The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
If you want grocery-store soup with a freshly made impression, start with the refrigerated section, then compare frozen options. In Consumer Reports’ comparison of 30 ready-to-eat chicken noodle, minestrone, and lentil soups, chilled and frozen soups led its taste ratings. That is a useful format-level clue—not a guarantee that every refrigerated soup beats every canned one.
Why refrigerated and frozen soups are worth a look
Consumer Reports’ 2026 comparison covered 30 ready-to-eat soups: 10 each of chicken noodle, minestrone, and lentil. The sampled products included canned, refrigerated, and frozen varieties. Its testers assessed flavor and texture as well as nutrition and additives, and the chilled and frozen soups led the taste ratings. The finding applies to those three soup styles and products in that comparison; it does not establish winners in other categories, such as clam chowder or broccoli cheddar.
Consumer Reports nutritionist Amy Keating, RD, who led the testing, was quoted as saying, “A lot of them tasted like they could have been freshly made and had better texture.” Consumer Reports’ article is the source for the test and quote; its page was not accessible when the source was checked, so the quote’s full context and exact punctuation could not be confirmed.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhich refrigerated grocery soups are worth trying?
Use current store listings as a shortlist for your own taste test, not as proof that a product tastes fresh. Walmart’s deli and prepared soups listings, checked October 4, 2026, included these refrigerated options:
#1 Best Overall
- One 19 ounce can of Traditional Chicken Noodle Soup
- No certified synthetic colors
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Contains: Eggs, Wheat
- Ready to serve with an easy-to-open lid
- Marketside Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Soup: a 16-ounce listing.
- Marketside Creamy Tomato Bisque: a 16-ounce listing.
- Marketside Chicken Noodle: a 16-ounce listing.
- Marketside Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice: a 16-ounce listing.
- Marketside Lobster Bisque: a 16-ounce listing.
- Panera Bread Ready-to-Heat Chicken Noodle and Broccoli Cheddar: 16-ounce cups.
These are examples of products listed at the time of checking, not personally tasted recommendations. Retailer assortments, package sizes, recipes, prices, and local availability can change.
How to choose a soup that suits your taste
- Compare the same kind of soup. Chicken noodle is easiest to compare with chicken noodle, rather than with a creamy bisque. The controlled comparison covered chicken noodle, minestrone, and lentil; it does not rank the many other varieties on store shelves.
- Check the package and current price. Confirm the size and calculate price per ounce if value matters. A tub and a cup may differ in portion size, and retailer listings can change.
- Look at the current ingredient and nutrition label. Formulations vary, so rely on the package in front of you rather than an old listing or a general impression of a brand.
- Try a small portion before buying more. “Fresh” and “deli” describe how a product is presented, not whether its flavor or texture will suit you.
Keep taste and nutrition as separate decisions
Consumer Reports said soups with more vegetables and legumes, less than 650 mg of sodium per cup, whole-food ingredients, and no additives tended to receive more favorable nutrition scores in its comparison. That is a nutrition finding, not a taste ranking or individualized dietary advice. Check the serving size and sodium amount on the specific package, especially when comparing products.
Rank #2
- One 18.8 ounce can of Hearty Beef & Vegetable Soup
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Contains: Wheat, Soy
- Ready to serve with an easy-to-open lid
- Amazon Grocery has all the favorites you love for less. You’ll find everything you need for great-tasting meals in one shopping trip.
What shopper recommendations can—and cannot—tell you
Recent shopper-oriented roundups discuss soups from Whole Foods, Publix, Costco, Panera, and other grocery options. They can help generate ideas, but comments and shopper impressions are anecdotal rather than controlled taste tests or evidence of broad consensus. See Eat This, Not That!’s refrigerated soup roundup and its deli soup roundup as examples of that kind of coverage.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Campbell's Chunky Soup: One (1) 18.8 oz can of Campbell’s Chunky Savory Pot Roast Soup
- Big Flavors: Vegetable beef soup seasoned and simmered with potatoes, carrots and tender beef in an undeniably satisfying beef broth
- 13 grams of Protein: Hearty soup that has vegetables and 13 grams of protein in each can
- Pantry Staple: Enjoy this canned soup at home or at work as part of a delicious, filling lunch, or take on outdoor adventures to eat by the campfire
- Microwavable Soup: This easy to microwave soup is simple to prepare, just heat in a microwave-safe bowl and serve
Rank #4
- WHAT'S INSIDE: One 10.5-ounce can of Chicken Noodle Soup
- NEW LOOK: Your favorite amazon saver products are now part of the Amazon Fresh family! Packaging may vary, but the product and quality you love are exactly the same.
- HIGH QUALITY, LOW PRICES: Amazon Saver brand products are all about high-quality food that fits every budget, every day.
- ONLY FROM AMAZON: Look for the Amazon Saver label to find great deals on a wide selection of grocery essentials.
Rank #3
- HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS: This chicken noodle soup is the start of a great meal, crafted with seasoned chicken broth, egg noodles, and tender chicken without antibiotics
- WARMS YOU INSIDE & OUT: Think warm thoughts when you pull out Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup from the pantry. This family-favorite makes cooking in the kitchen fun
- CUSTOMIZABLE SOUP: Just add water to this easily customizable chicken noodle soup to savor delicious flavor
- MADE WITH EGG NOODLES: This canned soup is made with egg noodles for a truly comforting flavor
- PANTRY STAPLE: Each non-BPA-lined, recyclable 10.75 ounce can of condensed soup contains about 2.5 servings
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
