Picture this: You step into Panera Bread, the air smells amazing, and your stomach is rumbling. You know you want soup, but then you see the menu. So many delicious choices! Do you stick with a classic or try something new? It can feel like a mini-decision crisis every single time!
Choosing the perfect Panera soup can be tough. Maybe you want something creamy and comforting, or perhaps you need a hearty, filling bowl. Sometimes, you just want to know which one is the absolute best! We all have those days when we wish someone could just tell us what to order.
This post is here to solve that very problem. We will dive deep into the best Panera soups. You will learn about the most popular picks, the hidden gems, and what makes each one special. Get ready to upgrade your next lunch!
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Panera Soup
Panera Bread offers many delicious soups. You can buy them ready-to-eat at their cafes or find shelf-stable versions in grocery stores. This guide helps you pick the perfect Panera soup for your next meal.
Key Features to Look For
1. Flavor Variety
- Classic Favorites: Look for popular choices like the Creamy Tomato or Broccoli Cheddar. These are crowd-pleasers.
- Seasonal Options: Panera often releases special soups based on the time of year. Check for limited-time offerings for something new.
- Dietary Needs: See if the soup fits your diet. Some soups are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free.
2. Ingredient Quality
Good soup starts with good ingredients. Check the label for things you recognize. High-quality soups use real cream, fresh vegetables, and quality meats, not just fillers.
3. Sodium and Calories
Some Panera soups can be high in salt. If you watch your sodium intake, compare the nutrition facts between different flavors. Calories matter too, depending on whether this is a light lunch or a full dinner.
Important Materials (Ingredients)
When buying pre-packaged Panera soups (like those in cartons or cans), the “materials” are the actual ingredients. Always check the ingredient list:
- Base: Is the base broth, cream, or vegetable puree? Cream bases are richer but higher in fat.
- Protein Source: If it’s a chicken or beef soup, look at where the meat comes from if that is important to you.
- Vegetables: Freshly diced vegetables usually taste better than dehydrated ones.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Soup Quality
What Makes Quality Better?
- Texture: The best soups have a good mouthfeel. You want a smooth, creamy texture for cream soups or a hearty texture with distinct chunks of vegetables for broth-based soups.
- Freshness (For Cafe Soups): Soups made fresh daily in the cafe generally taste the best.
- Natural Flavoring: Quality soups rely on herbs and spices for flavor, not just artificial enhancers.
What Lowers Quality?
- Over-processing: Canned or heavily preserved soups might lose some fresh flavor during the long heating process.
- Too Much Water or Filler: If the soup seems thin or watery, the quality is lower.
- High Preservative Content: While necessary for shelf life, too many preservatives can sometimes dull the taste.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the soup changes what you should buy.
Quick Lunch at Home
For a fast lunch, the refrigerated or shelf-stable cartons are perfect. They heat up in minutes. Pair these with a side salad or half a sandwich for a complete meal.
Comfort Food Night
When you need serious comfort, visit the cafe for a freshly ladled bowl. These are often richer and hotter. They pair perfectly with Panera’s famous bread bowls.
Meal Prepping
If you are planning meals for the week, buy a few cartons of your favorite flavor. They store easily in the fridge or pantry until you are ready to heat them up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Panera Soups
Q: Where can I find Panera soups besides the cafe?
A: You can buy shelf-stable and refrigerated ready-to-eat cartons of Panera soups in most major grocery stores, usually near the refrigerated entrees or canned soups section.
Q: Are Panera soups healthy?
A: They can be! Some soups, like the Black Bean, are very healthy. Others, especially the cream-based ones like Broccoli Cheddar, are higher in fat and calories. Always check the nutrition label to see if it fits your health goals.
Q: Can I freeze Panera soup cartons?
A: Yes, you can freeze the refrigerated cartons before their “use by” date. Make sure to transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container first, as the original packaging might not be designed for freezing.
Q: What is the most popular Panera soup flavor?
A: The Broccoli Cheddar soup is consistently one of Panera’s best sellers year after year. The Creamy Tomato is another huge favorite.
Q: Do the grocery store soups taste the same as the cafe soups?
A: They are made using similar recipes, but the cafe soups are usually fresher and made in smaller batches that day. The grocery store versions are designed to last longer on the shelf, so there might be slight differences in texture or intensity of flavor.
Q: Are there vegan options available?
A: Yes, Panera usually offers at least one clearly labeled vegan soup, such as the Ten Vegetable Soup or the Black Bean Soup, depending on the season.
Q: How long do the shelf-stable cartons last?
A: Shelf-stable cartons typically have a long shelf life, often lasting several months unopened when stored in a cool, dry pantry.
Q: Does Panera offer low-sodium soups?
A: While they focus on flavor, they do not always highlight low-sodium options. You must compare the sodium content on the back of the package to find the lowest salt option for your needs.
Q: What is the best way to reheat Panera soup?
A: Stovetop heating is best for the richest flavor. Gently heat the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often. Microwaving works quickly, but stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
Q: Can I get a bread bowl in the grocery store?
A: No, the famous bread bowls are only available when you buy soup fresh at a Panera Bread cafe location.