When the nights start to draw in and the weather is getting colder and wetter, there is nothing quite like a hearty bowl of soup to warm your soul.
However, sometimes you just don’t want to go to all the effort of making a big batch of soup just for you. It’ll only end up sitting in your freezer after all.
That’s where Panera Bread comes in. Panera Bread is renowned amongst its customers for the hearty, filling, and delicious soups that it offers.
From healthy, light options to indulgent and substantial soups, there is something for everyone.
In this article, we have listed seven of the best Panera Bread Soups.
Panera Bread (see also ‘11 Best Gluten-Free Items At Panera Bread‘) offers a varied selection of soups that can be ordered to be served in a classic bowl or in a bread bowl.
A bread bowl is exactly what it sounds like, it is a bowl that is made from bread. Essentially, your soup will be served in a small, hollowed-out loaf of bread.
The portions of soup in the bread bowl are smaller than those served in a regular bowl, but you do get to eat the bowl afterward.
1. Bistro French Onion Soup
We are starting this list with the Bistro French Onion soup.
This might not sound like the most exotic or exciting soup on offer but it is a classic and there’s nothing better than a classic that is done well.
The flavors are rich and bold thanks to the caramelized onion and the color is pretty unique.
This soup manages to pack in a surprising amount of fresh vegetables.
The recipe at Panera Bread includes carrots and tomatoes which help give the flavor a little lift to save it from being too heavy and monotonous.
The broth used at Panera Bread is beef-based but is infused with cheese which helps to up the protein content of this soup, helping you to stay full for longer.
The use of garlic and thyme gives a depth of flavor that will keep you coming back to this soup time and time again.
The sherry that is used provides a slight tang that really complements the sweetness of the onions.
If you are looking for a warming soup that has a balanced flavor and is familiar, this is the soup for you.
2. Cream Of Chicken And Wild Rice Soup
Second on this list, is the Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice soup. This is essentially a twist on a chicken noodle soup but with a bit more heart and substance.
The soup is bursting with chunks of chicken rather than shredded, diced fresh vegetables, and wild rice, all swimming in a creamy, smooth base.
This soup option is perfect for those days when you want something to warm you up, but you also want something that is going to fill you up.
Because of the rice and the creamy base in this soup, you get the best of both worlds.
The flavors of the vegetables, chicken, rice, and cream base are very gentle which makes this an excellent option for when you are feeling unwell but want substance.
The use of thyme and rosemary provide a beautifully rounded flavor to the soup.
Not only is this delicious soup a great option for a cold day when you want a bit of warmth and flavor, but it is also a great option for when you need a comforting and nutritious meal to help you recover from sickness.
3. Creamy Tomato Soup
Tomato soup is a classic that people often return to time and time again. However, it can also be a bit hit and miss in terms of flavor.
There are few things more disappointing than that first sip of tomato soup that is more watery than creamy.
Thankfully, that is not going to be a concern with Panera Bread’s Creamy Tomato soup.
Panera Bread’s creamy tomato soup is bursting with flavor and comforting warmth.
They have managed to produce a perfectly balanced blend of rich tomato flavor and seasoning.
The use of garlic in this soup creates a beautiful deep flavor that helps to ensure the soup does not taste watery or acidic.
If you want tomato soup that you can guarantee is going to be creamy, smooth, balanced, and comforting, Panera Bread has you covered.
You can enjoy it with the baguette that comes with it or treat yourself and order a grilled cheese to create the perfect accompaniment.
4. Turkey Chili Soup
The Turkey Chili soup from Panera Bread is one of the most robust and filling options on this list.
The soup is essentially a full turkey chili with rice served in more broth than regular chili.
This is the perfect Panera Bread soup for those days when you want something substantial and filling but need warmth on a cold day.
As you would expect, this is one of the spicier soup options at Panera Bread but the heat of this soup isn’t overpowering or too strong.
This isn’t a case of using spices for the sake of using spice. Instead, the heat is used to add to the flavor of the soup.
If you are someone who enjoys spicy food, you will be able to appreciate the delicate flavors that are produced by the spices of the chili.
If you do not usually eat spicy food, the heat of this soup is gentle enough to be enjoyed without setting your mouth on fire.
Panera Bread manages to cook their turkey chili perfectly, ensuring that all of the vegetables are tender and soft but the meat isn’t mushy.
5. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
For anyone who wants comfort more than anything from their soups, the Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar soup is the perfect choice for you.
Not only is this soup wonderfully creamy and cheesy, but it is also packed full of vegetables making it one of the more nutritious options on the menu.
Because one of the main ingredients in this soup is broccoli it is understandable that it is a great source of vegetables.
There are also carrots and onions to help boost the vegetable content of the soup.
There is a chicken base to this soup which adds a gentle additional layer of flavor to the dish.
As with all Panera Bread soups, the seasoning is done to perfection to help bring out the right balance of flavors from the ingredients.
It might be easy to think that the cheese in the soup will make it stodgy and feel more like cauliflower cheese than a soup, but the consistency is great.
The cheese is used to make more of a cheese sauce consistency than a cauliflower cheese consistency.
There is no denying, however, that this soup is significantly thicker than broth-based soups.
6. Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
If you are looking for comfort, feeling under the weather, or simply don’t want a heavy meal, the Panera Bread Homestyle Chicken Noodle soup is a perfect choice.
It really is like nostalgia in a bowl. One of the best things about this soup is that it can be made with any type of noodle.
So, whatever type of noodle you find to be the most comforting can make your soup perfect.
The main base of this soup is a chicken broth that is seasoned to perfection with salt and pepper.
The chunks of tender chicken breast and the carrots, celery, and onions help to give this soup a rustic and homemade feel.
With this soup you can be instantly transported back to your childhood, eating homemade chicken noodle soup when you are home from school when you are sick.
The garlic, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and parsley all complement the chicken and the broth to create a gentle but flavorful dish that really fills a hole.
This soup is a little like the French onion soup mentioned above. It is a classic recipe that, when done right, can turn into something really special.
Panera Bread (see also ‘11 Panera Bread Menu Items You Need To Try‘) manages to get their recipe just right.
This soup will make you want to order it to go so that you can curl up on your couch, wrap yourself in a blanket, and watch your favorite comfort show while you enjoy it.
7. Vegetarian Autumn Squash Soup
If you are the sort of person who cannot wait for fall to roll around after a fun summer, this is the soup that can help speed up that process.
Created with a rich blend of pumpkin and butternut squash, the Vegetarian Autumn Squash soup from Panera Bread is like fall in a bowl.
If you could turn the pumpkin spice aesthetic into food, this would be it.
While butternut squash and pumpkin might not be the most flavorful root vegetables in the world, Panera Bread has that covered with their additional ingredients.
Honey and apple juice help to bring out the sweetness of the squashes.
The cinnamon and curry spices that are added help to add a depth of flavor that prevent this soup from being bland.
While there is nothing boring about this soup thanks to the incredible combination of ingredients, Panera Bread’s decision to finish off the soup with a topping of pumpkin seeds is the perfect finishing touch that really elevates the dish.
Not only do the salted seeds add an extra flavor to the dish, but they also add a wonderful crunch that can break up the monotony of soup.
Unlike croutons, the pumpkin seeds are able to resist taking on too much of the moisture from the soup so they stay crunchy for much longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Panera Bread Soups So Popular?
One of the best things about having a steaming bowl of soup for lunch or dinner is the accompanying bread that you can dip and use to mop up the last bits of liquid.
There is nothing better than when the bread that goes with your soup is freshly made.
At Panera Bread, every time you order one of their delicious and home cooked soups, you get to choose from a range of delicious, freshly made pieces of bread to go with it.
Can You Purchase Panera Bread Soup To Heat At Home?
Yes, you don’t have to order a hot soup to eat in-store or to take away, there is a third option.
Panera Bread (see also ‘12 Tastiest Panera Salads To Buy‘) has a range of products that can be purchased to heat and eat at home. This range includes their delicious soups.
The flavors of the soup are slightly different than the ones you can order from the store but they are just as delicious and made with the same high-quality ingredients.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing that Panera Bread knows how to do besides making bread, it’s making soups.
It’s a brilliant coincidence then that bread and soup go so well together.
There are many options for soups from Panera Bread, so you will likely find yourself returning to try different flavors.
7 Best Soups From Panera Bread
Panera Bread’s soups are a thing of beauty, and they all have a different, delicious taste. We ranked the seven best soups at Panera Bread.
Ingredients
Directions
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Recipe Video
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