Have you ever really thought about canned tomato soup? Lucky for you, you don’t have to. Because I have.
I’ve wondered about the point of such a smooth, thin soup. I’ve considered whether or not it was just watered down ketchup—and whether or not that’s what I actually want out of a tomato soup. I’ve meditated on the right way to imbibe canned tomato soup—from a spoon? From a mug? From specially made ergonomic packaging?
Upon sitting down to taste test some of the top brands of canned tomato soup, the Sporked team and Mythical’s director of operations Jordan Blazak agreed on one thing: Tomato soup is all about comfort. So, with that in mind, we picked up our spoons and started slurping down soup after soup. Here are the best ones we tasted.
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- Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Tomato Soup
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Talk about cozy. This soup (which is technically boxed, not canned) is as decadent as plain tomato soup can get. It’s made with organic milk (from dairies local to their Oregon HQ, according to the brand), for a wonderfully creamy texture. And it gets some added flavor from the addition of garlic and onion. Pacific Foods is my go-to broth or stock brand, but now it is also my go-to tomato soup brand. This is comfort to the max. Buy this soup.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
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Another boxed offering (maybe the way to go with canned soup is actually to opt for a box??), Trader Joe’s ultra-creamy tomato soup also includes sweet-and-tangy roasted red pepper. “This is how you add peppers into tomato soup,” said Sporked staff writer Danny Palumbo. “They’re working together. They’re making a good, flavorful soup. You want this.” There are layers of sweet-savory flavor in this soup, making you want spoonful after spoonful. Give this to your parents when they come into town. They’ll think you made it. They’ll be proud.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
- Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Tomato Soup
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Though it was thinner than our top pick, TJ’s no-nonsense soup is still quite creamy and decadent with a delicious tomato-y sweetness. Our guest, Jordan B., said this was his pick to have with a grilled cheese sandwich—something salty to compliment the soup’s sweetness. I agree. This soup plus a gooey grilled cheese—maybe even a fancy grilled cheese made with good cheddar rather than American cheese—would be a truly satisfying lunch.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
- Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup
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“This is the go-to when you’re feeling sick,” said Jordan B. It doesn’t taste like real tomato. It tastes like ketchup—warm, satisfying ketchup. It’s sweet and a touch tangy and packed with umami flavors. It’s the canned flavor I look for. It’s the can you should always have on hand in case a cold creeps up on you and you only have the energy to add a can of water to a can of tomato goop. It’s the old reliable for a reason. It holds up after all these years.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
- Great Value Tomato Condensed Soup
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Want a slightly cheaper alternative to Campbell’s? Go with Walmart’s Great Value brand soup. It’s nearly identical to its brand name compatriot, it’s just missing a little bit of that ketchupy edge. Still, if you add a few grinds of pepper and maybe a sprinkle of salt, this will do the job nicely—especially if you’re turning to a bowl when you’re sick and your senses are dulled. I’m not saying that to throw shade. It’s a legitimate situation a person must consider.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- Campbell’s Well Yes! Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Sipping Soup
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Would I drink this soup in the car? Well, yes! I would. It comes in a microwaveable sippy cup and I love getting the opportunity to drink out of a sippy cup as an adult. It tastes more complex than a basic tomato soup thanks to the addition of roasted red bell pepper. Microwave up a cup the next time you’re standing out in the cold, watching a marathon go by, or when you’re running out the door and craving something warm for lunch rather than whatever crackers and string cheese you can stuff in your pockets.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
Best of the Best
Best with Red Pepper
Best for Grilled Cheese
Best Condensed
Best Budget
Best on the Go
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My favorite easy meal is grilled cheese and tomato soup! We always keep the great value tomato soup stocked in our house!
For anyone willing, try adding a dollop of sour cream into your tomato soup. Might just kick it to the next level.
Great list! Did you try Heinz tomato soup? That is the best, I wouldn’t have anything else personally.
I wonder if they tried Campbells Homestyle tomato soup? It’s by far SUPERIOR to the regular condensed stuff IMO.
I completely agree and was hoping to see Pacific Foods as the best of the best! Only tomato soup I’ll buy it truly is the best.
Aldi brand “Specialty Selected” Tomato Parmesan Bisque is a recent discovery I have made. I don’t even like tomato soup all that much but this one has become a staple in my pantry. It’s definitely worth checking out!