Lentil soup is a soup packed with protein that is always great to have to hand. But the thought of the somewhat lengthy process of preparing it may put you off having it on a more regular basis.
It can also be pretty hard to judge exactly how many lentils you will need as they can expand so much when cooking. If you’re anything like me, you will end up with enough soup to feed an army for a week even if you’re trying to be careful.
You will then wonder if you can freeze lentil soup so you preserve it for another time. The good news is yes, you can freeze lentil soup in a few simple steps. It is straightforward and will prevent your lentil soup from getting spoiled early. Freezing also doesn’t reduce the quality or taste of your lentil soup. However, the texture of your lentil soup will slightly change when you freeze it.
I advise if you are making a batch of soup to freeze, leave out any of the fresh herbs you would usually add. Wait until it’s been defrosted and reheated to add that final touch just before serving.
Does Lentil Soup Freeze Well?
Yes, lentil soup freezes well. The durability and quality of the soup will not be affected when you freeze it. However, the texture of the soup may be partly affected. Also depending on the ingredients, the freezing results can be quite different.
How to Freeze Lentil Soup
There are two main ways to freeze lentil soup. The Freezer Bag Method and the Muffin Tray (or Ice Cube) method.
The Freezer Bag Method
Step One – Cool the Soup
Let your lentil soup cool off properly. When it is frozen while still at a high temperature, this affects the temperature of the freezer, making your lentil soup and every other item in the freezer prone to easily getting spoiled.
Step Two – Stir
Properly stir your soup to ensure an even distribution of soup and vegetables with each ladle full.
Step Three – Put into Freezer Bags
Stand a heavy-duty freezer bag in a large mug or jug and fold over the top edges so you can easily ladle in your soup. Do not over pack the bag: you need to leave room for the soup to expand in the freezer.
Step Four – Seal the Bag
Seal the bag after removing any excess air from it.
Step Five – Date and Label Packaging
Date and label the soup.
Step Six – Remove Air then Freeze
After a few hours, bring out the bag from the freezer and pop out any air in it. You can now finally seal the bag off and return it to the freezer. Use within 6 months.
The Muffin Tin or Ice Cube Tray Method
This method will help you to easily apportion your soup in sizable quantities.
Step One – Cool the Soup
Let your lentil soup cool off properly.
Step Two – Fill the Tray
Fill the holes in the muffin tin or ice cube trays with your lentil soup.
Step three – Freeze the Whole Tray
Place the tray in the freezer for no less than two hours. This is to make the soup be in a solid-state. You don’t want it so solid you can’t remove it from the tray.
Step Four – Remove The Soup From The Tray
Remove the cubed soup in its solid-state from the cube tray.
Step Five – Place Soup Cubes in Freezer Bag
Place the cubes into a freezer bag bag.
Step Six – Seal, Date and Label
Pop out the excess air in this bag allowing a little space for expansion. Then date and label the packaging and place the bag in the freezer. Use within 6 months.
How Long Can You Keep Homemade Lentil Soup in The Freezer?
Lentil soup can generally maintain its best quality for six months after you freeze it. This is similar to freezing chicken noodle soup for example. However, ensure that the bag is an air-tight one.
If you properly put it in an air-tight bag in a constant freezing condition of 0 degrees F, your lentil can be edible for an indefinite period, although not at its best quality.
Additionally, the freezing duration can also vary depending on the other ingredients. If you freeze it with cooked vegetables for example it usually shouldn’t be a problem. On the other hand, the addition of cream or milk could change the texture even more and also shorten the freezing time.
Be aware of this and always check your soup before eating to make sure it is still edible. To provide you an overview I’ve compiled a list of typical ingredients and their usual freezing time.
Some Typical Lentil Soup Ingredients and their Freezing Times
You can add all sorts of extra ingredients to your defrosted lentil soup to vary it up. But this may also change the freezing time. Usually, the ingredients with the least freezing time determines the total freezing time.
| Ingredient | Duration |
|---|---|
| Cream or yogurt | Up to 2 – 4 months. (check this guide on freezing yogurt for more information) |
| Coconut Milk | Several months (here you’ll find more about freezing coconut milk) |
| Croutons | Up to 2 months. |
| Parmesan cheese | 6 months or even longer. (Learn more about freezing parmesan cheese) |
| Lemon | Up to 3 months. |
| Garlic | Up to 6 months. |
| Vegetables | That depends. In this post, we’ve provided a list of the different freezing times for cooked vegetables. |
How to Defrost Lentil Soup
There are several different ways to defrost lentil soup –
Defrosting in the Fridge
Remove the lentil soup from the freezer and put it in the fridge for 24-48 hours, depending on how large a chunk your soup has been frozen into. This is the safest method.
Defrosting in Cold Water
To expedite the process, you may place the bag of soup inside a container of cold water.
Defrosting in the Microwave
It is not a good idea to defrost your lentil soup in a microwave, more so if it is in a plastic bag. This may cause your lentil soup to be infected with harmful chemicals.
How to Reheat Your Defrosted Lentil Soup
You can reheat your soup once it has been properly defrosted on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating On the Stove
- Preheat your pan.
- Put your lentil soup in the pan and cover it.
- You may want to add a little extra water to the mixture.
- Add you fresh herbs now.
- Heat the soup on a low simmer for two minutes.
- Put on medium-high heat and stir your lentil soup for several additional minutes.
Reheating In the Microwave
- Cover your microwave plate with a splatter guard. This is to avoid the lentil soup from coming up inside the microwave.
- You may want to add a little extra water to the mixture.
- Add your fresh herbs now.
- At an interval of each 60 seconds, stop and stir your lentil soup until you’re satisfied with the heat.
FAQs
How Long Does Homemade Lentil Soup Last?
Lentil soup remains edible within five days of its making. However, after defrosting it, you should eat it within 2-3 days.
How Do You Know If Your Cooked Lentils Are Bad?
Dried lentils have a very long shelf life, but once they are cooked, you should eat them or freeze them within 4-5 days maximum (if stored in a sealed container in the fridge).
If the lentils emit an unpleasant odor, then you should bin them immediately.
Another telltale sign is mold or discoloration or a slimy surface.
Does Red Lentil Soup Freeze Well?
Yes, it does. After removing it from the freezer, allow it to defrost very well in the fridge, and then use a stove to reheat it.
Can You Freeze Ham And Lentil Soup?
Yes, you can freeze ham and lentil soup. Freezing does not affect its taste or quality.
Conclusion
Lentil soup is a very healthy soup. Rather than always preparing your lentil soup from start to the finish, you can preserve it by freezing and it freezes well.
Among other things, we’ve taken you through the methods of preserving, freezing, and defrosting lentil soup. If you’ve been freezing your lentil soup and you have more tips on freezing it, share them in the comment section!
