If you have leftover soup with cheese, you might be wondering if you can store it in the freezer.
So, can you freeze soup with cheese in it?
The answer is yes, but I would be careful to use a good quality cheese that will not separate. This can lead to a pretty unappetizing result when the soup freezes and thaws. So if you are going to take this risk, make sure your ingredients are of good quality.
Why soup with cheese does not freeze well?
Soup with cheese as an ingredient can get thick and unappetizing when frozen.
This is because cheese has a tendency to separate into curds and whey during the freezing process.
The same happens when you freeze cream, which uses dairy products much like cheese.
Why does this happen?
Well, the answer is in how cheese and cream separate when they’re mixed with other ingredients.
Cream and cheese have fat molecules that tend to gather together in clumps.
This is why cream separates into the liquid portion (which is milk) and a fatty part which rises to the top and becomes the solid, or curd-like, part of the cream.
This separation also happens when cheese is introduced to other foods, including soup ingredients.
Why does freezing cause soup with cheese to get so thick sometimes?
The answer comes down to how water freezes differently from everything else that’s used in soups and sauces such as milk and flour.
When you put soup with cheese in the freezer, it causes the water – which represents most of your soup – to freeze first.
This makes a layer of ice on top that prevents other ingredients from mixing together as they normally do when you heat them up.
This makes the end result pretty unappetizing, especially if you are expecting creamy soup with a delicious sauce or chunky bits of vegetables mixed throughout.
Learn more bout freezing here.
Can you store soup with cheese in the fridge?
Now that we’ve talked about what soup with cheese does in the freezer, let’s talk about how soup with cheese stores in your refrigerator.
The reason soup tends to separate is because of how water freezes which makes soup storage tricky.
In fact, separating soup can happen inside your refrigerator too!
So if you have leftover soup with cheese and are wondering if you can store it in the fridge, I would say probably not.
You’re much better off putting soup into a container or zip lock bag and freeze it.
It’ll last longer this way.
What is the best way to store soup with cheese?
The best way to store soup with cheese is to store it in the freezer although it can potentially compromise the overall quality of the soup a little bit.
Freezing also prevents valuable nutrients from being lost through repeated heating and cooling, since reheating removes some of these minerals.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, yes, you can freeze soup with cheese in it. But store your soup carefully if you plan to freeze it or store it in the fridge for a short time.
Also, store at home temperature for shorter periods. The best option would be to keep it frozen and defrost it when needed.
If you want to store soup for longer periods of time try freezing small batches that will be enough to be heated at one time.
Related Questions
Can you freeze broccoli and cheese soup?
Broccoli and cheese soup can be frozen, but it is not recommended because the soup may separate when thawed.
Can you freeze homemade soup?
Any type of soup can be frozen, but you need to know what works best for the soup you are freezing. It’s also important to understand the effects of freezing on soups.
Can you freeze soup with blue cheese in?
Yes, soup with blue cheese can be frozen. However, the taste of the soup will be compromised when you freeze it.
Can you freeze broccoli and cauliflower cheese soup?
Yes, broccoli and cauliflower cheese soup can be frozen for later use, although it may lose its flavor over time as a result of freezing.
How long is broccoli soup good for?
Broccoli soup can be kept in the fridge for two days. Homemade broccoli cheese soup can be refrigerated safely for up to three to four days.