Why You Should Never Freeze Chicken Noodle Soup
Freezing chicken soup with with noodles leads to a mushy mess: noodles continue absorbing broth when frozen, resulting in a soggy texture and diluted flavor. Plus, they release starch, turning the broth cloudy. For the best results, freeze only the broth, chicken, and veggies—then add freshly cooked noodles when you’re ready to serve.
Chicken noodle soup is the quintessential comfort food, celebrated for its warmth and the soothing, almost magical effect it has when we’re feeling under the weather. With its savory broth, tender chicken, and satisfying noodles, it’s a classic go-to, especially during colder months. And while it’s a lifesaver to have a batch in the freezer for emergencies, there’s one small problem: freezing noodles with chicken soup is a recipe for disappointment. Here’s why.
Why Freezing Noodles Doesn’t Work
At first glance, tossing noodles into a pot of soup before freezing seems convenient. But frozen noodles have a way of turning from springy and tender to mushy and sad when thawed. When you freeze cooked noodles in soup, they continue to absorb moisture even at low temperatures, swelling and softening until they’re far from the chewy texture we crave. When you reheat that frozen soup, those noodles will have the consistency of a soggy sponge—not exactly what you want in your comfort food.
The Broth and Noodle Equation
Not only do noodles become mushy when frozen, but they also alter the broth itself. Noodles that sit in broth for an extended period, especially in the freezer, release starch. This extra starch thickens the broth, turning it cloudy and sometimes even gluey. Instead of a clear, savory broth, you may end up with a thickened, murky base that’s not quite the essence of classic chicken noodle soup.
How Noodles Can Dull the Broth
Believe it or not, noodles can actually dilute the flavor of your soup when frozen together. Because noodles absorb the broth, they can take away some of the seasoning and richness you worked hard to achieve. By the time you reheat, that burst of flavor from your carefully simmered soup is somewhat muted, leaving you with a lackluster version of the original.
How to Freeze Soup Without Noodles
The best way to preserve the integrity of your chicken soup? Freeze it without the noodles. Prepare your broth, vegetables, and chicken as usual, and then ladle the soup into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags, leaving out the noodles. When you’re ready to enjoy your soup, simply reheat it and cook fresh noodles to add in at the end. This way, you get the best of both worlds: a rich, flavorful broth and perfectly tender noodles, no mushiness in sight.
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