The Best Canned Soup at Trader Joe's, According to Experts

Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite places to pick up prepared foods. Between its impressive frozen food selection, refrigerated meals and salads, and pantry goods, you really can’t go wrong. Among these options, TJ’s canned soups are always in my shopping cart so I can have them on hand—they're one of my go-to, ready-to-eat meals.

If you’re at all familiar with the grocery chain, then you know the canned foods aisle can be overwhelming. Choosing a soup is tricky. So, I decided to consult a few food experts to find out their No. 1 Trader Joe’s canned soup pick. Surprisingly, they all named the same one.

The Soup-er Stars

• Natasha Fischer: Creator of food blog Trader Joe’s List
• Erin Clarke: Creator of recipe blog Well Plated and best-selling author of Well Plated Cookbook and Well Plated Every Day
• Patty Castillo: Founder of Trader Joe’s Aficionado and recipe developer
• Meggan Hill: Executive chef and CEO of Culinary Hill Inc.

The Best Canned Soup at Trader Joes, According to Experts

All four food enthusiasts agree the Organic Lentil Vegetable Soup is the best canned soup at Trader Joe’s. “This one is hearty, packed with veggies and a slow-simmered flavor that tastes way fancier than a can should," shares Castillo. "It’s the kind of soup you keep in your pantry.” Fischer adds: “The Organic Lentil Veggie Soup is a year-round staple for me. It’s hearty, packed with protein, and feels like a complete meal in a can.”

The experts note that you can expect to feel plenty full after digging into this can. “I love this soup because it's hearty, balanced, and actually tastes like something you could have simmered at home," explains Clarke. "The lentils give you protein and fiber, so this soup has staying power."

Though these food pros say the soup is great on its own, they offer a few tips for zhuzhing it up. “For freshness, I add a squeeze of lemon juice, lime juice, or red wine vinegar, and fresh cilantro," notes Hill, adding that she'll also stir in leftover vegetables, or cooked chicken or turkey for more protein.

Clarke adds a handful of baby spinach and a squeeze of lemon, then finishes with feta and a drizzle of good-quality olive oil. “Serve it over warm brown rice or quinoa to make a quick stew-style meal bowl," she suggests, adding that it's great with cooked crumbled sausage for meat eaters.." Castillo is also a fan of the spinach and lemon juice combo, while Fischer adds bone broth and a handful of whatever veggies she has on hand.

A Close Second Pick

As a runner-up, these pros also recommend Trader Joe’s Organic Split Pea Soup. “This soup is proof that sometimes the most comforting recipes are the simplest. It's thick, cozy, and naturally smoky tasting,” shares Clarke, who loves serving it over a baked potato with all the fixings.

Castillo stirs in crumbled bacon and smoked paprika after heating it for an even deeper smoky flavor. “Thick, velvety, and shockingly comforting, this soup tastes like you spent hours cooking—when in reality, you just opened a can.” Fischer is also a big fan; she tops it with freshly grated Parmesan and some black pepper, or a dash of hot sauce if she's craving heat.