I Asked 3 Experts To Name the Best Canned Soup Under $3—They All Said the Same Thing

For an affordable food that actually leaves me feeling full and nourished, nothing beats canned soup. There are so many options available, it's easy to heat up for a quick meal, and it involves very little clean-up. Plus, with soup season upon us, there’s no better time to stock up (pun intended) on my favorites.

When shopping for canned soup, three dollars (or less) is my magic number. Anything higher makes me feel like I should just invest in some simple ingredients and whip up a homemade soup—especially since I usually eat an entire can on my own.

So, I got curious about which canned soup under three dollars food professionals reach for regularly. Surprisingly, the three pros I spoke to said the same thing!

The Food Experts I Asked

• Natasha Fischer: Creator of food blog Trader Joe’s List and operator of kitchenware line Pat Cooks
• Erin Clarke: Creator of recipe blog Well Plated and best-selling author of Well Plated Cookbook and Well Plated Every Day
• Kat Marris: Chef instructor and private chef

The Best Canned Soup Under $3, According to Food Pros

For the tastiest soup you can buy for less than three dollars a can, these foodies all agree that Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup is the best option. 

“Amy's is always reliable, and this is my go-to. It’s loaded with tender lentils and vegetables, and it tastes like it's been slow-simmered,” says Clarke.

The incredible flavor is thanks to the impressive list of ingredients —you can easily recognize every single one as real ingredients. “The hearty, clean ingredients of this soup are surprisingly balanced and savory yet fresh,” says Marris. This soup has a creamy texture and earthy, salty flavor that is nothing short of delicious.

Plus, the whole foods that make up this soup—like organic green lentils, celery, carrots, onions, potatoes, olive oil, salt, and spices—will leave you feeling energized yet satisfied. This makes it an ideal soup choice when you're craving a hearty meal with serious staying power. “Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup is honestly one of my favorites. It’s vegan, super flavorful, and has a good amount of protein from the lentils and veggies. It’s definitely a soup you’ll always find in my pantry,” Fischer adds.

These pros enjoy this soup in all kinds of ways, too. 

Marris says she likes, “to use it on a baked potato for a hearty lunch!” Clarke likes “to bulk it up by stirring in some torn spinach and topping it with a blob of plain Greek yogurt.” Fischer also likes to beef up this soup at home, sharing, "sometimes I’ll jazz it up by adding bone broth and fresh veggies if I want something heartier, but it’s also great straight out of the can.” 

I would enjoy it with some crusty bread after a quick zap in the microwave.I know which canned soup I’ll be grabbing on my next stroll through the canned soup aisle!

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}