10 Freezer-Friendly Soups to Prep Now for Cozy Days Later
Cozy and Convenient: 10 Soup Recipes to Stock Your Freezer
There’s something magical about opening your freezer and pulling out a ready-to-eat homemade soup on a busy or chilly day. These ten freezer-friendly soups are not only easy to make but also hearty and perfect for stocking your freezer. From comforting classics to flavorful twists, this list has something for everyone. Let’s dive in!
The Secret to Flavorful Soups
The key to my soups lies in homemade seasoning. These blends create richer, more flavorful soups that will have you savoring every bite. While I’ll share my seasoning recipes in a future post, let’s focus today on prepping these soups for the freezer.
Prepping for Success
When I make freezer soups, I dedicate one day to the entire process. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
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Freezer Space: Ensure you have an empty freezer or a second freezer for storage.
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Grocery List: Make one comprehensive list and gather all your ingredients in advance.
I start by cooking large quantities of chicken in my two crockpots. I typically buy a family pack of fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. While the chicken is slow-cooking, I prep the other ingredients—dicing onions, preparing seasonings, labeling freezer bags, browning ground beef, and organizing everything for efficiency. Once the chicken is ready, I assemble the soups one recipe at a time.
Now that we’re empty nesters, I freeze soups in smaller portions. This way, we can enjoy the same soup for two nights, with three nights being our absolute max.
Our Weekly Winter Routine
Here’s how we make soups part of our weekly meal plan during the colder months:
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Sunday Night: Prepare for the week by moving frozen soup from the freezer to the fridge.
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Monday Morning: Place the thawed soup in the crockpot to slow cook while we’re at work.
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Monday Night: Enjoy fresh, hot soup for dinner.
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Tuesday Night: Have leftovers for a no-stress meal.
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Wednesday Night: Take a break from soup with something different.
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Thursday Night: Finish the remaining soup.
This schedule might not work for everyone, but it has been a lifesaver for us during dreary winter months. When the cold weather hits, my motivation to cook dwindles, but this method helps us eat at home more often, save money, and even cut calories after the indulgence of the holidays.
Ready to get started? Check out the recipes and tips below to stock your freezer with delicious, hearty soups for the season ahead.
1. Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup
Packed with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and a kick of spice, this soup is a Tex-Mex favorite.
Freezing Tip: Skip the tortilla strips before freezing and add them fresh as a topping when serving.
2. Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup
Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender broccoli, this soup is comfort in a bowl.
Freezing Tip: Use sharp cheddar for bold flavor and allow the soup to cool completely before freezing. Stir well when reheating to maintain its creamy texture.
3. White Chicken Chili
A creamy chili made with tender chicken, white beans, green chilies, and spices. It’s hearty, flavorful, and a crowd-pleaser.
Freezing Tip: Freeze in individual portions to reheat easily for quick lunches or dinners.
4. Classic Home Chili
This traditional beef and bean chili is rich, robust, and perfect with a slice of cornbread.
Freezing Tip: Chili freezes like a dream—just make sure to cool it completely before storing.
Note: This is not my recipe, but it's close. My Moma always used Hunt's ketchup and a LOT of chili powder, and that's what I do, too. You can simplify this recipe posted by doing the same.
5. Autumn Wild Rice Soup
Loaded with seasonal flavors like wild rice, carrots, celery, and mushrooms, this soup feels like fall in a bowl.
Freezing Tip: Cook the rice until slightly underdone before freezing to prevent it from becoming mushy when reheated.
6. Chicken Stew
A thick, hearty stew with chicken, potatoes, carrots, and a savory broth. This dish feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
Freezing Tip: Avoid overcooking the potatoes before freezing, as they’ll soften further when reheated.
7. Chicken Fajita Soup
This bold and zesty soup combines the flavors of chicken fajitas—peppers, onions, and spices—in a lighter, broth-based dish.
Freezing Tip: Cool completely before freezing and add fresh lime juice when reheating for a bright flavor boost.
8. Corn Chowder
Creamy and slightly sweet, this soup is loaded with tender corn, potatoes, and a touch of cream.
Freezing Tip: Freeze without the cream if possible and stir it in when reheating for the best texture.
9. Lasagna Soup- TikTok Recipe
This deconstructed lasagna in soup form features ground beef, tomatoes, pasta, and a dollop of ricotta or mozzarella on top.
Freezing Tip: Freeze the soup base without the pasta and add cooked noodles when reheating.
10. Potato Soup
Creamy, dreamy, and packed with potatoes, this classic soup is perfect with bacon, cheese, and green onions as toppings.
Freezing Tip: For the best texture, avoid freezing soups made with heavy cream. Instead, add cream after reheating.
Freezing and Reheating Tips for All Soups
- Cool Completely: Let soups cool to room temperature before transferring to freezer-safe containers or bags.
- Portion Smartly: Divide into meal-sized portions for quick reheating.
- Label and Date: Always label your soups with the name and date to keep track of what you have.
- Reheat Gently: Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from the freezer over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Crockpot Ready: Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Expert Tip: Place the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. The soup will not be completely thawed but will be thawed enough to manipulate it into the crockpot. I always pour a little "base" over the soup before I leave it for the day. The base might be tomato sauce or chicken broth, just depending on the soup.
Stock your freezer with these delicious soups, and you’ll have a warm, hearty meal ready whenever you need it. Prep now and thank yourself later!
While you are here, please check out these adorable soup bowl cozies my sweet friend Debrah makes. Her crafting site is here.
