As a go-to for versatile and flavorful menu options, soup is a perennial favorite for foodservice operators and consumers. With the growth of the plant-based food category, soup serves up more possibilities than ever.

“Growing preference for plant-based food products is expected to propel the growth of the plant-based food market going forward,” reports The Business Research Company, a global market research and consulting firm.1 The growth has been so swift that the plant-based food market is expected to expand by nearly 14.2% over the next five years and be worth $109.86 billion by 2029.1

Up 55% year over year, tomato soup is the fastest-growing plant-based food on U.S. menus as both an entrée and appetizer.2 What’s more, soup as a category is the second-most-popular dish featuring plant-based proteins or dairy.2

Given that nearly a quarter of the total population limit meat in their diet and almost a third are willing to pay more for plant-forward menu items, offering vegetarian or vegan soups is essential.3

Soup Is a Hot Trend for Plant-Based Food Fans

Consumers are increasingly drawn to plant-based foods to meet their dietary and nutritional needs. In particular, widespread interest in maintaining cardiovascular health is causing consumers to lean into plant-based foods associated with heart-healthy benefits, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.1 

Loaded with tangy diced tomatoes and finished with Parmesan cheese and basil, Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque, hits the spot for tomato-soup lovers who appreciate a flavorful twist on a plant-based favorite.

Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Southwest Vegetarian Chili tempts taste buds with heat minus the meat. Meat limiting is driven mostly by women and Boomers, the latter being the most likely generation to say they are flexitarians.3 In addition, 2 in 5 consumers consider plant-based proteins to be just as healthy and tasty as animal-based equivalents.3

Forty-nine percent of Gen Z and 51% of Millennials are open to a plant-forward diet3—and given plant-based trends, this popularity seems poised for continued growth due to the influence of social media. Two-thirds of the general population (regardless of digital media usage) have made at least one concrete change to their diet based on the perceived health benefits of plant-based food they see on social media.3

Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve: Pour on the Plant-Based Possibilities

The popularity, versatility, and cost-efficiency of such soup options make them an attractive addition to any menu. 

Made with premium plant-based ingredients and without added MSG or artificial flavors, Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve offers options that appeal to consumers across demographics with a wide variety of dietary needs and flavor preferences. 

From global inspirations like Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Cuban-Style Black Bean Soup to eclectic favorites like Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Red Lentil Vegetable Soup, these chef-inspired frozen soups in ready-to-serve formats combine convenience, consistency, and craveable flavor. Also, because they’re frozen during processing at the peak of freshness, you can count on the full flavor and elevated soup experience customers demand. 

Perfect for customers who are vegetarian, vegan, or just cutting back on animal proteins, Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve serves up flavorful and margin-friendly menu solutions.

Dollars and Sense: Why Serving Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Adds Up

  • Save money: These frozen, heat-and-eat soups enable operators to take advantage of economies of scale, making it possible to purchase soups produced in larger quantities. They also make it easy to lock in product and labor costs for simplified budgeting and menu pricing.
  • Save time: They reduce daily prep time, allowing operators to optimize kitchen labor, freeing up staff to focus on other tasks or work fewer hours.
  • Reduce food waste: With a shelf life of 21 months, compared with two to three months for refrigerated soups, they make it easier to plan meals and reduce food waste from over-purchasing and spoilage.

The “Good Stuff” You Can Feel Confident in Serving

Vegan and vegetarian soup options from Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve fuse flavor and function with premium ingredients and without additives or preservatives. Comfort food favorites like Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Condensed Healthy Request® Harvest Tomato with Basil Soup and Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Reduced Sodium Vegan Vegetable give consumers the added comfort of knowing they can enjoy robust, gratifying flavor while adhering to their dietary needs. 

Incorporating global soup dishes can inherently make menus more wellness driven, since global cuisines tend to be plant forward. Gluten-free and vegan, Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Spicy Harissa White Bean Soup gives customers a craveable vegan delight with an authentic Middle Eastern flavor profile. Offer Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve Mexican Street Corn Soup as a gluten-free, vegetarian treat with all the authentic flavors of Mexican street corn. 

Hungry for more business-boosting ideas? Browse the full selection of easy-to-prepare, hard-to-resist soups from Campbell’s® Culinary Reserve for bowlfuls of menu inspiration.

1 Business Research Company, Plant-Based Food Global Market Report 2025, January 2025
2 Datassential, The World of Plant Based, March 2024
3 Datassential, Plant-Forward Opportunity, June 2024