Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Best Store-Bought Soups That Taste Homemade

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Soup in a can is often seen as more of a plan B than a first choice for a meal. We tend to see it as the stuff of army barracks and earthquake survival kits as opposed to an easy, satisfying meal.

Well, maybe it’s the pandemic talking, or perhaps canned soup has just improved over the years, but it’s a viable and often healthy option, no matter what your diet. Moreover, it couldn’t be much easier than cracking a can and either zapping it in the microwave or warming it on the stove.

Related Reading

Plus, you can always deck it out with a good spread of cheese and crackers or some veggies and hummus on the side. As you look to keep your food pyramid interesting in 2022, don’t overlook soup, especially mid-winter when most of us could use something that can cut into the colder weather.

Amy’s

Amy's Lentil Vegetable Soup Label
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Organic and often driven by a strong bill of vegetables, Amy’s selections are a must for those who are after more healthful soups. The lentil vegetable and hearty rustic Italian vegetable are among the best, but there are tons of riffs borrowing from cuisines all over the world.

Progresso Light

Progresso Light Chicken Noodle Soup
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are plenty of low sodium and lighter option on planet soup but, frankly, many come off as diluted and flavorless. Not so with Progresso, even with classics like chicken noodle soup and clam chowder. If you do want to sneak a salty fix in now and again, go with the brand’s tasty traditional butternut squash soup.

Wolfgang Puck

Wolfgang Puck Tortilla Soup
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck pretty much changed the game when we went full soup a while back. His selections are quite reliable, including those made with free-range chicken and organic ingredients. Also try the brand’s tortilla soup and chicken with egg noodles.

Dinty Moore

Dinty Moore Beef Stew
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re looking for a filling, hearty soup that will offer the calories to push you through the day, Dinty Moore is your can. Soups like beef stew are straightforward but satisfying, so chunky they almost defy the liquid nature of soup. Come hungry, leave full, just like you did at your kitchen table as a kid.

Rao’s

Rao's Chicken Noodle Soup
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Rao’s has been whipping up soup batches since the late 1800s. The brand tends to be inspired by Italian cooking, with flavors like tortellini and vegetable and Italian wedding soup. Also stock up on homemade chicken noodle as it tastes rather homemade.

Campbell’s Condensed

Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We all know about Campbell’s traditional lineup of soups but the condensed versions feel like a supermarket hack of sorts. You can water them down and eat as soup, or used the thick concentrate in other dishes, like stroganoff or pasta. Just look for the “cream of” options and start playing around in the kitchen.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
The Manual
The Manual is simple — we show men how to live a life that is more engaged. Whether it be fashion, food, drink, travel…
The 7 best whiskey subscription boxes in 2023
Subscription services are still all the rage. A good whiskey option is a great choice to enhance your appreciation of the spirit.
Flaviar subscription with whiskeys on table.

A subscription service is a sweet thing indeed, setting us up with specialty items delivered straight to where we live. These days, the spectrum is broader then ever, with the category dealing in things from clothing subscription boxes and grooming kits to bacon and healthy meal kits.

Spirits have entered the fray too. Whiskey fans can sign up and receive special selections of their favorite spirit, sourced from all over the map. It's a great service for the novice and expert alike, as there are many options, tiers, and educational levels. Plus, they show up at your place, turning a regular mail day into a celebratory one.

Read more
Learn how to master the Coquito cocktail with these great recipes
Want to drink like they do in Puerto Rico? Mix up a Coquito, or little coconut, with these great recipes
Coquito Cocktail

In Puerto Rico, the Coquito reigns supreme. The cocktail, which translates to little coconut, is a go-to around the holidays but delicious all year long. It's an ideal drink for rum, rich, tropical, and inherently festive.

Yes, it's a major deal come Christmastime. But really, this sweet and creamy drink is great anytime you feel like dessert in a glass, whether it's as a great nightcap drink or post-meal dessert sipper. Simply put, if you gravitate towards eggnog, you're going to fall for this Puerto Rican classic.

Read more
The 10 best sweet treats for your Valentine’s Day celebration
These desserts are perfect for sharing with your Valentine
Inside Out Red Velvet Cookies

Some folks love Valentine's Day, spending the day with your special someone, fully embracing the hearts and flowers of it all. Others take great pride in declaring it a commercial greeting card holiday, and rebelling against the societal pressures set upon them. But no matter how you look at the day, it has one benefit for all: it's an excuse to make really good desserts. These 10 Valentine's Day dessert recipes range from entry-level to expert offering sugary bliss to cooks and bakers of any level. They also vary in prep and cook time, so no matter how busy you are you'll be able to whip one of these up no problem.

These Valentine's Day desserts would be great after a delicious Valentine's Day dinner or while watching a Valentine's Day movie.
Related Guides

Read more