Ranking 13 Tomato Soup Brands

For many people, cozy food memories begin with soup. From sick days curled up with a mugful of chicken noodle to hearty beef stew served in handmade pottery for Sunday dinner, soup is comfort in a bowl. Tomato soup — that familiar staple often served with a side of gooey grilled cheese — is one of the more versatile varieties, easily functioning as both a meal by itself and a flavor bomb for tarting up simple dishes.

While some ambitious home cooks prefer to make tomato soup from scratch, others opt for premade store-bought versions for ease and convenience. That's not a bad thing, of course. Whether in a box or canned, store-bought tomato soup can make any weeknight meal more memorable.

But not all soups are created equal. And though taste is undeniably subjective, that doesn't mean it's impossible to make objective judgments. On that note, we ranked some of the more well-known premade tomato soup brands on the market. After looking at everything from taste to listed ingredients to nutritional profile, we've determined which tomato soup brand is the best — and which needs a little work. Without further ado, here's our ranking of 13 tomato soup brands from worst to first.

First, the good news: Annie's Organic Homegrown Tomato Soup is made of organic ingredients and contains ½ cup of vegetables per serving. It has no artificial flavors or preservatives, either, and the red color is naturally derived. Plus, kids might be more open to trying soup from a company that's well-known for its cute bunny cookies and delicious mac and cheese.

But even the positive attributes can't save Annie's. The soup tastes relatively bland and one-note — which may be because its first ingredient (tomato puree consisting of tomato paste and water) is followed by more water as the second ingredient. The soup's salt content is another significant issue. While each can contains 29% of your daily allowance of sodium, the bump in salt doesn't equate to a boost in flavor.

Annie's Homegrown tomato soup may look bright and seem good for you, but it's ultimately disappointing. Perhaps it's sufficient for building a base with, but we'd suggest any other option if you want a more vibrant overall punch of flavor. Hence, it comes in last place in our rankings.

Aldi's Slow-Cooked Tomato & Sweet Basil soup is the chain's fresh and affordable take on tomato soup, with each 15.5-ounce container sold for around $3. When you're ready for lunch, you can just pop off the top, peel back the internal plastic, and microwave it for a few minutes until it's hot. Quick, easy, and not too bad for a healthy lunchtime staple, right?

But before you stack the pantry with these heat-and-eat gems, take a look at the label. Each container has 43 grams of sugar, 23 grams of fat, and a whopping 1440 milligrams of sodium — or nearly ⅔ of the recommended daily allowance. Additionally, Aldi's Slow-Cooked Tomato & Sweet Basil soup has a surprising ingredient that makes it potentially unsafe for some shoppers: wheat. Since the gluten in wheat can cause numerous health-related issues for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, according to Healthline, any gluten-sensitive individuals will want to steer clear — though everyone may want to stay away from this premade product.

Maybe folks with a sweet tooth will enjoy this soup. But if you're concerned about your sugar intake, you might be better off grabbing a chocolate bar instead.

Amy's Kitchen produces several products known for quality ingredients and homestyle taste. Amy's Chunky Tomato Bisque Light in Sodium focuses on good health, as well, by reducing the salt content to a mere 470 milligrams of sodium per can. This soup is also free from gluten, soy, corn, and tree nuts, which is a big plus for those with dietary restrictions (it does contain dairy, however).

The texture of this soup is silky smooth, and the flavor is decent. But there's one major issue: sugar. While not even close to the sugar content of a few other options on the list, each can comes with 26 grams of sugar — half of which is added. Food brands often utilize sugar (and sodium) to improve flavor when other ingredients aren't pulling their weight, and that might be the case here, too.

This soup isn't terrible by any means. But because of its sweetness, it's not ideal — and ranks near the bottom of our list as a result.

First sold in the U.K. in 1910 — with a factory opening in London soon after World War I – Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup is a British classic. While you wouldn't be far off the mark to think of ketchup first when thinking of Heinz, the company has a successful track record with its tomato soup, too, having sold more than 8 billion cans over the product's century-plus on the market.

Heinz tomato soup has a loud and vocal group of nostalgic supporters who love its velvety texture and consistent, uncomplicated taste. It has no artificial flavors or preservatives and is lower in sugar, sodium, and carbs than many other soups. Just be aware that each can contains more than a single serving — meaning the lower sugar and sodium content goes out the window if you eat the whole can (which is easy to do at just over 14 ounces).

The good news is that this soup makes for a great base for other recipes. Use it to add depth to stews or as a base for pasta sauce that just needs a bit of brightness.

Progresso is a well-known brand that offers 115 different products to consumers as of December 2023. In general, the company is known for its affordable prices and wide availability (see also: convenience stores). Progresso has various tomato soup options, including Tomato Basil and Creamy Tomato with Parmesan. In this case, different palates might prefer one variety over another. 

The Tomato Basil variety is a solid offering if a bit simplistic. Basil adds interest to an otherwise humdrum soup — one that has a decent amount of acidity to it. It's gluten-free and ready to serve, containing two servings per can. If you're watching your sodium intake, Progresso also has a reduced sodium version. Grab a grilled cheese and settle down with a bowl of this for a satisfying meal.

Progresso might rank higher if its ingredient list was less puzzling. The first two ingredients of the Tomato Basil – tomato puree and water — make up 98% of the soup. Unfortunately, the remaining 2% contains soybean oil, corn syrup, and natural flavors (among other challenging ingredients). Quite frankly, we can't see any reason to add these extras, so Progresso remains in the bottom half.

Everyone knows Rao's tomato sauce is good ... but what about the brand's Tomato Basil soup? For starters, like its pasta sauce, Rao's soup contains only natural ingredients. It has some of the lowest added sugars of any brand on the list, as well, and Rao's uses no added preservatives. Even better, the company's tomatoes are selected for their authentic Italian flavor, which translates to the soup.

Flavor-wise, Rao's packs a punch. It's bright and bursting with real tomato taste, and there's a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. The basil adds a depth and complexity that is missing in other tomato soups, making it perfect to play off of (and hold its own against) grilled cheese sandwiches with stronger cheese.

However, the texture is thinner and lacks chunks, which would make the soup more substantial. If you're looking for a flavorful tomato soup to serve as a jumping-off point for tomato-based recipes, Rao's is a good choice. But if you like your tomato soup as more of a hearty meal on its own, give this one a pass.

Some people have a hard time with the one-note flavor of plain tomato soup. Along those lines, some folks prefer to be more adventurous when it comes to supermarket soups. If either of these sounds like you, Maya Kaimal Tomato & Warm Spices soup is an excellent option.

Maya Kaimal Tomato & Warm Spices is a non-GMO product that harnesses the unexpected flavor of Indian curries in a smooth tomato soup. Coriander, cumin, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom marry perfectly with just a hint of serrano and black pepper for a creamy kick. Coconut cream provides a silken texture and keeps the soup vegan.

However, this soup comes with fairly staggering 51 grams of sugar per container (though only 6 grams are added). Since each container also has more than half the daily recommended amount of sodium, as well, health-conscious diners (or those with a simpler palate) may want to skip this tomato soup brand.

Trader Joe's is well-known for its unique products, quirky flyers, and different approach to customer service (the store will never deliver your groceries, for instance). But how does it do when it comes to boxed, ready-to-eat tomato soup? Pretty well, it turns out. Among premade tomato soup entries, Trader Joe's Tomato And Roasted Red Pepper soup has less fat and more protein per serving than any other soup on the list.

The nutritional profile isn't the only reason this soup is holding down the center of our rankings, though. Roasted red peppers add sweetness and interest to a pretty standard flavor profile. The brand uses organic ingredients and prides itself on offering a quality product at a reasonable price. There are four servings per carton, which means more bang for your buck, too. However, some likely prefer a thicker soup — and this one is not thick enough to stick to your ribs. But it's still great for cozying up by a fire after an afternoon in the snow.

Imagine Foods Creamy Tomato Soup has a lot going for it. For starters, the boxed carton is larger than many other entries and works better for families looking to get more than a serving or two. The ingredient list is non-GMO and organic, plus it's packed to the gills with veggies beyond tomatoes. Potatoes, celery, and carrots all make an appearance, giving this soup one of the most well-rounded flavor profiles of any on the list. It's also vegan, gluten-free, and contains no soy.

Nutritionally, this soup is a relatively lower sodium, lower calorie option. It's low in carbs and fat (if those are things that concern you), and it also provides a decent amount of iron per serving.

If there are any complaints, it's that this soup is less tomato-forward than its counterparts. The additional vegetables give it more of a veggie purée vibe than a straight tomato soup. It's not that the tomato isn't present, of course, and this definitely belongs on our list. Simply put, if you like a more complex flavor, this is a great option for you.

Travel to West Africa, and you'll find cuisine packed with spices and deeply flavored soups and stews. Egunsi Foods has captured the essence of West African flavors in its Obe Ata West African Tomato Soup. Offered in a four-pack of resealable jars, this soup is delicious on its own or used as a base for stews, braises, and even other soups.

So what makes this worthy of such a high ranking? Straight-up flavor. Red bell pepper takes the top spot in the ingredient list, which some could argue is cheating when it comes to a list of the best tomato soups. But you'll be convinced this soup belongs once you get a spoonful and sample the perfect balance of sweet red pepper, tomato, and celery. Mushrooms bring a nice slap of umami to the party, while corn, habanero pepper, garlic, and lemon juice balance this deeply flavorful soup.

Just be mindful if you're trying to limit calories or fat, as this soup has plenty of both. That may provide a strong argument for utilizing this Egunsi Foods product as more of a sauce than by the bowlful. But more than likely, you won't be able to resist a second helping, so you might as well indulge.

Pacific Foods offers an Organic Creamy Tomato Soup made with high-quality ingredients — but that's nothing new for a company that uses organic and non-GMO ingredients across its entire line of soups and stocks. What's different about this soup then? They've partnered with new "Top Chef" host Kristen Kish to develop and publish recipes that breathe new life into a standard box of creamy soup.

Pacific Foods' Creamy Tomato Soup stands out among the company's various high-quality products, with a beautiful texture that comes from dairy sourced from local farmers. Fairly low in calories, fat, and added sugar, as well, this soup is satisfying on its own or as a versatile base ingredient for pasta dishes. One important note: In addition to milk, this soup contains cheddar cheese and cheese cultures. This provides a bump in flavor, but one that may not go so well for those with lactose intolerance.

Still, the flavor is neutrally perfect tomato, which opens it up to adding other spices or ingredients to make a quick meal. In other words, Pacific Foods earns its third-place ranking.

It's a classic, and it's close to the top of the list for a reason. Campbell's Tomato Soup has served families a warm hug in a bowl for over 120 years. The Campbell's soup can is as iconic as the soup itself — which is the most consistent product on this list.

Serving this soup is simple: Open the can, add a can's worth of water or milk — milk is the only way to go in this writer's opinion (unless you use half-and-half) — heat, and serve. The texture is smooth, simple, acidic, and creamy, which makes it a perfect partner for sandwiches. Campbell's Tomato Soup isn't trying to upstage anyone or break any rules, and it seems content in a supporting role that's familiar rather than a wild, zany ride.

Unfortunately, Campbell's contains wheat, which won't be great for everyone. And yes: Even though there are a half-dozen tomatoes in every can, high fructose corn syrup makes an early appearance on the ingredient list. Adding high-fructose corn syrup is suboptimal, but honestly? It's a small price to pay for the occasional indulgence of our childhood favorite.

At the top of the list is a tomato soup brand that could only come from a chef with fine dining credentials and honors from across the globe. Wolfgang Puck has experience with fancy foods and glittery Las Vegas restaurants, and he's brought that same culinary sensibility to his line of canned soups — preeminent among them being the Tomato Basil Bisque.

Made of solely organic ingredients, this soup is creamy and bursting with flavor. There aren't a ton of extra veggies or spices, but this lets the minimal ingredients shine on their own. The dairy bolsters the nutritional profile, adding some iron, potassium, calcium, and Vitamin D that other soups are missing. Each can is one serving, as well, for a total of 240 calories.

Quite frankly, though, this soup is worth the calories. Each mouthful is luxurious and delicious, which is why it's the top-ranked tomato soup brand in our rankings. If you're going for the five-star dining experience, zhuzh it up with a sprinkle of parmesan, a swirl of high-quality olive oil, and a few grinds of fresh black pepper. It doesn't need any more than that.