There are several important steps you’ll need to take when it comes to freezing lentil soup.
First of all, make sure that it’s completely cooled down before putting it into the freezer. If you pour warm or hot soup into the freezer, it will lower the temperature of the surrounding food and can cause it to spoil faster.
Secondly, portion your lentil soup into airtight containers or freezer bags. This will help keep the quality of your soup while also making it easier to thaw and reheat in the future. Once everything is sealed up, make sure to clearly label the date and contents on the bag or container before storing in the freezer for up to two months.
Contents
What is a Lentil Soup?
A lentil soup is a hearty, filling soup made with, you guessed it, lentils! Lentils are a type of legume that are packed with protein and fiber, making them a nutrient-rich addition to any meal. This soup is perfect for a cold winter day or as a satisfying lunchtime option.
To make a lentil soup, start by sautéing onions, celery and carrots in olive oil. Add some garlic and spices such as cumin, coriander, paprika and turmeric to the vegetables and cook until fragrant.
Then add your lentils along with low-sodium vegetable broth or water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook until the lentils are tender (around 25 minutes). Once done, finish your soup off with a splash of fresh lemon juice and enjoy!
Can You Freeze Lentil Soup?
If you have leftover lentil soup and are wondering if you can freeze it, the answer is yes! Lentil soup freezes well and can be enjoyed at a later date.
To freeze, simply place the soup in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove over low heat.
Be sure to cool the soup completely before freezing to reduce the risk of bacterial growth. You can also divide the soup into individual portions before freezing for easy thawing and reheating.
How to Properly Store the Soup
While lentil soup is pretty shelf-stable, there are still some guidelines you should follow when storing it. Here’s how to properly store your lentil soup:
- Firstly, make sure the soup is cooled completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Hot soup + a sealed container = food poisoning.
- If you’re storing the soup in the fridge, it will last 3-4 days.
- To freeze the soup, portion it into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of headspace. The soup will last 6-8 months in the freezer.
When you’re ready to eat the frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Benefits of Freezing Lentil Soup
Assuming you have made an extra large batch of your delicious Lentil soup and now have some leftovers. You may be wondering if you can freeze the soup for later enjoyment.
The good news is that Lentil soup freezes quite well! Here are some tips on how to freeze and reheat your soup so it tastes just as good as the day you made it.
When freezing Leftover Lentil soup, make sure to leave some headspace at the top of the container. This will allow for the soup to expand as it freezes and prevent any spills.
It is also a good idea to portion out the soup into individual servings before freezing. That way you can thaw and heat up only what you need, rather than having to defrost an entire pot of soup.
To reheat your frozen Lentil Soup, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight or place the container of soup in a bowl of warm water until thawed.
Once thawed, reheat on the stove over low heat until warmed through. Be sure to stir often to prevent scorching.
Guidelines and Tips for Freezing and Reheating it
When freezing and reheating lentil soup, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, always make sure the soup is completely cooled before freezing.
Otherwise, it can cause the soup to become watery. Spoon the soup into airtight freezer bags or containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion. Label and date the containers before placing them in the freezer.
Soup can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove over low heat until warmed through.
You may need to add a little additional water or broth when reheating as some of the liquid will have evaporated during freezing.
Make sure to bring the soup to a rolling boil before serving and enjoy!
Recipes
Lentil soup is a delicious and healthy meal that can be enjoyed all year round. While you can certainly make a batch of lentil soup and freeze it for later, there are a few things you should know before doing so.
For starters, it’s important to note that freezing lentil soup will change its texture slightly.
The freezing process causes the lentils to break down and become mushy, so it’s best to eat frozen lentil soup within a month or two. If you’re looking to keep your soup for longer, consider canning it instead.
When freezing lentil soup, be sure to portion it out into individual servings before placing it in the freezer. This will make it easier to thaw and reheat when you’re ready to eat it.
And, as always, make sure your freezer is set at 0°F (-18°C) or below to ensure food safety.
When it comes time to thaw and reheat, Lentil soup can be placed in the refrigerator overnight or you can use the defrost setting on your microwave. Once thawed, transfer to a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until hot. Serve with crusty bread for a delicious meal!
Alternatives to Soup Freezing
There are a few different ways that you can store your lentil soup so that it doesn’t freeze.
One option is to refrigerate the soup in an airtight container for up to four days.
Another option is to portion out the soup into freezer-safe bags or containers, and then store in the freezer for up to six months.
If you’re looking for an alternative to freezing your soup, one option is to can the soup. This will allow you to store the soup on your pantry shelves for up to a year.
Another option is to dehydrate the soup, which will give you shelf-stable soup that can be stored for several months.
No matter what method you choose to store your delicious lentil soup, make sure that it is properly stored and labeled so that you don’t end up with a lumpy mess in the back of the fridge when you go to reheat it!
FAQs
Can lentil and rice soup be frozen?
Lentil and rice soup is a filling and hearty meal that can be made ahead of time and frozen for future meals. When freezing lentil and rice soup, it’s important to use an airtight container so that the soup doesn’t become freezer burned.
It’s also important to leave some headspace in the container so that the soup has room to expand as it freezes. To defrost the soup, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
What is the best way to freeze lentil soup?
When it comes to freezing lentil soup, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, make sure that the soup is completely cooled before freezing. If you freeze hot soup, it can cause freezer burn.
Also, make sure to portion out the soup into individual containers before freezing. This will make it easier to thaw and reheat later on. Label the containers with the date so you know how long it’s been in the freezer.
Assuming you’ve followed all of these steps, the best way to reheat frozen lentil soup is in a pot on the stove. Simply add the frozen soup and heat over medium heat until thawed and warmed through.
You can also reheat in the microwave, but be careful not to overcook it. Lentil soup can also be thawed overnight in the refrigerator and then reheated on the stove or in the microwave.
Can you freeze lentil and potato soup?
When it comes to freezing lentil soup, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. For starters, lentils are a legume and they tend to absorb moisture from their surroundings. This means that if you freeze your soup without taking some precautions, the lentils will soak up all the liquid in the soup and turn into a mushy mess.
Here are a few tips for freezing lentil soup:
- Cook the soup until the lentils are just tender. If they’re overcooked, they’ll turn into mush when frozen.
- Add extra liquid to the soup before freezing. This will help prevent the lentils from soaking up all the liquid and turning into a mushy mess.
- Freeze the soup in individual servings. This way, you can thaw out just enough for one meal instead of having to thaw out an entire pot of soup.
- To prevent freezer burn, make sure to tightly seal your containers before freezing.
Is it safe to reheat lentil soup?
When it comes to reheating lentil soup, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that the soup is completely cooled before reheating. If the soup is still warm, it can cause bacteria to grow.
To reheat the soup, put it in a pot on the stove over low heat. Stir occasionally, and heat until the soup is warmed through. Do not boil the soup, as this can make it tough.
If you’re not planning on eating the soup right away, you can freeze it for later. Just make sure to defrost it properly before reheating.
What soups should not be frozen?
When it comes to freezing soup, there are a few general rules to follow. First, soups with a high water content do not freeze well and will become watery when thawed. Second, cream-based soups should not be frozen because the cream will separate from the rest of the soup when thawed. Pureed soups generally do not freeze well because they can become grainy when thawed.
With that said, there are a few types of soup that do not freeze well no matter what. These include:
- Clear soups: Because of their high water content, clear soups such as chicken noodle or vegetable broth will become watery when frozen and thawed.
- Muscle-based soups: Soups that contain a lot of muscle meat (such as beef or pork) can become tough when frozen and thawed. This is because the muscle fibers contract and tighten up when exposed to cold temperatures.
- Egg-based soups: Egg-based soups such as egg drop soup or French onion soup can also become grainy when frozen and thawed. This is because the egg proteins coagulate and form clumps when exposed to cold temperatures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is possible to freeze lentil soup if the preparation and storage instructions are followed properly. To ensure that you get the most out of your frozen lentil soup, be sure to only use fresh ingredients for maximum flavor, freeze in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and consume within two months. With these tips in mind, you can take advantage of the convenience and deliciousness that freezing lentil soup provides!
