The Simple Fix For Unsatisfying And Watery Canned Soup Is To Add More

May 22, 2023

It's not uncommon for people to stock up on canned soup for a rainy day, but when that rainy day inevitably comes around, it's also not uncommon for the contents of said soup to be underwhelming. Before you resign yourself to thin, watery soup that's lacking in hearty ingredients like vegetables, noodles, or bits of meat, go ahead and open up another can. As simple as it may sound, the best way to transform canned soup into a more filling meal is to add more soup.

This hack is easy, but it's not as straightforward as putting two cans of soup into one bowl. Once you've poured the first can of your favorite soup into a pot to heat up, partially open your second can. Then, separate the broth and solid components of the soup, either by emptying the can into a strainer or by using the lid as a barrier to keep in the chunkier ingredients as you drain out the liquid. After you have successfully strained your second can of soup, add the remaining solids to the pot that's heating on the stove, mix everything together, and voilà! You now have a much more satisfying meal.

You can store the extra soup liquid in an airtight container for future use as a base for your own original soupy creation, but it's probably best not to hold onto it for more than a few days. If you don't want to use two cans of soup or don't have another on hand, you can try thickening things up with a bit of heavy cream, but this will primarily address the texture of the dish and won't do as much to fill you up as adding another can.

Before you dig into your super soup, there are a few other things you can do to really elevate your store bought meal. Try sprinkling in some of your favorite spices and seasonings, like a bit of black pepper or oregano. Adding garlic and onion powder will fill out the flavor profile without having to go to the trouble of chopping up any vegetables. Lemon juice can bring brightness to your soup, while hot sauce can give it a much needed kick.

There are plenty of ways to upgrade canned soup into something that rivals a dish made from scratch. But the next time you're facing an unsatisfying, sad can of soup, remember that the only thing you really need to do to improve your meal is double up on the contents.