14 Campbell's Soups, Ranked Worst To Best
Few brands have the ability to make you feel at home with just the mention of their name. However, Campbell's soup is a brand that evokes feelings of comfort, nostalgia, and, most of all, hunger.
Campbell's soup has been providing customers with delicious soup varieties for over 150 years. The rich history of the brand falls perfectly in line with the rich tastes of the soups. 95 percent of all American households have a Campbell product in their home.
Not only does Campbell's work on furthering the soups within its brand, but it also helps with COVID-19 relief by donating $9 million in food and funds within communities and $1.5 million toward nonprofit organizations to raise awareness and further education around social justice, specifically against fighting racism and discrimination.
Though Campbells' umbrella of companies includes brands like Pacific Foods, Prego, Swanson, and more, Campbell's is, at its core, a hub for soup lovers. Customers can be overwhelmed by the many different soup styles and tastes when trying to choose the perfect soup. Before you indulge in Campbell's soup, it's best to figure out which flavor is best for you.
1. Bean with Bacon
Campbell's Bean with Bacon soup has a few more ingredients than the name implies. This condensed soup has white beans, bacon, and carrots in a savory tomato purée. Campbell's recommends this soup with chicken or bean burritos or a bacon horseradish burger, which are both recipes available on the recipe page of Campbell's website.
To be fair, the Bean with Bacon soup is not a bad soup. It's just not the best on its own. This soup claims to be full of flavor, but in a soup where the bacon and beans are meant to be the focus, the tomato purée and carrots are a little bit off-putting.
Most people tend to eat it with other dishes or added items for dipping, like a grilled cheese or even a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese, according to one eater. This soup is certainly a classic, though, as it has been around for most of the time that Campbell's has existed.
2. Split Pea with Ham and Bacon
Split Pea with Ham and Bacon soup is a condensed soup that is nearly exactly what it sounds like: A blend of split peas, ham, and smoked bacon, with some carrots and celery added for some crunch. Split Pea soup in and of itself is a dish with a lot of history, even gaining its own week in November called National Split Pea Soup Week. It is a hearty soup with many variations and known additions, but the Campbell's version with ham and bacon is one of the most well-known versions.
This soup is advertised as comforting, However, though the soup is warm, it is not as comforting as you might think. The Campbell's brand does not do this traditionally homemade dish justice: This is a rather average take on the soup. The soup is still good, for sure, but it does not have the same touch as homemade split pea soup, which is essential to feeling that comfort described in the branding.
3. Chunky Beef with Country Vegetables
The Chunky Beef with Country Vegetables is the least appetizing of the chunky styles of Campbell's soup. This soup falls within Campbell's chunky category, which provides a thicker style of soup than some of the other styles, such as the condensed variety.
As the name promises, every can contains big chunks of beef and a substantial combination of vegetables like carrots, celery, peas, and potatoes. This soup is advertised as having lots of flavor and being wholesome.
This soup is undoubtedly a classic. If you are trying to check off the food group consumption for the day or just want a nostalgic meal, this soup definitely will do the trick (though, to be fair, there is a good amount of nostalgia in every Campbell's soup). The problem with this soup is the lack of excitement in its flavor. It does not bring much to your meal planning, but it will certainly satisfy your basic need for protein and vegetables.
4. Cream of Chicken
The Cream of Chicken soup is a viable option for another well-known condensed soup from the Campbell's brand. For decades, the Cream of Chicken soup has been a pantry staple in American households, but it has since become creamier than before.
This soup is a smooth combination of chicken stock, cream, and tender chicken meat. There are no antibiotics in the soup, and it is meant to be used as a customizable base for additional ingredients and/or as a side dish to a main course.
However, the Cream of Chicken soup's customizable nature is also one of its main drawbacks. It is not a soup that does well on its own unless you are sick and looking for something bland but comforting. However, while this soup has a neutral taste on its own, it's so easily customizable that it can be effortlessly blended with many different dishes and recipes.
5. Vegetarian Vegetable
Campbell's offers a Vegetarian Vegetable soup for those who do not eat meat. This condensed soup is exactly what you would expect from a vegetable soup; it is full of farm-grown vegetables like carrots, potatoes, corn, green beans, and peas. Each vegetable is cooked together in a tomato base for a solid source of Vitamin A for those who do not eat meat.
The lack of beef broth differentiates Campbell's soup from other vegetable soups. This soup is specifically flagged for vegetarians because it has no traces of meat and is safe to eat. The soup is a great source of vegetables and has a pretty decent taste, but it's better than some of the other Campbell's varieties because of how well it mixes with other dishes. The Vegetarian Vegetable soup is not only a great vegetarian option for a side dish or a different soup recipe, but it also will not disappoint any soup fans.
6. Cream of Potato
Campbell's Cream of Potato soup is a condensed base soup that is a mix of potatoes, onions, and a rich, buttery sauce. This soup is great to eat on its own when you are sick and looking for something that is good for your stomach. It works really well as a side dish to a hearty meat dish like steak or chicken. Either way, the taste of this soup is more neutral than some of the others, so adding a bit of your favorite spices can go a long way.
This soup is an explosion of potato flavor. Potatoes, in general, are an excellent side dish with a meaty main course. They can also serve as a great main course with a side dish of their own, depending on how they are prepared.
In this case, the Cream of Potato soup will always make a better side dish than a main course, but it can still be quite versatile. Adding some herbs or spices like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and more can really elevate the taste of this soup. This soup has a lot more flavor on its own than some of its fellow neutral-tasting soups, so you will be satisfied no matter what.
7. Chunky, Creamy Chicken, and Dumplings
Though the name seems contradictory, Chunky, Creamy Chicken, and Dumplings is one of the better soups that Campbell's makes. The soup is a part of the Campbell's chunky variety, but it features a smooth base.
Chicken and dumplings have a deep Southern history and are known as a comfort food, so Campbell's obviously had to create its own version for comfort soup lovers to enjoy. This version features big pieces of chicken with no antibiotics, combined with spaetzle dumplings and some savory vegetables like carrots and peas to tie the whole dish together.
It is hard to take a homemade classic and put a successful spin on it, but the Campbell's version of the Chunky, Creamy Chicken and Dumplings is an excellent example. This soup is the perfect combination of meat and vegetables, and when paired with the smooth, soft dumplings, the whole dish is a great definition of comfort. This soup won't just fuel your body and give you energy; it will actually satisfy your tastebuds.
8. Maryland Style Crab
The Maryland Style Crab soup is one of the rare seafood-based soups offered by Campbell's. This is a condensed soup, but it is also one that requires thorough cooking before consumption because not all of the ingredients are pre-cooked. This soup is made with real crab meat mixed with potatoes, peas, cabbage, red peppers, and leeks. The ingredients all come together in a tomato broth that is seasoned with mustard, paprika, and garlic. The soup is a favorite of those on the Eastern seaboard, and though it requires cooking, the preparation required is minimal.
This soup is a great example of seafood done right. If you add liquid, heat it up, and serve it, people will think they are eating gourmet crab soup. As a side dish, this soup works really well with sandwiches or salad, but it has the strength of being versatile, and it can easily be the main course in and of itself. There is a fresh taste to this soup that some of the other Campbell's soups lack, and it will definitely not disappoint seafood lovers on any occasion.
9. Broccoli Cheese
Campbell's has its own version of Broccoli Cheese soup that is surprisingly delicious. This condensed soup blends broccoli with cheddar cheese and cream into a smooth, recognizable taste. Cheese lovers will find their taste buds satisfied, but those who are lactose intolerant might want to steer clear of this cheese-based dish. Broccoli Cheese soup is typically a main course in and of itself, but it easily could pair with a sandwich or salad if you are looking for a more substantial meal.
It is really difficult to have broccoli cheddar soup that rivals Panera Bread's memorable take on the dish. Campbell's does not beat Panera Bread soup (both the fresh in-store version and the store-bought version), but it does come close. This soup offers the type of comfort that Campbell's tries to achieve with every soup on its docket: The nostalgia and the comfort really hit home with this soup.
10. Cream of Mushroom
Campbell's has many "Cream of" soups like Cream of Chicken or Cream of Potato, but the Cream of Mushroom soup is by far the superior version. This soup belongs to the condensed category, and it contains mushrooms, garlic, and farm fresh cream to give it that creamy texture. You can eat it alone, add protein and/or vegetables, or even use it as a replacement for a roux or bechamel when looking for the perfect sauce. This soup nourishes you and contains no preservatives,
It is easy to write off the Cream of Mushroom soup. Most people underestimate it and do not expect it to be incredibly delicious. However, if you are a mushroom lover, this is one of the best Cream of Mushroom soup variations you will find. It radiates flavor on its own but is a chameleon within other dishes, making it superior to other versatile soups. This soup is the perfect choice for soup lovers.
11. Homestyle New England Clam Chowder
The Homestyle New England Clam Chowder contains flavors that stem straight from the East Coast. It falls under the homestyle category, and it takes clams and vegetables and blends them together into a creamy, savory soup. Just one bite can transport you to a seaside cabin, watching the water while enjoying your fresh soup.
This soup has a great texture and is seasoned perfectly. The chunky portions mixed with the smooth, creamier portions leave your palate comfortable with no room to be overwhelmed. While this soup is delicious and fresh, the leftovers can sometimes be a bit runny, which is the only reason that this soup is not the best that Campbell's has to offer. Other than that, though, the taste and texture of this soup are almost always perfect.
12. Tomato
Campbell's Tomato soup is a condensed soup, and it is another Campbell's traditional recipe. Each can is made with six farm-grown tomatoes and seasoned to perfection. This recipe is sweet, really tangy, and just downright amazing. The creamy and consistent texture will make for a great main course or side dish any time of day or year. It also goes wonderfully well with some crunchy and buttery golden crotouns.
The Campbell's Tomato soup is a great example of what the Campbell's brand is going for in terms of evoking that sense of comfort and tradition within the brand. This soup is delicious on its own but pairs perfectly with a hearty grilled cheese. Tomato soup is a staple in the American household, and it is a good source of antioxidants, which is a welcome addition to its already good taste. The Campbell's Tomato soup easily triumphs over most of the other Campbell's soup variations.
13. Chicken Noodle
Campbell's signature Chicken Noodle soup is special: Campbell's takes extra special care with this recipe. First, the cook takes fresh egg noodles, seasons the chicken broth, and adds in chicken meat. Altogether, this recipe creates a warm, tender, and, most of all, delicious concoction for times when you are looking for a quick meal or craving the classics.
This soup truly is the original cure for any sickness. Taking one whiff of Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup when you are sick will open up your sinuses and make your mouth water. It is also bound to make you feel much better.
This soup is the ultimate reminder of comfort, good memories, and recuperating from illness. This soup is among the best Campbell's has to offer for the memorability factor alone. But, when the taste elements and perfect recipe mix with the memorability, this soup is perfect for almost any occasion.
14. Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla
The Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla soup is the very best among Campbell's soups. The soup belongs in the Homestyle collection, and it is full of ingredients from the South of the border. This soup combines ingredients together for a Southwestern delight that includes chicken, corn, beans, chili peppers, and tortilla chips.
The Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla soup is packed with flavor. The combination of ingredients in this soup all blend perfectly to form a delicious take on Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla soup. This soup strikes the consistency between thin and thick, and it falls perfectly in the middle.
Every bite is seemingly filled with each ingredient in a perfect ratio, as no one ingredient overpowers another. Additionally, the soup is a mild level of spicy, so you can add more seasonings and spices if necessary. This soup is perfect for any occasion. It can be easily prepared to your liking, and it will always satisfy your soup cravings.