PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games Arts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and GardenRelationship Quizzes Cars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and StyleSports and Fitness Computers and ElectronicsHealthPets and AnimalsTravel Education & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and ReligionWork World Family LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationshipsYouth
LOG IN
Log in
Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. FacebookGooglewikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
RANDOM
Home
Random
Browse Articles
TrendingNew
Quizzes & Games
All QuizzesHot
Love Quizzes
Personality Quizzes
Fun Games
Dating Simulator
Learn Something New
Forums
Courses
Happiness Hub
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Recipes
Soups
How to Defrost Soup Download Article Co-authored by Sasha Reyes
Last Updated: March 10, 2025
Download Article
Using a Microwave
|
Defrosting on a Stove
|
Expert Interview
|
Warnings
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Sasha Reyes. Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management. This article has been viewed 105,981 times.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, soup is a great choice because you can cook it now and save leftovers in the freezer. Lentil or vegetable soup are commonly frozen and reheated. These soups taste great and they’re really easy to defrost because it takes little time and equipment. There are many methods to do this, like putting the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. But if you’re in a hurry defrosting in the microwave or on the stove may be the answer.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Using a Microwave
Download Article
1 Take the soup out of the freezer and put it into a microwave-safe bowl. Turn the bowl upside down and look for a label that should say “Microwave-safe” or “Heatproof”. If the soup is already in a microwave-safe bowl, then remove the lid and cover the container with a plastic wrap that is also microwave safe.[1]XResearch source
Glass and ceramic bowls are usually microwave-safe.
Never put metal or aluminum bowls or dishes in the microwave.
You can use wax or parchment paper instead of plastic wrap.
2 Place the container in the microwave and heat on a medium-low setting. Microwave the soup on 30% power for about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the container, stir the soup and continue microwaving until the ice is melted and the soup is hot.
To adjust the power level, enter the cook time first and then press the “Power” button. The reduced power will allow your soup to defrost evenly.
If you are heating with glass or ceramic, the container may be hot. Use an oven mitt or heat-resistant glove to remove from the microwave.
Advertisement
3 Use a food thermometer to test the temperature of the soup. Remove the container from the microwave. Place a food thermometer into the soup and check that the temperature is 165 °F (74 °C) to make sure that it is safe to eat.
Don't make contact with the bottom or sides of the bowl, this will give an incorrect temperature reading.
If you don't have a thermometer on hand, you can use a knife. Insert the knife into the center of the bowl. The soup is warm enough to eat when the knife is hot when removed.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Defrosting on a Stove
Download Article
1 Place the container in a kitchen sink and fill the sink with warm water. Put the container into the sink and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes or until the ice starts to melt. The soup is warm when it starts to separate from the sides of the container.[2]XResearch source
Soup stored in a glass may need extra time to defrost to make it easier to remove.
If stored in a bag, let the soup sit in the sink until you can squeeze the bag and the soup breaks into pieces.
EXPERT TIP
Sasha Reyes
Executive Chef Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management. Sasha Reyes Executive Chef
Defrost soup slowly on the stove. To safely thaw a batch of frozen soup, put the soup on very low heat on the stovetop, keeping it covered. Stir gently every few minutes as it slowly warms. Low, steady heat prevents scorching.
2 Remove the container from the sink and pour the soup into a pot. Find a pot that is big enough to hold the soup and 1 cup of extra water. Place the pot on the stove and add ¼ cup of warm water. Stir the water into the soup.[3]X Expert Source Sasha ReyesExecutive ChefExpert Interview
It’s best to add water to the pot because soup absorbs water when it’s frozen.
This is also a great time to add additional seasonings to give the soup a fresh flavor. Try adding a little lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and fresh herbs.[4]XResearch source
3 Heat the soup on the stove and stir often. Cover the pot with a heat-resistant lid and warm the soup on medium-low heat.[5]X Expert Source Sasha ReyesExecutive ChefExpert Interview Stir every 30 seconds to keep the soup from burning.
A thick-bottomed pot works best for heating soup because it evenly distributes heat.
If you happen to burn the soup, do not scrape the bottom. Instead, pour the soup into a different pot and reheat.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search Add New Question Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
Avoid microwaving soup in plastic containers. When heated, plastic can leak harmful chemicals into your food.[6]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Make sure that the frozen soup is in a leak-proof bag or plastic container before placing in warm water. Leaks and holes can cause harmful bacteria to grow and make the soup unsafe to eat. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement
You Might Also Like
How toThicken SoupHow toEat SoupHow toDefrost Food in the MicrowaveHow toStore Soup in the FridgeHow toDefrost QuicklyHow toReheat Frozen Baby FoodHow toDefrost RiceHow to Use a Microwave: The Comprehensive GuideThe 2 Best Ways to Steam Frozen VegetablesHow toDefrost Meat in the MicrowaveHow toCool Food Quickly3 Easy Hacks to Thaw Frozen FishHow to Quickly Defrost Frozen FruitsHow toDefrost Hot Dogs Advertisement
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Sasha Reyes.
Co-authored by: Sasha Reyes Executive Chef This article was co-authored by Sasha Reyes. Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management. This article has been viewed 105,981 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 10Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 105,981 Categories: Soups In other languages Spanish Italian Portuguese
Print
Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 105,981 times.
Reader Success Stories
Delia Swoothe
Oct 23, 2022
"I now know how to defrost soup. Thank you wikiHow for teaching me how to defrost soup. "
Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Sasha Reyes Executive Chef Click a star to vote Co-authors: 10Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 105,981
Delia Swoothe
Oct 23, 2022
"I now know how to defrost soup. Thank you wikiHow for teaching me how to defrost soup. " Share yours!
Quizzes & Games
What's the Best Meal Kit for Me QuizTake QuizRandom Recipe GeneratorGenerateWhat Should I Eat for Lunch QuizTake QuizWhat Should I Eat for Dinner QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizGuess the Food QuizTake Quiz
You Might Also Like
How toThicken SoupHow toEat SoupHow toDefrost Food in the MicrowaveHow toStore Soup in the Fridge
Featured Articles
What 16 of the Most Common Hugs MeanJuicy, Deep, & Hot-Seat Questions to Get to Know Your Friends Better40+ Talking Games to Play with Friends, Partners & MoreHow toMake Friends
Trending Articles
What Female Body Shape Are You? How to Identify YoursWhat Emojis Mean Sex?What Pokémon Am I QuizDo I Have Brainrot QuizSigns a Woman is Sexually Attracted to YouWhat JJK Character Am I Quiz
Featured Articles
The Different Types of People You Can Find in a Friend GroupAn Introduction to Kibbe Body Types (with Styling Tips!)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?From Alpha to Omega: A Guide to the 7 Male Personalities
Featured Articles
7 Easy Card Magic Tricks You Can Master in MinutesHow to Perform Magic: 8 Tricks for BeginnersHow toHypnotize SomeoneThe Easiest Guinness World Records to Break: Which Will You Try?How to Solve a Rubik's Cube in 20 MovesHow toWhistle with Two Fingers
Watch Articles
How toEat GuavaHow to Get Yellow Stains Out of White ShoesLeft Eye Twitching for Females: What Astrology Says About Eye Twitching50 First Date Conversation Starters to Spark a ConnectionHow to Make a Mask Out of Paper (for Kids or Adults)How to Put Jibbitz on Crocs
Trending Articles
Do You Agree with These "Hear Me Out" Character Hot Takes?Finish the Lyrics QuizHow to Read Face Moles: Lucky and Unlucky PlacementsHow to Make the Magna-Tile Hologram from TikTokWhich Hunger Games District Would I Live In QuizCan Your Finger Length Tell Your Personality?
Quizzes & Games
Am I Smart QuizTake QuizDo I Have Common Sense QuizTake QuizAm I Smarter than a 5th Grader QuizTake QuizWhich Diet Is Right for Me QuizTake QuizWhat Squishmallow Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Pasta Shape Am I QuizTake Quiz
Categories
Food and Entertaining
Recipes
Soups
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Download Article Co-authored by Sasha Reyes 
How toStore Soup in the Fridge 
How toDefrost Meat in the Microwave 
How to Quickly Defrost Frozen Fruits 
How toDefrost Hot Dogs 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Sasha Reyes Executive Chef This article was co-authored by Sasha Reyes. Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management. This article has been viewed 105,981 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 10 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 105,981 Categories: Soups In other languages Spanish Italian Portuguese 
Take Quiz
Generate
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz
Take Quiz 
549 
1 Take the soup out of the freezer and put it into a microwave-safe bowl. Turn the bowl upside down and look for a label that should say “Microwave-safe” or “Heatproof”. If the soup is already in a microwave-safe bowl, then remove the lid and cover the container with a plastic wrap that is also microwave safe.[1] 
2 Place the container in the microwave and heat on a medium-low setting. Microwave the soup on 30% power for about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the container, stir the soup and continue microwaving until the ice is melted and the soup is hot. 
3 Use a food thermometer to test the temperature of the soup. Remove the container from the microwave. Place a food thermometer into the soup and check that the temperature is 165 °F (74 °C) to make sure that it is safe to eat. 
1 Place the container in a kitchen sink and fill the sink with warm water. Put the container into the sink and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes or until the ice starts to melt. The soup is warm when it starts to separate from the sides of the container.[2] 
2 Remove the container from the sink and pour the soup into a pot. Find a pot that is big enough to hold the soup and 1 cup of extra water. Place the pot on the stove and add ¼ cup of warm water. Stir the water into the soup.[3] 
3 Heat the soup on the stove and stir often. Cover the pot with a heat-resistant lid and warm the soup on medium-low heat.[5] Stir every 30 seconds to keep the soup from burning. 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.