On a chilly day, a hot bowl of soup can provide an instant feeling of warmth and coziness. When we’re sick, soup is a soothing remedy that’s gentle on the stomach, easy to digest, and full of nutrients to help the body recover. And in our fast-paced lives, the convenience of quickly heating up a bowl is invaluable. But, finding a canned or boxed soup that closely mimics the flavors and quality of a homemade version can be a challenge. With so many choices in the supermarket soup aisle, it’s impossible to taste them all, so we’ve done the work for you.
When searching for the perfect soup, look for natural, whole-food ingredients with a lower sodium content. They tend to taste more like what grandma used to make. Which store-bought soups hold a candle to homemade? While we didn’t hold a marathon taste test, we did scour nine expert reviews to find the five best soups on supermarket shelves that were mentioned most. If we missed your favorite, let us know in the comments below!
The List: Best Store-Bought Soups, According to Reviews
1. Rao’s Chicken Noodle
Everyone loves Rao’s marinara sauce and the same holds for the company’s jarred chicken noodle soup. Why is it so good? Because it tastes like it came right out of grandma’s kitchen, promises Sporked. The noodles never get soggy or limp and the broth is seasoned just right. Since it doesn’t come in a can, you don’t need a can opener, and it won’t have any metallic taste.
If chopping veggies and simmering chicken isn’t your thing, do the next best thing and buy this soup. If you’re throwing a dinner party, your guests will probably never know it’s not homemade, as long as you throw the jar away. The Spruce Eats loves that the chicken is antibiotic-free and the company doesn’t use artificial colors or flavors.
Let’s be honest, the chicken in some canned chicken noodle soups can be a bit questionable, but that’s not the case here. The chicken in this soup looks and tastes like the real deal, writes Delish. In addition, if you can’t finish the entire portion, you can reheat the soup and the veggies and noodles still keep some of their “al dente bite.”
2. Amy’s Organic
Amy’s is a solid brand with many flavors. The tasters at Delish love the lentil soup, saying it has a homemade flavor thanks to the “perfectly tender lentils.” Team it up with a salad and some bread, and you have an almost homemade meal in minutes!
If you like to dip grilled cheese into your tomato soup, Amy’s variation has a bit of a twist. Unlike regular tomato soup, which is broth-based, Amy’s Cream of Tomato soup is thickened with real cream. As a result, it has a velvety texture that is hard to match, according to The Daring Kitchen.
This soup company is named after the founder’s daughter, Amy. When she was pregnant, she couldn’t find healthy soups for women on bed rest, so she and her husband decided to make her own! There’s a soup for everyone, but Tasting Table is partial to the rustic Italian vegetable which is called “simple, yet flavorful.”
3. Panera Bread
Fast casual chain Panera Bread may be known for its salads and sandwiches, but it also makes soup that it sells in grocery stores. One of the most popular soups is the Autumn squash soup which Sporked recommends you enjoy in the fall, but there’s no law requiring that. If you love soup year round – you’ll like the mix of sweet and savory, and you’ll honestly think it’s homemade.
Panera offers more soup varieties in the grocery store than in-store. But if you do get it at the grocery store, you will miss out on the popular bread bowl the soup comes in at the restaurants. The Tasting Table is still trying to figure out how to make the bowl at home. Until then, you may want to opt for takeout if you insist on eating it in the comfort of your own home.
The chain’s baked potato soup surpasses a traditional baked potato bar in flavor and comfort. SheKnows is fond of this particular soup, claiming that it rivals a trip to Panera for a cozy bread bowl experience. If there’s no Panera Bread near you, this creamy grocery store option is both convenient and delicious.
4. Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Tomato Soup
If you like sweet tomato soup, made with organic milk, onions, and garlic, run to the store now to buy this soup from Pacific Foods! Sporked Editor-in-Chief Justine Sterling says it’s the best grocery store soup on the market. It comes in both a can and an easy-to-pour container.
Home cooks love this soup too because, like a black outfit, you can dress it up or down. Add some herbs or pasta or pair it with a salad or a sandwich. AllRecipes says you’re only bound by your imagination.
If sustainability is important to you, you’ll be happy to know this company makes sure not to harm people, animals, or the planet when making their soups. With every slurp, you’ll not only be nourishing your body, but the environment, says Tasting Table.
5. Campbell’s Well Yes!
This is not the condensed Campbell’s soup your parents grew up on and as such rounds out our top five list. The Well Yes! line is made with simple ingredients and wholesome veggies and does not require you to add water, states SheKnows. The soups are packaged in drink-friendly containers so you can sip them on the go!
No need to make soup yourself with this brand that offers convenience without sacrificing taste and goodness. Well Yes! is made with straightforward ingredients and includes everything required for a warm meal in one easy-to-prepare container, boasts Tasting Table.
Just like Amy’s soups, Campbell’s Well Yes! has no artificial colors, flavors, or ingredients. The chicken meat is also antibiotic-free. The Roasted Chicken & Vegetable soup provides a healthy seven grams of protein and is even made with bone broth, which is all the rage, writes Eat This, Not That!
You may also be interested in:
- 5 Tasty Chicken Soup Recipes By Experts To Boost Your Immune System
- Best Chicken Noodle Soups
- Healthiest Fast Food Options
Sources:
- Sporked
- All Recipes
- Insider
- The Spruce Eats
- She Knows
- The Daring Kitchen
- Eat This, Not That!
- Tasting Table
- Delish
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
Most of these are liquid sodium bombs.
One had to make their own soup and go lightly on the salt in order to avoid it. Cook in large batches and freeze in smaller containers.
Plenty of great recipes on the net at no cost…
Update: A single 16 ounce jar of Raos’ chicken noodle, for example contains 61% of the recommended daily MAXIMUM intake of sodium.