No matter the temperature, it’s always a good time for a bowl of comforting homemade soup. When the summer heat sets in, however, spending hours over a hot stove is not a recipe for fun. Luckily in this day and age, you can freeze just about anything, including soups and stews, which can last up to three months when stored properly. This, of course, includes putting it in the right container. From glass to silicone to cubes portioned for single servings, we rounded up the best containers for freezing soup that you can reheat and enjoy someday.
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What We Like
Withstands extreme cold and heat
Airtight
Odor- and scratch-resistant
Easy to clean
Durable
What We Don't Like
Doesn’t stack well
Always a stalwart brand, this Oxo container checks all the boxes for a dependable freezer storage solution. The borosilicate glass construction stands up to extreme cold and heat without shattering, and the material’s surface is odor- and scratch-resistant. The best thing about this round food storage container, though (and the thing that makes it a perfect vehicle for freezing soup), is the leakproof, airtight seal—not a drop of your precious black bean soup will escape. It’s also a great choice if you’re trying to make an environmentally friendly choice and move away from plastics. (Note that the lid on this is plastic.)
Material: Glass | Capacity: 4 cups | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Oven-Safe: Yes (plastic lid is not)
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What We Like
Inexpensive
Capacious
Versatile
Leak-proof lids
Stackable
What We Don't Like
Plastic may crack after extended use
You can finally ditch your stained tom yum soup takeout quarts because these deli-style solutions are not-so-secretly the best budget-friendly containers for freezing soup, packaging holiday leftovers, and utilizing for space-saving refrigerator storage. They stack, come in a pack of 24, and are super affordable (less than $20!), so you can keep the nice food containers for yourself and stop worrying about trying to collect them after sending leftovers home with dinner guests. The leakproof lids keep liquids secure, and cleanup is easy—just throw them in the dishwasher.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: 32 ounces/24 sets | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Oven-Safe: No
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What We Like
Stackable
Inexpensive
Easy to clean
Durable
Stain- and odor-resistant
Commercial kitchen quality
What We Don't Like
Bulky to store
Anybody who has peeked in a commercial kitchen will recognize this set. The capacious interior makes it a great choice for storing all sorts of ingredients and prepared food, the square shape stacks easily, and the polypropylene material is stain- and odor-resistant. The sturdy construction withstands temperatures between -40 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, plus it’s dishwasher-safe. It’s available in various sizes and also sold as a set. It’s an affordable solution for that next batch of sweet corn soup.
Material: Polypropylene | Capacity: 4 quarts | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Microwave-Safe: No | Oven-Safe: No
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What We Like
Easy to use
Versatile
Leak-resistant
Bags store flat
What We Don’t Like
On the smaller side
Vacuum sealing is a great option for freezing and storing soup: The bags stack flat and don’t take up a ton of real estate in your freezer. In testing vacuum sealers, we found that the Anova Precision Chamber Vacuum Sealer performed best with soup and was easy to use. Rather than simply trying to suck all the air out of the bag, it removed the air from the chamber and created a tight seal for liquids. The unit comes with 20 bags to start, but after that, you can easily replenish your supply from a number of retailers.
This set of bags is pre-cut for efficient operations and employs a seven-layer double-ribbed design for quick extraction with minimal pressure on food. And you can feel good about your purchase, because with each box of Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Bags, the equivalent plastic of 32 plastic bottles is kept out of the ocean through its partnership with Plastic Bank.
Material: Glass and stainless steel | Capacity: 20 bags | Dishwasher-Safe: No | Microwave-Safe: No | Oven-Safe: No
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What We Like
Compact
Stackable
Sturdy
Oven-safe up to 425 degrees
Easy to remove individual portions
What We Don't Like
Pricey
If you’re looking for a more economical size, you can’t beat cubes. This versatile model also has an oven-safe tray, so it can be used for freezing soup one week and baking individual portions of pumpkin loaf the next. If you cook one- and two-person meals often, cubes are a great solution to divide up a big batch of marinara sauce, breakfast smoothies, and, of course, homemade chicken soup. The silicone tray is dishwasher- and microwave-safe—reheating leftovers and cleanup are a snap—and they stack for easy storage.
Material: Silicone, stainless steel, plastic | Capacity: 1 cup per cube/6 cubes in set | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Oven-Safe: Tray is up to 425 degrees
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What We Like
Airtight seal
Wide mouth for easy loading
Etched measurement markers
Versatile
Easy to clean
What We Don't Like
Can’t withstand high heat
Not stackable
Mason jars are a nostalgic choice for anybody who has pickled or preserved anything. This Ball model is freezer- and dishwasher-safe, and the non-porous glass is stain-resistant, even with vibrant ingredients like turmeric. The generous 64-ounce size of this two-jar set can accommodate a large batch of homemade soup, and the included airtight seal will keep leaks at bay.
The lids are not completely flat, so the containers will not stack neatly, and the tall design may cause them to be less stable than squatter models. But the wide-mouth ensures easy loading of soup, and the etched measurements let you instantly know how much you have in each jar. These are about 18 inches tall, so measure your freezer to make sure these will fit before purchasing.
Material: Glass | Capacity: 64 ounces/2 pack | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Microwave-Safe: No | Oven-Safe: No
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Stasher-Half-Gallon-Reusable-Standup-Bag-e71cde023d264aa2abc43a33c27be2b0.jpg "The Best Containers for Freezing Soup, From $4 to $45 (7)")
What We Like
Stores flat
Sturdy
Easy to clean
Tight seal
Versatile
What We Don't Like
Pricey
Can be hard to compress the air out
This heavy-weight reusable silicone bag is a great choice if you’re reducing your use of disposable plastics. It comes in multiple sizes, a variety of fun colors, and stores flat when not in use. Stasher’s patented Pinch-Loc seal makes this incredibly durable, leak-free, and airtight.
The upright design makes for easy filling, and the versatile material can be used in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher, sous vide circulator, and oven. When you’re not using this for soup, it’s great for storing fresh greens and chopped vegetables or travel-sized toiletries. It’s highly portable and one of our favorite reusable snack bags.
Material: Silicone | Capacity: 1/2 gallon | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes | Microwave-Safe: Yes | Oven-Safe: Yes, up to 425 degrees
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What We Like
Easy to use
Sturdy
Non-slip base
What We Don't Like
Doesn’t come with bags
When you have a bunch of bags ready for soup, this platform provides a simple solution to make sure all the liquid makes it into the bag and not all over you or the counter. The Ruibo Baggy Rack Holder secures storage bags in an upright position, freeing both hands to load soups and stews without the mess. The non-slip base keeps the whole operation secure, and the holder accommodates bag heights anywhere from 7.3 to 10.6 inches. The rack holder folds flat for economical storage, and you can even use the arms to air-dry inverted reusable bags after washing.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: 4-pack | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes, top rack only
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Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a dependable freezer container that can withstand extreme temperatures and has a reliable airtight seal, we recommend the Oxo Good Grips 4-Cup Glass Round because of its sturdy construction, versatility, and easy cleanup. For an inexpensive set of 24 no-frills (but reliable) containers, try the ZEML 32-Ounce Deli Food Storage Freezer Containers.
What to Look for in Containers for Freezing Soup
Material
Much of this comes down to personal preference. Is your priority getting something environmentally friendly? Go for glass or something reusable like silicone. Do you need an affordable and easy-to-store option? Plastic deli-style containers are a great choice available in a variety of sizes. Plastic, glass, and silicone are all suitable for freezing soup, though glass and silicone will likely last longer.
Ease of Use
You’re going to want to look for a container with a wide enough opening that you can pour soup in without spilling. You’ll also want to make sure the container is able to stay upright while you’re pouring so you don’t end up with a waterfall of soup from your counter to your kitchen floor.
If you have a large container, you’ll likely have to defrost the entire batch at once whereas if you have a small, more shallow container, you can just reheat those individual portions as you please. On that note, it’s convenient to opt for a container that’s microwave- and/or oven-safe. That way, once your soup is done thawing, you won’t have to transfer it to a new container if you want to reheat it that way.
Size
This comes down to whether you are a large-batch person or like to cook in small runs. If you regularly make and reheat big pots of soup, a larger container makes sense. If you mainly cook for yourself, something smaller will keep your precious stews from getting freezer burn if you can’t use it fast enough. Also important to consider is how much freezer space you have and what type of container it will accommodate.
Versatility
Finding freezer containers for soup that can serve other purposes makes life and storage easier—think spaghetti sauce, bone broth, or cake batter. Some can be used to cook sous-vide and even hold travel toiletries.
Seal
With liquids, an airtight seal is the No. 1 thing to look for. A strong seal will keep the freezer burn at bay and secure your liquids without spillage.
FAQs
How long is frozen soup good for?
A good rule of thumb is three months. Soups last much longer in the freezer than in the refrigerator (three to five days), and some broth-based soups can last up to six months frozen.
Do you need to let soup cool before storing it in the freezer?
In short, yes. If you transfer hot soup immediately to the freezer, large ice crystals will form, which causes a mushy texture when thawed. You also don’t want to melt items already in your freezer—allowing it to cool completely ensures the contents of your freezer are safe from thawing.
How do you thaw frozen soup?
Ideally, you want to transfer the soup from the freezer to the refrigerator a day or two before you plan to reheat it. This allows it time to thaw thoroughly before heating it up in the microwave or on the stove. If heating up some soup is a last-minute decision, you can immerse it in a warm water bath to speed thawing. If you have time, let it completely thaw in the warm water. If you’re pressed for time, thaw it enough to loosen the soup from the container and finish on the stove over medium-low heat to keep it from burning.
Are all soups freezer-friendly?
All soups can be frozen, but some stand up to it better than others. The best results come with broth-based soups. Starches like rice or pasta may absorb the liquid, causing a gummy texture when reheated. Sweet potatoes are the exception to that rule. You can also freeze the broth, veggies, and proteins together, then add the starch when you thaw and reheat.
Dairy-based soups (no matter the type of milk) separate and become grainy when reheated. Coconut milk, however, is fine. You can try vigorously whisking the soup while reheating it to re-emulsify.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Carrie Honaker is a food writer who loves a big steaming pot of soup. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she knows the importance of a sturdy, reliable vessel for freezing soup. She loves her Stasher bags for compact, airtight storage that reduces plastic usage. Her work has appeared in many publications including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.
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