Tips for Stocking Your Freezer With Healthy Homemade Soups
With winter weather starting to arrive, a warm bowl of soup can make a healthy, delicious meal. It’s also convenient to make in batches to freeze and share with senior loved ones who might struggle with meal preparation. Depending on the recipe and the ingredients called for—from meats and legumes to vegetables and grains—soup can be packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Here are some tips to help you create a well-stocked freezer of healthy soups that will keep you nourished and satisfied.
How to Make Tasty Winter Soups
- Choose your soup base wisely
The base of your soup sets the tone for both the flavor and the nutritional content. You can choose store-bought chicken, beef, or vegetable broth or cook your own. Bone broth made from leftover organic chicken or beef bones can be especially good for reducing inflammation in the body.
For a creamier texture to your soup, consider using pureed vegetables or adding a small amount of coconut milk or yogurt. If you’re aiming for a healthier option, look for low-sodium versions of any ingredients you add.
- Focus on nutrient-dense ingredients
When reviewing soup recipes, opt for those with ingredients that are rich in nutrients. Leafy greens (like spinach or kale), beans, lentils, whole grains (like quinoa or brown rice), and colorful vegetables (like carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini) can boost the nutritional profile of your soups.
Besides providing vitamins and minerals, these ingredients also contain plenty of fiber. It’s good for keeping blood sugar stable and promoting digestive health. And it helps you feel full longer, which can keep you from reaching for unhealthy snacks between meals.
- Prep in batches to freeze
Batch cooking is key to an efficient meal prep strategy. Dedicate a day or even just an afternoon to preparing multiple soups at once. This not only saves time but also allows you to take advantage of seasonal produce and bulk buys. By making a variety of soups, you ensure that you’ll have a range of flavors and textures to choose from when you’re ready to eat.
If you aren’t sure where to start the search for nutritious soup recipes, there are plenty online. Two good resources to help you get started are 35 Healthy Soup Recipes That Are Cozy and Comforting from the Food Network and 79 Flavor-Packed Healthy Soup Recipes from Taste of Home.
- Use herbs and spices to flavor
Herbs and spices can transform a simple soup into a flavorful dish. Fresh herbs, like basil, cilantro, and parsley, can be added just before serving to enhance flavor. Dried herbs, like thyme, oregano, and rosemary, are good to sprinkle in during the cooking process.
But don’t stick to just basic herbs and spices. Try out some you haven’t tested before, such as cumin, paprika, or turmeric. Each of these can add warmth and depth while providing additional health benefits.
- Select safe containers for storage
Finally, choosing the right container for freezing your soup is essential for preserving flavor and texture—and for avoiding potential hazards or messes! Select airtight, freezer-safe containers made of glass or BPA-free plastic, which withstand low temperatures and prevent freezer burn.
Mason jars work well, but be sure to leave space at the top to allow for expansion. Alternatively, silicone freezer bags are flexible and can be laid flat for efficient storage. Avoid using regular plastic containers, which may crack in the freezer. Label each container with the soup type and date for easy identification.
Senior Safety Starts With Healthy Nutrition
If you are an adult child who is lending an aging parent a helping hand with meals and other household tasks, know that nutrition plays a key role in safety, too. People who have a poor diet are more likely to experience falls than their peers who consume a balanced diet.
Another way to help keep a senior loved one safe is by investing in a mobile monitoring unit. Should an emergency occur, these discreet devices allow the wearer to call for help from wherever they are. Call 1-844-203-5617 to learn more today!