5 Best Canned Lentil Soups of 2024
Canned lentil soup is nutritious, delicious, and extremely convenient. If you are looking for the best canned lentil soup brands of this year, then this guide is just for you.
What are the 5 best canned lentil soups of 2024? Always pick a canned lentil soup brand that fits your needs. Think about texture, flavor, and consistency before deciding! We recommend going with Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup, Progresso Lentil Soup, Pacific Foods Organic Lentil Soup, Imagine Organic Lentil Soup and Campbell’s Hearty Lentil Soup.
Read below to learn more about how lentil soup is made, its characteristics, what to look out for, and our recommendations!
Canning Lentil Soup
There is nothing like a bowl of lentil soup to warm you up! Lentil soup has played a pivotal role in providing nutrition throughout centuries.
It is thought that early civilizations relied on simple lentil-based recipes for food because it was widely available and easy to prepare compared to hunting for meat.
Lentils are great for satiating hunger as they provide a lot of fiber and nearly all necessary nutrients, including plant protein. Many vegetarians also rely on lentil soups to fulfill their daily nutrition requirements!
Humans have been canning food for decades.
Ever since we discovered preservation techniques for meat and other food, we have been experimenting with different ways to prolong the shelf life of raw and cooked food; one such way is canning.
In essence, canning is a process that involves vacuum sealing food.
Two things cause rapid deterioration in food: oxygen and bacteria.
Air oxidizes food, and while this doesn’t make it “go bad” in the traditional sense, it does make the food less appealing since oxidation negatively impacts texture and even flavor – meaning that you will still be able to eat the food without getting sick, but it will not be as enjoyable.
The second, and more serious reason why food goes bad is because of bacteria.
Bacteria are all around us and once they infest any organic matter, they begin to multiply by devouring the nutrients in the food. As per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bacteria cultures can multiply every 20 minutes in optimal conditions.
Bacteria thrive between 68F-74F, and if food is kept out for enough time, then it will likely go bad.
So how do canned foods, that don’t even require refrigeration, solve these issues? Well, as we mentioned, canning requires a vacuum seal that gets rid of the oxygen inside the can – and as for bacteria, manufacturers add salt, vinegar, or any other acidic ingredient to hinder the growth of bacteria.
For example, canned meat is prepared using nothing but raw meat and a bit of salt that creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria. In the same way, canned lentil soups usually have a high sodium content and may even have a few preservatives that make them super shelf stable.
Most canned lentil soups can last up to 2-3 years – some soups may even last up to 5 years without refrigeration! However, the key to the longevity and quality of canned food is that they are never opened and are kept in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.
Characteristics of Canned Lentil Soup
Here is what you can expect inside every canned lentil soup:
Flavor and Sodium Content
The flavor of canned lentil soup will vary from one brand to the other. In addition to this, the flavor is also dependent on the type of soup and the ingredients used to season it. In most cases, you can expect the soup to have savory, umami-laden, and lightly spicy flavors.
You can check the back of the can to see the exact ingredients and what to expect from the soup. We highly recommend that you also check the sodium content of canned lentil soup. These soups are known to pack a lot of sodium to maintain flavor and quality – but you can also find healthier alternatives that taste just as good.
Texture
Lentil soup has a unique texture and can vary depending on your preference. Some people enjoy a completely smooth soup without bits and pieces of lentil while others like a bit of bite in their lentil soup.
Manufacturers produce various types of lentil soups depending on demand. If you like lentil soup with whole pieces of lentils, then you should thoroughly check the description printed on the can. A soup that contains whole but tender lentils without mushy textures indicates high quality.
An easy way to figure out the texture of the soup is by looking at the product photo printed on the can. What you see is what you get, so always refer to the description and photos to determine the texture and quality of the soup.
Preparing Canned Lentil Soup
There are several ways to prepare canned lentil soup at home. Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to use canned lentil soup:
Step 1) Carefully open the tin using a can opener, some cans also have a “lift-to-open” mechanism where you just pull on the handle to separate the lid from the can.
Step 2) Pour the contents of the can into a pot. It is normal for the canned soup to become slightly thick. If it is too thick, then you can add a splash of water to freshen up its texture.
Step 3) Put the pot over medium heat and wait until the sides of the soup begin to bubble.
Step 4) Begin mixing the soup while it heats up. The idea here is to allow the soup to heat until it steams. Do not boil the mixture or you might end up ruining the original texture and flavor of the soup.
Step 5) Turn down the heat and let the soup simmer at low heat for 4-8 minutes.
Step 6) Dish out the soup on a plate or bowl and allow it to cool down for 2-3 minutes. Enjoy!
You can also microwave the soup but for the best experience, we recommend that you stick with the pot-heating method. To microwave, simply place the contents of the can in a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of water.
Heat the soup for 2-3 minutes at high heat. Make sure that you stir the soup every 30-40 seconds so that it heats up thoroughly. Check the temperature of the soup after 2-3 minutes and heat the soup in 1–2-minute intervals as needed.
Once the soup is done, remove the bowl and let the soup rest for about 1-2 minutes. Dig in and enjoy!
Note: You can also check out the heating instructions mentioned on the back of the tin for an even better experience.
5 Best Canned Lentil Soups of 2024
Here are our top picks for the best lentil soup brands of this year!
| Rank | Brand | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Progresso Lentil Soup | Organic, high-quality ingredients |
| 2. | Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup | Low sodium, high nutrition, low fat |
| 3. | Pacific Foods Vegetable Lentil Soup | High-protein, vegetables, low sodium |
| 4. | Campbell’s Hearty Lentil Soup | Fresh taste, high-quality canning, excellent texture |
| 5. | Imagine Foods Lentil Soup | Variety of flavors, gluten-free, organic, kosher |
1) Progresso Lentil Soup
Progresso lentil soup is for people who want an organic soup made from high-quality ingredients. This brand has been consistent in delivering premium-grade canned food for decades and its line of lentil soups lives up to expectations!
Made from high-quality lentils, handpicked vegetables, and an array of delicious seasonings, this is an excellent vegan and gluten-free option for people who want a rich and flavorful soup.
2) Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup
Unlike other brands that rely on a lot of sodium to flavor their products, Amy’s lentil soup takes a different route.
Amy’s is a well-known brand in the canned food market and if you want the very best lentil soup for your family, then you should try their line of organic lentil soup. It’s high in nutrition, low in fat, and has less sodium than other brands.
3) Pacific Foods Vegetable Lentil Soup
Made from a great combination of vegetables and lentils, we highly recommend this canned lentil soup to anyone who wants high-protein plant-based food. Each can of this delicious soup delivers about 14g of protein!
The soup tastes great and you can expect the same nutrition as other high-end brands – except Pacific Foods uses less sodium to flavor their products, which is a good thing!
4) Campbell’s Hearty Lentil Soup
When it comes to canned food, Campbells is a giant with a capital G! This brand arguably started the canned food market in North America and has been at the forefront of delivering high-quality and nutritious food for decades.
The benefit of going with Campbells is that they use their expertise in canning to deliver a product that not only tastes great but is also fresher than competitors. Their hearty lentil soup delivers on its name. The soup has an excellent texture, and its flavor will surely exceed your expectations.
5) Imagine Foods Lentil Soup
Imagine Foods ticks all the boxes when it comes to quality, flavor, and texture. This brand sells a variety of lentil soups that you can purchase according to your palette. The best thing about this lentil soup is that it can be enjoyed by everyone since it is gluten-free, organic, kosher, non-soy, non-dairy, vegan, and vegetarian-friendly.
Related Questions
Canned lentil soups make for easy and nutritious meals – all you need is to heat it! Now that you know the best brands for canned lentil soups, here are some related questions:
How Long Does an Open Can of Lentil Soup Last?
An opened can of lentil soup should be stored like any other perishable food item. Store the soup in the fridge at 40F and consume it within 2-3 days.
Can You Freeze Lentil Soup?
Yes, you can freeze an opened can of lentil soup. Store the contents of the can in a freezer-safe bag and freeze at 0F. Consume the soup within 1-3 months for the best flavor and texture.
