When you think of popular canned soup brands, Progresso likely comes to mind, along with Campbell's and Amy's. This General Mills brand has a long history, dating back to the 1920s, when it was founded through the merger of two Italian import companies based in New Orleans. In addition to soups, Progresso offers a variety of canned beans, broths, and other food items.
A quick search reveals Progresso’s extensive soup selection, which includes options for different dietary needs, from low-sodium and low-calorie varieties to protein-rich choices. For example, their "Spice It Up" collection features bold flavors like Spicy Chicken Tortilla and Spicy Tomato. Meanwhile, the "Rich and Hearty" line includes satisfying choices like Three Cheese Tortellini, Lasagna-Style with Italian Sausage, and Loaded Potato with Bacon. In short, Progresso has a soup for every taste.
In this taste test, I focused on Progresso's traditional line, featuring classic flavors like Split Pea with Ham, Chicken Noodle, and New England Clam Chowder. I sampled ten of these traditional soups to help you navigate the brand's extensive and sometimes overwhelming selection, aiming to make your shopping experience a bit easier.
Here's my take on each soup, starting with my least favorite and counting down to the best.
Hearty Chicken and Rotini
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 1.5 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Carbs: 13 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 6 g
The Hearty Chicken and Rotini soup is a twist on Progresso's classic Chicken Noodle, made with rotini pasta instead of traditional noodles. Like other Progresso soups, it's packed with vegetables and chunks of chicken, making it suitable as either a side or a light main dish. Priced at $4.79, it’s decent but falls short on flavor depth.
Appearance:
This soup closely resembles the other chicken-based options in the lineup, though it has a bright yellow broth. The bowl is filled with rotini pasta, perfect if you’re looking to enjoy it as a meal. Carrot and celery pieces are generously included, adding color and texture.
Taste:
Underwhelming. I had high hopes for this one, but the pasta was a bit too soft, and the flavor was lacking. The broth, like the other chicken soups here, was overly thick and didn’t have the best mouthfeel.
Chicken Noodle
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 2.5 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Carbs: 13 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 7 g
If you’re short on time for homemade chicken noodle soup, Progresso offers a convenient alternative, though it doesn’t quite capture that made-from-scratch flavor. It’s rich and savory with a pleasant roasted chicken taste but doesn't fully deliver. Priced at $4.79, this soup didn’t leave a lasting impression either way.
Appearance:
It features a semi-clear, yellowish broth with large pasta pieces, carrots, and celery. Generous chunks of white meat chicken add to the thickness, creating a hearty texture.
Taste:
The soup has a well-balanced, savory roasted chicken flavor—neither too salty nor too sweet. The pasta is cooked to an “in-between” texture, not overly soft but not quite al dente, while the carrots and other vegetables add a nice contrast to the meaty chicken and pasta. Although it lacks a metallic aftertaste, it feels like it could use a touch more seasoning. I’d have this one again, but it wouldn’t be my first pick.
Manhattan Clam Chowder
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 2 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Carbs: 17 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 4 g)
- Protein: 4 g
When it comes to clam chowder, people usually have a preference—either Manhattan-style or New England-style (or maybe neither!). Progresso’s take on Manhattan-style, tomato-based chowder is loaded with clams, carrots, potatoes, and celery. It’s enjoyable on its own or as a side to sandwiches or salads. I bought it for $4.79 but can’t say for sure if I’d purchase it again.
Appearance:
The soup has a light tomato-red hue with visible chunks of clams, white potatoes, and diced carrots. The broth is thinner and looser than other soups on this list, but it still provides a thick mouthfeel. I noted that it’s impressively packed with potatoes.
Taste:
It’s quite savory, with a briny taste from the clams and a slight acidity from the tomato broth. Thanks to the clams, it offers more umami than a typical vegetable soup. The potatoes are soft but hold their shape, while the veggies add texture alongside the chewy clam pieces. My boyfriend described it as “unremarkable but a good choice if you’re after a meatier, umami-packed canned soup.” It’s also lighter than the New England-style chowder, perfect if you prefer a broth-based option over a dairy-rich one.
Chicken Barley
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 90
- Fat: 0.5 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Carbs: 16 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 2 g)
- Protein: 5 g
Progresso’s Chicken Barley soup offers a nice change if you’re looking for a chicken-based option that’s not the typical chicken noodle. It’s thick and hearty, filled with barley, chicken, and vegetables. I paid $4.54 for this can, finding it enjoyable but not particularly memorable.
Appearance:
The soup has a translucent, orange-toned broth with medium-sized barley pieces, generous chunks of white meat chicken, and chopped carrots and celery. It looked hearty and full right away, which was promising since some soups skimp on fillings. The consistency was thick enough that I had to scoop the barley from the bottom of the can when pouring, as it didn’t immediately mix in.
Taste:
Decent but somewhat bland. It wasn’t overly salty, which I appreciated, but it felt like something was missing flavor-wise. The barley was pleasantly chewy, while the carrots and celery were well-cooked, and the chicken pieces were tender without being rubbery. However, the broth had a slightly goopy texture that wasn’t ideal. Overall, this soup was okay hearty but not particularly exciting.
New England Clam Chowder
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
- Sodium: 840 mg
- Carbs: 23 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 3 g)
- Protein: 5 g
Just hearing "New England Clam Chowder" evokes images of East Coast beaches and fishing villages. If you’re craving that iconic taste without the trip, Progresso offers a version that brings a bit of New England to you. I purchased it for $4.54, and while it doesn’t quite compare to a restaurant bowl, it’s still satisfying.
Appearance:
This soup has a thick, velvety consistency, almost like ranch dressing, with chunks of potato and clam in its opaque broth. Few other vegetables were visible, keeping the focus on the key ingredients.
Taste:
Surprisingly, despite its thick consistency, the flavor was mild, with a neutral yet savory seafood essence—not overly salty or sweet. The potatoes, however, could have used more seasoning, as they didn’t add much to the flavor. Overall, it’s good but not outstanding. I’d likely buy it again, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Chicken Rice with Vegetables
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Carbs: 13 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: 1 g)
- Protein: 4 g
With so many chicken soups in Progresso's lineup, it’s easy to lose count. However, this chicken and rice version stood out as an improvement over their noodle-based options. Made with chicken, herbs, vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice, this soup was a pleasant surprise. I paid $4.54 for it, and I’d happily enjoy it again.
Appearance:
This soup features a clear yellow broth with visible herbs, carrot and celery pieces, chunks of white meat chicken, and bits of crushed tomato. It looked similar to other Progresso chicken soups, thick and packed with ingredients.
Taste:
Despite the variety of ingredients, the flavor was milder than expected. It had a roasted undertone but could benefit from a bit more seasoning. Thankfully, it wasn’t too salty, though it leaned on the bland side. The rice, however, was cooked well, maintaining a good texture without becoming mushy—a common issue with canned soups. Overall, I’d pick this soup over Progresso's chicken noodle varieties.
Broccoli Cheese
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 11 g (Saturated Fat: 4 g)
- Sodium: 790 mg
- Carbs: 10 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 2 g)
- Protein: 5 g
As a fan of Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheddar soup, I tend to compare every broccoli soup to theirs. While Progresso’s version isn’t quite the same (and lacks the bread bowl), it’s a solid alternative. Made with cream cheese, Cheddar, and a hint of Parmesan, this soup cost me $5.49.
Appearance:
Right out of the can, the soup has a glossy, smooth texture with a pale yellow color and small, muted green broccoli chunks. The yellow hue was a bit uneven, with some darker spots along the edges.
Taste:
Quite good, though it improved after I added a pinch of salt. The cheesy flavor is mild rather than sharp, which I found pleasantly mellow. The texture is velvety, and the broccoli pieces are very soft, almost melting in your mouth. Overall, this soup is satisfying and grew on me with each bite. I’d enjoy it again—ideally paired with some bread, a salad, or a sandwich for a more complete meal.
Beef Barley
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 2 g (Saturated Fat: 0.5 g)
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Carbs: 16 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 3 g)
- Protein: 7 g
While sampling Progresso’s traditional line, I found that the non-chicken soups tend to stand out, with this Beef Barley variety as a prime example. Its tomato-based broth, tender beef pieces, and well-balanced texture made it more enjoyable than many of the chicken options. Priced at $4.79, this soup has a lot going for it.
Appearance:
The soup has a deep orange-red broth filled with barley, chopped carrots, celery, beef chunks, and crushed tomatoes. Small oil pools on the surface add richness, and the soup looks hearty and filling at first glance.
Taste:
The flavor was excellent—beefy with a slight tomato acidity, without any synthetic or metallic notes. The beef chunks had a nice chew, and the carrots added a hint of sweetness. The only downside was the peas, which were a bit mushy and didn’t contribute much to the flavor. I’d gladly buy this soup again but might pick around the peas next time.
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 2.5 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Carbs: 17 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 2 g)
- Protein: 6 g
This was my first time trying this soup, and I’m glad I did. With a bold smoky and spicy flavor, it has a satisfying kick that keeps you coming back for more. I paid $4.79 for this chicken and sausage dish, which really delivered on intensity.
Appearance:
The broth is a translucent light red with visible flecks of seasoning. It’s packed with ingredients like white meat chicken, crumbled andouille sausage, chopped okra, peppers, and more. The broth isn’t thin and watery; instead, it’s thicker with a satisfying, hearty texture.
Taste:
This soup boasts a smoky flavor with a strong, lingering spiciness that hits the back of your throat. The chicken pieces were tender and moist, while the andouille sausage was hearty and chewy. The smoky and spicy flavors are intense, somewhat overshadowing the other ingredients, but they make the soup memorable. I’d consider repurchasing for those times when I want a soup with a bold, in-your-face flavor.
Split Pea with Ham
Nutrition (Per Cup):
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 1 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Carbs: 24 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 2 g)
- Protein: 8 g
Split pea soup can be polarizing, but Progresso’s version makes it easier to enjoy. Made with split peas, root vegetables, and diced ham, this soup is hearty, filling, and has a cozy, comforting vibe. With a good amount of fiber and low sugar content, it’s a solid choice. I paid $4.79 for this can and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Appearance:
The soup has a thick, chunky green base with diced carrots, ham, and whole peas. After heating, it thinned slightly to an attractive consistency—less “gooey” than some of Progresso’s chicken soups.
Taste:
Delicious! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The flavor was mild and earthy without being overly salty, and the small ham pieces added a smoky touch that complemented the soup well.
Overall, this soup took the top spot for its balanced flavor, pleasant texture (not overly thick or “goopy”), and versatility—perfect as a main or a side. While some other soups felt like a bit of a chore to finish, my boyfriend and I polished off this can quickly and were both surprised by how much we enjoyed a split pea soup. I’ll definitely be adding it to my grocery list.