If you are looking for something warm, filling, and easy to pair with a sandwich or salad, the Panera soups menu has plenty of good choices. From the creamy and cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Soup to lighter vegetable-based options, there is usually something for different tastes and appetites.
One thing to keep in mind is that Panera prices, menu availability, and seasonal soups can vary by location. A soup listed online may not be available at every café on the same day, so it is always smart to check your local Panera before ordering.
In this guide, we’ll look at popular Panera soups, serving sizes, estimated prices, calories, the soup schedule, and some simple tips for getting the best value from your order. If you’re watching calories, check the Panera Nutrition & Calories information before placing your order.
Panera Soup Menu at a Glance
Panera soups are available in different serving sizes, making them easy to enjoy as a small side or as the main part of a meal.
The Cup is a good choice when you want soup with something else, while the Bowl works better when soup is your main meal. Some soups can also be ordered in a sourdough bread bowl, although availability may vary.
| Soup Size | Typical Serving | Estimated Price* | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cup | About 8 oz | $6–$8 | Light meal or pairing |
| Bowl | About 12 oz | $8–$10 | More filling meal |
| Bread Bowl | About 12 oz soup + bread | $10–$12+ | A hearty comfort meal |
| Group Soup | About 32 oz | $19–$23+ | Sharing or family meals |
*Prices are approximate and can vary by location, menu changes, taxes, and ordering method.
Cup vs. Bowl: Which Should You Order?
If you’re ordering a soup as part of a You Pick Two meal, a cup is usually the more practical choice. You can combine it with a half sandwich or salad without making the meal too heavy.
A bowl makes more sense when you’re hungry and want soup to be the main part of your lunch or dinner.
Popular Panera Soups menu and Calories
Panera has offered a variety of soups over the years, including creamy favorites, chicken-based classics, and vegetable options. Availability can change, especially with seasonal menu items.
Here are some of the soups customers commonly look for.
1.Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli Cheddar Soup is probably the soup most people associate with Panera. It combines broccoli and carrots with a rich, creamy cheese base.
It’s smooth, cheesy, and filling, which makes it especially popular during colder weather.
Approximate calories:
- Cup: around 360 calories
- Bowl: around 540 calories
If you order it in a bread bowl, remember that the sourdough adds a significant amount of additional calories.
Best for: Anyone who wants a rich, creamy comfort-food soup
2. Ten Vegetable Soup
Ten Vegetable Soup is a lighter option compared with some of Panera’s cream-based soups. It features vegetables and a tomato-based broth, making it a good choice when you want something warm without a heavy creamy texture.
Approximate calories:
- Cup: around 100 calories
- Bowl: around 150 calories
It can also work well alongside a sandwich or salad when you don’t want your complete meal to become too large.
Best for: A lighter, vegetable-focused meal.
3. Creamy Tomato Soup
Creamy Tomato Soup is another classic comfort-food option. It has a smooth tomato base with a creamy texture and is often paired with bread or a grilled cheese-style sandwich.
Approximate calories:
- Cup: around 240 calories
- Bowl: around 360 calories
If your order includes croutons or another topping, check the nutrition information because those extras can change the total.
Best for: Tomato soup lovers and anyone who likes a smooth, creamy soup.
4. Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup is a simple option for people who prefer a traditional broth-based soup.
It typically combines chicken, noodles, vegetables, and savory broth. Compared with heavier cream-based soups, it can feel like a lighter and more familiar meal.
Approximate calories:
- Cup: around 180 calories
- Bowl: around 280 calories
Best for: A classic, comforting lunch without a rich cream base.
Panera Soup Schedule 2026
One of the most common questions people ask is: “What soup does Panera have today?”
The answer isn’t always the same because Panera’s soup selection can depend on the café, day, season, and current menu.
Some popular soups may be available frequently, while other varieties can appear as seasonal or limited-time offerings.
Why Does the Soup Selection Change?
Panera’s menu isn’t necessarily identical at every location. A café may have a slightly different selection based on local availability and its current menu.
Seasonal soups can also come and go throughout the year.
For that reason, it’s better not to rely on an old printed soup schedule. Check the menu for your local Panera before making a special trip for a particular soup.
Seasonal Soup Options
Panera has offered seasonal varieties such as:
- Autumn Squash Soup
- French Onion Soup
- Other limited-time or regional soup selections
Seasonal availability isn’t guaranteed, so consider these examples rather than a permanent 2026 schedule.
Which Panera Soup Is Best for You?
Not sure what to order? Your best choice depends on what you’re looking for.
Best Creamy Soup: Broccoli Cheddar
If you enjoy rich flavors and a creamy texture, Broccoli Cheddar is an easy pick.
It’s especially satisfying with a piece of crusty bread or as part of a larger meal.
Best Lighter Choice: Ten Vegetable
If calories are one of your main concerns, a vegetable-based soup can be a better starting point.
Ten Vegetable Soup is much lighter than many creamy alternatives.
Best Classic Choice: Chicken Noodle
Chicken Noodle is ideal if you want something familiar and savory without the richness of a cheese or cream-based soup.
Best Comfort Food: Creamy Tomato
Creamy tomato soup is a great middle ground. It’s smooth, flavorful, and pairs particularly well with a sandwich.
Panera Soup and You Pick Two
One of the easiest ways to build a balanced Panera meal is to use the You Pick Two option.
You can generally combine a smaller portion of soup with another half-sized menu item, such as:
- Half sandwich
- Half salad
- Another eligible combination
For example, a cup of soup + half sandwich can be a better fit than ordering a large soup with several additional sides.
If you’re trying to control portions, the You Pick Two format also gives you more variety without ordering two full-size meals.
Panera Soup Bread Bowl
The bread bowl is one of Panera’s most recognizable ways to enjoy soup.
Instead of serving the soup in a regular bowl, the soup is placed inside a round sourdough loaf. You can eat the bread along with the soup, which makes the meal considerably more filling.
However, there is an important nutrition point to remember.
Does the Bread Bowl Add Calories?
Yes. The calories aren’t coming only from the soup.
The sourdough bread itself adds a substantial amount of calories and carbohydrates. So if you’re tracking your intake, don’t compare a regular bowl of soup directly with a bread bowl without considering the bread.
Tip: If you want the soup but don’t need a very large meal, a regular cup or bowl may be the better option.
How Many Calories Are in Panera Soup?
Calories depend on the soup and the portion size.
Cream-based soups generally contain more calories than lighter broth- or vegetable-based options. Your total meal can also change significantly depending on what you add.
For example:
A cup of soup and a half sandwich
can be very different nutritionally from:
Bread bowl soup + chips + sweet drink
If you’re watching calories, look at the entire order, not just the soup.
Also remember that nutrition information can change when recipes, ingredients, toppings, or serving sizes change.
Smart Tips for Ordering the Panera Soups Menu
1. Choose a Cup When You’re Pairing It
If soup is only one part of your meal, a cup is often enough.
This is especially useful when ordering soup with a sandwich or salad.
2. Choose a Bowl When Soup Is Your Main Meal
A bowl gives you more soup and can be more satisfying when you’re eating soup by itself.
3. Think Twice About the Bread Bowl
Bread bowls are fun and filling, but they can turn a relatively simple soup into a much heavier meal.
4. Check Your Local Menu
Don’t assume that every Panera café carries the same soup selection.
Before visiting, check your local restaurant’s menu to see what’s currently available.
5. Compare the Complete Meal
If calories matter to you, check your soup, side, drink, toppings, and bread together.
A low-calorie soup can still become a high-calorie meal when paired with large sides and a sugary beverage.
Panera Soups: What Should You Order?
There isn’t one perfect soup for everyone.
If you want something rich and cheesy, Broccoli Cheddar is a classic choice.
If you prefer something lighter, a vegetable-based soup may suit you better.
For a traditional comfort meal, Chicken Noodle is a straightforward option.
And if you love smooth tomato flavor, Creamy Tomato is worth considering.
The best choice ultimately comes down to your appetite, taste, and what else you’re ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular soup at Panera?
Broccoli Cheddar Soup is one of Panera’s best-known and most popular soup choices. Its creamy cheese base and broccoli flavor have made it a longtime favorite.
Does Panera have soup every day?
Panera generally offers soup as part of its menu, but the exact selection can vary by location and season. It’s best to check the menu at your local café for the current day’s options.
What is the lowest-calorie Panera soup?
Among the soups commonly associated with Panera, Ten Vegetable Soup is a lighter option. Exact calories can change, so check the current nutrition information when ordering.
How many calories are in a Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup?
A typical serving is around 360 calories for a cup and around 540 calories for a bowl, although current nutrition information should be checked because recipes and serving information can change.
Is Panera soup gluten-free?
Not every Panera soup is gluten-free. Some soups may be made without certain gluten-containing ingredients, but people with celiac disease or a serious gluten allergy should carefully review Panera’s current allergen information and ask the café about cross-contact.
Can I get Panera soup in a bread bowl?
Some soup options may be served in a sourdough bread bowl, depending on the current menu and location. Availability can change, so check your local café before ordering.
Does Panera offer soup and sandwich combos?
Yes. Panera’s You Pick Two format can allow customers to combine soup with a half sandwich or another eligible menu item. Exact combinations can vary with the current menu.
Final Thoughts
The Panera soups menu is a good choice when you want something warm, quick, and easy to customize. A cup works well as part of a combo, while a bowl can make a more substantial meal. The bread bowl is the most indulgent option and adds considerably more food to your order.
If you’re choosing based on nutrition, don’t look at calories alone. Consider the portion size, bread, side, drink, and other items in your meal.
And because Panera’s menu and seasonal selections can change, checking your local café’s current menu is the safest way to confirm today’s soup, price, and nutrition information.
For readers who want to compare the complete restaurant selection, you can naturally link this article to your main Panera Menu page here.