The Best Containers for Freezing Soup, From $4 to $45 (2023)

FAQs

What type of container is best for freezing soup? ›

Plastic and glass containers that are labeled freezer-safe are the best containers for freezing soup. You also want a container that makes it easy to remove frozen soup from, so silicone options are also favorable.

Pint or quart-sized containers will work fine, as long as they're made of freezer-safe material. Tempered glass (or other glass specifically labeled as safe for the freezer) is acceptable, but even these products can crack if subjected to rapid temperature changes, or if they're packed too full.

The Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Container is our top choice because it comes in multiple sizes, is leak-proof, and prevents microwave messes with splatter-proof vents. If you need a ton of tubs, but are looking for something budget-friendly, we recommend the DuraHome Food Storage Containers with Lids Combo Pack.

Use only wide-mouth Mason jars without shoulders: Wide-mouth Mason jars are always better than regular mouth jars when it comes to freezing food. If you're freezing liquids such as soups or broth, using a wide mouth is even more essential because of expansion.

Use good-quality freezer bags: Make sure the box actually says "freezer" on the label. These bags are sturdier and made of thicker plastic than the bags meant for sandwiches. Also, I think it's worth it to buy good-quality bags from a brand that you trust. I generally use quart-sized Ziploc freezer bags.

Can you freeze soup in a mason jar? Yes, freezing 1-2 portions in a freezer safe mason jar is a great way to save leftover soups, stews, and chilis!

It is safe to freeze your soup in plastic containers, so long as they're the right containers. Not all plastics are made equal. Always be sure to store food in containers that are made from safe plastics and do not contain polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, or polystyrene.

Plastic containers, glass containers or jars, or freezer bags all work great. Be sure you have freezer bags instead of “storage bags”; storage bags use a thinner plastic, and aren't designed for the freezer.

Plastic containers can release chemicals when frozen just as they can when heated. For better food safety, opt for glass. The right glass containers are freezer and refrigerator safe, meaning they won't release any harsh chemicals or break if frozen.

What plastic is safe for freezing? ›

Freezing Food

Usually, the best plastic container to store frozen food is a moisture-vapor-resistant plastic container with a lid. These plastics are quite safe and can be used for years. On the other hand, you can consider using Pyrex glass containers with lids to freeze, microwave and store food.

Anything liquid in a sealed glass container or can could explode. It's no secret that liquids expand and contrast when placed in the freezer. For this reason, Murphy recommends avoiding placing glass containers full of liquids in the freezer. The same logic applies to cans and even plastic storage containers.

Glass: glass containers like mason jars are a great way to freeze soup, sauces, and stews; just leave an inch or so at the top to save room for the food to expand.

Liquids expand as they freeze, so when there isn't enough room the pressure builds up and causes the glass to break. Approximately one to two inches of empty space at the top of the jar is ideal, depending on what you're freezing.

When freezing soup, you can use whatever container you want as long as it's safe for the freezer and you leave the headspace as noted above. You can use freezer-safe containers made of plastic or glass as well as freezer-safe bags.

Freezer bags are thicker than regular zip-top bags, which makes them tougher and more durable when it comes to storing food in the freezer. While they often look and feel pretty similar to other plastic storage bags, freezer bags are slightly thicker than regular zip-top bags.

Zip-top bags are especially good for freezing food because you can more easily get all the air out of them than out of rigid containers. You can use them for everything from blanched spinach to chicken thighs and, after laying them flat to freeze, stack them to economize space.

Freezing soup in a plastic container? Leave less than an inch of space between the soup and the lid. "The more air inside the container, the faster freezer burn will set in," says Kamen. To defrost, put the container in the refrigerator the night before you plan on serving it.

Sadly, soups with any kind of cream or milk base tend to separate with freezing. This leads to a grainy textured soup that will probably end up poured down the drain after reheating. Try freezing these soups before adding in the dairy, and when it comes time to reheat, you can mix it in on the stovetop.

If you need new jars, Ball canning jars are often thick enough to withstand freezing. If you're freezing liquids, such as soups, stews, broths, or sauces, you also want to leave at least an inch of space at the top to give the contents room to expand. You can also freeze food in glass storage containers.

What glass jars are freezer safe? ›

If you prefer, you can stick with glass jars that are designated freezer-safe. These tend to be the brands also suitable for canning – they are designed to withstand extremes of temperature. Ball Mason, Fowlers Vacola, Weck, Le Parfait jars are all examples.

The short answer is yes—but there are a few rules you should follow. When using Pyrex or any glass bakeware or cookware, you should avoid extreme temperature changes—very cold dishes shouldn't be placed in a hot oven, and vice versa. Sudden changes in temperature may cause the dishes to shatter or break.

Examples of this would be a freezer safe resealable plastic bag, a plastic carryout soup container that is freezer safe or a freezer safe glass mason type jar. Leave as little air in the container as possible and then freeze asap. Use within 3 months.

Polystyrene is considered safe for food use when in a solid state. However, heating can cause chemicals to leach from the foam and into the food.

Rigid containers and flexible bags or wrapping are two general types of packaging materials that are safe for freezing. Rigid containers made of plastic or glass are suitable for all packs and are especially good for liquid packs. Straight sides on rigid containers make the frozen food much easier to remove.

Yes! Soup freezes and reheats so, so well. Even better, you can store it in a variety of containers so you pretty much always have space in your freezer for some soup.

Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers

Made of BPA-free plastic, this set comes equipped with ridged lids that help you stack and store food without taking up too much space. They're lightweight and safe to use in the freezer, refrigerator, and microwave (without the lids).

Don't store fatty or oily foods in plastic – many chemicals used in plastic are fat soluble and are more likely to leach into fatty food. Cut down on plastic water bottles, which contribute to the widespread ingestion of microplastics. Consider replacing your plastic wrap with a reusable option, like beeswax wrap.

The easiest way to check is to look for the Resin Identification Code—i.e., recycling number—which identifies the type of plastic material. The code consists of a triangle of arrows surrounding a number between 1 and 7. Generally, numbers 1 through 7 indicate food grade plastic.

Meat, poultry and fish should be stored at the bottom of the freezer. They should be kept in containers and not on the same shelf as any other non-meat items. Fruit and vegetables can be placed higher in the freezer, in sealed containers to prevent any leakages.

Why is everything in my freezer covered in freezer burn? ›

What causes freezer burn? Improper packaging or temperature, and sometimes too long in the freezer, are the most common culprits that lead to freezer burn. Cold, dry air is more likely to permeate foods that aren't tightly wrapped, left open or stored in frequently fluctuating temperatures.

Wax freezer paper and butcher paper are more effective than conventional plastic wrap. "Wrapping your item tightly in waxed freezer paper can act as a barrier against the harsh air inside the freezer and can also prevent water from evaporating," says Pace.

What Are the Best Containers to Use? Glass, plastic and even freezer-safe bags all work perfectly (just make sure the bags are heavy duty). No matter what container you choose, pick something that's airtight.

Freezing Mason Jars is a great way to preserve food, soups, and seasonings! Get the most out of your food supply by storing them in your freezer. Storing food, spices, and liquids in mason jars with lids will keep them fresh much longer. Stored properly, they are airtight and prevent freezer burn.

By using glass Tupperware, you can be certain that your food will not be contaminated by harmful chemicals. Glass is natural, sustainable, and recyclable. It is also more sanitary as it can withstand heat easier than plastic, meaning that it is easier to clean.

Best Way to Freeze Chili & Soup

Freezer-safe bags, as well as glass and plastic airtight containers, will work. Placing hot food in the freezer can cause surrounding items to partially thaw and refreeze, altering the taste and texture of some foods. There's a reason heavy-duty freezer bags are saved for this one use!

Food safe plastic bottles include code numbers 2,4, and 5 for storage as they are food grade. Code number 1 is safe for single-use. If re-used, they become dangerous.

Food grade materials, such as aluminum foil, heavy freezer-weight plastic bags, heavy plastic wrap and parchment or freezer paper are excellent choices. It is safe to freeze meat or poultry directly in its supermarket wrapping, but this type of wrap is thin and lets air in.

A: You cannot put hazardous materials in a shipping container. You should also avoid putting items such as food, plants, or other perishables, as well as extremely important documents — such as birth certificates or house deeds — or antiques or family heirlooms that may be vulnerable to damage.

Is there anything you shouldn't freeze? ›

Milk, yogurt, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, and soft cheeses all become inedible once frozen, since they separate and curdle upon defrosting, changing the texture and consistency entirely. Your milk will separate into a watery mess, for example, and your yogurt will become grainy, curdle, and separate when defrosted.

Freeze individual portions to avoid having to defrost or reheat an entire batch of food at once. Portion soup using a muffin tray and store inside a Ziploc^® brand freezer bag. Or freeze two slices of bread in individual sandwich bags before placing them in a freezer bag, for easier sandwich-making.

Saran's Premium Plastic Wrap is slightly thicker than their other plastic wraps and offers more protection for your foods. This also makes it easier to handle and less likely to tear. Some have stated they find it doesn't cling as well as the Saran Wrap Cling Plus. This plastic wrap is both freezer and microwave safe.

Using a standard freezer is the cheapest option, but it can take up to a month to freeze-dry your food properly. Using dry ice is a quick option, too, but it takes a little more work than using a standard freezer.

If you're trying to avoid excessive use of plastic in the home, glass mason jars are a great reusable option that you likely already have around. You can freeze liquids in mason jars and store them for several months in the freezer.

Let hot liquids cool: Let your cooked foods cool to room temperature before pouring them into Mason jars. Then, let your filled Mason jars completely cool in the refrigerator before placing them in the freezer. These precautions allow for expansion, so the glass doesn't shatter.

Yes, you can! Not only can you put glass in the freezer, but glass containers are a great sustainable pick. Unlike plastic, glass is not porous, so the containers will neither stain nor hold smells.

Rigid containers and flexible bags or wrapping are two general types of packaging materials that are safe for freezing. Rigid containers made of plastic or glass are suitable for all packs and are especially good for liquid packs. Straight sides on rigid containers make the frozen food much easier to remove.

A good space-saving method is to pour your stock into plastic freezer bags and lay these flat in the freezer. If you want to avoid plastic, try these plastic-free food storage containers. If using upright freezer containers, be sure to leave 1 inch of headspace since the stock will expand as it freezes.

The short answer is yes—but there are a few rules you should follow. When using Pyrex or any glass bakeware or cookware, you should avoid extreme temperature changes—very cold dishes shouldn't be placed in a hot oven, and vice versa.

What plastic is best for frozen food? ›

When it comes to food packaging, polyolefin is your best choice. Polyolefin shrink film is FDA food-safe approved and can also be made kosher. Polyolefin shrink film is perfect for sealing boxed frozen foods such as pies, pizzas, cakes, baked goods, vegetables, fruit, and almost every other type of frozen food.

Can you freeze soup in a mason jar? Yes, freezing 1-2 portions in a freezer safe mason jar is a great way to save leftover soups, stews, and chilis!

The opposite is also true: You can use regular zip-top storage bags in the freezer — I'll admit that I have from time to time. But foods stored in these bags in the freezer might not hold up as well over long periods of time, and can be more prone to punctures and rips.

As a general rule, soups that are broth-based freeze well. Rice, beans, and soups with meat freeze well, while soups containing starchy vegetables, noodles, and cream can be more tricky.

Arguably the easiest way to store stock in the freezer is by simply pouring it into resealable plastic Ziplock bags. Place the bag in a large bowl or pot and prop it open. Carefully fill each bag no more than 3/4 full of stock. As best you can, squeeze out as much air as possible.

Keeping your soup cool in the freezer means finding the best way to freeze them for you. Here are three types of containers you can use: 1. Glass containers: You can use glass containers like mason jars to store soup so long as you protect their contents with plastic wrap.