Tomato soup is not only tasty, hearty, and naturally nutrient dense but for many folks, represents the ultimate soul soothing comfort food. Whether you make a batch of homemade tomato soup or pick up something from the grocery store, you’re in for a meal that is good for you in oh so many different ways.
Navigating the soup aisle at your local market is not always an easy task however. These days, there are more canned soup options than ever before, and tomato soup is one of the most popular! For this reason, we’re opting to taste as many canned tomato soups as we can get our soup-happy hands on.
We’ll compare and contrast each of them, whittling down the selection to a handful of our top favorites. Stick around to find out which of the top brands is the best canned tomato soup! Because sometimes--yes, even as midsummer is peaking--ya just need a piping hot bowl of the good stuff.
What is Canned Tomato Soup?
Tomato soup is a cooked mixture of tomatoes and aromatic vegetables like onion and garlic. The ingredients are blended, often to a completely smooth consistency, and usually served hot.
Along with chicken noodle soup and clam chowder, tomato soup is a mainstay of the canned soup aisle. In order to make the soup shelf stable, it is packed into sterile cans (or cartons or jars) while hot, as this process eliminates bacterial growth and creates an airtight seal.
Types of Canned Tomato Soup
Most tomato soups are quite basic, featuring tomatoes as the star ingredient of course, and thereby featuring a very tomato forward flavor.
Sometimes, additional larger pieces of tomato are added back into the blended base in order to provide textural interest while other tomato soup varieties feature fresh herbs, pasta, rice, or other cooked vegetables. Still, other varieties of soup include fresh cream or milk for a variation known as cream of tomato soup.
Ranking the Best Canned Tomato Soup
The Test Subjects
Our tomato soup hunt yielded 15 unique brands and varieties of this liquid gold! The canned soups we tested and evaluated are as follows:
- Amy's Organic Cream of Tomato Soup
- Annie's Homegrown Organic Creamy Tomato & Bunny Pasta Soup
- Campbell's 'Well Yes!' Tomato & Sweet Basil Soup for Sipping
- Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup
- Campbell's Homestyle Harvest Tomato with Basil Soup
- Campbell's Old Fashioned Tomato Rice Soup
- Health Valley 'No Salt Added' Organic Tomato Soup
- Imagine Organic Light Sodium Garden Tomato Soup
- Kettle & Fire Savory Tomato Bone Broth Soup
- Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Garden Tomato Soup with Oat Milk
- Pacific Foods Organic Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Bisque
- Progresso Tomato Basil Soup
- Rao's Slow Simmered Tomato Basil Soup
- Trader Joe's Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
- Zuppa Rustica Tomato & Basil Soup
The Methodology
We grouped our canned tomato soups according to common characteristics, thereby establishing 8 distinct categories of review. We set out to select a winning soup from each of the following:
- Best Canned Creamy Tomato Soup
- Best Canned Chunky Tomato Soup
- Best Lower Sodium Canned Tomato Soup
- Best Canned Tomato Soup with Basil
- Best Canned Tomato Soup for Grilled Cheese
- Best Specialty Canned Tomato Soup
- Best Canned Tomato Soup For Kids
- Best Classic Canned Tomato Soup
The Taste Test
We heated each tomato soup according to its own specific instructions for stove top heating. The only exception to this was in the case of the conveniently packaged “sipping soup”, we opted to heat this one according to the microwave instructions so as to experience the true intent of the product.
Our tasting panel sampled each soup variety hot and without toppings or seasonings. Believe us, we sure wanted to pile on the cheddar cheese shreds and sour cream dollops but in the name of science, we kept things plain!
The Criteria
All the soups we tested were given a grade in each of the following five criteria:
- Taste & Texture: considering the overall flavor and consistency of each tomato soup, especially in regard to which has the most tomato-centric, best flavor.
- Nutrition Content: specifically looking at the calories, fat, sodium, and sugar content of each soup as well as vitamins, minerals and general quality of ingredients used.
- Unique Characteristics: this may be a unique flavoring, special ingredient, noteworthy presentation, or any other distinguishing factor that sets one tomato soup apart from the others we tested.
- Value: since we are comparing condensed soups with ready to serve soups, we opted to rank the value of each product in the context of price per serving.
- Production & Packaging: where each tomato soup is made, how it is produced, how widely available it is to most areas, and any positive or negative features of the packaging.
We then used all of the 5 criteria scores to calculate an overall average score for each of our best canned tomato soup contenders. The highest scoring soups in each of the aforementioned 8 categories were dubbed our winners!
Best Canned Creamy Tomato Soup: Amy's Organic Cream of Tomato Soup
Size: 14.5-Ounce Can
Here is how Amy's Organic Cream of Tomato Soup scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.2 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.2 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.6 / 5.0
- Value: 4.2 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.7 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.3 / 5.0
Amy’s Cream of Tomato Soup offers the richest experience, with its velvety texture and super creamy consistency. Unlike regular tomato soup, which tends to be broth based and tomato forward, cream of tomato soup is thickened by the addition of real dairy. In the case of Amy’s, this goodness comes when real heavy cream is added to their special blend of slowly simmered sun ripened tomatoes.
We love that the ingredients panel lists just a few other whole food ingredients. Aside from the organic tomato puree and cream, the only other components they add are: filtered water, cane sugar, onions, salt, and cracked black pepper. Nice and simple!
Amy’s is a family owned and operated business and their soups are certified USDA organic by Quality Assurance International, a third party independent certifier. It is completely GMO and gluten free, and the can makes mention of the fact that it has a BPA-free lining. Though this tomato soup shares a facility with allergens like wheat, soy, tree nuts, and seeds, Amy’s points out that they employ strict allergen protocols and gluten test each of their products. However, the facility is completely free from peanuts, fish, shellfish, and eggs.
As for the flavor, it is deeply tomato-y and rich with plenty of concentrated, sweet yet savory tomato flavor and lots of black pepper flecks, again giving off those “homemade” vibes. And, if that good taste isn’t enough, each serving of this soup provides 20% your DV of iron and 15% your DV of potassium to boot!
On the downside, this soup is quite salty, and when you flip the can over to skim the nutrition facts, you’ll see why. Each 1-cup serving of this soup is loaded with 860 milligrams of sodium per serving--which adds up to be almost 40% your DV. After looking into things, we did find that they offer a low sodium version of this same soup so be sure to check that out if you’re looking to take the salt down a notch.
Also, this soup was one of the most expensive soups we tested, working out to costing us $2.70 per serving. We take into consideration the fact that you’re paying for quality here, but still, this is not your most budget friendly pick.
Pros:
- Features the richest, thickest consistency.
- Made from real, whole food ingredients like sun ripened tomatoes, heavy cream, and organic onions.
- Comes from a family owned and operated business.
- Certified organic.
- Free from gluten, GMOs, and BPA.
- All of Amy’s products come with detailed allergen info and go through strict control measures.
- Excellent source of iron and potassium.
Cons:
- Very high in sodium, with 40% your DV per cup of soup.
- One of the least budget-friendly soups we tested.
Best Canned Chunky Tomato Soup: Pacific Foods Organic Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Bisque
Size: 16.3-Ounce Can
Here is how Pacific Foods Organic Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Bisque scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.8 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.0 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.8 / 5.0
- Value: 4.5 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0
If you prefer something a bit more texturally interesting than a perfectly pureed soup, Pacific Foods Organic Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Bisque takes the title in our Best Chunky category!
This might come as a bit of a surprise--to you and us alike--seeing as most “bisques” tend to be perfectly smooth and creamy. However, Pacific Foods’ version of the classic comes with plenty of diced tomato chunks which offer the perfect textural counterpoint to the velvety base.
In addition to the unique texture, this tomato soup also includes the sweet and toasty tang of roasted red peppers, which offer a nice complement to the sweet, umami rich tomato flavor. Aside from these two veggies, the soup contains only a handful of other ingredients like real heavy cream, butter, nonfat dry milk, citric acid, and spices. And, the fact that they opted to thicken this bisque with rice flour and cornstarch as opposed to wheat flour makes this a gluten free option!
Pacific Foods products are USDA certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers and each purchase from this brand helps to support programs that provide healthy meals to those in need via local food pantries and schools. This soup is free from GMO ingredients and canned in a BPA free container.
Though the company works to provide healthy meals, this soup is unfortunately not one of the healthier options we tested. It is the highest in all of the following: calories, total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Also, while we did greatly enjoy the overall texture of this tomato soup, we felt it was a little too brothy for what we were expecting from the “bisque” designation. We were definitely expecting a richer base here!
Pros:
- Combination of creamy tomato base and real tomato chunks provide added texture.
- Flavor duo of roasted red peppers and sweet ripe tomatoes is a winning combo!
- Made from real, whole food ingredients.
- USDA certified organic.
- Free from gluten and GMO ingredients.
- Pacific Foods contributes to meal programs for those in need.
- Packed in a BPA free container.
Cons:
- High in calories, fat, and cholesterol.
- Contains 25% DV of saturated fat per serving.
- Too brothy to be considered a bisque.
Best Lower Sodium Canned Tomato Soup: Imagine Organic Light Sodium Garden Tomato Soup
Size: 32-Ounce Carton
Here is how Imagine Organic Light Sodium Garden Tomato Soup scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.5 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 5.0 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.7 / 5.0
- Value: 4.6 / 4.0
- Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.8 / 5.0
It’s no secret that canned soups--and most canned goods for that matter--are often incredibly salty. Therefore, many brands offer a low-sodium version of their products, and when it comes to tomato, this light sodium version of Imagine Organic’s Garden Tomato Soup is our top pick!
It contains just 280 milligrams of salt per serving which is 50% less than the average. Aside from making it a friendly option for soup lovers trying to watch their salt intake, the lower sodium of this soup means you don't have to feel guilty for pairing your soup with a satisfying side of salted snacks like gluten free crackers, or our own 4-Ingredient Puff Pastry Cheese Straws.
Don’t let the lack of salt leave you thinking this soup will be light on taste though. Each spoonful of this stuff still has plenty of depth of flavor thanks to the inclusion of veggies like onions, celery, potatoes, and carrots. The texture is thick, rich, and perfectly smooth while the coloring is an attractive and autumnal burnt orange.
This soup is the lowest calorie option we tried, with just 80 calories per 1-cup serving. It is USDA organic, non-GMO project verified, free from artificial ingredients and preservatives, and is completely vegan! We also love the way the side of the carton encourages you to get creative and “imagine the possibilities” by topping this soup with combos like goat cheese + thyme or tortilla chip strips + cilantro! We love when companies help you to make their products into a meal.
Aside from the reality that a minimally salted soup will objectively simply never be quite as tasty as a salted counterpart, our only complaint about this soup is that it is definitely not the most tomato-forward option out there. Though the primary ingredient here is organic tomato paste, this soup tends to read more like a mixed vegetable soup as opposed to a tomato soup. Completely tasty! But not the most tomato-y.
Pros:
- Contains half the amount of sodium as other canned tomato soups.
- Super flavorful thanks to the inclusion of aromatic vegetables and spices.
- Texture is thick and silky smooth.
- Love the burnt orange coloring here.
- USDA organic and non-GMO.
- Just 80 calories per serving, the lowest of all we tested.
- Packaging offers some ideas for toppings and mix-ins.
Cons:
- More like a vegetable soup as opposed to a tomato-forward option.
Best Canned Tomato Soup with Basil: Zuppa Rustica Tomato & Basil Soup
Size: 19.4-Ounce Jar
Here is how Zuppa Rustica Tomato & Basil Soup scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.5 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 5.0 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 5.0 / 5.0
- Value: 4.3 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 5.0 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.8 / 5.0
Tomatoes and basil are one of those match-made-in-heaven combinations, therefore the best tomato soup with basil deserves a spotlight all on its own! Zuppa Rustica Tomato & Basil Soup is super sweet and aromatic, with a burst of basil flavor that comes through on the very first slurp.
This soup hits authenticity on the head as it is made in and imported from Calabria, Italy. Zuppa Rustica translates to “rustic soup”, and this one is exactly as advertised. With a minimally processed texture and big pieces of fresh Calabrian basil mixed right in, this option is as close to a homemade tomato soup as you can get--without making it yourself of course. The ingredients panel reflects the rustic, handcrafted nature as well as this soup contains little more than fresh tomato pulp, onions, extra virgin olive oil, basil, garlic, salt, organic rice syrup, and black pepper.
Each serving of this soup will help you hit your dietary fiber goals as it contains 6 grams per serving which is nearly 25% your DV! It also contains plenty of vitamin and mineral content such as 35% your DV of iron, 20% your DV of potassium, and 10 % your DV of calcium. And, as opposed to other canned soups which need to be transferred into another container in order to be resealed, this one comes in a reusable and resealable jar.
Unfortunately, this tasty soup is not as readily available as the others we tasted and reviewed. We only found it at one local market, and did not see any sign of this brand in major grocery stores. If you don’t luck out with it in your area, you might check online!
Also, the texture of this soup definitely reads a bit more like tomato sauce as opposed to soup. While the two tomato based products are nearly the same, tomato soup tends to be smoother and more refined whereas this version comes across more like canned crushed tomatoes--seeds, skin, and all!
Pros:
- Made in and imported from Italy.
- Has large leaves of fresh Calabrian basil and plenty of flavor.
- Contains all natural, authentic, real ingredients.
- Provides 6 grams of fiber per serving.
- Is an excellent source of iron, potassium, and calcium.
- Comes in a resealable--and reusable!--glass jar.
Cons:
- Not as easy to find as other canned tomato soup brands.
- Texture is not all that soup-like, instead is more like crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce.
Best Canned Tomato Soup for Grilled Cheese: Trader Joe's Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Size: 32-Ounce Carton
Here is how Trader Joe's Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 5.0 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.3 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.7 / 5.0
- Value: 4.8 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.6 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.7 / 5.0
Tomato soup and grilled cheese is another classic combo, and the canned soup option we’ve deemed most worthy of having a crispy crunchy grilled cheese sandwich dunked into it is Trader Joe's Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup!
The flavor of this brand was a clear favorite across our tasting panel, with its creamy, milky, silky, sweet flavor profile. After all the test subjects were tested and ranked, this is the brand our tasters wanted to keep going back to, and after so many product taste & review articles, we know that fact is one worth a thousand words.
This soup has a velvety texture and creamy consistency, making it perfect for coating the crunchy exterior of your grilled cheese, panini, or even just a slice of toast, plus all the right flavor notes to make a savory sandwich really pop. We love the nuttiness that ingredients like roasted red bell peppers and roasted garlic bring to the table here, and that there is also a touch of cayenne pepper in the mix for a subtle hit of spice!
This soup comes in a quart sized carton which is easy to reseal and stick back in the fridge if you don’t plan to consume it all at once and is also one of the most affordable soups we tested, costing only $0.87 per serving! Each serving has a full 5 grams of protein--the highest of all--and is made from all organic and non GMO ingredients. And, since they opted to thicken this stuff with rice flour as opposed to wheat ingredients, it’s also completely gluten free!
Our only complaint is the salt level here. Each 1-cup serving of this delicious canned tomato soup packs a punch of 710 milligrams of sodium per serving. This works out to over 30% your DV of this stuff. Eesh!
Pros:
- Favorite tasting & textured soup according to our tasting panel.
- Balance of flavors is perfect for complementing rich, crispy sandwiches and sides.
- Has roasted, nutty undertones and subtle spice thanks to cayenne pepper.
- Comes in a large, resealable carton that is easy to store in the fridge.
- High in protein.
- One of the least expensive soups we tested.
- Organic, free from gluten, free from GMOs.
Cons:
- Very high in sodium.
Best Specialty Canned Tomato Soup: Kettle & Fire Savory Tomato Bone Broth Soup
Size: 16.9-Ounce Carton
Here is how Kettle & Fire Savory Tomato Bone Broth Soup scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 3.9 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.6 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 5.0 / 5.0
- Value: 4.0 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.8 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.4 / 5.0
Kettle & Fire Savory Tomato Bone Broth Soup is one canned tomato soup that truly marches to the beat of its own drum, making it a shoe-in for our Best Specialty pick! Instead of being made with just tomatoes, vegetables, and/or dairy cream, this tomato soup takes a turn for the savory with a base of chicken bone broth.
The combination of savory bone broth + sweet ripe tomatoes is definitely not one that you’d expect but we really enjoy the hearty nature of this soup as well as the fact that it stands to get some of those healthy collagens, amino acids, and extra nutrients into your diet. They opted to thicken this soup with coconut milk as opposed to cow’s milk, making this a dairy free option, although obviously, not a vegetarian one.
This unique take on tomato soup with coconut milk and chicken bone broth ingredients hits all the flavor notes, sweet, sour, rich, and savory. The bone broth component is made from free range chicken bones and the soup as a whole is free from artificial preservatives and rich in organic ingredients. It is certified gluten free, paleo friendly, and free from glyphosate--a broad spectrum herbicide associated with some health concerns.
For all the good that is in this little carton of rich soup, there are a few downsides as well. First and foremost, the overall flavor has a tang which we couldn’t completely get behind. On the ingredients panel we see some acidifiers such as lactic acid and apple cider vinegar, and unfortunately, feel that these additions really take away from the balance of the tomato soup.
It also is super expensive, with each serving costing us a full $4.00, or $8.00 for the carton as a whole. And as usually the territory with bone broth products, this one is high in total and saturated fats.
Pros:
- Made with unique ingredients like chicken bone broth and coconut milk.
- Chicken is free range.
- Offers additional nutrients like collagen and essential amino acids.
- Free from dairy, gluten, artificial preservatives, and glyphosate.
- Paleo friendly.
Cons:
- Has a strong tangy flavor that takes away from the overall taste.
- The most expensive canned tomato soup we tested.
- High in fat and saturated fat.
Best Canned Tomato Soup for Kids: Annie's Homegrown Organic Creamy Tomato & Bunny Pasta Soup
Size: 14.3-Ounce Can
Here is how Annie's Homegrown Organic Creamy Tomato & Bunny Pasta Soup scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.3 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.4 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.6 / 5.0
- Value: 4.3 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.7 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.5 / 5.0
When it comes to kid-friendly foods, Annie's Homegrown Organics seems to be the expert. Their Creamy Tomato & Bunny Pasta Soup is no exception! It has a great taste and comforting vibe that kids will love. And for the parents--and kids at heart!--you’ll love its wholesomeness. There are no overly processed ingredients here, just tomato puree, bunny-shaped pasta, cream, cane sugar, cornstarch, olive oil, and seasonings.
The overall texture is nice, smooth, slightly creamy, and with plenty of noodles! Instead of the usual rice or spaghetti noodles, this tomato soup has bunny-shaped noodles making it extra fun. We noticed that the noodles have excellent texture and are not at all mushy, as we found they tend to get in other canned soups.
As with all products from Annie’s, this soup is certified USDA organic and non-GMO project verified. This soup is free from artificial flavors, synthetic colors, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup. It’s packed into a non-BPA lined can which features a pop-top for easy opening! There are 4 grams of protein and a full ½ cup of vegetables in each serving.
On the downside, this soup is at the higher end of the price range costing $2.65 per serving. And, unlike other canned tomato soups which usually only have one or two potential allergen ingredients, this one has three! Folks with wheat, milk, and/or egg allergies or aversions, this soup is not for you.
Pros:
- No overly processed or complex ingredients.
- Texture is creamy and smooth with plenty of fun, bunny shaped noodles.
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and HFCS.
- USDA organic and non-GMO.
- Can is BPA free and opens via pop top.
- Each serving has 4 grams of protein and a full ½ cup of vegetables!
Cons:
- On the more expensive end of the soups we tested.
- Has a number of allergen ingredients.
Best Classic Canned Tomato Soup: Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup
Size: 10.75-Ounce Can
Here is how Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup scored in each of our criteria categories:
- Taste & Texture: 4.3 / 5.0
- Nutrition Content: 4.8 / 5.0
- Unique Characteristics: 4.5 / 5.0
- Value: 5.0 / 5.0
- Production & Packaging: 4.5 / 5.0
- Overall Score: 4.6 / 5.0
Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup, of course, comes in as the ultimate classic canned tomato soup. At the end of the day, it’s tough to beat the can of soup that started it all. In fact, tomato was Campbell’s very first soup variety way back in 1865!
If you would like to eat it as a soup, simply mix the condensed base with 1 can of water, or, use a milk or milk substitute (yes, you could use oat milk if you like!). This soup also gets points for versatility though as the concentrated savory tomato flavor and limited moisture make it wonderful for cooking with. Campbell’s Tomato Soup makes the perfect go to ingredient for starting up a batch of chili, stew, pasta bake, or chicken cacciatore.
This soup is super tomato forward with not much else going on the muddy up the flavor profile here. A little bland, perhaps, but it serves as a good blank canvas for toppings or mix-ins--just add cooked rice, noodles, leftover cooked veggies, chopped chicken or steak, anything you like to make it a meal! Campbell’s takes the cake for affordability here too, as each serving costs just over $.50. It is completely free from fat and cholesterol and each serving provides 10% your DV of potassium and 10% your DV of vitamin C.
The obvious downside to a condensed soup option is that it takes a bit more effort to prepare as compared to a ready to heat and eat canned soup. We opted to add water to reconstitute our condensed soup in order to achieve the most straightforward taste comparison possible and honestly, the result is a bit thin and watery--not at all thick and velvety like other brands of canned tomato soup we tested. We can see how adding milk or a plant based milk wouldn't be a nice addition, or, the best of both worlds might be to add half a portion of water and half milk.
It’s important to note that if you do opt for dairy milk or non dairy milk, you must be very careful not to boil the soup as this could cause the milk to curdle in the presence of such high acidity. One other note: this soup contains sugar which comes from genetically modified crops.
Pros:
- Is one of the first canned tomato soups to ever hit the markets!
- Very versatile.
- Flavor is all tomato and uncomplicated.
- The most affordable canned tomato soup we tested.
- Cholesterol and fat free.
- Is a good source of potassium and vitamin C.
Cons:
- Flavor becomes watery if reconstituted without some portion of milk.
- Risks curdling if you heat it too quickly or let it boil.
- Contains GMO ingredients.
Best Canned Tomato Soup FAQs
How Can I Increase the Flavor of Canned Tomato Soup?
Here are a few of our favorite ways to amp up a humble can of tomato soup:
- Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper on the surface of each bowl to serve.
- Drizzle the top of your tomato soup with a good quality olive oil.
- Get something crunchy going with a handful of toasted nuts or seeds, your favorite croutons, or even unsweetened toasted coconut.
- Herbs, herbs, herbs! Try some chopped fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or torn basil leaves. Or if you have your own dried basil, that works too.
- Add some vegetables to add textural interest, plus some added nutrients! Try a handful of chopped frozen spinach, roasted mushrooms, or any leftover cooked veggies you might have on hand.
How Do You Make Canned Tomato Soup Thicker?
If it's the thickness you’re after, slowly stir in a flour or cornstarch slurry until the soup reaches the thickness you desire.
Or, stir in a few spoonfuls of heavy whipping cream, cashew cream, yogurt, or coconut cream.
Is Tomato Soup in a Can Healthy?
As a food, tomato soup can be very good for you. Tomatoes are antioxidant and vitamin rich and low in calories and fats. However, this soup can easily take a turn for the unhealthy with the addition of butter, cream, too much sodium, or processed sweeteners like corn syrup.
If you’re looking for the healthiest canned tomato soup options, reach for products that have lower sodium, higher vitamin contents, and that features a simple ingredients list of whole foods.
What’s the Difference Between Tomato Soup and Cream of Tomato Soup?
Generally speaking, regular tomato soup will contain just blended vegetables, seasonings, and broth while cream of tomato soup (also called tomato bisque) will include dairy cream.
The addition of cream will result in a soup that is much thicker, richer, and--well, creamier--than its more basic counterpart.
What’s the Difference Between Condensed Tomato Soup and Regular Tomato Soup?
Where regular canned tomato soup simply requires you to heat and serve, condensed tomato soup requires a bit of extra work. Condensed soup is a concentrated form of soup, meaning it has gone through the process of having extra water removed.
In order to make this soup ready to eat, you’ll have to mix it with an amount of liquid as instructed, usually milk, water, or stock.
Is Canned Tomato Soup Better With Milk or Water?
This boils down to whatever is your preference! If you want a creamy tomato soup, you can opt to mix your condensed soup with milk and/or a splash of cream. If you want a more vegetal, tomato-y soup, stick with water or vegetable stock.
If using milk, you’ll want to be very careful not to boil the soup as this could cause the dairy to curdle. Instead, keep things at a low simmer until hot enough to serve.
Final Thoughts on the Best Canned Tomato Soup
Whether you like your tomato soup plain or with pasta, refreshingly veggie-centric or bolstered by bone broth, there is certainly a canned tomato soup option out there to suit your tastes!
Some of the best tasting tomato soups we tested are quite high in sodium content and/or highly processed ingredients, and allergens, so be sure to keep an eye on the nutrition panel when choosing which tomato soup is just right for you.
If you've got a bit more ambition in your tank than it takes to pop open a can of soup, try popping a can of tomatoes instead and whipping up your own batch of tomato soup! No matter the season or weather, it's always a good time for a bowl of comforting tomato soup. Slurp away!
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