Campbell’s tomato soup is one of the most iconic canned soups in America. With its distinctive red and white can, Campbell’s tomato soup has been a staple in many households for generations. But with more people adopting vegan and dairy-free diets, a common question has emerged: is Campbell’s tomato soup actually dairy free?
The quick answer is yes, Campbell’s tomato soup is dairy free. Campbell’s tomato soup contains no milk-derived ingredients. So those with lactose intolerance or avoiding dairy for other reasons can enjoy Campbell’s classic tomato soup without worry. However, there are some important caveats to consider, which this article will explore in detail.
Examining the Ingredients in Campbell’s Tomato Soup
To understand if Campbell’s tomato soup is dairy free, we need to examine the ingredients list on the can. The current ingredients listed for Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup are as follows:
Tomato puree (water, tomato paste), high fructose corn syrup, wheat flour, salt, vegetable oil (corn, canola, and/or soybean), flavoring, citric acid, monopotassium phosphate, sodium citrate, modified food starch, added color.
As you can see, there are no milk-derived ingredients like lactose, whey, casein, cream, milk solids, etc. So the tomato soup itself contains no dairy that would be problematic for those avoiding milk products.
Not Listed: Potential Trace Amounts of Dairy
However, it’s important to note that while there are no directly added dairy ingredients, the “flavoring” and “modified food starch” ingredients could potentially contain trace amounts of dairy-derived compounds.
These trace dairy compounds could come from shared manufacturing equipment that also processes milk products, or dairy-derived flavoring ingredients. The exact formulations are proprietary.
So while unlikely to cause issues for lactose intolerant individuals, those with severe dairy allergies may still wish to exercise caution with Campbell’s tomato soup. But the soup can be considered generally dairy free from an ingredients standpoint.
Varieties of Campbell’s Tomato Soup
There are a few different types and sizes of Campbell’s tomato soup available:
- Condensed – This is the classic tomato soup which must be diluted with water or milk before consuming. The nutrition info reflects the diluted per-serving values.
- Ready-to-Serve – This convenience variety is pre-diluted and ready to heat and eat. Nutrition is for the soup as-is from the can.
- Organic – This is an organic condensed tomato soup variant with simpler organic ingredients.
- Cooking Soup – A less seasoned soup meant for recipes, not direct consumption. Dilution required.
- Single-serve bowls – Pre-portioned condensed tomato soup in microwavable bowls. Just add water.
In all cases, the standard Campbell’s tomato soup varieties, organic or regular, contain no added dairy ingredients. But again, trace amounts are possible in the “flavoring” components.
Low Sodium Tomato Soup
One variety that contains an explicit dairy ingredient is Campbell’s Low Sodium Tomato Soup. The low sodium version swaps out regular salt for whey protein concentrate. Whey is milk-derived.
So those with dairy restrictions should stick to regular Campbell’s tomato soup and avoid the Low Sodium variety specifically.
Does Diluting with Milk Make it Non-Dairy Free?
A common way to enjoy Campbell’s condensed tomato soup is to mix it with milk before heating and eating. This stretches the servings and gives a creamier, heartier texture.
But does adding dairy milk to dilute the soup now make it non-dairy free?
The answer is no – diluting condensed Campbell’s tomato soup with milk does not change the fact that the soup itself contains no dairy as packaged. The milk is merely an optional serving suggestion, not an integral recipe ingredient.
Those wishing to keep their tomato soup strictly dairy free can simply use water or non-dairy milk like almond, oat or soy.
Campbell’s Tomato Soup Nutrition Facts
Here is a nutritional comparison between Campbell’s regular condensed tomato soup and ready-to-serve tomato soup:
Condensed Tomato Soup (diluted, per serving)
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2g | 18g | 2g | 480mg |
Ready-to-Serve Tomato Soup (per serving)
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 2g | 20g | 2g | 630mg |
As you can see, the ready-to-serve soup is slightly higher in calories, carbs and sodium since it is pre-diluted. But both provide minimal protein and fat.
Using Campbell’s Tomato Soup in Recipes
Campbell’s tomato soup is popularly used as an ingredient in many recipes like:
- Tomato soup cake
- Casseroles
- Soup-based sauces
- Chilis and stews
The condensed soup works well for cooking since it adds tomato flavor and starch-based thickness. Just adjust other liquids in your recipe to account for the moisture in the soup.
And rest assured all the standard Campbell’s tomato soups are dairy-free as included in recipes. Just steer clear of the Low Sodium variety if dairy-free is required.
Comparing to Other Canned Tomato Soups
How does Campbell’s stack up to other canned tomato soups in terms of dairy-free status? Here is a quick comparison:
| Brand | Dairy-Free? |
|---|---|
| Campbell’s | Yes |
| Amy’s | Yes |
| Progresso | Yes |
| Trader Joe’s | Yes |
| Wolfgang Puck | No – contains milk |
Most major brands stick to classic tomato soup ingredients without added dairy. But always check labels to be sure, as some gourmet and organic varieties may add cream.
Homemade Tomato Soup Without Dairy
Making tomato soup at home lets you control the ingredients list completely. This basic tomato soup recipe is both delicious and dairy-free:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- Water or vegetable broth as needed
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, brown sugar and seasonings. Bring to a simmer and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add tomato sauce. Carefully puree soup to desired consistency using an immersion blender.
- Add water or vegetable broth to thin soup as needed. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Serve warm garnished with basil. Enjoy dairy free!
Is Campbell’s Tomato Soup Vegan?
For those avoiding all animal products, is Campbell’s tomato soup considered vegan? Strictly speaking, no – Campbell’s tomato soup is vegetarian but not vegan.
Here are the non-vegan ingredients:
- Vegetable oil – Contains canola oil, which may be sourced from animals.
- Wheat flour – Not inherently non-vegan, but processing aids may utilize animal products.
- Modified food starch – Often uses ingredients like whey, a dairy product.
So for 100% plant-based eating, it’s better to stick with homemade tomato soup where you can control all ingredients. Some organic soup brands also make vegan tomato soups – just read the labels closely.
Campbell’s Tomato Soup and Food Allergies
In addition to dairy concerns, Campbell’s tomato soup contains ingredients that should be avoided by those with certain food allergies or sensitivities:
- Wheat – Contains wheat flour, avoid if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Corn – Vegetable oil likely contains corn oil. Avoid if you have a corn allergy.
- Soy – Vegetable oil may also contain soybean oil. Avoid if you have a soy allergy.
So check the specific ingredients for each Campbell’s variety to ensure it does not contain any of your allergenic foods. Many other canned soups may provide allergen-free options.
Conclusion
Campbell’s tomato soup, in its classic condensed form, is generally dairy free and safe for those avoiding milk-derived ingredients. Just note the Low Sodium variety contains whey. Adding milk when serving is optional and does not affect the soup’s lack of dairy itself.
Potential trace amounts of dairy from processing aids should only be a concern for those with severe dairy allergies. Anyone else avoiding dairy for lifestyle or intolerance reasons can comfortably enjoy Campbell’s tomato soup.
And luckily it’s easy to make homemade dairy-free tomato soup as well. So you can happily slurp up this classic soup free of milk concerns. But do pay attention to other potential allergens like wheat in Campbell’s soup.
With a few precautions, Campbell’s tomato soup can be enjoyed worry-free by most people avoiding dairy. Its nostalgic, craveable flavor makes it the perfect way to sip your veggies – without the milk!
