How Long does Lentil Soup Last in the Fridge?

You may wonder how long lentil soup lasts in the fridge. Here is the answer with a few tips. First of all, make sure to seal the container well. It is essential to ensure that the soup is not overpacked, as the contents will expand when frozen. Once the soup has been frozen, it should last for at least six months.

Lentil soup is the perfect dish to prepare on the weekend and serve throughout the week because it keeps well in the refrigerator for five days. Additionally, it freezes flawlessly for three months, which is even longer!

How Long Does Lentil Soup Last in the Fridge (2)

How Long does Lentil Soup Last in the Fridge?

When storing leftover lentils, check to see if they are still good, aren’t discolored, or have mold. If they are, they may be bad. A good rule of thumb is to throw them out after a week. Also, you should check the packaging to see if there is an old package.

If the container is not airtight, store lentils in a cool, dry place, such as the fridge or freezer. Refrigeration will keep lentils fresher for longer. Adding a lid or freezer bag to the container will help keep the lentils from spoiling.

Canned lentil soup has a shelf life of several months to a year. Canned soups can be refrigerated for up to four to five days after opening. However, be sure to place the lid tightly to avoid leaks. Also, avoid microwaving lentil soup because microwaves introduce harmful chemicals.

Lentil soup can be served hot or cold. Typically, lentils are soaked overnight and cooked in vegetable broth for about an hour. Afterward, the soup is mixed with vegetables and herbs. Once the soup has cooled, store leftovers in the refrigerator; if you have leftovers, you can serve them as a stew or eat them cold.

Lentil soup can last in the refrigerator for up to four days, but it may not taste as fresh after that time. In addition to its shelf life, lentil soup can be frozen for up to six months. However, it should not be frozen for more than six months, as the flavors and texture may change over time. Whether or not lentil soup stays fresh depends on the type of lentils used. Brown and green lentils tend to hold up well to freezing.

1. Soaked Lentils

Cooked lentils don’t keep as long as soaked lentils do. They can last for about five days if you store them in the refrigerator with water. Freezing them isn’t a good idea if you want them to last more than five days! Because soaked lentils are so full of water, freezing may fail, and they begin to fall apart as soon as you set them out to thaw.

2. Cooked lentils

Cook lentils where they will be stored to extend their shelf life. When properly stored, lentils can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. You can also extend their shelf life by storing cooked lentils in the refrigerator in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags.

If cooked lentils were left out of the fridge for longer than two hours at room temperature, they should be thrown away because foods between 40 °F and 140 °F can quickly grow bacteria.

How to Freeze Leftover Lentil Soup?

There are two main ways to store leftover lentil soup: ice cube trays and a reusable plastic bag. For best results, ladle the lentil soup into ice cube trays and freeze for two hours. Once frozen, remove the lentil cubes from the trays and place them in a resealable plastic bag. Then, seal the bag with an airtight seal and store the soup flat in the freezer. You can reheat the soup as needed.

To freeze lentil soup, ensure it is completely cool before freezing it. Make sure the soup is thoroughly blended and hasn’t separated. Once frozen, transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers. Please leave at least one inch of headspace and label it with the date. To reheat, transfer frozen lentil soup to a microwave or stovetop. You can use the soup within a few months.

If you want to reheat leftover lentil soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. It will take longer if you store it in an airtight bag. If the soup is frozen in a plastic bag, you can keep it in the refrigerator directly. Use a container to store the soup because you don’t want to risk spilling it.

When making lentil soup, be sure to add the vegetables last. This way, they will be able to retain their shape and texture when frozen. When preparing leftover lentil soup, season the soup with salt, pepper, turmeric, cumin, and herbs. Then, transfer the soup to an airtight container and store it for up to three days.

How to Store Dried Lentils in the Fridge?

To store dried lentils, you must keep them away from light and moisture. Rinse and drain the lentils before storing them to prevent smells and moisture. You can keep them in an airtight container or a freezer bag. They’ll keep for months when stored properly.

Store dried lentils in a dark, cool area. If possible, store them in a pantry with a door. If you have an open pantry, store them in an airtight container. Plastic bags may attract insects and should not be used for storing lentils. Glass containers are a better option, so make sure to label them with expiration dates. Rotate your lentils based on the expiration date.

Before storing your lentils, check for aging and mold. If the color of your lentils has changed, it’s time to throw them out. They may have spoiled if they swelled up or developed a foul odor. Don’t leave your lentils in the fridge for more than a week. This could lead to spoiled lentils and an upset stomach.

Dried lentils can last for two to three years if stored properly and kept in the dark, cool location. However, they may lose their texture and flavor after this period. Always choose an airtight storage container when choosing a storage place for your dried lentils.

How Long do Canned Lentils Last in Fridge?

You don’t have to keep unopened lentil cans in the refrigerator if you don’t want to. They can be kept dry and cool until the best-before date is printed on the can.

Lentils can be kept in the refrigerator for about five days after being opened if you need to store them. Similar to freezing cooked lentils, you can also freeze lentils in cans.

They must be dried, pre-frozen, put in an airtight container, and then frozen. Lentils in a can that frozen can be used for about six months.

How Long does Ham and Lentil Soup Last?

It can remain cold for three to four days if kept that way. Brown or green lentils are the main ingredient in this soup.

Black or green lentils will hold their shape and be more bite-sized, while red lentils will soften and make the soup creamy.

However, all sorts are fantastic.

Depending on the type of soup, you can add hot water to thicken it when ready to use, even though freezing might cause a slight change in texture.

Due to their capacity to keep their texture and shape when frozen, green lentils are the best choice.

Cook soup to completion and let it cool completely before freezing.

After that, freeze them or store them in airtight containers with freezer bags.

How Long do Carrot and Lentil Soup Last?

In freezer bags, they can be frozen for six months after one week in the refrigerator. If non-dairy yogurt is used, this soup can be completely vegan.

Because it incorporates spices like cinnamon and olive oil infused with zaatar, carrot, and lentil soup provides a variety of flavors.

Because it contains non-dairy yogurt and vegetable broth, it is a great option for vegetarians.

Only yellow lentils can replace red lentils in this soup since red lentils are the best.

Lentils that are green, brown, or black won’t have a smooth texture.

It goes well with pizza, Greek salad, and warm crusty bread.

Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before using, then warm gently until the warmth permeates the entire item.

How Long does Vegetarian Lentil Soup Last?

If kept in an airtight container at a consistently cold temperature, vegetarian lentil soup can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

It can be kept frozen for at least three to five months. Once it has cooled, it must be rapidly chilled.

The best results are achieved when tomatoes and carrots are added to vegetarian lentil soup. This increases its veganism.

A vegan blend with olive oil, spices, onion, and garlic is ideal.

For vegetarian lentil soup, the majority of brown lentils work best. It has the ideal amount of softness.

When ready to serve, defrost and do so quickly.

How to Tell if Lentil Soup has Gone Bad?

It might be challenging to determine when lentil soup has gone bad. Before serving your family or friends soup, you can check for several telltale indicators that indicate whether it has gone rotten. You should smell the soup and the lid when you open a can of lentils. The soup has gone bad if the cover is not tightly closed and there is an unpleasant odor.

Additionally, if the soup’s color changes, such as becoming darker than usual or turning greenish, the lentils have likely become mushy inside the container.

Conclusion

Lentil soup is very nourishing and necessary; it cannot be discounted. It is affordable and incredibly satisfying. Both vegans and non-vegans will find it convenient and easy to prepare. It has a long shelf life and is simple to preserve. Keep in mind the duration of lentil soup.