Aisha Zakari
Pumpkin! One of the incredible things about pumpkins is how versatile they are. Pumpkin is a vegetable that is added to dishes like soup, tart, bread, and puree. Pumpkin soup is a classic and soothing dish that is mostly enjoyed and served on cold days. But what happens if you’ve got leftovers or have made the soup in surplus? You begin to wonder, Can you freeze pumpkin soup? The short answer is yes; freezing pumpkin soup is an excellent way of maintaining and preserving its taste and flavor and also prolonging its shelf life.
In this guide, we will talk about all you need to know about freezing pumpkin soup, the necessary steps to take, and how to defrost it. But before we go further into the topic, let us know what pumpkin soup is.
What Is Pumpkin Soup?
Pumpkin soup is a yellow, thick, and creamy soup that is rich and comforting, especially on cold days. This creamy soup is made with either fresh or baked pumpkin as the primary ingredient. Other ingredients added are onions, potatoes, milk, and chicken broth for taste. This mixture is then blended until it is thick in texture. The soup is not only delicious but also packed with healthy nutrients. It is packed with nutritional benefits like vitamin A, fiber, and minerals.
How to Freeze Pumpkin Soup
To answer the question, can you freeze pumpkin soup? below are the recommended steps to freeze it successfully. It is worth noting that for the best quality and taste, it is advised that you do not add cream when freezing. Milk or cream in pumpkin soup will lead to an unpleasant taste and texture. Instead, add milk or cream when you are ready to defrost frozen pumpkin soup.
STEP 1: Cool the Soup
After preparing pumpkin soup, give time for the soup to cool off completely. You can pour the soup into a large bowl to allow proper ventilation cool the soup.
STEP 2: Divide into Portions
Next, divide the soup into smaller portions into freezer bags. It is best you make use of freezer bags that are thick and of good quality.
STEP 3: Seal the Bag
Next, seal the bag shut. Ensure that you seal the bag tightly and firmly, you do not want air or moisture to encounter pumpkin soup when in the freezer
STEP 4: Record and Freeze
Lastly, record the freezer bag with the freezing date and immediately place it in the freezer. Pumpkin soup can stay up to 3 months in the freezer when frozen.
How Long Can You Freeze Pumpkin Soup?
You can freeze pumpkin soup for about 3 months in the freezer.
We recommend you do not freeze pumpkin soup beyond this period as the taste and quality will be compromised.
4 Tips for Freezing Pumpkin Soup
The question of whether can you freeze pumpkin soup has been answered. However, the most important tip in successfully freezing this soup is that you hold back adding cream or milk. If you know you are going to freeze pumpkin soup, do not add milk or cream when making it as this will lead to it going bad quickly. Add in the milk or cream when you are ready to defrost and reheat the soup.
Below are other tips you need to ensure you freeze them the right way for the best results.
TIP 1: Allow pumpkin soup to cool down properly before freezing.
TIP 2: Consider dividing into smaller portions for easier freezing and thawing.
TIP 3: Squeeze out excess air from the freezer bag before sealing it tightly.
TIP 4: Label the freezer bag with the storage date before placing it in the freezer.
How Do You Defrost Pumpkin Soup?
When you are ready to eat pumpkin soup again, you must defrost them first. To safely do this, transfer the soup from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it defrost overnight.
You can also defrost frozen pumpkin soup in the microwave. Place soup in a safe microwave bowl or container and place in the microwave for 3-5 minutes.
How to Tell If Your Frozen Pumpkin Soup Is Bad
When it comes to telling if your frozen pumpkin soup is bad, the best way is by using your eyes and tongue to see and taste the soup. Here are some signs you can see that tell you pumpkin soup is now bad:
- The appearance of molds
- Discoloration
- Off smell
- Rancid taste
Can You Refreeze Pumpkin Soup?
The only time you should refreeze pumpkin soup is when you defrosted it using your refrigerator. This is the only time it is safe to refreeze. If you defrosted your soup at room temperature, then it is not safe to refreeze pumpkin soup. But in general, pumpkin soup should not be refrozen as it compromises the taste and quality of the soup.
Does Pumpkin Soup Freeze Well?
Pumpkin soup freezes exceptionally well. This soup and other soups like tomato soup freeze well. Provided they are packaged in quality freezer bags and stored properly in the freezer, they stay up to 3 months.
It may interest you to check out: can you freeze tomato soup?
Conclusion
The direct answer to the question can you freeze pumpkin soup is yes. Freezing pumpkin is an ideal way of preserving its taste and flavor. It is important to remember to defrost pumpkin soup in the refrigerator and never at room temperature. Also, try not to freeze soup with milk or cream in it. We hope you found this article helpful.
You could also check out: Can You Freeze Cold Cuts?
FAQs
Can you freeze and reheat pumpkin soup?
To freeze pumpkin soup, portion soup into a quality freezer bag, seal the edges tight, and place it in the freezer. When ready to reheat, defrost in the refrigerator overnight or reheat pumpkin soup from frozen in the microwave for 3-5 minutes.
How long does cooked pumpkin last in the freezer?
3 months. After cooling the pumpkin soup down, portion it into freezer bags and place it in the freezer. It stays good in the freezer for about 3 months.
