Can I freeze butternut squash soup? Butternut squash soup is a hearty, comforting dish that is excellent for a cold winter’s day, but what if you want to store it for later?
It is rich, creamy, and full of flavor and goodness, and that is why it is natural to wonder if freezing would alter its taste and texture.
And to make matters complicated, you may see someone asking, “Can I freeze butternut squash soup with cream?”
Turns out, it is possible to freeze butternut squash soup, which, like other vegetable soups, freezes quite well.
Enjoying a Hearty Bowl of Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is a real winter treat, as having this soup is like wrapping yourself in a thick blanket of velvety warmth on a cold winter’s day.
The soup is simply amazing and is often made using a few simple ingredients.
It may not be complex to make, but flavors will certainly pleasantly surprise you.
The flavor profile is impressive with ingredients such as:
- Butternut squash
- Garlic
- Onions
- Cinnamon
- Fennel
- Apple
- Cloves
- Ginger
- Nutmeg
- … and of course, a dash of maple syrup
In just 20 minutes, you can have a cup of this comforting soup, puree it until it is silky smooth, and snuggle up with it without feeling guilty.
Tip: In order to save time, you can buy already peeled and diced butternut squash instead of peeling and cutting it yourself.
The Idea of Storing Butternut Squash
A good idea to enjoy your butternut squash soup is to learn how to store it properly.
When you have been looking forward to making soup, but the squash turns out to be rotten, it can be a real bummer.
You may tell your squash is bad if:
- It has soft, mushy areas
- It has a very dull hue inside
- It has mushy, patchy or dry flesh
Storing it if it is not already fresh can really hamper the freezing process and significantly lower its shelf life.
Can I Freeze Butternut Squash Soup or Not?
Okay, so you know you can store butternut squash and use it to make a bowl of soup whenever you like.
But, what if you want to keep the soup itself?
Butternut squash soup is versatile enough to be flavored with a wide range of herbs, spices, and other vegetables.
At the same time, it is convenient enough to be made in large quantities and stored for later use.
- Always store it in a dark, cool place, such as a basement or pantry.
- Be sure to protect it from moisture to prevent rotting.
- Place it in a refrigerator if you don’t want to leave it in a cool, dry place.
Taking the right precautions can help butternut squash last fairly long. For instance:
- Freshly bought butternut squash can last up to 4 months.
- Store-bought butternut squash can last up to 2-3 months.
Keep in mind that though you can store butternut squash in the refrigerator, it won’t last as long as it would when stored in a cool, dry place.
Tip: If you live somewhere warm, you should definitely consider going with a refrigerator, and there is a one- to two-week storage window in the fridge for butternut squash.
Freezing Butternut Squash Soup for Use
In case you have already prepared a large quantity of butternut squash, you can easily freeze it to use later.
This is when you will hear another question, “can I freeze homemade butternut squash soup or not?”
The answer is, “Yes, you can.”
In fact, it is possible to store the soup for much longer than three months, which is the storage time for fresh butternut squash.
If you follow all storage guidelines, you can make the soup last up to 12 months or longer in the freezer.
Just keep in mind that extended storage may alter the taste and texture of the soup.
Is Butternut Squash Soup a Good Candidate for Freezing?
Generally, butternut squash soup freezes very well, as do many other types of vegetable soups.
So, yes, freezing leftover butternut squash soup is a breeze. This is a delicious soup to prepare in bulk and freeze for later use.
Reheating it could cause some consistency issues, but that is easily fixed by swirling it slowly over low heat.
Tip: The soup is versatile in that you may adjust the thickness by adding more chicken stock or cornstarch slurry as it simmers, depending on your preference.
The Idea of Refreezing Butternut Squash Soup
As mentioned already, butternut squash soup responds extremely well to freezing, but it is a different story altogether when you talk about re-freezing.
Ultimately, it all depends on how you thaw it in the first place. If you have defrosted it in the refrigerator, it is certainly possible to freeze it again.
If you take out more soup than you can consume at once and are not going to finish it within two days, just put it back in the freezer.
But, remember, it is essential to defrost it properly.
The Right Way to Defrost Butternut Squash Soup after Freezing
This soup is best defrosted by placing it in the refrigerator the night before you want to consume it. It can then be reheated to your liking and served immediately.
Also, you can use the microwave on the lowest setting to defrost your soup. It may become easier if you have a microwave that comes with a soup setting.
Tip: Whatever the case, just do not reheat your soup soon after getting it out of the freezer, as it won't reheat evenly and will affect its consistency and flavor.
How Do You Freeze Butternut Squash Soup Perfectly?
Because it is so forgiving, butternut squash is a champion when it comes to storing it in the freezer for later use.
For most individuals, deciding between a butternut squash soup or stew comes down to how much time they have for preparation against how long they would devote to cooking the dish.
Whatever the case, you need to ensure that you freeze the soup in the right way, so that it stays good for long.
Here is how to proceed:
- Follow the recipe to the dot and prepare your butternut squash soup.
- Now, set it aside to cool down a little
- Portion it once the soup has reached room temperature.
- Take a freezer-safe container and pour the soup into it.
- Use some parchment paper to cover the container.
- Now seal the container properly
- Finish by labeling the container and mentioning the “best-before” date on it.
An Important Consideration
Portioning is important, as not everyone has room in their freezer for several containers of soup.
Instead, if you have cooked a large batch of soup, you may freeze it in individual portions for the week and enjoy it whenever you like.
Freezing in weekly portions means it will be easier to defrost whenever you want it.
You can simply store it in the fridge, covered, until it is time to eat. Once defrosted, butternut squash soup can be kept in the fridge for four to five days.
An Alternative to Consider When Freezing the Soup
If you do not have any freezer-safe containers available, you can also consider freezing the soup in Ziploc bags.
It does not take a lot of time and is a great choice when you do not have enough space in the freezer.
Here is how to proceed:
- Make the soup and set it aside until it comes to room temperature.
- Take several Ziploc bags and fill them with easy-to-manage portions of soup.
- Seal them properly while making sure no excess air is inside.
- Now, label each bag and freeze them.
What it means is that the best way to preserve your butternut squash soup is to freeze it in a Ziploc bag or airtight container.
The secret is to keep it sealed so it does not get freezer burn or ruined by air.
Tip: It is important to leave a couple of inches of space in the containers, since the soup may expand slightly when frozen, and even crack the container if there is not enough space.
Takeaway
Can I freeze butternut squash soup? Well, butternut squash soup is quite like other vegetable soups, so it always freezes extremely well.
In fact, when you follow the right instructions and freeze properly, the soup can last up to 12 months in the freezer.
But, it is a good idea to consume it within 3-4 months of freezing or there may be a risk of spoiling its taste and consistency.