Can You Freeze Vegetable Beef Soup?
Soups can be one of the comfort foods of a chilled wintry night. And when it contains meat, it is a plus! You must be making soups for your supper, or maybe to munch on as a snack, isn’t it? I mean who does not, soups are so deliciously healthy!
In this article, I will be focusing on vegetable beef soup which is one of the most sought-after meat soups. Talking about that, have you ever thought of storing your soups for later use? Can you freeze vegetable beef soup? Yes, you can. Read on for more insights!
How To Freeze Vegetable Beef Soup?
Soups can be frozen in various ways, some prefer freezing them in cubes, while some prefer larger containers. Some people also like to freeze specific recipes of soup in freezer-safe bags. That said, the best way to freeze vegetable beef soup is by using containers.
Airtight containers come in a wide variety of shapes, so you need to take into account your soup quantity before choosing the right containers.
Check out the following steps to freeze your beef and vegetable soup at home:
- Prepare your soup and let it cool completely first. It would be better if your soup is made of broth as it will freeze for longer.
- Once the soup has cooled down completely, carefully transfer it into airtight containers using a spatula.
- Seal the lids tightly and label the containers with the date and contents. This will let you know how long the soup has been frozen.
- Once all the above-mentioned steps are accomplished, stack the containers into the freezer and your vegetable beef soup is ready to be frozen.
Tips To Freeze Soup Effectively!
Now that you know the steps for freezing soup, check out the following tips for better results:
- After you seal the lids of the containers, it would be best if you wrap them in cling film. This will aid freezing and protect the texture of the soup.
- It is best if you freeze the soup within 2-3 days of preparing it. Do not attempt to freeze the soup after 3 days, as it might not freeze well.
- Leave about an inch of a headspace in the containers while pouring in the soup. This will let the soup expand freely upon freezing.
- If you find your soup is chunky, consider blending it before freezing. This is because smooth soup freezes better than chunky soup.
Does Vegetable Beef Soup Freeze Well?
The decision of whether vegetable beef soup freezes well or not cannot be actually determined. The freezer-friendliness of soup depends on how it has been made. While a creamier soup will not store well, a smoother soup will.
Talking about beef soups, if they contain broth they might freeze well. However, if you are making a creamier vegetable and soup beef soup, it can be a big no-no to freeze it. But in any soup you are freezing, you are likely to notice texture changes in the soup.
How Long Can You Freeze Vegetable Beef Soup?
You can freeze beef soup for about three months, given that it is not creamy in consistency. Also, for soups to store that longer, you need to make sure you are freezing them properly. You must pack the soup tightly before freezing.
On the other hand, if your beef soup contains vegetables like beans, potatoes, or rice, I would suggest you avoid freezing it. This is because, these ingredients do not keep well, when in a soup. Soups that are broth-based are best for freezing.
How To Defrost Meat Soups?
The easiest and quickest way to defrost any soup is in the microwave. Yes, you can directly defrost the soup in the however, However, when it comes to meat soups, it would be great if you allow the soup to thaw in the refrigerator for some time before heating it.
On the contrary, make sure you never keep your soup at room temperature for defrosting. This will give way for bacterial growth due to elongated air exposure, and hence degrade the quality of your soup. The freezer will also alter the texture of the soup, but it is safe for consumption.
How Do You Reheat Vegetable Beef Soup?
Reheating vegetable beef soup is quite simple, and you also have three ways to reheat your soup. However, one thing is common in all three methods, you need to stir your beef soup occasionally. Check them out in the following section.
Reheat In A Microwave
Let your beef and vegetables thaw in the fridge before you reheat it. Then, transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl and start heating the soup in 30-second increments. Make sure the bowl is covered. At each 30-second interval stir the soup. This will allow the soup to be reheated slowly. Once the soup retains its soupy consistency, serve it hot.
Reheat On A Stovetop
For the stovetop, let the soup thaw overnight in the refrigerator. This will completely soften the frozen soup before you heat it again. Next, transfer the soup into a saucepan and fill it with enough water to keep the bottom from burning. Set the flame on medium-high heat, and cook the soup. Remember to keep stirring the soup.
Reheat With An Instant Pot
Reheating soup in an instant pot could be the easiest. All you have to do is let the soup partially thaw in the refrigerator, transfer it to an instant pot, and cook for at least 5-10 minutes. Mix once in a while, and your vegetable beef soup is all ready to serve.
