There’s nothing quite like a bowl of homemade soup, and Jow has a host of cozy recipes, including Chicken & Vegetable Soup and Lemony White Bean & Kale Soup. Although our soup recipes are all easy to prepare, on busy nights, sometimes you just want a meal you can heat up and serve. Luckily, soup freezes and reheats beautifully, so you can make a big pot of homemade soup and enjoy it for weeks (or even months!) to come. Keep reading for our advice on freezing and reheating soup, including which varieties are best suited to the process and which Jow recipes to try out.
How to Freeze Soup
Freezing soup is easy, but there are a few techniques to follow that ensure the best results.
- Cool the Soup Completely: Before freezing, let your soup cool to room temperature.
- Portion the Soup into Containers: Divide the soup into individual or family-sized containers before freezing. This way, you can thaw just what you need. Use airtight containers or freezer-safe bags for portioning.
- Leave Room for Expansion: Make sure to leave some space at the top of your container or bag. Liquids expand when frozen, and without extra room, you risk the container cracking or the bag bursting.
- Label and Date the Containers: Always label your containers with the type of soup and the date you froze it. This helps you keep track of how long it’s been stored, avoids mystery meals in the freezer, and makes you much more likely to eat the soup you made.
Which Soups Freeze Best?
Many soups freeze well, but some varieties perform better than others. Broth-based soups, bean or lentil soups, and puréed soups all tend to freeze well. Avoid freezing soups with cream, dairy, or potatoes, as they can separate or become grainy after freezing. Soups with noodles are also tricky to freeze, as they can become soggy after freezing. In these cases, it’s best to add the tricky ingredients after freezing, once you’ve reheated the soup.
How Long Does Soup Last in the Freezer?
When stored properly in an airtight, freezer-safe container, most soups will last up to three months in the freezer. After that point, the flavor and texture of the soup may begin to decline, but it will still be safe to eat for up to six months. For best results, try to consume the soup within a three-month window. Labeling and dating your containers of soup enables you to keep track of what’s in your freezer at any given time.
How to Reheat Frozen Soup
Reheating soup is as simple as freezing it, but doing it the right way can make a big difference in the taste and texture.
- Thaw in the Fridge: For best results, thaw your frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight.
- Stovetop Method: Once your soup has thawed, transfer it to a saucepan and gently warm it over medium heat.
- Direct Heat from Frozen: Forgot to thaw your soup overnight? No worries! You can reheat soup straight from frozen by heating it in a pot with a splash of water or broth. As the soup softens, use a wooden spoon to break up the frozen clumps, helping it thaw more evenly.
- Microwave Method: For a quick solution, place the frozen soup in a microwave-safe container and heat it in short bursts. Stir between each interval to help it reheat evenly. Be careful, as the soup can heat quickly and unevenly in the microwave.
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