Ah, lentil soup is warm, hearty, and a perfect dish to enjoy on a chilly day or when you need comfort food. The question is: can you freeze lentil soup? If you’ve found a surplus of this delicious soup or want to meal prep in advance, you may wonder if freezing is a good option.
The Short Answer: Yes, You Can!
Good news! Lentil soup can be frozen, making it a fantastic option for meal prepping or simply extending the life of your leftovers.
But like all good things, there’s a proper way to do it to ensure that it stays delicious and safe to eat.
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Preparing to freeze lentil soup
Choosing the Right Containers
Your choice of container can make a difference in the quality of the soup when it’s thawed.
You can use:
- Plastic container with tight-fitting lids: Just make sure they are freezer-safe to avoid cracking.
- Glass containers: These are also a good option but leave some room for expansion as the soup freezes.
- Ziplock bags: These are perfect if you’re tight on freezer space. Just make sure to remove all the air before sealing.
Portioning the Soup
Consider portioning the soup into amounts you’ll use in one go. Single servings? Enough for the whole family? The choice is yours.
Let It Cool
Hot soup can raise the temperature inside your freezer, compromising the safety and quality of other stored items.
Always let your soup cool to room temperature before you put it in the freezer.
Label It
Don’t forget to label your container or freezer bag with the date.
When frozen, you should eat lentil soup within 4 to 5 months to ensure the best quality.
However, it’ll stay safe indefinitely if kept at 0°F.
Do you like spicy soups? Read our post Spicy Vegan Pumpkin Soup
The Freezing Process: A Detailed Look
Step 1: Fill Your Containers
Once your lentil soup has cooled to room temperature, you can begin freezing.
Using a ladle, carefully transfer the cooled soup into your selected freezer-safe containers.
Be mindful to leave about an inch of space at the top of each container.
This extra room is crucial because liquids expand as they freeze, and without this space, you risk your container cracking or the lid popping off.
Step 2: Seal and Double-Check before you freeze lentil soup
After filling your containers, it’s time to secure them.
If you’re using a container with a lid, attach it firmly so it’s airtight.
If opting for Ziplock bags, press out as much air as possible before sealing them.
This step is important for preventing freezer burn, which can ruin the texture and flavor of your soup.
After closing, double-check to ensure the containers or bags are sealed properly. No one likes a freezer surprise of soup everywhere!
Step 3: Into the Freezer It Goes!
Finally, you’re ready to place your containers or bags of lentil soup into the freezer.
Position them in a way that allows for good air circulation around each container.
This helps the lentil soup freeze more quickly and evenly, preserving its quality.
If you’re using Ziplock bags, laying them flat in the freezer helps them freeze evenly and saves you valuable freezer space.
Don’t forget to label each container or bag with the date it was frozen so you can keep track of its shelf life.
Thawing and reheating
Now, what’s the best way to thaw and reheat your frozen lentil soup?
The thawing options
1. In the fridge: This is the safest method. Depending on your portion size, it’ll take several hours to a day.
2. Cold water bath: Submerge the sealed soup container in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes.
3. Directly on the stovetop: If you’re in a rush, you can thaw the soup directly on the stovetop. Just keep the heat low and frequently stir to avoid uneven heating.
Time to Reheat!
- On the stove: Pour the thawed soup into a pot and reheat on medium heat until it simmers.
- In the microwave: If you’re reheating a single serving, use a microwave-safe dish and heat in intervals, stirring between each.
Read our post How To Freeze Soup?
A Few tips and tricks to freeze lentil soup
– Spices and herbs may lose some potency: Feel free to add a dash of spices when reheating.
– Check the texture: Lentils hold up pretty well to freezing and thawing, but if you find they’ve become a bit mushy, you can always purée the soup for a creamy version of your lentil soup recipe.
– Add freshness: A sprinkle of fresh herbs can revive the flavors of your soup.
In Conclusion: Can you freeze lentil soup?
Yes, you can freeze lentil soup if you’ve made too much or want to save some for later.
Just remember to cool it down, pick the right container, portion it out, and label it before sending it to its icy retreat.
Then, when you’re ready to enjoy it again, you have a variety of thawing and reheating options at your disposal.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be a pro at freezing lentil soup in no time!
Read our post Best Panera Soup
Frequently Asked Questions About Freezing Lentil Soup
Signs of spoilage include an off-putting smell, visible mold, or a slimy texture. If your soup exhibits any of these signs, it’s best to discard it.
Yes, you can. However, the texture of some vegetables may change upon thawing. For example, potatoes may become mushy, but the overall flavor will still be good.
The time it takes to freeze will depend on the portion size and container type. However, small portions in shallow containers generally freeze within 4-6 hours.
Use a marker to write directly on the lid or freezer-safe labels. Include the name of the soup and the date you froze it for easy identification later.
Absolutely, freezing in individual servings is a convenient way to have a quick meal ready to go. Just make sure to use freezer-safe containers or bags suitable for single servings. You can also try an ice cube tray.
This is entirely up to you and your texture preference. Both blended and chunky lentil soup can be successfully frozen, and you can always decide to blend it after thawing if you change your mind.
To avoid freezer burn, use a freezer-safe airtight container and remove as much air as possible from the container or bag before sealing.
Refreezing thawed soup can result in a loss of texture and flavor. Additionally, repeated thawing and freezing can increase the risk of bacterial growth. It’s best only to thaw what you’ll use.
Lentil soup can be stored safely in the freezer for 4-5 months.
To defrost lentil soup, the safest method is to place the frozen soup in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Alternatively, you can use a cold water bath or defrost it directly on the stovetop on low heat, stirring frequently.
Here you can find more nutritional information about lentils.
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