Not everyone has the time to craft their very own, homemade winter warming soup.
Even with the help of a handy immersion blender or one of those fancy soup makers from the likes of Ninja, when we finally make it through our front door after battling a nine-to-seven workday and a horrendously stormy commute, the last thing we want to do is craft a hearty meal from scratch. We’d like that steaming cup of wholesome goodness to magically swirl itself into being, as a fluffy blanket is placed lovingly around our shoulders by cartoon birds.
Sometimes, we’ll pluck up the courage to cook anyway; all the while reminding ourselves that individual ingredients are both cheaper and infinitely healthier than a ready meal or takeaway. Yet the humble canned soup sits in a strange low-effort grey area. It’s an incredibly value-for-money meal, even if you’re buying an artisan loaf of crusty bread and a miniature wheel of premium cheese alongside it.
Though they often contain preservatives like phosphates, sulphites and MSG, we’d be surprised if something that technically lasts months didn’t have some sort of additive. Ultimately, so long as you’re not eating canned soup every day of the week, you needn’t worry. What’s more, a bustling variety of vegan, wholefood soups have hit the market in recent years – offering a healthier, feel-good instant broth that you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying.
Before we get into the thick of this canned soup selection, bear in mind that not all instant soups come in aluminium vessels anymore. Just because they’re housed in a plastic tin, or even a sachet, doesn’t make them any less worthy of praise. The only downside to soup that isn’t in a can, is that it doesn’t tend to last as long – though that’s nothing a good old freezer can’t fix.
Keep scrolling for the best canned soups to shop in the UK.
Pack of 2 Suma Organic Soup - Spicy Lentil
Wonderfully comforting and perfectly spiced, Suma’s organic spicy lentil soup is a winter pantry staple for vegans and non-vegans alike. Free from any animal products and artificial flavourings, the soup is far from bland and makes the most out of the organic, sustainably farmed ingredients that constitute it. Expect curry-esque spiced undertones and a hearty vegetable base with perfectly cooked red lentils and a hint of pumpkin, potato and carrot.
Buy now £4.30, Ethical Superstore
Waitrose Creamy Parsnip Soup
An oh-so-creamy option from Waitrose, this parsnip soup contains a brilliant amount of seasoning – including black pepper, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, ginger, pimento, chilli pepper, turmeric, nutmeg, ground cumin, garlic powder and bay. Just reciting that list has left us out of breath. Rest assured, it’s a healthy, filling and hearty soup which goes beautifully with some buttered toast. You could even add a dollop of heavy cream if you’re feeling extra decadent.
Buy now £1.10, Waitrose
Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup
At under a pound a can, Heinz’s Cream of Tomato isn’t just a fan-favourite because of its great price point despite being a name brand. One sip of its dreamy tomatoey goodness is instantly comforting, providing a relief akin to a perfectly brewed cuppa after a long day at the office. It’s a cheeky cure for mid-week blues and tastes even better when enjoyed with a sourdough cheese toastie.
Price is for a six-pack, trust us you’ll want the lot.
Buy now £4.28, Amazon
Heinz Minestrone Soup
The best thing about minestrone soup is that no one is stopping you from adding extra pasta or rice. It’s the ultimate comfort dish on a cold winter evening spent in front of the telly, and no one does a canned minestrone better than Heinz.
It's low in fat, contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and just half a can makes up one of your five a day. Uncomplicated and always delicious, it’s made up of a red pepper, potato, onion, tomato and carrot base with real pasta noodles.
Buy now £6.98, Ocado
M&S Smooth Butternut Squash Soup
Not for the faint of heart, M&S’ ultra smooth butternut squash soup is surprisingly spicy – which is why it’s a top pick here at ES Best. Boosted with ginger and chilli and tempered with coconut cream, it’ll certainly open up your sinuses. The healthy soup is entirely gluten-free and also includes sweet vine-ripened tomatoes.
Buy now £3.00, Ocado
Campbell's Cream of Mushroom
When we think of the classic American canned soup and the inspiration behind Warhol’s most famous pop art prints, many of us go straight for the beloved chicken noodle soup. Though it’s certainly a delicious childhood classic, we’d like to make the case for the humble Campbell’s cream of mushroom offering instead. Delicious alone, as a pie filling or mixed into pasta, it has a subtle earthy and garlicky taste.
Price for 12.
Buy now £18.00, Amazon
itsu Miso Easy Traditional Soup
Another incredibly versatile pantry staple no matter the season, Itsu’s miso easy sachets can be used for soups, marinades and dressings. Our favourite way to enjoy the umami flavour is in a large mug with plenty of boiling water. Though miso soup certainly doesn’t constitute a full meal, it’s a great mid-afternoon snack or starter for an Asian-inspired supper.
Price for 12.
Buy now £20.62, Ocado
Crosse and Blackwell Cream Of Roast Chicken Soup
Crosse and Blackwell has been in the soup game since 1819, making the farm-to-table brand a reliable source for your warming winter meals. This hearty, flavourful option contains roast chicken, double cream, plenty of chicken stock, leek, potato and a hefty dollop of garlic and other essential seasoning.
Buy now £1.20, Amazon
Mr Organic Black Bean & Vegetable Soup
With flavours akin to homemade veggie chilli, Mr Organic’s black bean and vegetable soup offers a simple and delicious meal which is high in protein. One of your five a day, it’s also made with celery, carrots, potatoes and varied spices for a robust finish.
Buy now £1.46, Ocado
Cully & Sully Chicken & Vegetable Soup
Some critics describe the Cully & Sully chicken and vegetable soup as too salty, but we think it’s just right. The best kind of medicine for a rotten winter cold, the gluten-free wonder has an impressive concentration of vegetables and vegetable stock – including 19 per cent carrot, 11 per cent potato, eight per cent onion, four per cent chicken and four per cent leek. Plus it comes in a handy reusable container.
Buy now £2.30, Ocado
M&S Pea & Mint Soup
Surprisingly luxurious, this humble pea and mint canned soup from Waitrose tastes homemade. It’s crafted with British double cream and petit pois for a comforting flavour and is lightly seasoned with black pepper and salt. The mint offers a subtle zing without overpowering the flavour, and we really enjoyed the vegetable stock undertones.
Buy now £1.10, Ocado
Freja Bone Broth | Best of Mixed Pack | Beef & Chicken
Freja bone broth is taking supermarkets by storm for good reason. Both chicken and beef options offer a hearty blend of meaty bones. The beef broth is simmered down with a delicious mix of onions, carrots, parsnip, salt, parsley thyme, salt, black pepper and bay leaf. Meanwhile, the chicken broth is simmered with onion, carrot, salt, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and black pepper.
Freja’s chicken and beef are responsibly sourced from Norway and are grass-fed, hormone and GMO-free. The broths are housed in 100 per cent recyclable packaging and have a whopping 24-month shelf life, making them a pantry essential.
Buy now £35.99, Amazon
