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 2021, don’t overlook soup, especially mid-winter when most of us could use something that can cut into the colder weather.
Amy’s
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
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
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
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 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.
Williams Sonoma
For something a little more high-end, Williams Sonoma offers soup starter kits in a jar. The flavors tend to be a little more thoughtful and the ingredients fresh and balanced. It’s the next best thing to making a homemade batch. The company also offers some delicious dry soup starters.
Proper Good
These soups are packaged in bags instead of cans but the utility remains. They can be prepared in a blistering 90 seconds and you’d never know it was such a speedy preparation given the tasty results. Look out for flavors like sweet red pepper and meatball, chicken and mushroom, and some sound plant-based options.
Campbell’s Condensed
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
- The 11 Best Spaghetti Sauce Brands to Buy in 2021
- The 11 Best Coconut Water Brands To Stay Hydrated and Energized
- The 7 Best Kombucha Brands to Drink Right Now
- The Best Ginger Ale Brands To Drink Now
- The 20 Most Popular Beers to Buy in 2021