Campbell’s is one of the most popular and well-known soup brands in the United States and around the world. With a history dating back to 1869, Campbell’s offers a wide variety of canned and condensed soups, including many classic favorites like chicken noodle, tomato, and cream of mushroom. However, with such a large soup selection spanning different flavors, ingredients and varieties, a common question consumers have is whether Campbell’s makes a broccoli cheddar soup.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup is a thick, creamy soup made with pureed broccoli and cheddar cheese. It is a popular soup variety that can be found at many restaurants, especially Panera Bread which serves a well-known broccoli cheddar soup. The soup has a rich, decadent flavor from the sharp cheddar cheese along with the fresh taste of broccoli. It makes for a perfect cold weather comfort food.
While broccoli cheddar is not one of the “classic” soup varieties that Campbell’s is most known for, it has become a sought-after flavor for many soup lovers. With hearty vegetables and cheese, it provides a filling and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner. That’s why many consumers wonder if Campbell’s, being one of the top soup companies, offers their own version of broccoli cheddar soup.
Does Campbell’s Make Broccoli Cheddar Soup?
After reviewing Campbell’s current and past soup selections, the answer is yes, Campbell’s does make a broccoli cheddar soup. However, it is not always available year-round.
Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup first appeared in 2008 as a limited-edition seasonal flavor under the “Campbell’s Chunky” line of ready-to-serve soups. It was sold in microwaveable containers at grocery stores during the fall and winter months.
Since then, Campbell’s has continued to produce broccoli cheddar as a seasonal, limited batch soup. It is usually available in the fall and winter when demand for warm, comfort soups is higher.
Here is a summary of when Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup has been available over the past 15 years:
| Year | Months Available |
|---|---|
| 2008 | October – December |
| 2009 | September – December |
| 2010 | November – December |
| 2011 | October – December |
| 2012 | September – December |
| 2013 | October – December |
| 2014 | September – December |
| 2015 | October – January |
| 2016 | September – December |
| 2017 | October – December |
| 2018 | September – December |
| 2019 | October – December |
| 2020 | October – December |
| 2021 | September – December |
| 2022 | October – December |
As you can see, Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup makes an appearance for a limited time each year, primarily during the fall and winter months.
Where to Buy Campbell’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
When Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup is in season, you can find it at most major grocery stores across the United States. It is sold in the canned soup aisle along with other Campbell’s soups.
Popular grocery chains that carry Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup when available include:
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Publix
- Target
- Albertsons
- Safeway
- Stop & Shop
- HEB
- ShopRite
- Winn-Dixie
Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup is sold in 15.5 ounce microwaveable containers. You can find it along the shelves with other Campbell’s Chunky ready-to-serve soups.
The broth is a rich creamy cheddar cheese base with chunks of broccoli florets. It makes for a quick and easy lunch or dinner that can be heated up in just a few minutes.
Cost of Campbell’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
When in stock at grocery stores, Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup costs between $2.49 – $3.49 per container. The exact price may vary depending on location and retailer.
Here are some example prices for a 15.5oz container of Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup:
- Walmart – $2.98
- Kroger – $2.79
- Target – $2.69
- Publix – $ 3.49
- Safeway – $2.99
Being a name brand, ready-to-serve soup, Campbell’s broccoli cheddar does cost a little more than generic canned soups. However, many consumers find it worth the extra couple dollars for the convenience, quality ingredients, and delicious flavor.
Compared to other prepared broccoli cheddar soups, Campbell’s is competitively priced. For example, Panera Bread’s famous broccoli cheddar soup is $5.99 per 16oz container.
Nutrition Facts for Campbell’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup offers a quick and tasty meal, but how does it measure up nutritionally? Here is an overview of the nutrition facts for a 15.5oz serving:
Calories and Macros
- 220 calories
- 9g protein
- 8g fat
- 26g carbs
- 2g fiber
- 460mg sodium
With 220 calories and 8g of fat per serving, Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup is relatively high in calories compared to other soup varieties. The sodium is also quite high at 460mg.
However, the 9g of protein provides a satiating nutrient, and the 2g of fiber adds some bulk. Overall, the soup can fit into a balanced diet in moderation. It makes for a substantial meal versus a light snack.
Vitamins and Minerals
Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, including:
- 45% DV vitamin A
- 10% DV vitamin C
- 15% DV calcium
- 10% DV iron
The vitamin A comes from the broccoli, while the calcium is provided by the cheddar cheese. The soup offers decent amounts of these nutrients to accompany the protein and carbs.
Ingredients in Campbell’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
To create the rich, cheesy flavor and thick texture of this soup, Campbell’s broccoli cheddar contains the following main ingredients:
- Milk – adds creaminess and calcium
- Cream – provides fat for richness and body
- Cheddar cheese – imparts signature sharp flavor
- Broccoli florets – supplies fresh veggie taste
- Flour – helps thicken the soup
- Chicken stock – builds savory base
- Onion powder – extra flavor
The first three ingredients make up the cheese sauce base, while the broccoli florets add nice texture and chunks of vegetable. Overall, the soup has a short, clean ingredient list with no artificial colors or flavors. Campbell’s uses real, quality ingredients like cheddar cheese and broccoli to craft the flavor.
How to Prepare Campbell’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup
As a ready-to-serve soup, Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup is quick and convenient to prepare. Here are simple microwaving instructions:
- Remove lid and microwave uncovered on HIGH for 3 minutes.
- Stir soup halfway through heating.
- Carefully remove from microwave and stir again before serving.
And that’s it! In just 3 minutes, you can have a hot bowl of delicious broccoli cheddar soup made with real cheddar cheese and broccoli.
The soup can be enjoyed as-is straight from the container, or you can transfer it to a bowl to eat for a more proper soup experience. Feel free to top it off with any additional garnishes you like such as:
- Breadcrumbs
- Crumbled bacon
- Sour cream
- Chopped chives
- Shredded cheese
With a preparation time of just a few minutes, Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup makes for a quick and filling lunch or dinner any time of year.
Taste and Reviews
Overall, Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup has received positive reviews and feedback for its taste. Here is an overview:
Cheese Flavor
The signature cheddar cheese flavor really shines through. Reviewers describe it as rich, bold, and tangy, with a decadent creaminess. The cheddar taste is authentic, not artificial.
Broccoli Taste
You get a nice hit of real broccoli flavor. The chunks of broccoli florets provide texture and freshness to balance out the creaminess.
Consistency and Texture
The soup has a thick, velvety smooth puree texture from the blended cheese sauce. But the broccoli chunks prevent it from being too heavy.
Convenience
Having the soup pre-made in microwavable containers is a huge plus for busy schedules. It takes just minutes to prepare a filling meal.
Of course personal taste preferences vary, but overall Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup scores points for convenience, cheesy flavor, and broccoli nutrition. It makes for the perfect quick soup to warm up with on a cold day.
How Does Campbell’s Broccoli Cheddar Soup Compare to Panera Bread’s Version?
Panera Bread’s broccoli cheddar soup is arguably the most famous version of this soup variety. People love Panera’s take on broccoli cheddar so much that they’ve sold over 100 million cups!
So how does Campbell’s version of the soup compare? Here’s a quick run down:
- Flavor: Panera’s has a bit more broccoli taste, while Campbell’s promotes the cheddar more. Both offer a rich, creamy cheesy broth.
- Texture: Panera’s soup is thinner and more broth-like. Campbell’s is a thicker, heartier puree.
- Ingredients: Panera uses bread as a thickener whereas Campbell’s uses flour. Both use real cheddar and broccoli.
- Convenience: Campbell’s is sold pre-made and microwavable. For Panera’s, you need to order it from their cafe or buy their bottled version.
- Price: A 16 oz bowl of Panera’s broccoli cheddar soup costs around $5.99. Campbell’s is between $2.49-$3.49 for a 15.5 oz microwavable container.
Overall, Panera Bread and Campbell’s offer two distinct takes on broccoli cheddar soup. Panera’s has a lighter consistency and taste while Campbell’s is thicker and cheddar-forward. In terms of convenience and cost, Campbell’s version has the advantage. But fans say Panera’s is hard to beat in terms of flavor.
The good news is soup lovers can enjoy the best of both worlds and get their fill of broccoli cheddar soup from these two popular options!
Conclusion
So does Campbell’s make a broccoli cheddar soup? The answer is yes, but it is a seasonal limited-edition flavor that typically comes out each year during the fall and winter months.
Campbell’s broccoli cheddar soup features a thick, creamy cheese sauce with broccoli florets for texture. It is sold in microwaveable containers at most major grocery stores while in stock. The convenience and cheesy, broccoli flavor make it a popular seasonal soup.
Broccoli cheddar soup lovers looking for a quick and easy version to make at home should be on the lookout for Campbell’s limited batch next time the weather turns cold. Grab a container or two and enjoy this warmth in a bowl during sweater weather season!