If you have ever walked down the freezer aisle in the grocery store, you may have seen frozen soup. Typically, soup comes in cans or boxes, but frozen soup in bags is also one vessel for this comforting food. You can also freeze your own homemade soup and defrost it for later.
Like any food that comes frozen, there are multiple cooking and reheating methods to get your icy soup to a steaming hot temperature. While defrosting soup at room temperature is one method, you can also use your microwave oven or stovetop to expedite the process.
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Microwave Frozen Soup in Bags
The microwave is an excellent candidate for cooking frozen soup in bags. It is quick, easy and still retains many of the nutrients in vegetables. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the microwave is a suitable option for heating vegetables without depleting them of their nutrient content.
Always check the package instructions to microwave frozen soup in bags correctly. In many cases, you can start by defrosting soup at room temperature. This will make it easier to transfer the soup from the bag to a microwave-safe bowl or dish. After a short while, you can transfer the bagged soup to the microwave to speed the heating process.
Depending on whether the soup is frozen or thawed, the microwave time will vary. Frozen soups will require more cooking time in the microwave than thawed soups. Start by heating the soup for 3 minutes and increase the time as needed. For even cooking, stir the soup once per minute.
Cook Frozen Soup on Stovetop
Defrosting soup at room temperature can be time-consuming, so you may prefer a cooking method that does not require that additional step. Cooking your frozen soup on the stovetop is another option, though this one allows you to jump straight to the cooking process.
To cook frozen soup on the stove, you will need a medium-sized saucepan or large stock pot. This depends on how much soup you are cooking. When choosing your cookware, opt for nonstick pots and pans that are free of man-made chemicals like perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these chemicals commonly found in cookware have been linked to serious health complications.
Once you've secured your cookware and frozen soup, heat the pan on a medium setting. Stick your freezer bag under water for a few minutes, and your frozen soup should easily slide out, suggests the Michigan State University Extension. Add the soup and a splash of water to the pan to prevent burning. When the soup reaches a boil, reduce it to a simmer until thoroughly cooked.
Eat More Soup
Soup can be part of a healthy, balanced diet, and there are many types of soup to choose from. Vegetable soups are an excellent way to meet your required amount of vegetable servings per day.
To ensure your frozen soup is a healthy one, Harvard Health Publishing recommends avoiding soups that are high in:
- Saturated fat
- Sodium
- Sugar
- Calories
If possible, make your own homemade soup and freeze the leftovers. You can use the same cooking methods for homemade soup as you can use to reheat frozen soup in bags.