Fellow parents and busy souls, we all know that juggling work, family, and everything in between can leave us longing for some quick, budget-friendly dinner solutions. That’s where our Curry Lentil Soup Freezer Meal comes to the rescue. Imagine having a piping hot, aromatic bowl of hearty soup on the table in minutes, without the fuss and stress.
Let’s talk about convenience. Picture those hectic evenings when you just don’t have the time or energy to cook from scratch. Where the thought of even making dinner just brings on a whole new load of stress. With this freezer meal, dinner prep is practically done for you. It’s like having your own culinary genie in a bag!
Now, let’s get to the good stuff: the taste. Our Curry Lentil Soup is a flavor-packed masterpiece. It’s a delightful dance of spices, lentils, and veggies that will have your taste buds singing with joy. The rich aroma of curry wafting through your kitchen will have everyone eagerly gathering around the table. And did I mention it’s budget-friendly? This freezer meal lets you make the most of your grocery budget while serving up a satisfying and nutritious dinner.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to prepare and freeze this delightful Curry Lentil Soup, making dinner prep a breeze and leaving you with more time to enjoy the things that truly matter.
Why you’ll love this Make-Ahead Curry Lentil Soup
- Budget Friendly
- You can make it in advance
- No artificial preservatives or additives
- Nutrition Boost
- Kid-friendly
- Customizable
- 1 Crockpot or Slow Cooker
- 1 gallon freezer bag
- 29 oz chickpeas cans, drained and rinsed (2x 14.5 oz cans)
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 1 full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup onion diced
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 2 cups spinach
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp Garam masala
- 2 cups carrots shredded
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
- Add all ingredients, except spinach, broth, and coconut milk, to the freezer bag.
- Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.
- No need to thaw, recipe can go straight from freezer to slow cooker.
- Add freezer bag contents into slow cooker, plus 14.5 oz can coconut milk and 4 cups broth.
- Cook on low 6-8 hours.
- Stir in spinach and serve.
- Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, plus 14.5 oz can coconut milk and 4 cups broth.
- Set to High Pressure for 15 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release.
- Stir in spinach, until wilted, and serve.
- Ensure your broth is gluten-free.
- This recipe is naturally dairy-free.
Nutrition
Equipment Needed to Make Quick and Easy Lentil Curry Soup
- 1 crockpot
- 1 gallon freezer bag
Ingredients for your Curry Lentil Soup
- 2 X 14.5 oz can Chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 cup Green lentils
- 14.5 oz can Full fat coconut milk
- 1 cup Onion diced
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp Celery seed
- 2 cups Spinach
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tbsp Garam masala
- 2 cups Carrots shredded
- 1 Red bell pepper diced
How to Make a Curry Lentil Soup
Prep/freezer directions:
- Label a gallon freezer bag with recipe name, cooking instructions, and expiration date. (Todays date plus three months.)
- Add all ingredients to a labeled freezer bag, except spinach, broth, and coconut milk.
- Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.
Cooking directions:
- No need to thaw, recipe can go straight from freezer to slow cooker.
- Add freezer bag contents into slow cooker. Add 14.5 oz can coconut milk and 4 cups broth.
- Cook on low 6-8 hours.
- Stir in spinach and serve.
What to serve with your Satisfying and Flavorful Curry Lentil Soup
Sides:
- Garlic Naan
- Cucumber Raita
- Mango Chutney
Desserts:
- Mango Lassi
- Coconut Rice Pudding
- Gulab Jamun
Mocktails:
- Mango mocktail
- Cucumber Cooler
- Spiced Chai Latte
Popular Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions:
- Red Lentils: If you don’t have green lentils, you can substitute them with red lentils. Red lentils cook faster and will add a slightly different texture to the soup.
- Vegetable Broth: For a vegetarian or vegan version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. It will maintain the flavorful base while keeping the soup vegetarian-friendly.
- Coconut Cream: If you prefer a thicker and creamier soup, you can use coconut cream instead of full-fat coconut milk. Coconut cream has a higher fat content and will result in a richer texture.
Additions:
- Fresh Cilantro: Garnish your curry lentil soup with fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of freshness and a pop of color.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving can brighten up the flavors and add a zesty kick to your soup.
- Sliced Almonds: Toasted sliced almonds can provide a pleasant crunch and nutty flavor as a topping for your soup.
Feel free to experiment with these substitutions and additions , which still allow for a make-ahead freezer meal, to customize your Curry Lentil Soup to your liking. Enjoy your flavorful meal.
How to Reheat and Store Curry Lentil Soup after cooking
Best way to store Aromatic Spices Curry Lentil Soup leftover?
The best way to store Curry Lentil Soup leftovers is to maintain their freshness and flavors. First, allow the soup to cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it into airtight containers, ensuring a tight seal to keep out any air.
It’s convenient to divide the soup into smaller portions, making it easy to reheat only what you need later on. Don’t forget to label the containers with the preparation date for easy identification.
How long will Curry Lentil Soup last in the fridge?
While your properly allowing your leftovers to cool completely to room temperature, and you properly store your leftovers in airtight containers or freezer bags, your leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Can I freeze Healthy Plant-Based Curry Lentil Soup after cooking?
Freezing Curry Lentil Soup leftovers is a simple process to ensure you have a convenient meal ready for the future. Start by allowing the soup to cool to room temperature after cooking. Once it’s cooled, transfer the soup to airtight, freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags.
When using containers, make sure to leave a little space at the top to allow for expansion as the soup freezes. If you opt for freezer bags, remove excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
Label each container or bag with the date of preparation for easy tracking. For individual servings, consider portioning the soup before freezing, so you can reheat only what you need.
Properly stored, your Curry Lentil Soup will maintain its flavor and quality for up to three months in the freezer, providing you with a delicious and convenient meal whenever you desire.
How to reheat Easy and Quick Curry Lentil Soup?
Reheating your Curry Lentil Soup freezer meal is a straightforward process. If your meal was stored in the freezer, begin by allowing it to thaw completely. You can choose from three effective thawing methods: overnight in the fridge, submerging the freezer bag in cold water, or using the microwave’s defrost setting for a gradual thaw. Once your meal has thawed thoroughly, you can proceed to reheat it using any of these approaches:
- Stovetop Reheating: Place a saucepan over medium-low heat, add the thawed Curry Lentil Soup, and stir occasionally until it’s heated through.
- Microwave Reheating: If you’re short on time, the microwave is a convenient option. Put the thawed Curry Lentil Soup on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring between each interval.
These reheating methods make enjoying your Curry Lentil Soup meal quick and hassle-free.
Delicious and Nutritious Curry Lentil Soup Recipe
Other Curry Recipes you’ll love
- 5 Ingredient Curry Meatballs
- Red Thai Coconut Curry
- Slow Cooker Curry Chicken
- Yellow Curry Meatballs
- Many Curry Chicken
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Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Curry Lentil Soup turned out!
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