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I’m a soup lover through and through. In fact, I eat it all year long, not just during the winter (also known as “soup season”). I have several recipes I love to make, but my passion for this comforting dish doesn’t stop there. I also truly appreciate several brands of canned soups.
However, with how extensive the canned soup aisle is these days, not all brands are all that good. To save you the disappointment of a bad purchase, I spoke with four food professionals to learn which canned soup brands they’re likely to skip at the grocery store. Interestingly, they all shared the same one!
The Food Pros
Kat Marris: Professional recipe developer and former chef instructor at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Credit: Simply Recipes / Progresso
The Canned Soup Brand You Should Skip
Generally, you won’t find these food professionals reaching for Progresso soups.
“To be honest, I’d be unlikely to purchase Progresso canned soup because I gravitate toward meals made with fresher ingredients and more balanced nutrition, and canned soups can be higher in sodium and less customizable,” Castillo explains.
Marris agrees, adding that she’s particularly not a fan of Progresso Rich & Hearty Broccoli Cheese with Bacon. “This soup is high in sodium and saturated fat due to the cheese and bacon combo. It also left a bit of a fatty residue on my tongue, and I found myself wanting more substance than the soft broccoli provided,” she says.
“Progresso is a well-known brand, but similar to others, the ‘flavor’ is a heavily salted chicken broth that lacks complexity,” Peterson shares.
Ramos also wouldn’t pick this canned soup brand at the supermarket—most of the time. “I’m unlikely to buy Progresso canned soup because I’d rather make a quick pot at home—broth, veggies, and chicken isn’t hard, and it tastes a million times better,” she says. However, her daughter loves the brand’s Chicken Noodle soup, “when she’s homesick, she can open a can and heat it herself, it’s her favorite sick day food.”
That said, Marris echoes a sentiment shared by all of these foodies, “overall, Progresso feels more like an occasional comfort food treat than a truly satisfying, well-rounded meal. I’m not saying that it’s bad or shouldn’t be enjoyed; it can still be a tasty and convenient choice! I just think there are better canned soup options out there if you’re looking for something more balanced nutritionally or more filling.”
So, while Progresso isn’t the first brand these food pros would reach for, by all means, continue enjoying it if you love it. However, you could be missing out on tastier, more nutritious brands at the supermarket.
Read the original article on Simply Recipes
Dining and Cooking