Can You Freeze Cream Soups: Cream soups are easy to make, easy to store, and even easier to reheat; simply put them in a pot of boiling water and cook them until you can eat them! So it makes sense to cook soups in a big batch. But can you freeze cream soups to store them for later use? Let’s find out.
Still, when it comes to actually store the soup, it can feel pretty challenging. You might ponder how to freeze your soup, especially if it isn’t only water-based but actually contains cream. The cream seems to coagulate and separate on the top. Worry not; read on to find out what happens to cream soups when they are frozen and the best way to freeze them.
- Can You Freeze Cream Soups?
- How To Freeze Cream Soups?
- How Do You Defrost And Reheat Frozen Cream Soups?
- How Long Do Cream-Based Soups Last?
- How To Know If Cream Soup Is Spoiled?
- Can you freeze soups with milk?
- What container should I use to freeze soup?
- What causes the cream soup to separate?
- How do you prevent cream soup from breaking?
- How do you reheat frozen creamy soup?
Can You Freeze Cream Soups?
Yes, like any other type of soup, cream soups can also be frozen. Frozen cream soups provide a quick and healthy meal for later use. However, due to the cream base, the texture and flavor of the soup might change when it is defrosted.
The convenience of soup is definitely nice, but unfortunately, many of the most beloved soups are dairy-based, and freezing these kinds of soups for later might not be an easy task. Frozen soups can sometimes develop an off-putting texture after they’re reheated.
However, there are a couple of things you can try to make sure you’re avoiding that grainy texture in your frozen cream-based soups. One positive thing to do is to move slowly when freezing soup and keep reading to find other tips and tricks.
How To Freeze Cream Soups?
If you’ve made a large batch of cream soup and wish to store it for later use, it is best to freeze it and it will be good for some months. Follow the given steps to properly freeze your cream soups:
- Cool down the soup: Start by letting your cream soup cool completely. No matter whether you’re making the soup from scratch or simply reheating the store-bought ones, this step is a must in all cases.
- Pour the soup into airtight bags: After cooling, you can start pouring the soup into airtight plastic containers or freezer-safe plastic bags. It may be a bit tricky to pour out the soup into the bags, so make sure to not puncture them and leave adequate room for expansion.
- Use an airtight container: if your soup has a thicker consistency and large ingredients. It’s better to store the cream soup in smaller batches so that you can defrost only as much as you need.
- Seal the bags or containers properly: label them with the date, and place them in the freezer.
If you are interested in learning about other varieties of cream refer to the article on Can You Freeze Cream Pies, etc.
How Do You Defrost And Reheat Frozen Cream Soups?
Defrosting and reheating frozen cream soups needs to be done slowly and carefully to minimize the separation of the cream and to avoid any serious structural and textural changes. Follow the below-given steps:
- Transfer the frozen cream soup container to the refrigerator to allow it to thaw for a few hours, preferably overnight.
- After defrosting, you may reheat the soup using one of two methods: over the stove or in the microwave. Reheat on the stove if your soup has separated; this will help you successfully combine the ingredients back together. For this, take out the defrosted soup in a saucepan, simmer it on low heat, and stir frequently to avoid burning.
- If you prefer to reheat the cream soup in the microwave, pour the defrosted soup into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it on high for 20 seconds. Give the cream soup a nice stir and repeat the process if necessary.
- If your soup has turned runny, you may make it thicker by adding cornstarch diluted in water, arrowroot, or agar-agar powder.
How Long Do Cream-Based Soups Last?
Here are all the necessary details about the shelf life of cream soups at different storage locations:
Shelf life at Room Temperature
When kept in a sealed container, the cream soup can last for a few hours at room temperature. Remember, if the soup has been sitting out for more than four hours, it should be discarded. Avoid consuming the soup beyond this time or you’ll stand a risk of food poisoning.
Shelf life in the refrigerator
Soups with cream and other dairy products can last in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days. The shelf life of cream soups will vary depending on the ingredients and preparation methods used, so it is always best practice to check the soup for any signs of spoilage before eating it.
| Cream Soups | Shelf life |
| At Room Temperature | About 4 hours |
| In the Refrigerator | 3 to 5 days |
| In Freezer | 2 to 3 months |
Soups that have been chilled and then reheated can often spoil more quickly, so it’s best to consume them as soon as possible. If you’re not going to eat all of the soup anytime soon, it’s best to freeze any leftovers instead. One can usually store soups in the freezer for up to 2 months without adversely affecting their quality.
Read More:
How To Know If Cream Soup Is Spoiled?
If your soup is spoiled, you will notice a number of unpleasant changes in the taste, smell, and texture of the soup. Here are a few ways to find out if your soup is still safe to consume:
- Visually inspect the cream soup: after defrosting, the soup should appear in its original color without any signs of mold. Remember, if you notice some coagulated fat in the soup before you heat it, it should not appear cloudy.
- Smell the cream soup: a fresh cream soup should have a pleasant aroma. If your soup smells sour or unpleasant, then it is likely spoiled and should not be consumed. If your soup smells rancid or sour, then you should not even risk tasting it.
- Check the container: Normally, if the container seems to appear swollen or bulging, then the content inside it is probably spoiled. Sharp or large dents along with a rusty can may also allow bacteria to enter the soup, causing spoilage.
- Check the expiration dates: an opened can of soup has a shelf life of 4-5 days if kept in the refrigerator. Look for the ‘use by’ or ‘best by’ date on the soup to know about the state of its quality. If the soup has passed its expiration date, use the methods mentioned above to check whether or not it is edible.
- Taste the soup: If your soup was properly stored, looks and smells good, and there are no signs of denting or swelling on the container, you can go in for a taste test. If it does not taste sour or spoiled, and if you don’t feel like puking it up instantly, then voila, your cream soup is good to be consumed. And obviously, if the soup tastes rancid, foul, or unpleasant, then it is spoiled, and you should not think twice before discarding it.
FAQs on Freezing Cream Soups
1. Can you freeze soups with milk?
Not a good idea. Usually, the soups with milk or cream separate when frozen and take on a grainy texture when defrosted and reheated. Therefore, follow the above-mentioned tips and tricks for freezing soups with milk as you would for freezing cream soups.
2. What container should I use to freeze soup?
Freezer-safe glass or plastic containers are best suited for freezing a larger quantity of soup. Although they can be bulky, containers come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so choose the one that suits your portions and fits well with the dimensions of your freezer.
3. What causes the cream soup to separate?
In most cases, freezing a cream-based soup will also cause it to separate. Cream-based soups may also curdle or separate if the dairy ingredients are boiled or heated too fast. This may result in a layer of water on top of the soup, or the soup might develop a grainy consistency.
4. How do you prevent cream soup from breaking?
You can stabilize the soup with starch. Starches like flour or cornstarch can help stabilize the milk emulsion, which then prevents the soups from separating.
5. How do you reheat frozen creamy soup?
Use a stove instead of a microwave. It’s best to reheat the cream soup on the stovetop over low heat and stir often. For better consistency, keep adding milk while reheating the soup and whisking it properly.
Wrapping Up
Nothing is better than enjoying a bowl of cream soup, especially on cold winter nights. So, follow our freezing tips and keep your cream soup prepared well in advance. Check out our other blogs for the best freezing guidelines on many other food items. Keep in touch with us to get the latest updates on Can You Freeze Whipped Cream and Can Freeze Sour Cream etc.