What’s your go-to comfort food on a chilly day? For many of us, that answer involves a warm, flavorful bowl of Panera soup. But step up to that counter, look at the long list of options, and suddenly, the decision feels monumental. Should you stick with the reliable Broccoli Cheddar, or dare to try the exotic new seasonal special?
Choosing the perfect Panera soup can be surprisingly tricky. You want something satisfying, not too heavy, and definitely delicious. Navigating the menu to find the best match for your mood—whether you crave creamy, savory, or vegetarian—often leads to decision fatigue. We have all been there, staring blankly while the line builds up behind us.
Don’t let soup confusion ruin your lunch! This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down the most popular Panera soups, detail what makes each one special, and even offer tips on pairing them perfectly with a sandwich or salad. Prepare to become a Panera soup pro.
Top Panera Soups Recommendations
- One 16 oz cup of Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Store Panera soup in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to prepare
- Thick soup that is made with chopped broccoli and shredded carrots and simmered with select seasonings in a velvety smooth cheese sauce
- Panera Bread at home microwave soup made with no artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors or colors from artificial sources
- Bakery-cafe inspired Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup cup that’s easy to enjoy at your convenience
- Chef-Crafted Cheddar Bisque: Savor the authentic flavors of slow-cooked ingredients like broccoli and cream in this delicious restaurant-quality soup
- Time Is Our Most Important Ingredient: Slow Kettle Style Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Bisque is simmered to perfection for an indulgent taste that will make you want to slow down and enjoy every spoonful
- Available in easy-to-open, microwave-safe bowls that are perfect for work, school, or on the go
- Quick & Easy Indulgence: Slow Kettle Style Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Bisque is conveniently packaged in a microwavable bowl for a delicious indulgence you can just heat, serve, and savor with any meal
- Pantry Staple: This broccoli cheddar soup ships as a single 15.5-ounce microwavable bowl
- Chef-Crafted Baked Potato Soup: Savor the authentic flavors of slow-cooked ingredients like applewood uncured bacon, roasted potatoes, and cream in this delicious restaurant-quality soup
- Time Is Our Most Important Ingredient: Slow Kettle Style Baked Potato Soup with Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon is simmered to perfection for an indulgent taste that will make you want to slow down and enjoy every spoonful
- Quick & Easy Indulgence: Slow Kettle Baked Potato Soup with Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon is conveniently packaged in a microwavable bowl for a delicious indulgence you can just heat, serve, and savor with any meal
- Crafted With Quality Ingredients: This baked potato soup contains no high fructose corn syrup and no artificial colors
- Pantry Staple: This chicken noodle soup ships as a single 15.5-ounce microwavable bowl
- Campbell's Slow Kettle Style: One (1) 15.5 oz microwavable bowl of Campbell's Slow Kettle Style Tomato & Sweet Basil Bisque
- Savory Flavors: Tomato bisque soup crafted with tangy tomatoes, cream and a hint of basil
- Vegetarian Soup: This smooth and rich tomato bisque is vegetarian
- Pantry Staple: Enjoy this slow kettle style soup at home or work as part of a delicious, flavorful lunch or dinner
- Microwavable Soup: Easy to microwave soup is simple to prepare, just heat for 1.5 to 2 minutes and serve for a restaurant-quality experience
- One (1) 32 oz carton of Pacific Foods Light in Sodium Organic Butternut Squash Soup
- USDA Organic soup that’s consciously crafted with non-GMO ingredients, including fall-harvested butternut squash and less sodium than the regular version
- Ginger, onion, and garlic mingle with cinnamon and nutmeg to round out the flavor, creating a plant based, vegan soup with a hint of nuttiness
- With 2.5 grams of fat per serving, this gluten free soup makes it easy to be intentional about the way you stock your pantry
- Enjoy it on its own as a quick and easy vegan snack, pair it with a salad or wrap, or use it to create flavorful sauces and side dishes
- Tender chicken, roasted corn, diced tomatoes, cheese, jalapeños and tortilla chips
- Made with premium ingredients
- Freezable—just heat and eat
- One (1) 16.1 oz can of Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Noodle Soup
- Made with tender organic chicken, chicken broth, egg noodles, garden vegetables and a balanced blend of seasonings for a delicious microwave soup
- USDA Certified Organic chicken soup with non-GMO ingredients and no artificial colors or no added flavors
- Canned soup contains 13 grams of protein per can
- Organic soup is delicious on its own as a quick and easy snack, customized with your favorite toppings or paired with a salad, sandwich or wrap
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Savoring Panera Soups at Home
Panera Bread is famous for its delicious soups. Now, you can enjoy them right in your kitchen! This guide helps you choose the best Panera soups to buy.
Key Features to Look For
When you pick up a container of Panera soup, check these things first.
- Variety of Flavors: Panera offers many types. Do you like creamy soups, like Broccoli Cheddar? Or maybe you prefer broth-based soups, such as Ten Vegetable? Pick the flavor you love most.
- Portion Size: Check how much soup is in the container. Some are single servings. Others are family-sized. Make sure the size fits your needs.
- Ingredient List: Look at the back of the package. See what ingredients the soup uses. If you have allergies, this step is very important.
- “Clean” Labeling: Many people look for soups made with real, recognizable ingredients. Good quality soups often highlight things like “no artificial preservatives.”
Important Materials (What’s Inside Matters)
The “materials” in soup are the ingredients. High-quality Panera soups use good stuff.
The best soups feature real cream, fresh vegetables, and quality meats (if applicable). For example, the Chicken Noodle soup should clearly show chunks of real chicken and vegetables. Avoid soups that list too many hard-to-pronounce chemicals. Better ingredients usually mean better taste.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a Panera soup taste great, and what can make it taste just okay?
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Slow Simmering: Soups that are simmered longer often have deeper flavors.
- Fresh Produce: Using vegetables that haven’t been sitting long makes a big difference.
- Rich Broth Base: A strong, flavorful broth is the foundation of a great soup.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Too Much Salt: Some pre-made soups use too much salt to boost flavor quickly.
- Artificial Thickeners: If the soup feels slimy or overly thick from powders instead of natural ingredients (like roux or pureed vegetables), the quality drops.
- Watery Texture: A soup that tastes watered down means the core ingredients were skimped on.
User Experience and Use Cases
How will you use your Panera soup? Thinking about this helps you choose the right kind.
Panera soups are fantastic for quick weeknight dinners. They heat up fast, saving you cooking time. They are perfect for busy students or parents. Use them as a light lunch paired with a side salad or a half sandwich. For a colder day, a hearty soup like Chili warms you right up. If you are hosting a casual gathering, having a few containers ready is much easier than making soup from scratch.
Remember, the best experience comes from heating the soup slowly on the stovetop. This lets the flavors blend nicely again. Microwaving works too, but take care not to overheat the edges.
Panera Soups: 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are all Panera soups available in grocery stores?
A: No. Panera sells different types in grocery stores (usually in refrigerated tubs) than what you get at the cafe. Check the refrigerated or frozen sections.
Q: Can I freeze Panera soup?
A: Yes, most store-bought Panera soups freeze well. Transfer the soup to an airtight container first. Make sure to leave space at the top for expansion.
Q: How long do store-bought Panera soups last in the fridge?
A: Once opened, they usually last about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator, but always check the “Use By” date printed on the package.
Q: What is the lowest sodium option?
A: The Ten Vegetable soup is often one of the lower sodium choices, but you must compare the nutrition labels on every package you buy.
Q: Are Panera soups vegetarian?
A: Some are! Look for options like the Creamy Tomato or the Ten Vegetable. Always verify the label to ensure no hidden chicken or beef broth was used.
Q: Do these soups contain gluten?
A: Many creamy soups use flour as a thickener, which contains gluten. If you need gluten-free, you must carefully read the ingredient list for wheat or barley.
Q: What is the best way to heat the soup?
A: The stovetop method is best. Pour the soup into a pot and heat it over medium-low heat, stirring often until hot throughout.
Q: Are the grocery store tubs the same as the cafe soups?
A: They are very similar, but often not identical. The cafe soups are made fresh daily, while the store-bought ones have preservatives added to help them last longer on shelves.
Q: What is the most popular flavor to buy?
A: The Broccoli Cheddar soup is consistently the most popular and sought-after flavor among Panera fans.
Q: Can I use Panera soup as a base for another recipe?
A: Absolutely! Use a creamy soup as a sauce base for pasta, or thin out a broth soup to poach chicken breasts in.