Tomato Soup Packs 100% More Depth When You Add This Savory Sauce

We would never lodge a complaint against the ever so creamy, delicious, and comforting tomato soup, but you must admit that it can sometimes feel one-note and lack savory depth. It's bright and absolutely rich to be sure. However, without the accompanying grilled cheese, it can feel a bit incomplete. This doesn't have to be so. In fact, one simple ingredient can instantly bring a kick of umami to this classic soup: everyone's beloved Worcestershire sauce, a fermented condiment made from a number of ingredients, including vinegar, molasses, tamarind, and anchovies.It is more often found in unforgettable steak marinades and pot roasts, but it's also the perfect secret ingredient for your next batch of tomato soup, giving it subtly sweet, tangy, and delicious savory depth. 

The best part? It's no trouble at all to add. Simple pour about half a tablespoon of the sauce for every can of tomatoes in your soup toward the end of cooking. Or, if you prefer, you can add it after sauteing your aromatics. Either method works, and you can always add more if you prefer. If you're a bit cautious about incorporating new ingredients, start with less and pour more as you taste.

The beauty of this hack lies in its simplicity. You can absolutely make your soup as usual and just pour a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for a nice, savory kick. You can even add it to a canned or prepackaged tomato soup for instant depth. But you can also use it as a starting point for a larger revamp. Build on the flavor of your Worcestershire sauce by adding complementary ingredients, such as bacon or pancetta, which will give a little more meatiness to your soup. You can even layer in the bacon-y flavor by cooking the meat in a pot before sauteing your aromatics in that salty fat. This will give your soup more richness and a meaty base that would work beautifully with Worcestershire sauce.

You can also add extra seasonings, such as horseradish, which will work well with the umami condiment and infuse even more brightness into your tomato soup. Or look for flavored cheeses, like shredded horseradish cheddar, which will bring sharp, tangy cheesiness to the soup. The key is to be creative and work with ingredients that can help bring out the best in tomato soup and its added Worcestershire sauce.