Chicken Noodle Soup vs Beef Stew: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Chicken noodle soup is lower in calories than beef stew.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Chicken noodle soup has 25 calories and 1.3 g of protein, while beef stew has 99 calories and 4.4 g of protein. Chicken noodle soup is lower in calories and beef stew is higher in protein.

This comparison examines the nutritional profiles of chicken noodle soup and beef stew. Both dishes are popular comfort foods, but they differ significantly in calories and macronutrients.

What Is the Difference Between Chicken Noodle Soup and Beef Stew?

Chicken noodle soup is a broth-based soup that typically contains chicken, noodles, and vegetables. It is often enjoyed for its comforting qualities and perceived health benefits. Beef stew is a hearty dish made from beef, vegetables, and broth, slow-cooked to enhance flavors. It is known for its rich taste and filling nature.

Chicken Noodle Soup vs Beef Stew: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of chicken noodle soup and beef stew, highlighting their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Chicken noodle soup Beef stew
Calories 25 kcal 99 kcal
Protein 1.3 g 4.4 g
Carbs 3.0 g 7.8 g
Sugar 0.3 g 1.8 g
Fat 0.9 g 5.5 g
Fiber 0.2 g 0.9 g
Sodium 173 mg 388 mg

Which Is Better, Chicken Noodle Soup or Beef Stew?

For weight loss: Chicken noodle soup, at 25 calories, is significantly lower in calories compared to beef stew, which has 99 calories.

For muscle and protein: Beef stew contains 4.4 g of protein, while chicken noodle soup has only 1.3 g of protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Chicken noodle soup has 3.0 g of carbs and 0.3 g of sugar, whereas beef stew has higher values at 7.8 g of carbs and 1.8 g of sugar.

How to Track Chicken noodle soup and Beef stew Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros in soups and stews, leading to inaccurate calorie assessments. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Beef stew has 4.4 g of protein, while chicken noodle soup has 1.3 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Chicken noodle soup has 25 calories, whereas beef stew has 99 calories.

What is the carbohydrate content in chicken noodle soup?

Chicken noodle soup contains 3.0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

How much fat is in beef stew?

Beef stew contains 5.5 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in chicken noodle soup?

Chicken noodle soup has 173 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in beef stew?

Beef stew contains 1.8 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Chicken noodle soup: 25 calories, 1.3 g protein.
  • Beef stew: 99 calories, 4.4 g protein.
  • Chicken noodle soup: 3.0 g carbs, 0.3 g sugar.
  • Beef stew: 7.8 g carbs, 1.8 g sugar.
  • Chicken noodle soup: 0.9 g fat, 173 mg sodium.
  • Beef stew: 5.5 g fat, 388 mg sodium.

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