Product4kids

How to Make Mirepoix (and Freeze It)


Mirepoix in three glass jars on countertop.
[ad_1]

Learn how to make mirepoix—which is a mix of onion, celery, and carrot typically used to start soups and sauces—and store it in the fridge or freezer when you have time, then grab it for easier cooking in the moment.

Mirepoix in three glass jars on countertop.

How to Make Mirepoix

Prepping veggies for soups and sauces ahead of time has been a total game changer in my kitchen. I love using lots of produce in my recipes, but it’s often a challenge to peel and chop it when things are busy and kids are underfoot. With this technique, you can batch prep onions, carrots, and celery and store it for future meals so it’s ready to grab and go.

You can store these vegetables in the refrigerator or in the freezer, according to your preference and when you might use them. You can do as many batches as you prefer. And when it’s time to cook, just pour the veggies right into the pot. So easy.

Ingredients You Need

To make mirepoix, you need the following ingredients.

Ingredients for mirepoix on countertop.
  • Carrot: I use traditional full-size carrots when I prep mirepoix, though any type would work. You can even use baby carrots or shredded carrots if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Onion: I prefer yellow onion, but white onion would work the same here.
  • Celery: Look for a head of celery in the produce aisle that’s firm and has leaves without brown on them as signs that it’s fresh.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s an overview of how to prepare mirepoix to use right away or to store for future use. Scroll down to the end of this post for more specifics.

how to make mirepoix in grid of 4 images.
  1. Peel and trim the vegetables. Discard the ends (or save the scraps to simmer in water to make an easy veggie broth.)
  2. Dice finely. (If you want the vegetables to be more finely chopped, you can also grind them in a food processor.)
  3. Add some of each vegetable to a freezer bag or storage container.
  4. Store and use as desired in recipes. (See below for ideas.)

How to Freeze Mirepoix

To freeze mirepoix, prepare your vegetables and then add—in the portion you plan to use it in, which for me is 1 cup—in a storage bag. Do your best to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag.

You can freeze this mixture for up to 6 months.

There is often some ice that forms on the vegetables due to their water content, but that’s not a big deal or a worry. When you add it to a pot or a pan when using, simply sautee for a few minutes to allow the excess moisture to evaporate away.

Recipes to Use Mirepoix In

Below are my favorite recipes to use onion, celery, and carrots that are so fast to pull together once the veggies are chopped.

alphabet-soup-in-blue-bowl

Cook up this cozy Alphabet Soup recipe the next time you want an easy meal that’s also fun! ABC pasta is a perfect addition to this kid-friendly soup—and you can tailor the veggies to the likes (or dislikes!) of your own kiddos. It’s so versatile!

Favorite Alphabet Soup

You can use ABC pasta, orzo, pastina, or ditalini—or any other very small pasta shape in this Alphabet Soup recipe. And you can start with fresh or frozen veggies. See below for options.

Get the recipe
alphabet-soup-in-blue-bowl
Pastina soup in numerous bowls with spoons and sides.

Tiny star pasta soup was one of the staples of my Italian-American childhood, and it’s something my kids adore eating now. The shape of the tiny pasta, or pastina, is so fun, and the rest of the ingredients add plenty of cozy flavor. I love how fast this soup for kids cooks up, how easy it is to adjust, and how much it helps us all feel satisfied and nourished.

Quick Pastina Soup

With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can make this cozy Pastina Soup to share with the kids in under 30 minutes. Look for little star “pastina” pasta in the pasta aisle.

Get the recipe
Pastina soup in numerous bowls with spoons and sides.
three-bowls-of-minestrone

With an easy cooking method—with minimal chopping and less than 30 minutes start to finish—this Minestrone baby soup (that big kids will love too!) is a favorite comfort food meal to share. It’s easy to adjust for allergies as needed and it is packed with yummy flavor.

Extra-Veggie Minestrone Baby Soup (for Big Kids too!)

With a streamlined method and a quick cooking time, this veggie-packed baby soup (that big kids and parents will also enjoy!) is filled with vegetarian protein and super yummy Italian flavors.

Get the recipe
three-bowls-of-minestrone

There’s nothing like a bowl of cozy, comforting Chicken Noodle Soup—especially when it’s one that’s easy to make in about 30 minutes. This version is quick to make and is one of our one of our very favorite soups for kids…and family dinners to share.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids

This easy recipe makes a big pot of comforting soup to feed the whole family—babies, toddlers, and big kids included. The leftovers store nicely so you can enjoy it for a few days!

Get the recipe
chicken soup for kids in teal bowl
easy marinara sauce in jar on towel

Add extra veggies to your next pot of marinara sauce for more nutrition and the classic flavor that your family expects. This easy marinara sauce is super simple and flexible so you can adjust the recipe based on what you like and have on hand. Plus, extras freeze beautifully!

Easy Marinara Sauce with Extra Veggies

Serve this sauce with 1 pound of your family’s favorite pasta for an easy and healthy dinner.

Get the recipe
easy marinara sauce in jar on towel
Butternut squash soup in various containers.

As soon as the temps drop, this creamy and healthy soup is a go-to. It comes together really easily, and it has mild flavors that appeal to kids and adults alike. The leftovers heat up beautifully, and it’s a great way to use up apples if you went apple picking.

Easy Butternut Squash Apple Soup

With a quick cooking method and the creamiest texture, this easy Butternut Squash Apple Soup is a family favorite. It is great for babies on up to adults, is dairy-free and packed with vegetarian protein, and just tastes so good. We love this with buttered toast or crackers.

Get the recipe
Butternut squash soup in various containers.
macaroni-soup-in-two-bowls-on-counter

This cozy Macaroni Soup is an easy and flavorful family meal—and so nourishing with tomato, beef, and loads of veggies. I love to make this with elbows, but other small pasta shapes such as wagon wheels would work well, too.

Easy Macaroni Soup

Made with mostly pantry and freezer staples, this cozy Macaroni Soup is easy and flavorful—and so nourishing. I love to make this with elbows, but other small pasta shapes such as wagon wheels would work well, too.

Get the recipe
macaroni-soup-in-two-bowls-on-counter
baby-pasta-in-four-white-bowls

Serve up a filling, yummy baby meal with this easy Baby Pasta. It includes a tomato based sauce with extra veggies and beans blended in for an iron-rich meal perfect for lunch or dinner. Plus: The sauce freezes so well so you can have a stash of future meals ready and waiting!

Extra-Veggie Baby Pasta (with Iron)

Adding beans and extra veggies helps make this easy baby pasta satisfying, nutritious, and yummy. Serve it more or less saucy as you like. (You can even freeze the sauce for easy future meals.)

Get the recipe
baby-pasta-in-four-white-bowls

How to Store

Store prepared mirepoix in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Use in favorite recipes as desired.

Best Tips for Success

  • You can store this vegetable mixture in storage containers in the fridge or in freezer bags in the freezer.
  • Add 1-2 cloves minced garlic to the mixture if desired.
  • When freezing, there is often some ice that forms on the vegetables due to their water content, but that’s not a big deal or a worry.
  • When you add frozen mirepiox to a pot or a pan when using, simply sautee for a few minutes to allow the excess moisture to evaporate away.

Related Recipes


I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment and rate it below!

Mirepoix in three glass jars on countertop.
  • Peel and trim the vegetables.

  • Dice finely. Add ⅓ cup of each to a freezer bag (remove as much air as possible before sealing) or in an airtight storage container to make 1 cup mirepoix total per portion.

  • Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Use in favorite recipes as desired.

  • You can store this vegetable mixture in storage containers in the fridge  for up to a week or in freezer bags in the freezer for up to 6 months.
  • Add 1-2 cloves minced garlic to the mixture if desired.
  • When freezing, there is often some ice that forms on the vegetables due to their water content, but that’s not a big deal or a worry.
  • When you add frozen mirepiox to a pot or a pan when using, simply sautee for a few minutes to allow the excess moisture to evaporate away.

Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 131kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 0.2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 176mg, Potassium: 906mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 21840IU, Vitamin C: 23mg, Calcium: 119mg, Iron: 1mg


[ad_2]
Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *