Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle Soup Review

Trader Joe’s, a brand synonymous with quality and uniqueness in the grocery realm, has once again made its mark in the comfort food category with its version of Chicken Noodle Soup. This soup is often compared to the classic Progresso Rich and Hearty Chicken Noodle soup on social media. They are so similar that I wonder if Progresso is making for Trader Joe’s. I feel I am bit of an expert here as I’ve eaten hundreds of cans of Campbell’s and Progresso chicken noodle soup over the years. Let’s dive into the review…

Packaging

Firstly, the packaging of Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle Soup is immediately inviting, with its characteristic Trader Joe’s style – simple yet elegant, giving off a homemade vibe. The labeling clearly highlights all the key ingredients, catering to the health-conscious and allergen-aware consumers. On opening, the aroma is homely and rich, reminiscent of a kitchen where a pot of soup has been simmering for hours.

Texture and Appearance

The soup’s consistency strikes a delightful balance – it’s neither too thick nor too watery. This makes it an excellent choice for those who like their soup hearty but not overwhelmingly heavy. The star of the show, however, is the abundance and variety of vegetables included. Unlike Progresso’s, where vegetables play a more supporting role, Trader Joe’s version brings them to the forefront. Carrots, celery, and onions are cut in satisfying, chunky pieces, not only adding texture but also boosting the nutritional value. Each spoonful is packed with these veggies, ensuring you’re getting a good dose of vitamins with every bite.

The chicken pieces in the soup deserve special mention. Trader Joe’s has ensured that each piece is tender and flavorful, integrating perfectly with the overall taste. This contrasts with some of the complaints often aimed at Progresso’s, where the chicken can sometimes feel a bit sparse or over-processed. Trader Joe’s chicken tastes closer to something you might cook at home, enhancing the homemade feel of the soup.

Flavor and Taste

Flavor-wise, Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle Soup is spot on. The broth is well-seasoned, rich, and has a homemade quality that many store-bought soups miss. It has a comforting, familiar taste of chicken broth, brightened by the freshness of the vegetables and herbs. The noodles in the soup maintain a good texture – not too mushy, which is often a pitfall for many pre-made soups. They absorb the flavor of the broth well, adding a satisfying carbohydrate component to the mix.

Health Concerns

However, it’s not without its downsides. Sodium content, as with many store-bought soups, can be a bit on the higher side. Both Progresso and Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle Soup have high sodium levels. They are both 160z and the Progresso has 1510 mg of Sodium while the Trader Joe’s soup has only 1210 mg. This is half a day’s worth of sodium. Health-conscious consumers might need to consider this factor when incorporating it into their diet.

Final Verdict

If you put the Progresso and the Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle soups together side by side, it’s hard to tell the difference and I suspect that Progresso is making it for Trader Joe’s with some slight variations like larger chunks of vegetables and lower sodium levels. Otherwise, if you look at the ingredient list between the two cans of soup, they are very very similar. That shows up in the flavor profile of this soup. They taste very much the same. If I was going to give the edge it would be for the Trader Joe’s version based on those two things. 

At the end of the day, I am going to rate this a solid 7 bells!