When it comes to finding quality products at wallet-friendly prices at Walmart, the retailer’s in-house brands are often the best bet. While many shoppers are familiar with Walmart’s Bettergoods and Great Value lines, Marketside is another, often overlooked, brand that offers a range of pre-prepared foods, including sandwiches, salads, and soups. Among these offerings, the Chicken & Sausage Gumbo stands out as a particularly excellent choice, hitting the sweet spot between delicious flavor and exceptional value. In fact, it earned the top spot in a recent ranking of Walmart’s Marketside soups.
While some other Marketside soups may fall short in terms of flavor or ingredient quantity, the Chicken & Sausage Gumbo boasts a robust spice profile and a genuine roux, a fundamental component of authentic gumbo. This Louisiana classic is intended to be a hearty dish, packed with substantial pieces of ingredients, and Walmart’s rendition delivers precisely that. It’s generously filled with sliced andouille sausage, shredded chicken, chunks of okra, and white rice. Notably, the ingredient list even includes the “holy trinity” of Cajun cuisine: onions, celery, and bell peppers, a foundational mirepoix-like combination.
Taste testers were impressed by the gumbo’s deep, smoky, and savory notes. Many commercially prepared soups can taste as though they were hastily assembled and undercooked, but this Marketside product offers a slow-simmered quality that evokes a homemade feel. While it may not be an exact replica of gumbo made from scratch, at approximately $4.87 for a one-pound container, it presents a satisfying and affordable take on this beloved Southern staple.
Walmart shoppers consistently praise the Marketside gumbo. Online reviews on Walmart’s website frequently highlight the dish’s rich spiciness and the ample portions of sausage, chicken, and vegetables. One enthusiastic shopper exclaimed, “I am a BIG fan of this soup!! Really delicious. And chock full of protein — lots of chicken, very distinct sausage flavor.” Another reviewer, who identified as being from New Orleans, commented on the critical palate required for seafood and gumbo, stating, “I will vouch for this as one of the best I’ve ever had store bought!”
Addressing Spice Levels and Customization
The primary consideration for some consumers with this Walmart soup is its level of spiciness, which may be too intense for milder palates. A simple solution to temper the heat is to serve the gumbo over additional rice or alongside oyster crackers, both of which can help to mellow the flavor’s intensity. Conversely, enthusiasts of bold and spicy gumbo might find the Marketside version a bit understated and may opt to add extra hot sauce, demonstrating how easily the flavor can be adjusted to individual preferences.
This Marketside offering also serves as an excellent foundation for culinary creativity, allowing for the addition of various ingredients to elevate your gumbo experience. For a touch of seafood, consider incorporating savory fish sauce along with cooked shrimp, mussels, or crab. If you prefer gumbo thickened with file powder, this Walmart soup’s relatively light body makes it suitable for incorporating a spoonful or two. For an added layer of complexity, a splash of beer can also enhance the flavor profile of this pre-made dish.
