Can You Freeze French Onion Soup?

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The idea of freezing French onion soup is a little foreign, as most recipes call for cooking the onions and beef stock before adding any cheese. It’s possible to freeze a French onion soup in an airtight container. Although freezing the soup may change the flavor and consistency of the dish, it will still work just fine when reheated. After reading this article you will be more confident about how to freeze your own homemade version from scratch.

Can you freeze French onion soup?

Yes, French onion soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. However, you will need to thaw it before reheating and it is best if you reheat it in a pot on the stovetop. This soup is very easy to make, so you might end up making a lot of it. If you do, be sure to freeze some for later.

If you want to freeze French onion soup, the best way to do it is by cooling it before you bag it up. Portion the soup into thick freezer bags and then seal them. Once they’re sealed, place them in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it again, just let it thaw and enjoy.

French Onion Soup Recipe: How To Prepare French Onion Soup

Ingredients

In order to make French onion soup, you will need:

  • 10 medium yellow onions
  • Beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • coarse salt and ground pepper.
  • You can optionally make a cheese toast with 4 slices of toasted multigrain bread and 4 ounces of Swiss cheese.
  • 3 cans of reduced-sodium chicken broth for this recipe: 14 1/2 ounce cans each.
  • water
  • French bread
  • Swiss cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • butter and
  • garlic powder

Instructions

  • You can freeze French onion soup by cooking the onions until they are soft, adding wine or cider, and reducing it until almost gone.
  • Do not stir as this will make the soup cloudy.
  • Add salt and spices, cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
  • You can top French onion soup with bread and shredded cheese before broiling until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Garnish with cilantro, green onions, or red pepper flakes if desired
  • Once cooled, you can place the soup in a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to six months.

Can You Freeze French Onion Soup?

How To Freeze French Onion Soup

There are many reasons why you might want to freeze French onion soup. Maybe you want to make it ahead of time for an easy dinner, or maybe you just made too much and don’t want it to go to waste. Here’s how to freeze French onion soup:

  • The best way to freeze soup is by cooking it first. This will kill any bacteria or pathogens that may be in the soup and it will also help to maintain the flavor of the soup.
  • Allow the soup to cool completely. Then, spoon it into freezer bags or a container.
  • For individual servings, Consider separating the soup into smaller bags or individual bowls instead of one large pot, and Label the container with a date and contents. This will help keep each bowl its own consistency and prevent them from being frozen together.
  • When freezing a large batch of onion soup, make sure it is mostly frozen before transferring it to the deep freeze. This will help prevent the soup from becoming freezer burned and tasting unpleasant.
  • Top each bowl with bread and cheese before freezing. This will add flavor and prevent the soup from becoming too icy.
  • Place the soup in the freezer for long-term storage.

When you’re ready to eat the soup, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stovetop. You can also add a tablespoon of butter to the onions and brown them in the pan before adding beef broth or stock for a delicious, creamy soup. Add thyme at the end for extra flavor.

8 Tips for Freezing French Onion Soup

  • When freezing soup, be sure to use bags that are specifically designed for freezer storage. These bags will prevent the soup from leaking and ruining your freezer. Another way to avoid leaks is to fill up the bag only three-quarters of the way so that there is room for the soup to expand without causing any damage.
  • When freezing soup, consider laying the bag flat if the contents are in bags. This will help them freeze flat and prevent them from leaking out when thawed. Additionally, make sure to date the package and label it with what is inside so you know what you’re thawing.
  • To prevent freezer burn, use a bowl that leaves just enough air space for the soup to expand as it freezes. Another option is freezing in gallon-sized freezer bags, but remember to label them before pouring the soup in.
  • If you’re freezing soup in a container, leave at least 1/2 inch of headspace at the top to allow for expansion.
  • Make sure to wrap the soup in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before placing it in a freezer bag. Label the soup with the date so that you can keep track of how long it has been in the freezer.
  • Let the soup cool before adding the broth and cheese mixture, or it will be too hot and everything will melt together.
  • Freeze the soup in single-serving containers so you can defrost only what you need.
  • Wait until the soup is completely frozen before putting it into a freezer bag or container; this will help prevent freezer burn.

FAQs

How Long Can You Freeze French Onion Soup?

French onion soup can be frozen for up to three months without losing quality. The best way to freeze it is by packing it in a container that is airtight and then placing it in the freezer.

Does French Onion Soup Freeze Well?

French onion soup freezes well because it is a hearty and rich soup. The key to freezing it is letting the soup cool before bagging and sealing the bags. This prevents ice crystals from forming and ruining the texture of the soup.

Where did French Onion Soup Come From?

There are two different legends about the origin of French Onion Soup. The first story claims that a French king, Louis XV, ordered his chef to make a soup that would remind him of his hometown in Provence. The second legend says that a nun from a convent in Paris invented the soup when she added onions to her vegetable broth because she was running out of ingredients. Ultimately, it is hard to say for certain where this famous soup came from.

What are the best onions for French onion soup?

While any onion can be used in French Onion Soup, yellow onions are the best because they have a sweetness that is complementary to the other flavors in the soup.

Can you freeze homemade onion soup?

Yes, you can freeze homemade onion soup. To preserve it for a few days, cool the soup and pour it into an airtight container.

Does Freezing Affect French Onion Soup?

No. Freezing does not affect French onion soup. The process of freezing and thawing, however, may cause some changes in the flavor profile and consistency of the soup.

Can You Refreeze French Onion Soup?

Yes. If you have French onion soup that has not completely thawed, you can refreeze it without any problems. However, it is best to freeze a large batch of the soup in smaller individual sizes so that you can easily reheat just what you need.

Can you use red onions in French onion soup?

If you’re looking to add a bit of color and sweetness to your French onion soup, you can swap one yellow onion for one red onion, or one yellow onion for a white onion. 

Angela Jones
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