Domates Corbasi - Turkish Tomato Soup

What is Domates Corbasi?

About the Ingredients

Turkish tomato soup has a ton of flavor for the surprisingly few ingredients it contains.

First, we need a combination of butter and flour. When these two ingredients are combined, they are cooked until they get a nice brown color. This slight browning helps add a ton of buttery and nutty flavors to the soup.

Then we of course have tomato paste. This is basically an extremely reduced form of blended tomatoes. It helps intensify that incredible tomato flavor.

We also need pureed tomatoes. You can use fresh tomatoes for that. In Turkey, most people puree their tomatoes by using a grater.

Alternatively, we find that passata, an Italian tomato product we discovered in the UK supermarkets, works really well. It is basically a ready pureed tomatoes. No skin, no seeds, so smooth, it is perfect when making tomato soup.

Milk gives the soup a nice creamy flavor also balances the tangy flavor of tomatoes.

Of course, as with any soup, seasoning is very important, but remember to season at the very end to prevent over seasoning.

How to Make Domates Corbasi

This is one of those soups you can make almost without thinking.

You start by cooking flour in butter until it turns smooth and lightly golden, then stir in tomato paste and tomatoes.

Once you add water, the soup comes together quickly, and after a gentle boil, adding some milk makes it smooth and comforting.

That’s really all there is to it. No long prep, no complicated steps, and no hard-to-find ingredients.

It’s the kind of tomato soup you can make on a busy day, with what you already have in the kitchen, and still end up with something warm, satisfying, and very familiar.

Serve your domates corbasi with a garnish of your choice. You can add some croutons to the soup just before serving, or add some kasar cheese or feta cheese and fresh basil leaves. We love to pair it with our air fryer grilled cheese too.

Variations

Here are some notable variations that showcase the versatility of Turkish tomato soup:

With Spices: It's common to add a hint of heat with the addition of red pepper flakes or paprika. You can also add a dash of dried mint or oregano for a refreshing twist.

Dairy-Free Options: Use olive oil instead of butter and coconut cream instead of regular milk.

How To Thicken Tomato Soup

This domates corbası, Turkish tomato soup is thickened using flour inside.

If you want to thicken the soup even more, you can add another tablespoon of flour to the melted butter.

But keep in mind that the more flour you add, the thicker the paste will be. This means you have to slowly add the liquid while whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.

Serving Suggestions

Serving Domates Çorbası, the classic Turkish tomato soup, can be as versatile as its preparation. Here are some traditional ways of enjoying this soup:

Traditional Accompaniments:

• Ekmek (Turkish Bread): Serve the soup with a side of fresh, crusty Turkish pide bread.
• Lemon Wedges: Offering lemon wedges on the side allows guests to add a tangy zest to their soup.

Cheese Pairings:

• Feta or Kaşar: Sprinkle crumbled feta or shredded kaşar cheese on top for a creamy, salty addition.
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich: For a heartier meal, pair the soup with a classic grilled cheese sandwich.

Salad Pairing:

• Simple Green Salad: Serve with a light green salad dressed in lemon and olive oil for a balanced meal.

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