I love soups and stews.  These are fast and easy versions of some classics, suitable for busy people on the go.  They are also easy enough for teens and card-carrying non-cooks.  Add some of these canned vegetables to your grocery list to keep on hand as pantry staples.  It would be easy and affordable to build an inventory to make one of these soups or stews when you’re otherwise out of ideas and time. 

Recipes in this hub:

Salmon Stew

Vegetable Soup

Chicken Soup

Turkey Stew

Beef Stew

Hoppin John

Chicken Corn Chowder

Commercial Soups, Stews and Chowders

This is a much quicker and easier version of my usual salmon stew.

2 small cans salmon, without skin or bones

2 cans cream of potato soup

1 soup can water

2 cans evaporated milk, regular, low fat or fat free

2 T butter

Ketchup

Saltine crackers

1- Blend soup., milk and water. Heat on low until warm.

2- Add salmon with juice.

3- Add butter. Heat thoroughly on low.

4- Serve with 1 T ketchup and saltines as desired.

This is a super fast and easy canned vegetable version of my classic vegetable soup.

1 large can tomato juice

1 can green beans with juice

1 can diced potatoes

1 can lima beans with juice

1 can corn with juice

1 c water

1 T canola oil

½ T Lawry’s seasoned salt

Pepper to taste

1- Combine all ingredients except corn and heat thoroughly.

2- Add corn and heat until warm.

TIPS: I think Green Giant Nibblets corn has the best texture. If available, Old Glory green beans are well seasoned and come with or without potatoes.

1 large can of chicken noodle soup or 1 can of Sweet Sue chicken and dumplings

1 large can boneless chicken

2 boxes chicken broth

1 can green beans with juice

1 can lima beans with juice

1 can corn with juice

Salt to taste

1- Combine all ingredients except corn and heat thoroughly.

2- Add corn and heat until warm.

Turkey Stew is popular for Southern fund raisers by organizations like the Shriners.  This is a quick version. 

Turkey breast half

1 large can tomato soup

Chicken cook water to 1 soup can; finish with tap water if needed

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

1 can diced potatoes with juice

1 can corn with juice

¼ c ketchup

1/8 c vinegar

Lawry’s seasoned salt

1- Cook turkey ahead in the crock pot so that it will easily pull apart.  Bone and skin turkey.  Shred the meat.  Texture should almost be like hash. 

1- Combine all ingredients except corn and heat thoroughly. 

2- Add corn and heat until warm. 

VARIATION:  Use 3 large chicken breasts. 

2 cans parboiled roast beef with gravy

2 cans or jars of brown gravy

1 can or jar of water

2 cans peeled whole potatoes, drained

1 can baby carrots, drained

1- Cut larger potatoes into pieces. 

2- Combine all ingredients and heat over medium heat. 

3- Serve over rice if desired. 

This was something my mom’s mother liked.  She served it with “a hoe cake of cornbread”. 

1 large can of turnip, collard or kale greens, or combination

1 or 2 cans pinto beans or blackeyed peas

2 cups cooked rice

1- Combine all ingredients.  Heat on medium until thoroughly warm. 

2- Serve with cornbread.  You can make Jiffy mix according to package directions. 

2 cans cream of potato soup

2 cans milk

1 can corn

1 large can boned chicken

1- Combine all ingredients and heat over medium heat.

La Madeline’s Tomato Basil Soup is hard to beat.  It is available from the restaurants as well as some grocery stores, both for about $5 per pint and $10 per quart.  Heat as is, do not dilute.  Great with torn pieces of firm bread chunks, such as sourdough. 

Bar Harbor Clam Chowder, from Maine is also available at many grocery stores.  For an extra rich treat, prepare with heavy cream instead of milk. 

Dinty Moore Beef Stew has been around for ages, and is not bad at all.  It has a thick, rich tasting broth. 

Corn and Potato Chowder from Costco or Sam’s is very good.  There is often the store label as well as a name brand such as La Madeline’s.  A little pricy, but delicious with an 8 to 16 oz container of lump crab meat. 

There are many commercial soups at the grocery store, with huge inventories of varieties.  Progresso and Healthy Choice are two.  Campbell’s has multiple lines of soups now besides their originals.  There are the Selects and the Chunky lines.  My favorites are Vegetable Beef from the original soup line, and Chunky Sirloin Burger.  Sometimes at our house we combine cream of chicken soup and chicken noodle.  My dad’s favorite is original tomato soup diluted with milk, and eaten with crushed saltine crackers. 

Look also for organic soups like Muir Glen, Amy’s or Pacific, and gourmet soups like Wolfgang Puck. 

Don’t forget box and envelop soups like Lipton, Knorr and Bear Creek.  I’ve always loved the Lipton Noodle Soup with the small 1” noodles.  It’s a good base to add cream of chicken soup for something a bit heartier too.  The Bear Creek Cheddar Broccoli is quite good.  I add frozen chopped broccoli and chicken.  It comes in about 15 varieties including Tortilla, Minestrone and Clam Chowder.