Freezing soups, stews, and chilis is a great way to prepare healthy homemade meals in advance. It can save you time and money by reducing food waste and avoiding eating out. Many soups freeze well, including lentil soup, but there are some things to keep in mind when freezing lentil soup with potatoes.
Can You Freeze Lentil Soup with Potatoes?
Yes, you can freeze lentil soup with potatoes. However, potatoes tend to get mushy when frozen and reheated. Here are some tips for freezing lentil soup with potatoes:
- Use starchy potatoes like Russets or Yukon Gold. Waxy potatoes like red potatoes don’t freeze as well.
- Cook the potatoes until just tender but not fully cooked. They’ll finish cooking when reheated.
- Allow the soup to cool completely before freezing. Freezing at high temps damages cell walls in the potatoes.
- Freeze in airtight containers leaving 1-2 inches of headspace to allow for expansion.
- Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
Best Practices for Freezing Lentil Soup
Follow these tips for delicious lentil soup after freezing:
- Undercook lentils slightly before freezing. They’ll finish cooking when reheated.
- Freeze broth and lentils separately for shorter thaw times. Combine when reheating.
- Add delicate herbs and vegetables like spinach right before serving after reheating.
- Stir in a little extra broth or water when reheating as soup may thicken.
- Bring soup to a simmer when reheating and serve immediately for best texture.
How to Freeze Lentil Soup with Potatoes Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for freezing a batch of lentil soup with potatoes:
- Make a large batch of lentil soup with potatoes according to your favorite recipe. Cook lentils and vegetables until just shy of fully cooked.
- Cool soup completely, then transfer to airtight freezer containers, leaving 1-2 inches of headspace.
- Label containers with contents and freeze date. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to eat, thaw soup overnight in the refrigerator or let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
- Reheat over medium heat on the stovetop or microwave until simmering, adding extra broth as needed.
- Enjoy your hearty lentil soup! The potatoes should be tender but not mushy.
What to Avoid When Freezing Lentil Soup with Potatoes
Some ingredients don’t freeze well in lentil soups. Avoid adding:
- Dairy products like milk, cream, or sour cream. These can curdle or separate when frozen.
- Pasta, grains, or bread. They soak up liquid and get mushy.
- Raw vegetables like lettuce or cucumbers. They’ll get limp.
- Herbs and spices. Their flavor dulls with freezing. Add fresh herbs after reheating.
Storage Times for Frozen Lentil Soup
Here are some guidelines for maximizing storage time and quality:
| Freezer Type | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Freezer compartment of refrigerator | 2-3 months |
| Self-defrosting freezer | 4-6 months |
| Chest freezer (-10°F or colder) | 6-12 months |
Properly stored frozen soup maintains its safety and nutrition for the times shown. The quality slowly declines after these times due to texture changes.
Tips for Reheating Frozen Lentil Soup
Thaw and reheat frozen lentil soup carefully to ensure the best flavor and texture:
- Thaw soup overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Microwave in short bursts, stirring between each, or reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Bring soup to a simmer and cook until heated through, 5-10 minutes.
- Add extra broth or water if soup seems too thick.
- Avoid boiling or overcooking the soup when reheating.
- Add any fresh herbs or lemon juice after reheating for brightest flavor.
Extra Tips
- Blend soup to break down potato cell walls for a smoother consistency after freezing.
- Freeze broth and lentils separately so you can use as needed.
- Add chopped potatoes when reheating instead to avoid mushy spuds.
- Cook a little extra when preparing a batch to allow for some loss of liquid during freezing.
Delicious Lentil Soup Recipes with Potatoes
Try these tasty lentil soup recipes featuring potatoes:
Hearty Lentil and Potato Soup
This vegetarian soup is protein-packed with lentils and filling with creamy potatoes. Flavor it with smoky paprika.
Spicy Lentil Soup with Potatoes
Potatoes thicken this spicy tomato-based lentil soup infused with Indian spices like cumin, ginger and turmeric.
Sausage, Lentil and Potato Soup
Smoked sausage provides a savory contrast to the earthy lentils and potatoes. Ladle over crusty bread.
Creamy Lentil Soup with Potatoes and Leeks
Pureed potatoes give this creamy, satisfying soup bold leek flavor. Finish with a swirl of Greek yogurt.
Slow Cooker Lentil Soup with Potatoes
Let your slow cooker do the work! Just toss the ingredients in and come home to hot hearty lentil soup.
Conclusion
Freezing is a great way to batch prepare hearty lentil soup with potatoes. With some care taken to avoid overcooking the potatoes and lentils before freezing, you can enjoy delicious homemade soup with minimal effort. Thaw the frozen soup safely in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently until simmering. Add any delicate herbs and vegetables right before serving for best results. Follow proper storage times in the freezer and enjoy your nourishing lentil and potato soup for up to 3 months after freezing.