Best Panera Soup: All Their Soups Ranked!

Looking for the best Panera soup? We rate all Panera bread soups from best to worst so you’ll know which one to order next time you visit.

Nothing beats a steaming bowl of soup on those dreary days. With its comforting warmth, it’s like receiving an embrace from someone you love – something that can make the weather feel less grueling! 

However, only some have ample time to craft homemade varieties; fortunately, there are plenty of pre-made options for cozy convenience.

You don’t have to look too far when finding a delicious soup that can rival Grandma’s famous chicken noodles. 

For restaurant-quality soups that won’t break the bank and offer plenty of tasty options – reach out to Panera Bread! It’s hard not to feel like royalty when enjoying their homemade selection, so make sure your next soup is from this well-known spot.

Soup season is in full swing, and nobody does it better than Panera. Warm up with one of their delicious soups, crafted from recipes so popular they can even be found on supermarket shelves! 

Jump to:

• Bistro French Onion
• Thai Chicken Soup
• Creamy Tomato Soup
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup
• Mexican Street Corn Chowder
• Cream of Chicken Wild Rice Soup
• Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
• Ten Vegetable
• Frequently asked questions about Panera soups

But for the freshest flavor, you’ll want to go down to your local Panera – here’s our list of must-try favorites ranked highest.

Bistro French Onion

I was skeptical about how Panera could deliver French onion soup’s homey, comforting flavor. 

Surprisingly though, their version didn’t require me to compromise much on taste and texture – although my only disappointment was not getting those deliciously-burnt edges of cheese usually served on top!

This vegetable soup was a delectable dish, blending the sweetness of caramelized onions, the tangy flavor of sherry wine gastrique, and a depth brought by soy sauce. 

It had more complexity than any canned French onion soup could offer while maintaining that signature steakhouse-level saltiness. In short – it was indeed a fantastic combination!

The French onion soup made by the restaurant was packed with flavor, complemented perfectly by traditional Gruyere cheese and black pepper focaccia croutons to absorb all that richness. 

Even skeptics like me could easily recognize how well this classic dish had been executed – from the freshness of its components down to its fine melted texture.

Panera oatmeal: Recipe + Review!

Thai Chicken Soup

Drawing inspiration from traditional cuisine, a recently released soup has arrived in the form of its smoky poblano sister. 

This 230-calorie delicacy adds an authentic flavor to the kitchen with gentle nods and respect given to another culture’s beloved tastes.

Panera has blended a range of traditional Asian flavors to create Thai Coconut Curry. 

With luscious coconut milk and fragrant spices like coriander and ginger, the meal packs plenty of flavors that are complimented perfectly by zesty lime peel. Enjoy its gentle warmth any time you need an aromatic escape!

This unique take on curry-style soup is made with diced ingredients, chicken, and a dash of extra flavor to make it stand out. It’s thinner than traditional curries while still packing the same deliciousness!

This creative concoction offers a delightful balance of flavors, featuring carrots and shiitake mushrooms for texture alongside red bell peppers and edamame to add unique bursts of flavor. 

Delicious as is, adding rice or some Panera bread can transform the dish into an even more fulfilling meal experience.

Creamy Tomato Soup

Tomato soup has long been a favorite comfort food, but Panera’s version takes it to the next level. With its bold flavor and nutritional facts that exceed expectations, this rendition of an old classic will indeed please!

This delicious, rich dish is made with a thick puree of juicy small pear tomatoes instead of bigger commercial ones. You may be wondering about the 190 calories from fat – it’s due to the inclusion of natural cream and butter for added flavor!

The soup has many subtle components, but its heavy garlic and red pepper notes give it a bold flavor. 

Its bright tomatoes add zing to the mix, making it acidic – however, this is balanced out by buttery black pepper croutons for added depth.

The richness of their olive oil brought to mind the warmth and comfort found in grilled cheese, even without any being present. 

The croutons maintained a delightful crunch against the heavy soup, creating an almost frosting-like texture that coated each morsel of focaccia rather than becoming absorbed. Surprisingly, this vegetarian option was more substantial than some meatier alternatives!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar Bowl may not be the healthiest option, but its velvety cheese sauce and an assortment of chopped veggies make it a surprisingly satisfying go-to meal. 

With only 360 calories per bowl, it provides enough substance without overstuffing you.

While there was a hint of cheesiness on the back end, it lacked any sharp or cheddar flavor. On top, an unexpected sweetness lingered, giving off some detailed nutmeg notes that didn’t fit in.

Panera’s broccoli cheese soup was unique, with a sweet floury taste and lumpiness that created an unusual texture on the tongue. 

Despite having some similarities to its competition, it diverged from tradition by relying upon flour rather than potatoes as filler and thickener – though admittedly, this was only sometimes successful in creating the desired effect.

This soup proved to be quite the challenge! As it cooled, elements began separating and needed extra tinkering for a perfect blend. 

Adding carrots provided an appealing visually with little other contribution in terms of flavor or texture. However, the broccoli cooked nicely, with its flavors augmenting that of mild cheese–creating a delicious veggie-forward soup just as promised by its title.

Mexican Street Corn Chowder

Panera welcomes a new menu addition with an exciting, global-inspired dish. This 330-calorie meal brings together flavors from around the world but doesn’t quite hit the “street corn” authenticity that many expect; however, it promises plenty of unique and flavorful ingredients!

This savory soup blends the sweetness of semi-creamed corn with a smoky flavor from fire-roasted poblanos and mild chili powder. Cream cheese is used as a base, providing warmth without too much heat. 

It’s topped off with crunchy blue corn tortilla strips for added texture, offering contrasting flavors to complete the dish. Intriguingly similar yet distinct from Campbell’s Chunky Chipotle Chicken and Corn Chowder, this homemade favorite may become your go-to comfort food!

Cream of Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This creamy soup makes a surprising impact; with just 260 calories, it can be both unappealingly thick and fluffy at once. While your first glance may not invoke eagerness for consumption, one bite into its warm depths reveals that this deceptively filling dish will satisfy any craving.

This soup is an unappealingly dense creation, starkly contrasting to its natural counterparts. 

Upon examination of the components, it appears that long-grain white rice was used generously, so flour had also been employed for thickening purposes – unfortunately, not too successful in this case.

This comforting dish combines creamy, chickeny goodness and pleasantly popping wild rice. 

Every reheated bite brings an enjoyable mix of flavors with delicate pieces or tender chicken to the party. Whether you’re looking for nostalgia or something new – this meal has it all and will satisfy your cravings!

Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup

Combining tender chicken, ruffled egg noodles, carrots, and celery with harmonious herbs, this American classic is everyone’s comfort food go-to. 

Despite expectations for an elevated version from Panera Bread – a renowned bakery famous for its signature sandwiches and fresh soups – the supermarket aisle offering still reigns supreme.

For a hearty twist, the soup was upgraded with chicken bone broth. Yet despite this addition, it still failed to bring out much flavor other than saltiness and grease. 

Health-wise, this was great for sickly individuals needing electrolytes – but not ideal if you’re looking for everyday sustenance, as it will leave your mouth feeling parched!

Little could be found despite the promise of tender white meat chicken in this light 100-calorie bowl. Instead, it seemed that all its ingredients had melted away – save for plenty of eggy noodles, which were miraculously cooked to perfection and filled out most of the dish.

Ten Vegetable

A bowl of soup with 100 calories may seem light, but the ten vegetables inside it pack a flavorful punch. 

This earthy mix is accented by salt, tomato, pepper, and Aleppo chili – creating an intense combination that’s slightly bitter at first taste before taking on a more subdued yet still sharp undertone. 

There are also whispers of burnt flavor for an extra dimension to round out this unique dish.

This beautiful soup contains many vegetables, including onion, charred corn, poblano peppers, carrots, and celery. 

Garlic is added to the mix, as sprouted brown rice and red fife wheat, for a subtle flavor boost before chickpeas are folded in. 

Though light enough to be considered an appetizer rather than a meal itself – you’ll want extra slices of baguette on hand; its sweetness does wonders against the layers of acids from the broth. 

Peeking through this sea-green concoction are colorful sprinkled touches provided by these hearty legumes alone – perfect for adding substance alongside all that sublime soupy goodness!

Frequently asked questions about Panera soups