I Tried All 5 of Campbell's Protein Soups
The new lineup has a bone broth base and plenty of legumes. Here's my honest review.
Image Courtesy of Campbell's
Protein is in just about everything right now, from breakfast cereal to Starbucks coffee. Whether you’re watching your macros, looking to bulk up or need a more protein-packed diet while taking GLP-1 medication, there are plenty of reasons protein is popping up all over restaurant menus and grocery aisles.
And now, iconic soup brand Campbell’s is leaning into the trend to help you get a few more grams in at lunch with canned Protein Soups.
What are Campbell’s Protein Soups?
Campbell’s Protein Soups are the brand’s new bone broth-based category of ready-to-heat-and-eat canned soup products. Each can contains 20 grams of protein, and the line is launching in five flavors listed below, with descriptions provided by Campbell’s:
- Homestyle Chicken & Rotini: A delicious combination of slow-simmered bone broth, white meat chicken, carrots, celery, navy beans and pasta.
- Italian-Style Wedding: Crafted with slow-simmered bone broth, meatballs, carrots, spinach, pasta and navy beans.
- Lemon Pepper Chicken: A hearty soup made with slow-simmered bone broth, white meat chicken, carrots, chickpeas, rice, corn, celery and kale.
- Southwest Black Bean: Features bold Southwest-inspired flavor including slow-simmered bone broth, black beans, tomatoes and bell pepper.
- Mediterranean Lentil: A vibrant blend of slow-simmered bone broth, lentils, tomato, carrots, red peppers, chickpeas, onions and spinach.
What is in Campbell’s Protein Soups?
On a Nutrition Facts level, Campbell’s new Protein Soups all boast 20 grams of protein per can (which is technically two servings) while also clocking in between 5 and 13 grams of fiber, depending on which flavor you choose. While doing some anecdotal grocery store comparison shopping, the closest alternative I could find was a chicken soup with 19 grams of protein, and many erring under half that amount. I also noticed Protein Soups topped out at 1120 milligrams of sodium per can, which is as much as a third less than some of Campbell's other, similar soup products.
Probably the biggest differentiating factor between these Protein Soups and other Campbell’s Soups is the bone broth base sourced from chicken, which is one way these soups boost their protein counts. Legumes also feature in all of them, from black beans and navy beans to chickpeas and lentils (and even quinoa shows up in the Lemon Pepper Chicken), all bringing additional protein and fiber to the mix.
Adam Campbell-Schmitt
How do Campbell’s Protein Soups taste?
I tasted all five Protein Soups hitting stores this month. What they had in common, especially when compared to other canned soups I’ve tried, was plenty of satisfying texture. All five soups offered hearty — almost veering toward stew-like — consistency, making these a filling lunch or dinner option. In swapping the usual chicken stock for chicken bone broth, there is definitely an umami bass note in every spoonful. As someone who has regularly sipped mugs of plain bone broth, I found it a familiar and not unwelcome flavor. I also noticed these soups, as mentioned above regarding reduced sodium content, simply tasted less salty than many pre-made soups I’ve tried.
The most flavor-packed, to my taste, was the Lemon Pepper Chicken, with bright pops of lemon and pepper coming through the otherwise rich ingredients. I liked the choice of noodles and large chunks of veggies in the Homestyle Chicken & Rotini, which was giving classic chicken noodle soup vibes. Similarly, Italian Style Wedding Soup delivered on the heartiness and comfort food status of its inspiration. Finally, while I could stand for something a bit spicier (especially to make up for the reduced salt), both Mediterranean Lentil and Southwest Black Bean, which I paired with some tortilla chips, were a nice change of pace from chicken and carbs — though vegans and vegetarians be warned, they still contain chicken bone broth.
Where to find Campbell’s Protein Soups
Officially launching July 14, Campbell’s Protein Soups begin rolling out in grocery stores nationwide this month and are currently available on Amazon. If you’re used to looking for Campbell’s red labels, for protein think green: These larger, 16-ounce cans (akin to the size the brand uses for products like Homestyle) are marked with dark green tops. Cans of Campbell’s Protein Soups are expected to retail from $2.39 to $3.25 per can, depending on the flavor.
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