How to Make Mirepoix (and Freeze It)

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.

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.

• 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: For freshness, look in the produce aisle for a head of celery that’s firm and has leaves without brown on them.

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.

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 to a storage bag in the portion you plan to use it in, which for me is 1 cup. 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 sauté 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Ground Beef Pasta

The veggies blend right into the meet sauce in this easy weeknight pasta dinner.

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.

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.

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!

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 mirepoix to a pot or a pan when using, simply sauté for a few minutes to allow the excess moisture to evaporate away.

Related Recipes

Smoothie Recipes

How to Meal-Prep Smoothies and Store Leftovers

Dinner

Favorite Soup for Kids

Advice

How to Store Produce (So It Lasts)

Recipes

Easy Vegetable Pancakes

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