Instant Pot Frozen Vegetable Soup Recipe

Frozen mixed vegetables: A convenient blend of various vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, and green beans, perfect for a quick soup.

Vegetable broth: A flavorful liquid base made from simmering vegetables and herbs, essential for the soup's depth of flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the soup.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and complexity to the flavor profile.

Garlic powder: Provides a subtle garlic flavor without the need for fresh garlic.

To enhance the flavor of your frozen mixed vegetables, consider sautéing them in the Instant Pot before adding the vegetable broth. Simply set the pot to sauté mode, add a bit of olive oil, and cook the vegetables for a few minutes until they start to caramelize. This step can add a depth of flavor that elevates the overall taste of the soup.

• frozen mixed vegetables - Substitute with fresh mixed vegetables: Fresh vegetables can provide a more vibrant flavor and texture. Just chop them into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.

• frozen mixed vegetables - Substitute with canned mixed vegetables: Canned vegetables are a convenient alternative and are already cooked, so you may need to reduce the cooking time slightly.

• vegetable broth - Substitute with chicken broth: If you are not strictly vegetarian, chicken broth can add a richer flavor to the soup.

• vegetable broth - Substitute with water with bouillon cubes: Bouillon cubes dissolved in water can mimic the flavor of vegetable broth and are a handy pantry staple.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a depth of flavor and umami, but use it sparingly as it is also salty.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a slightly different mineral profile and flavor compared to table salt.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different flavor profile and is less visually noticeable in light-colored soups.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat and spice to the soup, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the other flavors.

• garlic powder - Substitute with fresh garlic: Fresh garlic can provide a more robust and aromatic flavor. Use about one clove of minced garlic for each teaspoon of garlic powder.

• garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: While not exactly the same, onion powder can add a similar depth of flavor to the soup.

• Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery texture and spoilage.

• Transfer the vegetable soup into airtight containers. Glass containers with tight-fitting lids or BPA-free plastic containers work best to maintain freshness.

• Label each container with the date and contents. This ensures you can keep track of how long the soup has been stored and avoid any food safety issues.

• For short-term storage, place the containers in the refrigerator. The soup will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.

• For long-term storage, consider freezing the soup. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave some space at the top of the container or bag to allow for expansion as the soup freezes.

• If using freezer bags, lay them flat in the freezer. This not only saves space but also allows the soup to freeze and thaw more evenly.

• When ready to use, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave.

• Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave, stirring every couple of minutes to ensure even heating.

• If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to reach the desired consistency.

• Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed after reheating. Sometimes, the flavors can mellow out during storage, so a pinch of salt or black pepper might be necessary to bring the flavors back to life.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Pour the leftover Instant Pot Frozen Vegetable Soup into a saucepan.
  2. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
  3. Once the soup is hot and steaming, it's ready to serve.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
  3. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Check the temperature and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes if necessary.

• Instant Pot Method:

  1. Pour the leftover soup back into the Instant Pot.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté function.
  3. Stir occasionally until the soup is heated through, usually about 5-7 minutes.

• Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Transfer the soup to a slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to the Low setting.
  3. Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the soup is hot.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Pour the soup into an oven-safe dish and cover with foil.
  3. Heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the soup is hot.

• Double Boiler Method:

  1. Fill the bottom pot of a double boiler with water and bring to a simmer.
  2. Place the soup in the top pot of the double boiler.
  3. Stir occasionally until the soup is heated through, usually about 10-15 minutes.

• Instant Pot: This is the main appliance used to cook the soup quickly and efficiently under high pressure.

• Measuring cups: These are used to measure out the 4 cups of frozen mixed vegetables and 4 cups of vegetable broth accurately.

• Measuring spoons: These are used to measure the 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder precisely.

• Ladle: This is used to stir the soup after cooking and to serve it hot.

• Mixing spoon: This is used to stir the ingredients together before cooking to ensure even distribution of flavors.

Prep ingredients ahead: Measure out frozen mixed vegetables, vegetable broth, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in advance to save time.

Use pre-chopped vegetables: Opt for frozen mixed vegetables that are already chopped to eliminate prep work.

Batch cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.

Instant pot settings: Familiarize yourself with your instant pot settings to reduce setup time.

Quick release method: Use the quick release method to save time on pressure release.