Introduction
Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed year-round. It’s not only delicious but also easy and convenient to make. Whether you’re preparing soup for a big family gathering or meal prepping for the week ahead, freezing your soup can save time, money, and reduce food waste. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to properly freeze chicken noodle soup so you can enjoy homemade soup anytime you want.
Why Freeze Your Soup?
Freezing soup is a great way to save time and money on meal preparation. It allows you to cook in bulk and store meals for later use. This is especially useful for busy individuals who don’t have much time to cook during the week or for anyone who wants to avoid buying expensive pre-made meals. By freezing your soup, you also reduce the amount of food waste in your household. Finally, it’s also a convenient way to enjoy homemade soup year-round, regardless of the current season.
How to Freeze Chicken Noodle Soup
Before freezing your soup, it’s important to properly cool it first. To avoid bacterial growth in your soup, let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for a few hours before freezing it. Once cooled, transfer your soup to freezer-friendly containers or bags. We recommend using containers that are air-tight to prevent freezer burn and to keep your soup fresher for longer periods.
When using bags, make sure to remove any excess air before sealing. This generally involves filling the bag with soup, sealing it most of the way, and then sucking out the remaining air manually before finishing the seal. This is important because excess air can cause freezer burn, damaging the texture and taste of your soup.
Lastly, make sure to label your containers or bags with the date and any other relevant information such as ingredients or serving size. This makes it easier to manage your frozen meals, especially when you’re meal prepping for the week ahead.
Meal Prep Made Easy
One of the biggest advantages of freezing chicken noodle soup is making meal prep more manageable. Soup is a great option for busy weekdays or when you don’t feel like cooking an elaborate meal. When you freeze soup in individual portions, all you need to do when you’re ready to eat it is to take out and heat up a container. This helps to save time and reduce stress in your daily life.
Don’t Waste Any More Leftovers
Freezing leftover chicken noodle soup is an excellent way to reduce food waste. Avoid throwing away your soup by transferring it to an airtight container or bag and storing it in the freezer. If you want to freeze the soup, please ensure that it’s stored within 2 hours of cooking, or it’s quickly cooled down within that timeframe to avoid bacterial growth. This way, you can take advantage of leftover soup to make delicious meals with ease.
Homemade Soup All Year Round
Freezing chicken noodle soup is a great way to enjoy homemade soup all year round. With the right tools and process, it’s easy to whip up a large batch of soup, freeze it, and then defrost and reheat it whenever you want. This is not only an affordable option, but it’s also healthier since you can control the ingredients that go into the soup, unlike store-bought soup, which contains artificial additives and preservatives.
Batch Cooking 101
If you plan on freezing your chicken noodle soup, batch cooking is a great option. By cooking in larger quantities, you can freeze more portions, saving time and reducing kitchen mess. When cooking in bulk, consider using a crockpot or pressure cooker as these appliances allow you to cook your soup seamlessly and efficiently. Larger quantities require longer cooking times and need to be watched carefully to ensure you don’t burn or undercook your soup.
The Dos and Don’ts of Freezing Chicken Noodle Soup
If you’re new to freezing soup, there are some best practices to follow to get the most out of your prepared meals. When freezing soup, always use air-tight containers or bags, label them with the date and other relevant information, and remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Make sure that the soup has sufficiently cooled down before storing it in the freezer. Ensure that the frozen soup is consumed within 3 months at the maximum to avoid loss of freshness. Lastly, when reheating frozen soup, always ensure it’s thoroughly boiled or heated well to kill any germs that might have grown through exposure to bacteria, such as Salmonella or E.coli.
Conclusion
Freezing chicken noodle soup is an easy and convenient way to enjoy homemade soup anytime you want. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week ahead, avoiding food waste, or just looking for an easy meal on a busy weeknight, freezing your soup can save you time and money. By following our step-by-step guide and best practices for freezing chicken noodle soup, you can enjoy delicious homemade soup, made effortlessly, anytime you want.