Bagged Soup Hacks

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. 

*checks weather app*

*checks under boobs for sweat*

*checks trees for leaves*

Nope, not a drill, this is the real thing… IT’S SOUP WEATHER. 

Is every day soup weather? Technically yes. Just like you can technically have your Christmas tree up year round, if you want. 

But it’s so much better when the weather is cool, and the fall rains start. 

Today I am going to show you how to make store bought bagged soup taste ah-mazing. 

We’ve all seen the dry bags of soup in the canned soup aisle, and you’ve either taken the plunge, or decidedly took a hard pass. Can soup really taste good out of a bag with 8 cups of water?

Uh yes?

But, it can also taste better.

I’m going to transform Bear Creek Creamy Potato soup into Shrimp, Potato and Corn Chowder. We’re going to change that bland bean tortilla soup into a Meaty Taco Soup, and finally, we’ll level up that Broccoli Cheese to a Broccoli, Cheese & Chicken soup with Garlic Croutons. 

What am I, a wizard? Obviously. 

Shrimp, Potato & Corn Chowder

All bagged soup immediately tastes better when you ditch the water and add broth, instead. To this basic Bear Creek Creamy Potato I am adding 2 boxes of broth, some frozen corn, cheese, and some leftover shrimp sautéed in garlic from dinner last night. 

Each 32 oz box of broth is 4 cups, so 2 boxes of broth covers it, boom. 

Make the soup as instructed on the bag, subbing the water for broth, and after it simmers and thickens for about 10 minutes or so, toss in the shrimp and frozen corn. Bring it back to a low boil and simmer for 8 more minutes. 

Top with some bacon, cheese, and a stray shrimp or two, and  you will scrape the sides of this bowl for every last drop. 

Meaty Taco Soup

Again, I swapping out the water for beef broth, and adding frozen corn, a pound of leftover taco meat, cheese, and some fresh avocado to a regular bag of Bear Creek Tortilla soup mix. 

Prepare the soup and liquid according to the bag, and once you whisk the soup in the broth and it’s thoroughly mixed, add in your meat and corn, and bring to a low boil for 10 minutes. 

So much better! 

Melt some cheese on top and slice on some fresh avocado, this soup is so good to eat with a spoon or tortilla chips. 

Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese Soup

Yes, I am adding steamed broccoli to this Bear Creek Cheddar Broccoli soup. Whatever is happening in that bag is more like slivers of broccoli, and I want big ol’ chunks, so to this bag of soup I add chicken broth, shredded rotisserie chicken, and frozen broccoli. 

Prepare the bagged soup with the broth, and the after it’s properly mixed, add in the chicken and frozen broccoli and bring to a low boil for around 10 minutes. 

Top that bowl with some shredded cheese and croutons, and just let it hit. 

Feed y our family for under $20? Look at you being the best adult, ever!