spiced Indian tomato soup, is a significantly lightened-up version of a classic tomato soup recipe.

Shorba uses a combination of spices and herbs that render this recipe a distinct flavor and set it apart from the other recipes.

Soups are generally served as starters, but Shorba or chorba can be served as an accompaniment to the main course or in between courses.

Reasons You’ll ♡ Tamatar ka shorba – Spiced Indian Tomato soup

This Tamatar ka shorba recipe is an excellent addition to your evening menu. It warms up the body and comforts the soul. This is what makes it an adorable treat —

• Simple and quick to prepare
• Doesn’t take much time from the kitchen to the table
• Made with simple ingredients
• Flavor-packed and wholesome
• Warm, comforting, and hearty soup
• And a must-have in winter!

A thick, creamy, spicy, and nutritious bowl of Instant Pot Tomato Shorba is all you need to warm yourself on a chilly evening.

The best part is that this Tamatar ka shorba (spiced Indian tomato soup) is a naturally gluten-free and vegan dish, high in nutrition and flavors. You can make it in advance and serve it later after reheating. 

Serve it as an appetizer or a main course, and this soupy tomato treat wins the heart each time.

Green Chilies — lend spiciness and heat to the Shorba.

Whole Spices — Flavorsome spices like star anise, black cardamom, bay leaves, cinnamon, and cloves add tons of flavor to the soup. 

Water — To adjust the consistency of the Shorba. You may also use vegetable stock in place of water. It lends a deep, rich flavor to the recipe.

Cashew cream — Adds creaminess and mildness to the recipe and makes it super indulgent. 

Cilantro Leaves — For garnishing the soup. 

Croutons — Bread croutons add a crunch to the smooth textured tamatar ka shorba, making this dish irresistible. 

Tamatar ka shorba – Spiced Indian Tomato soup Tips and Variations

Grab the ripe tomatoes — This recipe calls for ripe and juicy tomatoes for taste and drool-worthy color. Medium-sized fresh tomatoes at their peak ripeness are most suitable for this Tomato Shorba Soup because they have an amazingly sweet, sour, and tangy flavor. 

Fresh/ canned tomatoes — You may use fresh and canned tomatoes to prepare this delicious recipe. Use canned tomatoes (28 oz cans) if fresh tomatoes are unavailable. When using canned tomatoes, reduce the quantity of water to 1 cup. After blending the Shorba, if the consistency feels thick, you can gradually add more liquid until the shorba reaches the right consistency.

Smoky-flavored Tamatar Shorba — To render a smokey flavor to the soup, you can roast the tomatoes. Roasting makes them more robust and delicious, besides concentrating the acidic tomato flavor. 

Not an onion-garlic fan? If you do not have an affinity for onions or garlic, you may completely omit to add them to the soup. Proceed with the rest of the recipe as given. 

Add sugar/ jaggery to balance sourness — The sour flavor from the tomatoes can be balanced by adding a teaspoon of sugar/ jaggery to the Shorba.

Altering the spiciness — The spiciness in the recipe comes from the green chilies. You may add or reduce the spice level depending on your preference. If you want, you can skip adding any green chilies.

Has the soup turned acidic? Fixing the soup that has turned acidic is simple. Just add cream or half-n-half to reduce the acidic taste of the soup. 

Fixing the thin consistency — A nice, thick Tomato Shorba tastes the best. If the consistency of your soup is thin, you can resort to either of the two options. Either cook it longer until the extra moisture evaporates and the soup is reduced in quantity and becomes thicker. Or, you can add a little amount of cream at the very end of the process. This will thicken the soup and lend a subtly rich, creamy, and luscious texture. 

Basil for flavor — Tamatar ka shorba goes well with Indian herbs, but if you like, you can substitute the spices for fresh basil, too. Adding a handful of fresh basil leaves at the very end will add depth of flavor to the recipe and make it completely irresistible. 

Make ahead and enjoy later — This recipe of Spiced Indian tomato soup can be prepared up to 5 days in advance and stored for consumption later. Cool the finished soup completely, transfer it to an air-tight container, and refrigerate until ready to use. Pour the soup into a pot and simmer over medium heat to reheat it. Stir occasionally until it has heated through. Serve garnished. 

Gluten-free and vegan recipe — This Instant Pot Tomato Shorba soup is naturally gluten-free and vegan. But if you are not vegan, a fresh swirl of cream on top of a hot soup will amp up the soup’s flavor. 

Let me know what you think!

This simple recipe for tamatar ka shorba is the ideal choice if you’re seeking something delicious and filling. Prepare this thick tomato soup in advance for a convenient serving later.

So, if you are ready to nourish your soul with this delicious and hearty soup, let’s get started.

Should you make this Instant Pot Tamatar ka shorba – Spiced Indian Tomato soup, please let me know your thoughts by sharing your comment below.

And don’t forget to share it with your family and friends.

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