Nothing beats enjoying a bowl of creamy soup, especially on cloudy bed weather! But what if you want to store leftover soup? Can you freeze cream soups? Just like any other type of soup, you can freeze cream soup. However, cream soups have a higher risk of flavor and texture changes during freezing and thawing. The ingredients might clump together, the base might runny, and the original taste might not be the same.
The fact is, cream-based soups become emulsified as they are cooked. The proteins are bound, preventing water molecules from splitting off from the fat molecules. Freezing tends to break this bond, giving the thawed creamy soup a grainy, unpleasant texture and taste. This applies to both homemade and commercially purchased cream soups.
It’s also worth noting that lower-fat cream soups are more prone to splitting after thawing. If you are making milk-based cream soup, we recommend using milks other than skim milk. You can also skip the cream and add it after the soup has thawed. However, if you want to thaw leftover cream soup, for example, you must prepare the soup properly to preserve the integrity of the ingredients.
When refrigerated, cream soup should stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. In the freezer, however, a cream soup will keep for 6 months or longer. For optimal flavor, keep the temperature constant at 0° Fahrenheit. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to freeze cream soups:
How do you freeze cream soups?
If you are making the cream soup from scratch, wait until the soup has cooled completely before preparing to freeze. Again, if you’re making the soup as a snack/meal, consider adding a little more cream to it. If possible, add the cream after reheating.
Once the soup has completely cooled, you can start packaging the soup in plastic containers. You can use a freezer-safe plastic container or several resealable plastic bags. Simply fill several scoops of soup into the container, leaving about an inch or two of space. This gives the soup enough room to expand as it freezes. Seal the container, mark the storage date, and then tape it in the freezer.
For leftover cream soup, use a rigid plastic container with an airtight lid. Simply pour the soup into the container, but don’t fill the container all the way. Seal the container with the airtight lid and place in the freezer.
Read Also: Can you freeze hamburger buns?
How do you thaw and reheat frozen cream soups?
When it comes to thawing frozen cream soups, do it slowly to minimize separation between ingredients. Take the container from the freezer to the fridge. Let the cream soup thaw overnight for optimal flavor.
As for reheating the soup, you can reheat it over the stovetop or microwave. If you’re reheating the soup on the stove, put it in a saucepan and let it simmer over low heat. Stir the cream of soup frequently to keep it from burning. When the consistency is on the runny side, dissolve ½ tablespoon of cornstarch in water and pour in the mixture to thicken the soup. For a thawed soup without cream, add the cream as it cooks.
If reheating the cream soup in the microwave, place the thawed soup in a microwave-safe bowl, place in the microwave and heat on high for 20 seconds. Then stir the soup well and microwave for another 20 seconds if necessary.
summary
Cream soup is one of the most popular luxury foods for good reason. It’s such a comforting snack or appetizer and well worth the effort to make. Now that you know how to freeze cream soups, why not make a big batch to share with loved ones. You can safely store the rest in the freezer!