Potato soup is a popular meal that can be prepared with or without meat. It is usually served on salads and as a side dish. It is a thick, creamy soup that is served hot or cold and can be made with either chicken broth or vegetable broth.
After cooking the soup, if you end up with some leftovers, you may wonder if you can freeze potato soup?
Yes, you can freeze potato soup, but it has some drawbacks. Since potato soup contains dairy products, when it thaws, the ingredients will start to separate. To prevent this problem, you use non-dairy ingredients.
Does Potato Soup Freeze Well?
Potatoes soup freezes easily, but the problem is when it’s thawed. Most potato soup contains dairy products, which the ingredients will usually separate as it is thawed. You will be looking at a soup that will have a grainy texture and not very good tasting.
However, by substituting the ingredients for non-dairy, you won’t have any issues with the changes in texture when it thaws.
How To Freeze Potato Soup
Potato soups are typically made with a water-based stock, which is easy to freeze and doesn’t require a lot of preparation.
To freeze potato soup, it’s a good idea to portion them. This will help prevent having leftovers, which will not be able to freeze again.
Below are the steps to freezing potato soup:
Step 1: Allow to Cool Down
After the soup is cooked, allow it to cool down to room temperature. Avoid freezing the soup while it’s still warm. Doing so will cause moisture from the condensation to build up, which will damage the soup during freezing.
Step 2: Portion the Soup
Determine the amount of potato soup that you will be using. Portion the soup just enough that you need to eat or make a meal.
Step 3: Pour Into Freezer Bag
With the soup, start to pour them into the freezer bag. Be sure to leave about an inch of space at the top of the bag. This is to allow the soup to expand during freezing.
Then press on the bag to expel any air before sealing it.
Alternatively, you can use an airtight container to store potato soup as well.
Step 4: Label and Freeze
With a pen, write the date of freezing onto the bag or container. Then place them into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Potato Soup?
The shelf life of potato soup depends on the type of potato used. With some potatoes, you can freeze them for up to three months.
Generally, the shelf life of frozen potato soup is around 3-4 months if kept sealed in an airtight container or freezer bag.
After about 4 months, the quality of the soup will start to deteriorate. However, the soup will still be safe to eat beyond that point. The only thing is that the soup will not taste as good as it should.
How Do You Defrost Potato Soup?
The ultimate goal of thawing a potato is to end up with smooth/consistently-shaped slices that are not mushy at all.
After the soup is thawed and your potato slices turn into mashed potatoes instead of thin pieces then you might want to add more flour and salt when you add it back into the pot.
There are many ways to defrost and thaw potato soup. These include:
- Placing food in the fridge overnight
- Using an oven or microwave
- Submerging it in cold water for 30 minutes to 1 hour
Can You Refreeze Potato Soup?
Refreezing potato soup is not recommended because it can damage the flavor of the meal or cause it to turn out watery when reheated.
After thawing the soup, if you have any leftovers, it’s best to keep them in the fridge. Be sure to eat the potato soup within 2 days to prevent them from going bad.
Other Questions about Potato Soup
Can you freeze homemade potato soup?
The answer is yes. You can also freeze potato soups that are homemade. To do this, make sure to use a freezer-safe container and label it with the contents so it doesn’t get mixed up with other food items in the freezer.