The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
Flu season is in full swing, and if there’s one thing we all crave when we’re under the weather, it’s a comforting bowl of soup. Whether it’s the nostalgia of a warm tomato soup or the classic remedy of chicken noodle, the right choice can make all the difference when you’re battling congestion and chills.
But does it matter if your soup comes from a box or the refrigerated aisle? To find out, I put two popular options to the test – one boxed and one refrigerated for both tomato and chicken noodle – and enlisted my friends for their honest opinions. Which soup reigns supreme in taste, consistency, and overall sick-day satisfaction? Let’s find out.
The Contenders
For this taste test, I picked two versions of each soup from Trader Joe’s:
Tomato Soup
- Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup (boxed)
- Trader Joe’s Tomato Feta Soup (refrigerated)
Chicken Noodle Soup
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle Soup (canned)
- Trader Joe’s Kettle Cooked Chicken Soup (refrigerated)
Both options were heated up and served side by side, with my friends blind-tasting each to avoid bias. We judged based on flavor, consistency, and overall comfort factor, keeping in mind that when you’re sick, you just want something soothing and satisfying.
Tomato Soup Face-Off
Boxed: Tomato Roasted Red Pepper
This boxed tomato soup had a smooth texture, but leaned on the thinner side. It had a slightly tangy and smoky flavor from the roasted red peppers. While it was tasty, some found it a bit thin and more like a tomato sauce base than a hearty soup. The flavor was well-balanced but lacked the creamy, rich quality we craved on a sick day.
Refrigerated: Trader Joe’s Tomato Feta Soup
This soup was substantially thicker and creamier, with a more complex flavor. The addition of feta gave it a slight tanginess and extra depth, making it feel heartier and more indulgent. It felt like something you’d get from a café rather than a grocery store.
Winner: Tomato Feta Soup (refrigerated)
This soup had a rich and velvety consistency, and when you’re sick this will feel more like a meal rather than a warm drink. Also, the chunks of feta gave the soup a more dynamic, layered taste rather than the straightforward tomato of the boxed version. The overall combination of bold flavors and creaminess added comfort like a blanket; thus, a much better choice for a sick-day meal.
Chicken Soup Showdown
Boxed (Canned): Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle Soup
This can of soup was simple and familiar – tender noodles, a mild broth, and soft pieces of chicken. It was comforting but had a slightly processed taste, and the broth felt, again, a little on the thinner side. While it did the job, it didn’t stand out as anything special.
Refrigerated: Trader Joe’s Kettle Cooked Chicken Soup
This soup had a much richer, homemade feel compared to its boxed counterpart.. The broth was deeply flavorful, with a simmered taste that felt more natural and comforting. Instead of noodles, it was packed with tender, shredded chicken and vegetables, making it a heartier option. The generous portions of chicken give a more substantial, protein-packed feel, perfect for when you’re under the weather and need something nourishing. It tasted like something your grandma would make rather than a store-bought container.
Winner: Chicken Soups (refrigerated)
Trader Joe’s Kettle Cooked Chicken Soup came out on top for several reasons. To begin, the flavors were as far from a processed taste as possible – I truly meant my comment about it tasting like my grandma’s! The soup also felt much more filling and nutrient-dense. When you’re sick, getting enough protein and nutrients is key, and this soup delivered on that front. Lastly, I found that chicken soups commonly have a broth that is heavily salted and too overpowering, but this was well-balanced which made it easier to sip on, especially if you’re dealing with a sore throat.
Beating the Flu: Is Fresh Worth It?
After tasting both boxed and refrigerated options, the verdict was clear: the refrigerated soups were the winners in both categories. They had richer flavors, better textures, and a more comforting, homemade feel – exactly what you want when you’re sick. While the boxed soups were convenient, and still decent, they lacked the depth and heartiness of their fresh competition.
That being said, if you’re in a pinch, a boxed soup will still warm you up and get the job done. But if you have the option, reaching for the refrigerated soups is the way to go for a more satisfying sick-day meal.