For a hearty soup like beef barley soup, it is common to wonder if it is fine to store them in the freezer. Constant reheating of soup, especially one like beef barley soup can affect the flavor and texture of the soup.
The obvious thing to consider is refrigerating or freezing beef barley soup especially if you hope to keep the soup fresh for a very long time.
However, there are soups that won’t do well in the freezer, so it is best to be sure you can freeze beef barley soup before going ahead to store it in the freezer.
If you are at a crossroads between freezing beef barley soup or not, you are definitely in the right place as this article reveals all you need to know about freezing beef barley soup as well as other adequate information you need about freezing this soup.
Is It Okay To Freeze Beef Barley Soup?
Beef barley soup is undoubtedly loved by many, and why not? This soup is easy to prepare, healthy, satisfying, yummy, and loaded with a lot of essential nutrients.
While most people cook this recipe on the stovetop, others use the crockpot method to slow cook the meal as it gives them enough time to get other things done.
Yes, you can definitely freeze beef barley soup. Unlike some other soup recipe that doesn’t keep well when frozen, beef barley soup would remain intact in the freezer for a long time.
This delicious meal can be made ahead of time and you can be sure that the quality of the soup won’t be lessened. Although the beef barley soup recipe contains little cuts of tender beef, loads of veggies, and barley, it is super freezer friendly as the taste and texture will still be retained after a long time in the freezer.
How To Freeze Beef Barley Soup
Freezing beef barley is not a tough job, however, it is best to make sure it is done properly to prevent it from getting freezer burnt. The following are necessary steps to take when freezing beef barley soup.
1. Allow The Soup To Cool
It is not ideal to store steaming beef barley soup in the freezer, this doesn’t only affect the internal temperature of the freezer but can also potentially affect other stored items in the freezer.
There is also the risk of bacterial growth in your soup due to the sudden temperature change.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have enough time to wait for the soup to cool you should consider placing the container or pot of beef barley soup in an ice bath. Stir from time to time to speed up the process.
2. Store In A Freezer Safe Bag Or Container
Ensure that the soup is stored in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. However, it is preferable to store beef barley soup in a freezer-safe bag. Make sure to store the soup in small portions to avoid thawing and refreezing the soup multiple times.
Pro Tip: Ensure that you don’t overfill the container or bag as the soup would need some space to expand while freezing. Then proceed to make sure there is no excess air in the bag.
Also, label the container or ziplock bag to keep up you up to date on when the soup was stored in the freezer.
3. Freeze
Now that your beef barley soup is stored properly in freezer-safe containers or bags, it is time to put it in the freezer. If a ziplock bag was used, lay the bags flat in the freezer as this will help the soup to defrost faster when you need it.
How Long Can Beef Barley Soup Last In The Freezer?
The freezer can preserve your beef barley soup for up to 1-3 months. However, due to the fact that when soup stays too long frozen, the quality and the taste drop, we do not recommend leaving your soup in the freezer for that long.
The maximum limit to which you should leave your beef barley soup in the freezer is 4 weeks, within this stipulated period you can be sure to still enjoy your soup good as new.
Proper Ways To Reheat Beef Barley Soup
Whenever you are ready to enjoy a hearty plate of beef barley soup, it is best to thaw it overnight in the fridge. Nonetheless, there are several ways to reheat your beef barley soup;
1. Reheat On Stovetop
Transfer your thawed beef barley soup to a clean pot, and then add a little amount of water to prevent the soup from getting burnt underneath. Turn on the heat and set it to medium-high heat, while the soup is reheating ensure to stir it from time to time.
2. Reheat In the Microwave
The microwave is one of the common ways to reheat your beef barley soup, make sure the soup is in a microwave-safe container and microwave at 30-40 seconds intervals. After each cycle, stir the beef barley soup and continue heating till you achieve the desired temperature.
3. Reheat In A Crockpot
If you are having a busy day or running some errands and you wish to come back home to a hot plate of beef barley soup, you most definitely should consider reheating the soup in a crockpot or slow cooker. Ensure to put the heat on low and also add ensure liquid to prevent the soup from drying up.
Conclusion
Having leftover beef barley soup shouldn’t be a problem as you can always store them in the freezer for as long as you wish to ( not longer than 3 months).
However, it is best to consume beef barley soup within 1 month of freezing it. This article provides information on how to store beef barley soup and ways to reheat the soup, make sure to try out these tips.
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