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How to Freeze Soup and Chili

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Whenever I make a big pot of hot and delicious soup, I always make a little extra so that I can freeze some to have on hand for a later date. That way, I can cook once, but enjoy multiple warm and hearty meals. This is my favorite method of how to freeze soup and chili.

frozen soup from top

Why Would You Freeze?

In the Fall and Winter months, we all tend to want something piping hot and comforting on the dinner table to keep our bodies warm on chilly evenings. In my house, that usually means I have a big ol’ pot of something like my Ground Turkey Chili or Easy Black Bean Soup simmering away on my stove at least once a week.

Soup and chili are both great make ahead options. Of course you can make them and serve them right away. You can also make them and toss them in the fridge for a few days and reheat for a quick meal later that week. But, even better, they both freeze really well so you can have them on hand for day when you don’t have time or don’t want to cook a few weeks or months from now.

How Do you Freeze Soup and Chili?

I like to freeze them in individual portions. That way, I can take out as much or as little as I need at a time. If I just want enough for lunch for myself, I take out one serving. If I need a quick weeknight dinner for the whole family, I’ll take out four portions. Easy peasy.

Make sure to let your soup or chili cool a bit before you begin this process. DO NOT try and scoop scaling hot soup into the baggies.

I prefer to use the quart size freezer bags like these. Using a permanent marker, label the bags with the type of soup, and the date.

Take a tall drinking glass and insert the baggie inside the glass. Fold the top of the baggie over the rim of the glass.

Scoop an individual portion of the soup or chili into the glass, thus into the baggie.

Remove the baggie from the drinking glass an lay on a flat surface. Gently pat the contents down flat and push as much air out of the baggie as possible before sealing it.

Lay the bags flat in your freezer so that they freeze in a nice, thin package. Once they are frozen, you can move them around your freezer.

This flat method takes up much less space than a big container. Leave them flat or stand them up on end. Store them on the door or tuck them between other items. You can really work them in wherever you have space!

How to Reheat

The easiest way to reheat frozen soup is to pull the baggie out of freezer early in the day, and let it defrost on the counter. Then simply pour the contents into a pot and reheat on the stove.

If you are short on time, you can pop the frozen baggie in the microwave and use the defrost setting. Once its partially thawed in the baggie, transfer to a microwave safe dish and continue to reheat.

Don’t want to use the microwave? Tear away the baggie from the frozen soup or chili. Place the frozen chunk into a pot on the stove and add a few splashes of water. This will prevent it from scorching. Then warm over low-medium heat. Be sure to pay close attention to it and stir it often so that it does not burn.

What Sides Can You Serve with Soup Or Chili?

  • crackers
  • crusty bread
  • chips or pretzels with my Pretzel Dip
  • fresh fruit
  • veggies
  • sandwiches
  • side salad
how to freeze soup laying flat

How to Freeze Soup or Chili

Liz Olberding @ Up North Nosh
Whenever I make a big pot of hot and delicious soup, I always make a little extra so that I can freeze some to have on hand for a later date. That way, I can cook once, but enjoy multiple warm and hearty meals. This is my favorite method of how to freeze soup and chili in individual portions.
Servings 1

Equipment

  • 1 quart size freezer baggie
  • 1 permanent marker
  • 1 tall drinking glass
  • 1 ladle or large spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 batch soup or chili

Instructions
 

  • Make sure to let your soup or chili cool a bit before you begin this process. DO NOT try and scoop scaling hot soup into the baggies.
  • Grab some quart sized freezer baggies. Using a permanent marker, label the bags with the type of soup, and the date.
  • Take a tall drinking glass and insert the baggie inside the glass. Fold the top of the baggie over the rim of the glass.
  • Scoop an individual portion of the soup or chili into the glass, thus into the baggie.
  • Remove the baggie from the drinking glass an lay on a flat surface. Gently pat the contents down flat and push as much air out of the baggie as possible before sealing it.
  • Lay the bags flat in your freezer so that they freeze in a nice, thin package. Once they are frozen, you can move them around your freezer.
  • This flat method takes up much less space than a big container. Leave them flat or stand them up on end. Store them on the freezer door or tuck them between other items. You can really work them in wherever you have space!
Keyword frozen food, soup, turkey chili
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