Yes, you surely can. Freezing chicken noodle soup is not only possible, it’s also an efficient way of having comfort food prepared for cold nights, ensuring you a warm homemade meal with ease. Preparing homemade chicken noodle soup isn’t complicated, and is a widely loved comfort food.
When it comes to preparing freezer meals, it’s important to have handy tips to preserve the flavor and nutritious value of your meal. If not done properly, freezer burn might occur which can affect the taste and quality of your food.
How to Freeze Chicken Noodle Soup Safely
Regardless of the meal, freezing requires certain conditions to be met for optimal preservation. Something as simple as freeze chicken noodle soup requires a conscious effort to avoid contamination and maintain the meal’s taste.
Freezing meals safely requires you to pay attention to such details as temperature control, proper sealing and to prevent excess air from getting into the storage container. It’s also important to have a sense of how long you can keep the soup frozen without it losing its original taste and quality.
Reheating Frozen Soup
When you are ready to pull your soup out from the freezer, the next step is knowing how to reheat frozen soup. Proper reheating ensures that your soup maintains its original taste and that it is ready to eat.
Reheating should be done slowly and gently to prevent the soup from burning. You may choose to reheat in a microwave, on a stovetop, or even in a crockpot. Regardless, make sure the soup is well heated throughout before serving.
Freezing Soup in Mason Jars
One of the easiest ways to freeze chicken noodle soup is by using mason jars. They are a simple, effective, and eco-friendly way of storing your soup. Plus, they’re pretty!
Note that only wide-mouth pint or quart size jars should be used, as others are likely to crack in the cold temperatures. Leave about an inch of space at the top of the jar to allow the soup to expand as it freezes.
Perfecting Your Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
The quality of your chicken noodle soup recipe will ultimately determine how delicious your delicious soup will be after defrosting and reheating.
The key is knowing how to balance your ingredients and spices, and the ‘secret’ ingredient- time. Cook the soup gently over low-medium heat to blend the flavors together. Sometimes, the simplest recipes yield the most comforting dishes.
Making Large Batches of Soups
If you like to batch-cook, then consider preparing large batches of chicken noodle soup. Meal prep and freezing your soup can save time in busy weeks and provide appetizing meals for unexpected guests or moments.
Always make sure to let the soup cool completely before freezing. Pour the soup into individual serving containers or freezer-safe bags, making it easy to grab the quantity you want next time.
Using a Microwave Safe Bowl
A microwave safe bowl is another option for freezing chicken noodle soup. They offer a straightforward way to store, freeze, and reheat your soup all in the same container.
It’s convenient, decreases the amount of dishes you’ll have to clean afterward, and simplifies the heating process. Just remember to leave the bowl half-covered to avoid soup splatters in your microwave.
Storing in a Zip Top Plastic Freezer Bag
Storing soup in a zip top plastic freezer bag provides convenient and compact storage solutions for your freezer. Remember to lay the bags flat in the freezer for efficient use of space.
Once frozen flat, they can be stacked or stored upright like books on a shelf to maximize space. Always make sure they’re sealed properly to prevent freezer burn or spills.
When to Add The Noodles
The main caution when wanting to freeze chicken noodle soup is deciding when to add the noodles. Although it’s entirely possible to freeze the noodles along with the soup, a common recommendation is to add them fresh upon reheating.
This is because pasta has a tendency to become mushy when frozen and then reheated. However, if the texture change doesn’t bother you, feel free to freeze noodles and all!
FAQ
1. How long can you freeze chicken noodle soup?
Chicken noodle soup can be frozen safely for 4-6 months.
2. Is it safe to freeze chicken noodle soup in mason jars?
Yes, it is safe. However, only wide-mouth pint or quart size jars should be used for freezing.
3. Can I use a zip-top plastic freezer bag to freeze my soup?
Yes, zip top plastic freezer bags are perfect for freezing soup. Lay the bags flat to save space in your freezer.
4. Can I put noodles in my frozen soup?
Yes, you can. But the texture of noodles may change after freezing and reheating.
5. Does homemade chicken noodle soup freeze well?
Yes, it does. But remember to cool it completely before freezing.
6. Can freezing burn chicken noodle soup?
Yes, if not sealed properly, freezer burn can affect the taste and quality of your soup.
7. How can you prevent excess air in your storage containers?
Fill the container up to an inch from the top to leave space for the soup to expand during freezing.
8. What’s the best method for reheating frozen soup?
This depends on your choice. You can use a microwave, a stovetop, or a crockpot.
9. How do I stop my noodles from going mushy in frozen soup?
The trick is to add the noodles fresh when you’re ready to eat the soup.
10. Can I make large batches of chicken noodle soup?
Yes, batch cooking and freezing soup provide efficient meal plans for busy weeks.
