Campbell’s Chunky Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

October 18, 2006 | Reviewer: Rebecca

Campbell’s Chunky Soups make their first appearance on HeatEatReview.com. We’re kicking off with Rebecca’s review of Campbell’s Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo and we’ll continue reviewing plenty of tasty soups as the weather cools here in DC.

<br />
Campbell's Chunky Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Price: $1.58
Serving: 1 cup (half a can)
Calories: 140
Fat: 4%, 2.5g
Sodium: 35%, 850mg
Protein: 8g
Carbs: 7%, 21g
Fiber: 12%, 3g

Campbell’s says: A zesty gumbo loaded with chunks of grilled chicken, sausage and vegetables like celery, red and green peppers plus lots of rice in a savory seasoned broth.

Rebecca says: Gumbo may be the best soup ever. It has almost all of the major food groups: meat, vegetables (the word gumbo comes from the Gullah word for okra), rice and sausage. I try to eat gumbo that someone else is willing to make whenever possible because cookbooks make it sound really complicated. When I saw that Campbell’s offers me a ready-to-eat gumbo with a surprisingly low amount of fat (for a gumbo), I had to try it.

A good gumbo is more like a stew: with a hearty combination of rice, meat, chicken, etc. without too much broth. The Campbell’s version, however, is relatively brothy with maybe 20% more broth than I would like. When you get a spoonful of mostly broth, the “savory seasonings” of the broth are a little overwhelming and you’ll want to get another bite of rice in to erase the pseudo-spicy taste that screams “natural flavorings.”

Other than that, the portions are relatively good - there is a hearty amount of rice and enough okra to really be a gumbo without making you hate okra. There are also some red and green pepper bits (although I didn’t know what they were until I read the can). The chicken actually looks and tastes like chicken and is not too chewy (however, I think the grill marks on the side are ridiculous) and the sausage is decently flavorful, although also a bit chewy.

In response to the claim that Campbell’s Chunky Soup eats like a meal, it’s really only a meal if you eat the whole thing, which is two servings. An entire can is quite filling although you may want a slice of bread on the side to soak up some of the broth.

Next time, I may skim a little broth off the top before I heat it to subdue the excess flavorings and equalize the broth-substance proportions. Yes, there will be a next time. I love me some gumbo, even if it’s in a can.

comments

8 Responses to “Campbell’s Chunky Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo”

Ace N. on October 20th, 2006

I bought this today based on the power of your review(and a $1.25 sale) and I must say I am impressed. While it is indeed soupier than authentic gumbo, it has real chicken and real chunks of sausage(who’d a thunk it?), and that’s good enough for me.
Skip Cole on November 3rd, 2006

I bought six cans of Campbellâ€™s Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, added some fresh crab legs, fresh shrimp and more smoked sausage, and my mom and her sister have been eating it everyday untill the pot was empty! Serve with Ritz crackers and you’re good to go. Not as good as my cousin’s homemade, but not bad at all!
Chris on December 17th, 2006

I was afraid it would be bland, but it’s actually relatively spicy! I love it and always keep a supply on hand. It also comes in a healthier version made with sea salt (40% less sodium). I can’t tell the difference.
Jacob on January 19th, 2007

Seriously great stuff…. I got a horrible cold this time and i didn’t so bad i really didn’t feel like making anything but i found this chicken and sausage gumbo and gave it try…I CAN BREATH AGAIN and its right there at tasting like the traditional new orleans gumbo with a lil to much but broth… but isn’t that what makes campbells chicken noodle so good anyways:) thanks campbells for curing my stuffy nose…
Progresso Vegetable Classics Lentil Soup | HeatEatReview.com on May 15th, 2007

[…] the lentils sunk to the bottom, which gave the illusion of too much broth. However, unlike the Gumbo I previously reviewed, a quick stir resulted in a nice mix of broth and lentils. The lentils themselves were flavorful […]
Hungry-Man Sports Grill Beer Battered Chicken | HeatEatReview.com on October 21st, 2007

[…] then look no further. This is a meal that really eats like a meal. Eat your heart out, Campbell’s Chunky Soup. Being satisfied until dinner is worth taking some statins (note: bad for your liver) later down […]
Serenity Now! on January 20th, 2008

I have tried all the Campbell’s Chunky collection except the Grilled Chicken & Sausage Gumbo until today. I would have to say that it’s the best out of all the soup I had.
Heather on April 25th, 2008

I love this soup…both the low salt version and the regular. It’s loaded with spice and flavor. The meat in it is substantial too with no nasty chewy chicken bits.