Can You Freeze Potato Soup? Best Practices and More!

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Can You Freeze Potato Soup

Although you can freeze potato soup, it’s a good idea to make potato soup specifically for the freezer. This means that you will want to withhold any dairy products and seasonings until after you have frozen your potato soup and are ready to serve it. Below we will go into detail about the best practices for freezing potato soup that amount you to make delicious soup you can enjoy. 

Saltgrass Potato Soup step 6

Can Potato Soup be Frozen

Potato soup that is made specifically to be frozen can be frozen and make a delicious meal for a later date. If you’re looking to make meals ahead of time and freeze them until you are ready to enjoy them, making freezer potato soup is a delicious option. 

However, if you are looking to freeze leftover potato soup that has been fully prepared, you might want to think twice about it. Potato soup is generally a cream based soup, and it contains dairy products. Once dairy products are frozen, they tend to become separated once thawed. 

Because of this, it is a good idea to not freeze fully prepared potato soup. Below we will show you how to make freezer potato soup, and it can be made in advance, frozen, and enjoyed whenever you want.

It’s a great way to make meals in advance and have them taste delicious when cooked!  

Let’s look at how you can freeze potato soup that will make a delicious meal later on! 

Freezing Potato Soup

Step 1: Partly Cook Potato Soup

The key to making Freezer potato soup is that you’ll want to begin by partially cooking your potatoes and vegetables. You don’t want them to be completely cooked, because you will need to warm the potato soup after it has thawed.

Sometimes, if you fully cooked your vegetables before freezing, you end up with mushy, overcooked vegetables when you are ready to eat them. 

Step 2: Hold the Dairy

Dairy products do not freeze and thaw well. Typically, milk or cream becomes gritty and almost sand-like after it has been frozen.

Because of this, we strongly recommend that you do not add any milk, cream, or other dairy products to your potato soup before it is frozen. Rather hold these ingredients and add them when you are thawing your frozen potato soup. 

Note: You may also consider withholding any seasonings or herbs that are added to your potato soup. This way, when you are ready to reheat your potato soup after it has been frozen, you can add your desired seasoning and herbs then, making it taste nice and fresh. 

Step 3: Let it Cool

Before you freeze your prepared freezer potato soup, you will want to allow the soup to fully cool and then transfer it to your freezer storage containers. 

Step 4: Prepare Your Soup for the Freezer

After your soup has cooled, you can prepare it for the freezer. To do this, transfer your soup into freezer safe storage bags, or soup freezer containers, such as freezer safe Tupperware or airtight containers. Then you are ready to freeze the soup. 

Step 5: Refrigerate Potato Soup Before Freezing

If you are able it is a great idea to allow your freezer potato soup to chill in the refrigerator before freezing. This allows your soup to chill gradually, and you will enjoy better results of your frozen potato soup. 

Step 6: Label and Freeze Your Potato Soup 

Once your soup has chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours, you are good to transfer it to the freezer. Be sure to label your freezer containers with a description and the date, then freeze your prepared potato soup for three to six months. 

potato soup bowl

How to Defrost Frozen Soup

Three main ways that you can thaw frozen soup. We strongly recommend that you only use the water bath method or defrost your frozen soup in the fridge. If it all possible, avoid defrosting your frozen soup in the microwave. 

Refrigerator. To defrost frozen soup in the refrigerator, move your frozen soup from the freezer to the fridge and allow it to sit overnight or up to 24 hours. Once it is thawed you can reheat your soup on the stovetop, and add in any ingredients that you skipped before freezing it. 

Water Bath. Our favorite way to thaw frozen soup is in a water bath. To thaw your soup in a cold water bath, place your soup in your freezer container or plastic bag into a bowl of cold water.  

Be sure to continually change the cold water approximately every 30 minutes so that it always stays cold until your soup is thawed. Then transfer your soup to a saucepan and heat it over medium low heat, finishing to prepare your soup as your recipe instructs. 

Double Boiler. Another way you can thaw your frozen potato soup is in a double boiler. First, run your container of frozen soup under warm water until you are able to remove the frozen soup from your container. Then add your soup into a saucepan. Place your saucepan inside a larger saucepan and fill the outer saucepan with water. 

Fill the pan so that it is about halfway full. Heat your water in the outer pan over medium heat until it warms, this will cause your frozen soup to thaw at a gradual rate. Continue to eat until your soup is thawed. Add your dairy products and seasonings as desired and continue to cook in the double boiler if you wish. 

Microwave. Transfer your frozen soup to a microwave-safe container and then microwave for a few minutes on the defrost function until your soup is thawed. Please note this method may change the texture of your potato soup. 

How to Reheat Frozen Soup

The best way to reheat frozen soup is on the stovetop. Although you can use your microwave, we strongly recommend that you use your stove top to heat the soup. 

You can place your saucepan directly on the burner, over medium-low heat to warm it. You can also use the double boiler method to reheat your cream based soup if desired. 

Once your soup is thawed, and able to be mixed, you can add your dairy products, herbs, seasonings, and any other ingredients that you skipped before it was frozen. 

Continue to cook on the stovetop until your soup is warmed through, and your vegetables are soft. Then serve and enjoy! 

Saltgrass Baked Potato Soup

How to Thicken up Potato Soup

The best way to thicken potato soup is to remove part of your soup from the pan and add it to a blender. Blend part of the soup so that some of your potatoes are completely blended into the soup, making a natural thickener to the potato soup. 

Another way you can thicken your potato soup if you do not wish to blend your potatoes is to add condensed soup to your soup. Cans of condensed soup such as cream of chicken soup, make a good thickener.

A third way you could think in your potato soup, which is not strongly encouraged, is to mix in flour or cornstarch. To do this you will want to take a couple of tablespoons of all-purpose flour, or cornstarch and mix it with approximately 1/3 cup of water. Stir the mixture until there are no lumps remaining and then slowly pour it into your potato soup. Stir until dissolved and thickened. 

How to Best Serve Previously Frozen Potato Soup

The best way to serve frozen potato soup is after it has been thawed using one of our recommended methods such as the water bath method, or the double boiler. Then, heat the potato soup on the stove top either in a saucepan, or double boiler. 

Cook over the burner until your soup’s vegetables are soft. Be sure to include any dairy products or seasonings that were skipped before freezing it. Then, serve your warmed potato soup and enjoy! 

How Long does Potato Soup Last in the Fridge

No matter if you are potato soup and homemade or not, once it has been cooked and stored in the fridge, it will typically last between three and four days when stored in an air tight container at 40°F or below. 

How Long does Potato Soup Last in the Freezer

Typically, frozen potato soup is best when enjoyed before three months, but can last up to six months when stored in an airtight container, or plastic freezer bag and frozen at 0°F or below. 

FAQs

Can you freeze soup with cream in it?

Although you can freeze soup with cream in it, it will change consistency after it’s frozen. Because of this, we recommend not adding the cream to your soup until after it has been frozen, thawed, and you are going to serve it. Any soup that contains dairy products should not be frozen. 

How long is potato soup good for?

Potato soup can last at room temperature for up to two hours. After that, your potato soup should be refrigerated. To refrigerate, potato soup should be stored in an airtight container or sealed in a plastic storage bag and kept in the fridge at 40°F or below for 3 to 4 days.

Potato soup that does not contain dairy products may also be frozen. To freeze transfer potato soup to an airtight container or seal it in a plastic storage bag. Then freeze the potato soup for up to six months. 

Can you freeze cream based soups?

Soups that contain dairy products or are cream-based should not be frozen once they are fully assembled. 

Can you re-freeze frozen potato soup?

No, it is not a good idea to try and refreeze once frozen potato soup. For best results, your potato soup should only be frozen once, and then served. 

finished potato soup

Freezing Cream Soups

Freezing cream soups can get tricky. For best results, you are going to want to freeze your potato soup before any dairy products are added to it. Be sure to date and label the soup and then freeze it for up to six months. Once your soup thaws, you can then add your dairy products before you enjoy! 

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Faith
Faith Has been cooking and baking for many years! she loves to share her recipes with the world, and hopes you will enjoy them too!

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