My friend Angela Roberts has an amazing food blog called Spinach Tiger. You should check it out because it has so many great recipes and photographs that will make you hungry. She has a knack for taking recipes that can be intimidating and making them very doable. I am so excited because she agreed to create recipe to share with just my lucky readers. Yay! I love her food and I am sure you will too. Today, she is going to give us great advice on how to freeze soup and her tasty Bean Soup with Ham Bone recipe. You can freeze bean soup. Here are the easy steps you need to take to do it. Now you’ll always have bean soup on hand.
After a delicious meal of ham and beans you may have leftovers. Rather than letting them go to waste you can freeze cooked beans and ham so they’re ready to enjoy again later. Freezing cooked bean soup or leftover ham and beans is an easy way to save time and avoid food waste.
Below I’ll explain everything you need to know about freezing cooked beans and ham, from preparation tips to storage guidelines. With the right technique, you can keep that hearty bean and ham flavor for months to come!
Should You Freeze Cooked Beans and Ham?
Freezing cooked beans and ham is absolutely safe, convenient, and preserves the dishes extremely well. The beans maintain their tender texture and the ham stays moist after freezing. Here are some key benefits
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Saves prep time – no need to cook dried beans or thaw a ham each time
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Allows you to cook in bulk and freeze portions
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Keeps leftovers from spoiling for future meals
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Provides a healthy convenience food to reheat anytime
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Lets you enjoy seasonal or holiday recipes year-round
As long as beans and ham are frozen properly, they keep their texture and taste when reheated. Freezing is ideal for leftover bean soup, ham and beans, ham bone bean soup, navy beans with ham, or any combination.
How to Prepare Beans and Ham for Freezing
To freeze cooked beans and ham:
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Make sure beans are fully cooked and tender. Undercooked beans become too soft when frozen.
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Allow dish to cool completely before freezing to prevent ice crystals.
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Portion into freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch headspace. Freezer bags work well.
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Press out all air and seal bags. Oxygen causes freezer burn.
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Label bags with contents and date. Use within 3 months for best quality.
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Place flat in freezer so food freezes into stackable blocks.
Thawing and Reheating Frozen Beans and Ham
To thaw frozen cooked beans and ham:
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For slow thawing, place freezer bag in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
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For quick thawing, submerge bag in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes.
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Microwave defrosting is not recommended, as it can cook bean edges.
To reheat:
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Place thawed bean soup or ham and beans in a pot or slow cooker with a little liquid.
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Heat slowly over low heat, stirring occasionally, until piping hot throughout.
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Add any fresh garnishes after reheating.
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Bean texture is best if not boiled vigorously when reheating.
Helpful Freezing Tips
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Leave ample headspace in containers for expansion during freezing.
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Use only high-quality freezer bags or containers to prevent freezer burn.
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Label everything thoroughly with contents and freeze date.
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Stack bags flat in freezer to save space and prevent spills if they tip over.
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Use oldest frozen items first for maximum freshness and quality.
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Avoid freezing any previously frozen beans or ham; only freeze once.
Reasons Your Frozen Beans or Ham Changed Texture
Even with proper freezing methods, beans or ham can sometimes become mushy or dry when thawed and reheated. Common causes include:
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Beans were undercooked before freezing
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Bags or containers leaked air and moisture
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Food was left to thaw on counter or microwaved
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Beans or ham were frozen more than 3 months
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Freezer temperature fluctuated, causing ice crystals
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Beans or ham were overcooked when reheating
While less ideal in texture, frozen beans and ham that have been compromised are still safe to eat. Try adding extra broth or gravy to improve the consistency.
Creative Ways to Use Frozen Beans and Ham
In addition to soups and stews, leftover frozen beans and ham can be used creatively in many dishes:
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Bean burritos, tacos, quesadillas
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Ham, bean and cheese sandwiches
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Rice and beans topped with diced ham
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Scrambled eggs with beans and ham
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Hearty bean and ham salad or pasta salad
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Beans and ham mixed into casseroles or stir fries
How To Freeze Ham And Bean Soup
- Avoid freezing potatoes or pasta in a soup. They can get grainy or mushy. If you’re going to add these things to your soups, do it when you serve them and when you let them thaw.
- Cool the soup completely. This is true even when just refrigerating. Hot soup will bring your internal temperature down. Put a bowl of hot soup on top of a larger bowl of ice to cool it down faster.
- Either use plastic snap-on containers that can go in the freezer or plastic freezer bags. Make sure there is at least an inch of space for the food to grow.
- Before putting soup in the freezer, make sure the freezer bags are flat and that as much air is out of them as possible. Putting the bags on a tray in the freezer is the best way to make sure they freeze flat and can be stacked.
- You can freeze soup in mason jars as long as they have at least 2 inches of space for the soup to expand.
- Most people say to freeze soup for up to three months, but I’ve found that I can freeze it for up to six months.
- Place in the freezer to defrost, or put plastic bags or containers in ice water to thaw faster. It’s not a good idea to heat the soup in plastic bowls or containers.
- Do not use a microwave to reheat soup. Instead, use a pot. You can now add cooked potato cubes or cooked pasta.
I hope you find these tips for freezing bean soup useful!
Can Bean Soup Be Frozen?
A lot of people ask, “Can you freeze bean soup?” The answer is yes, you can. You can freeze bean soup with cooked ham. I always make an extra large pot so I can freeze some for a cold, or snowy day. Freezing bean soup is so smart in the wintertime and bean soup freezes really well. Here are some tips on how to freeze soup. These tips also work great for freezing bean soup with a ham bone. Frozen soup is so nice to have on hand for a quick, wholesome meal in a pinch!.
Can you freeze leftover ham?
FAQ
Do cooked beans freeze well?
Does freezing cooked beans change the texture?
Can I freeze a fully cooked ham?
Can you freeze baked beans after they’re cooked?
Can you freeze a ham & bean sandwich?
We love this hearty ham and bean option when we’re in the mood to prep in advance. It’s one of the best make-ahead lunches to freeze. Simply toss some veggies, ham, broth, beans, and herbs in the pot, cook for 40 minutes, then divide each batch into six portions.
How long can ham be without refrigeration and still be safe?
Most food experts recommend that ham, should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After that time, you should discard it.
Can you freeze bean soup with cooked ham?
Yes, you can freeze bean soup with cooked ham. I always make an extra large pot so I can freeze some for a cold, or snowy day. Freezing bean soup is so smart in the wintertime and bean soup freezes really well. Here are some tips for how to freeze soup and they work great for freezing bean soup with ham bone as well.
Can you freeze Ham?
Yes, you can freeze ham to make it last longer. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months. To make it easier to use, I suggest storing it in a freezer bag. Just remove the bone and store it in the bag in slices or diced up. When you are ready to reuse it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.