During cold days, one of the best soups one can have is lentil soup. It is a light and flavorful soup that keeps you warm. In addition, it is packed with nutrients to brighten your day and keep you positive. So, can you freeze lentil soup? Lentil soup freezes well and can be kept in the freezer for about 5 months. But there are a few steps to follow to ensure you freeze them successfully.

In this article, we share with you how to freeze lentil soup, the best tips to freeze them successfully, their signs of spoilage, and how to defrost them. But before we do that, let us know what lentil soup is made of.

What is Lentil soup?

Lentil soup is a soup made with lentils. Lentils, just like beans, are packed with proteins. It is a healthy soup that is perfect for cold days. The soup is made with lentils, chicken broth, vegetables like onions, cloves, and carrots, and spices like curry, thyme, black pepper, etc. This soup can be enjoyed alone or with a group of friends.

Lentils are packed with other nutrients like potassium, sodium, iron, and carbohydrates. It is served with toppings like coriander and sometimes parsley.

How To Freeze Lentil Soup

The good news about lentil soup is that it freezes exceptionally well. To answer the question of whether can you freeze lentil soup, we recommend following these steps to successfully freeze it for up to 5 months.

STEP 1: Allow Soup to Cool

The first step to freezing lentil soup is to cool it down completely. Allow the soup to cool completely at room temperature.

STEP 2: Chill For 30 Minutes

Next, transfer the soup to a bowl and place the cooled soup in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. This helps to thicken the soup a bit and makes packaging easy.

STEP 3: Divide into Portions and Pack

Once the soup has been chilled, portion it into smaller quantities and transfer it into an airtight container or freezer bag. If you opted for air-tight containers, close the lid tightly and ensure the lid is firm as well. As for the freezer bag, push excess air out of the bag before sealing.

STEP 4: Label and Freeze

Lastly, label the freezer bags or airtight containers with the storage date and place them in the freezer for about 5 months. Labeling the containers or bags helps you remember how long you froze the soup.

How Long Can You Freeze Lentil Soup?

You can freeze lentil soup for about 5 months in the freezer.

However, we recommend the consumption of lentil soup before the 5-month period elapses. The reason is that after the month expires, the soup is most likely to lose its taste, and the soup will be rendered unpleasant when you are ready to eat it.

5 Tips For Freezing Lentil Soup

The question of whether can you freeze lentil soup has been answered, below are tips to ensure you freeze them the right way for the best results.

TIP 1: Allow lentil soup to cool down properly before packaging.

TIP 2: Consider dividing into smaller portions for easier freezing and thawing.

TIP 3: Leave space while filling the container with soup, do not fill it to the top.

TIP 4: Push out excess air from the bag before sealing

TIP 5: After filling the containers or freezer bags with soup, record the storage date before placing them in the freezer.

How Do You Defrost Lentil Soup?

To defrost lentil soup, transfer the freezer bag or airtight container from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it stay overnight. This way, it defrosts evenly for 24 hours.

How To Tell If Your Frozen Lentil Soup Is Bad

Your sight and taste are the only proven ways to tell if your frozen lentil soup is going bad. You should watch out for the following signs to know if the soup has gone bad, and if you see it, throw it out immediately.

• Sour taste
• The appearance of molds
• Sour smell
• A wet and slimy texture

Can You Refreeze Lentil Soup?

Once defrosted, lentil soup should not be refrozen. Refreezing lentil soup negatively affects its taste and flavor.

Does Lentil Soup Freeze Well?

Lentil soup freezes well. Provided you follow the recommended steps shared in this article, it will stay in the freezer for about 5 months.

Conclusion

The answer to Can you freeze lentil soup? is yes. Lentil soup can be stored in the freezer for about 5 months when packed properly in freezer bags or airtight containers. When you are ready to defrost lentil soup, do so in the refrigerator so it thaws adequately. Also, it is best to consume soup within 4 months because it goes bad after some time. If you notice any signs of spoilage, you should throw out the soup immediately. I hope you found this article helpful.

FAQs

What’s the best way to freeze lentil soup?

The best way to freeze lentil soup is by chilling it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before transferring it to freezer bags or airtight containers. After transferring the soup, push out the air from the bag, close the lid of the container tightly, and place it in the freezer. It is important to record the container or bag with the storage date.

Can you freeze lentils after cooking?

Yes, you can freeze lentils after cooking, but allow the soup to cool completely before freezing. After cooling the soup, transfer the lentils to a freezer bag or airtight container and place them in the freezer for about 5 months.