The best canned tomato soup is savory but also a little sweet. It might be totally smooth and creamy, or it might have chunks of real tomato and flecks of basil. It’s definitely not just watered down ketchup (though that can be satisfying in its own right if you’re really scrounging). And it’s not just marinara sauce you can eat with a spoon (though some of the best marinara sauce is good enough that you totally could do that—just don’t call it tomato soup).
Over the course of two separate tomato soup taste tests, I have tried countless canned tomato soups that are just okay. There are a lot out there that are…fine. But there are seven that are exceptional. Here’s what I look for in a can of tomato soup: tomato-forward flavor that strikes a balance between sweet and savory, creamy broth even if it’s a chunky soup (no hot tomato water, please!), and comfort. Tomato soup should be soothing—even when it’s a can of tomato soup or boxed tomato soup. You should be able to heat it up and instantly feel calmed. And bonus points if it pairs well with a grilled cheese sandwich.
We tasted nearly 20 different canned tomato soups in order to find the best ones for you. It’s a service we provide for free to you. You’re welcome. So, here they are, it’s the best canned tomato soup. Start grilling those cheeses.
- Campbell’s Well Yes! Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Sipping Soup
Would I drink this canned tomato 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 canned 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
- Great Value Tomato Condensed Soup
Want a slightly cheaper alternative to Campbell’s? Walmart’s Great Value is the best canned tomato soup for you. 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 Condensed Tomato Soup
Okay, this one goes against a lot of what I wrote about in the intro. It doesn’t taste like real tomato. It tastes like ketchup—warm, satisfying ketchup. And, look, sometimes that scratches an itch—sometimes that fake flavor is what is truly comforting. It’s sweet and a touch tangy and packed with umami flavors. It’s the best canned tomato soup to 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.
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- Trader Joe’s Organic Creamy Tomato Soup
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. Keep this boxed tomato soup around to pair with a grilled cheese sandwich. .Maybe even a fancy grilled cheese made with good cheddar rather than American cheese. It would make for a truly satisfying lunch.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon
- Specially Selected Gourmet Soup Tomato Parmesan Bisque
If you like to garnish your soup with a handful of salty cheese, this jarred Aldi soup is the best canned tomato soup you will ever have. There is no lack of parmesan flavor here and I love that. There are also good tomato-y chunks, so you’re not just eating cheesy tomato broth. The chunks are brightly acidic—not just there for texture. They contrast with the salty, savory broth. If you tossed a few really good croutons into a bowl of this soup, you’d be eating pizza with a spoon.
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- Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Another boxed tomato soup offering (maybe the way to go with canned tomato 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 contributor 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 go back for 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
- Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Tomato Soup
Talk about cozy. This soup (which is technically boxed tomato soup, not canned tomato soup) 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 for the best canned tomato soup. This is comfort to the max. Buy this soup.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
Best on the Go
Best Budget
Best Condensed
Best for Grilled Cheese
Best Cheesy
Best with Red Pepper
Best of the Best
Other canned tomato soups we tried: Amy’s Organic Soups Chunky Tomato Bisque, Amy’s Organic Soups Chunky Tomato Bisque, Pacific Foods Organic Tomato Bisque, Campbell’s Slow Kettle Style Tomato & Sweet Basil Bisque, Specially Selected Slow Cooked Tomato & Sweet Basil, Amy’s Cream of Tomato, Progresso Tomato Basil, Campbell’s Homestyle Harvest Tomato with Basil, Kroger Condensed Tomato Soup, Chef’s Cupboard Condensed Tomato Soup, Rao’s Tomato Basil Soup, Annie’s Tomato Soup
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