The Best Way To Reheat Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli cheese soup is a hearty, creamy, and flavourful dish that is perfect for cold winter nights. While it is a relatively simple dish to make, reheating it is a delicate process due to its dairy content. When reheating, it is important to ensure that the soup does not get too hot, as this can cause the soup to curdle or become grainy. To avoid this, reheat the soup on a low flame on the stovetop or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently.

Reheating broccoli cheese soup on the stove

Broccoli cheese soup is a delicious and comforting meal, but reheating it can be a little tricky to get right. The key is to do it slowly and gently to avoid the soup becoming grainy or the cheese separating. Here is a step-by-step guide to reheating your broccoli cheese soup on the stove.

Step 1: Prepare your soup

Take your leftover soup out of the fridge and give it a good stir to ensure all the ingredients are well combined. If your soup has separated, don't worry – this can be fixed! You can also add a little extra cream or butter at this stage to help improve the consistency.

Step 2: Choose your pan

Pour your soup into a saucepan or pot. A non-stick pan will make it easier to stir the soup and prevent it from sticking to the bottom.

Step 3: Heat gently

Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium-low. Stir the soup occasionally as it heats to ensure it heats through evenly. Be careful not to let the soup come to a rapid boil, as this can cause the soup to curdle or separate.

Step 4: Adjust the consistency

If your soup is looking a little thin, you can add a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken it. Mix a tablespoon or two of cornstarch with an equal amount of water, then stir this into your soup. Allow the soup to simmer gently for a few minutes to thicken.

Step 5: Check the temperature

Use a thermometer to check the temperature of your soup. You're aiming for a temperature of around 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is hot all the way through. If you don't have a thermometer, heat the soup until it is steaming hot and has reached a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

Once your soup has reached the correct temperature, it's time to serve it up! Broccoli cheese soup goes great with some crusty bread or a bread bowl for dunking. Enjoy your delicious, comforting soup!

By following these steps, you can ensure your reheated broccoli cheese soup is just as delicious as when you first made it. Happy eating!

Reheating broccoli cheese soup in the microwave

Preparing for Reheating:

Before you begin reheating, it's important to take the soup out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for a while. This will help reduce the reheating time and ensure even heating. Place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl, preferably one with a lid or a microwave-safe plate to cover it. If your soup has a thick layer of cream or cheese on top, you may want to stir it gently before reheating to distribute the heat evenly.

Choosing the Right Settings:

When it comes to choosing the right microwave settings, it's best to start with a lower power level and increase it gradually if needed. This will help prevent the soup from overheating and maintain its texture. Set your microwave to a medium or medium-high power level to start.

Reheating in Short Bursts:

As mentioned earlier, broccoli cheese soup can be sensitive to high temperatures, which may cause it to separate or become grainy. To avoid this, reheat the soup in short bursts of 20-30 seconds, stirring well after each interval. This will help distribute the heat evenly and prevent overheating. Check the temperature of the soup after each burst, and once it reaches your desired warmth, you're ready to enjoy it!

Stirring and Serving:

After each reheating burst, it's important to stir the soup gently. This will help distribute the heat evenly and prevent hot spots. Make sure to use oven mitts or a kitchen towel when handling the bowl, as it can get very hot. Once your soup has reached the desired temperature, give it a final stir and serve it immediately. You can pair it with crusty bread, bread rolls, or croutons for a heartier meal.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Always use microwave-safe containers and utensils when reheating.
• Avoid using metal utensils or containers, as they may arc or create sparks in the microwave.
• Be cautious of hot steam when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it can cause burns.
• If your soup has a thick layer of cheese or cream, you may need to increase the reheating time slightly, but be careful not to overheat it.
• If you prefer a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender to puree the soup before or after reheating, but this is entirely optional.

How long broccoli cheese soup can be left out

Broccoli cheese soup is a delicious and comforting dish, but it should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. If left out for longer, harmful bacteria can start to grow, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. The soup should be cooled and stored in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking or opening to ensure safety and maintain quality.

Properly stored in an airtight container, broccoli cheese soup will last for about three to four days in the fridge. It is important to promptly refrigerate the soup and not leave it at room temperature for an extended period to prevent bacterial growth and maintain its freshness.

If you have a larger batch of soup and want to enjoy it over a more extended period, freezing is an option. However, broccoli cheese soup is one of the more challenging soups to freeze due to its high dairy content. The cream and cheese can separate when frozen, affecting the texture and taste. Nonetheless, with proper handling, it can be frozen for up to two months.

To freeze broccoli cheese soup, first, let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the soup to airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving about half an inch of space at the top for expansion. Label the containers with the date and content before placing them in the freezer.

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Then, reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. It's important to note that you should only reheat the amount you plan to consume, as reheated soup should not be refrigerated again due to the risk of bacterial growth.

Freezing broccoli cheese soup

Broccoli cheese soup can be frozen for up to two months. It is one of the more difficult soups to freeze because of its creamy base. When dairy-based products are frozen, they can separate into different watery layers, and it can be difficult to fix this during the reheating process.

Step 1: Prepare the soup

Follow your favourite recipe and cook the soup as you normally would.

Step 2: Leave to cool

Separate the soup you want to freeze and let it cool down to room temperature. You cannot place warm soup into the freezer as it will cause condensation in the container, which can degrade the quality of the soup. It will also increase the internal temperature of the freezer and may affect the other frozen items.

Step 3: Place into a container

Once the soup has cooled, pour it into a freezer container, leaving about half an inch of space at the top as the liquid will expand when frozen. Remember that you must only freeze the amount of soup you will eat in one sitting as you cannot separate the soup once it is frozen.

Step 4: Label and Freeze

Label the containers with the name of the soup and the date of freezing. Place the soup near the back of the freezer to avoid temperature fluctuations when the door is opened and closed.

Reheating Broccoli Cheese Soup Properly

When you are ready to enjoy the soup, remove it from the freezer and leave it to thaw completely. The best way to do this is to leave it in the fridge overnight. Once it has thawed, pour the soup into a saucepan on the stove and set the stove to medium heat. As the soup heats up, whisk it often to reincorporate the dairy and water content. When the soup has been heated, stir in some fresh cheese and salt and pepper to taste.

Tips

• Broccoli cheese soup can be kept in the fridge for up to three days if stored in an airtight container.
• You should not refreeze broccoli cheese soup as this will destroy the quality and put the food at risk of bacterial growth.
• Discard any leftovers once the soup has been reheated as there is a high chance of bacterial growth.

Reheating frozen broccoli cheese soup

Broccoli cheese soup is a comforting meal, perfect for chilly evenings. If you have leftovers, freezing them is a great way to ensure you have a tasty meal ready to go when you don't feel like cooking.

Broccoli cheese soup can be frozen for up to two or three months. It is one of the more difficult soups to freeze due to its high dairy content, which can separate into different watery layers when frozen. This can be hard to fix when reheating. However, there are ways to ensure your soup freezes and reheats well.

Freezing Broccoli Cheese Soup:

• Prepare the soup according to your recipe.
• Leave the soup to cool down to room temperature. Do not put warm soup into the freezer, as it will cause condensation, which can affect the quality of the soup.
• Pour the soup into freezer containers or bags, leaving about half an inch of space at the top, as the liquid will expand when frozen.
• Label the containers with the name of the soup and the date of freezing.
• Place the containers at the back of the freezer to avoid temperature fluctuations when the door is opened and closed.
• Remove the soup from the freezer and leave it to thaw completely. The safest way to do this is by placing it in the fridge overnight.
• Pour the thawed soup into a saucepan and place it on the stove over medium heat. Alternatively, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave.
• Whisk the soup often as it heats up to help reincorporate the dairy and water content, which may have separated during freezing.
• Depending on the amount of soup, it should take around 20 minutes to heat up.
• Once the soup is heated through, stir in some fresh cheese, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips for Reheating Broccoli Cheese Soup:

• Reheat the soup on low heat to preserve its flavour and prevent overcooking.
• Add a little water to the soup as it reheats to thin it out and make it more flavourful.
• Stir the soup frequently to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning.
• If reheating in the microwave, use short bursts of heat and stir the soup after each burst until it reaches the desired temperature.

Frequently asked questions