How to Freeze Soup

The suitability of soup for freezing depends on the recipe. Broth-based, tomato-based soups, stews, and chili are the best choices. Cream-based soups and those thickened with flour or cornstarch are not recommended for freezing. Unfortunately, our Test Kitchen does not recommend freezing potato soup due to the potential mealy texture of potatoes after freezing.

Once your soup is ready, follow these steps to freeze it safely:

1. Quickly Cool Soup

   After cooking, quickly cool your hot soup by placing the pot in ice water in the kitchen sink and stirring often. Rapid cooling is essential to prevent bacterial growth.

2. Create Soup Portions

   Ladle the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving approximately 1/2 to 1 inch of space at the top. This allows for expansion during freezing. Store multiple portions in a large container for family dinners or freeze individual portions for personal use.

3. Freeze Soup

   Label each container with the contents and date for future reference. Place the soup in the freezer and store for up to three months.

Thawing and Serving Frozen Soup

It's crucial to thaw frozen foods properly. Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator for one to two days before reheating using one of the following methods:

• Microwave: Remove the soup from the container or bag and place it in a microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or vented plastic wrap to prevent spattering. Reheat soup in the microwave on 50% power (medium). Stir frozen soup a few times as it thaws.
• Stove-top reheating: Reheat thawed soup on the stove top until heated through using medium-high heat for broth-base soups and medium heat for purees or stews. Stir often to keep from burning; watch beans and veggies closely.

Best Soups for Freezing

Incorporating freezer-friendly soup into your meal planning can streamline your cooking process. We're sharing some of our favorite freezer-friendly soup recipes that are perfect for keeping your freezer stocked. Adding these freezer-friendly soups to your menu ensures you always have a delicious meal ready to heat and serve. Our top-rated soup and stew recipes that freeze well, as well as those created specifically for the freezer, are a great place to start, such as our barley-beef stew, Tuscan bean soup, and sausage-pepper soup.

Don't forget to make broth for recipes, especially around the holidays. Stock freezes well and can be used in various dishes to enhance flavors. We have recipes for chicken broth to use when making turkey stuffing, beef broth for stew and soup base, and vegetable stock for vegetarian dishes.