Review: Progresso New Pitmaster Flavor Soups Review: Skip Both And Stick To Chicken Noodle

I've always been a fan of Progresso soups. In a world where Campbell's soup varieties seem to dominate as lunchtime favorites, Progresso has always impressed me with its diverse soup offerings and enjoyably complex flavors. It should come as no surprise then that the new additions to Progresso's Pitmaster line caught my eye — the two varieties, Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch and Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger, aren't flavors I'd usually associate with a spoon and bowl, yet the brand's been bold enough to take them on.

Progresso's Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup and Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup are marketed as part of its Pitmaster summer cookout theme, but I find these varieties more akin to the flavors of fall. Ingredients like crispy smoked bacon, tender potatoes, Hidden Valley ranch dressing (which, by the way, isn't the highest-rated bottled ranch dressing according to Consumer Reports), and hearty burger pieces make me want to grab a knit blanket and sit down with a hot, steaming bowl of each. But will I really want to?  

In the upcoming post, I'm sampling both Progresso's Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup and Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup to find out if either flavor is indeed sweater-weather approved. You'll also get the scoop on where, when, and how to get your hands on these new options from Progresso by the end of this post. If that sounds like a plan, then stay tuned, the information you need is coming up next.

Progresso Pitmaster Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup and Progresso Pitmaster Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup were sent to me by the company for my unbiased review. Each soup was evaluated based on aroma, appearance, taste, and texture. I also took into consideration the flavors each soup was intended to mimic, and whether I felt the soups were an accurate (or at least enjoyable) duplication. As always, prices, availability, and other details mentioned in this post are subject to change.

Progresso Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup is described as containing grilled chicken, celery, potatoes, and smoky bacon, along with the promising addition of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. Despite being the focal point of flavor, this soup, unfortunately, didn't taste like ranch at all. 

Progresso Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup with Hidden Valley Ranch was off-putting from the start. Its texture out of the can was smooth, not chunky, and almost looked as if it had been pureed. There were a few pieces of chicken, bacon, and potatoes here and there, but not nearly enough. I leaned in for a sniff and was immediately let down — it had the scent of artificial smoke, with no hint of bacon or ranch at all.

I grabbed a spoon, and did my best to capture a piece of chicken, potato, and bacon, which was no small feat given that each tiny piece seemed to be drowning in thick, brown liquid. I took a quick bite and was surprised — though certainly not hearty, Progresso Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup tasted better than expected. Still, I have to say Progresso Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup doesn't taste exactly as it claims, as it has the flavor of a smoky potato soup, but is not at all bacon, ranch, or chicken-flavored. 

Next up is Progresso Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup; it's described as containing pieces of beef patty, bacon, potatoes, and cheddar cheese. Unlike the previous flavor, this soup had a scent that I found tantalizing; sadly, its flavor didn't follow suit.

Progresso Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup had the comforting aroma of tender bacon that instantly made my mouth water. Its appearance was less appealing — like the former flavor, this soup looked like it had been put through a blender, containing little to no hunks of burger or bacon. What this soup did have a lot of was potatoes, which is something I find kind of ironic, because potatoes aren't an ingredient I associate with bacon cheeseburgers.

I went in for a slurp and immediately reeled back — Progresso Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup tasted unbearably artificial, with a very potent, unappetizing smoke flavor, front and center. Even the bacon had an odd chemical taste to it, which ultimately made the soup very hard to enjoy. At least Progresso Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup had a yummy cheese base that, though thick and creamy, it's the only positive thing I can really say about this backyard cookout flavor flop.

After tasting both Progresso Pitmaster soup varieties, I can confidently say that the Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch and Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup flavors aren't worth buying. Neither accurately mimic the flavor of the dishes they portray, and both rob customers of key ingredients advertised. 

Out of the two, Progresso Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup was the one I looked forward to most but, surprisingly, was also the pick I enjoyed least. Its smoky flavor was laced with an artificial, chemical taste that was so strong, I couldn't handle more than a few bites. The lack of burger bits and bacon felt like a slap in the face, and the plethora of potatoes made me feel like the brand was cutting corners. 

Progresso Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch soup, on the other hand, was better, though not much. It at least had a pleasant, tolerable flavor, though it still didn't capture the flavors it was meant to depict. There was little to no bacon or ranch taste, and the amount of chicken pieces in the soup was laughable. If you love a well-seasoned potato soup, Progresso Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch soup might be a good option for you, but even then, expect a smooth rendition of the soup favorite. Neither Progresso soup option can be described as thick and hearty; and sadly, both would make a poor companion on a cool autumn day.

I spoke with a Progresso representative about when shoppers could expect to see Progresso's Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch and Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup varieties on store shelves and was informed that there isn't an official release date. Both Progresso Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch and Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup started popping up at retailers in early summer 2026, and remain available at most grocery stores nationwide. The spokesperson also mentioned that both flavors are permanent additions to the Progresso Pitmaster lineup, and join the ranks of a number of other inspired flavors, including Pitmaster Steakhouse Style and BBQ-Style Soup.

As far as pricing goes, don't expect to pay much for these new Progresso soup offerings — last I checked, my local Walmart had the Progresso Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch variety priced at only $2.68 for an 18.5-ounce can. For reference, traditional Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup is sold in a similar 19-ounce can for $2.48, so you can expect to pay a smidge more than usual for Progresso's Grilled Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup and Charbroiled Bacon Cheeseburger Soup.