Whenever you make a batch of soup, you might wonder how long it can last in the fridge. There are a few different factors that can affect the length of time that your soup can remain fresh in the fridge. Here are a few tips on ensuring that your soup will last longer.
Plan to consume chilled soup within 3 to 4 days or freeze it for the highest level of safety and quality. A soup should not be left at room temperature for two hours. Never put a big pot of hot soup right into the fridge.
How Long does Soup Last in the Fridge?
Soup typically lasts three to four days in the refrigerator before going bad. Keep it in the freezer if you need to keep it longer. That allows it to last anywhere from three to more months.
The ideal temperature for your fridge is 4.4 degrees Celsius. You should also allow your dish to cool before putting it in the refrigerator.
Do not eat anything that has been out after cooking for more than two hours. In other words, if your food is not chilled within two hours, it has entered the danger zone, and you risk contracting a poisoning disease.
The best times to refrigerate each type of soup are listed below. At all times, your refrigerator should be set to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chicken Soup
Depending on the ingredients in your soup, you can store it for various lengths of time. For example, some soups will last for up to a week in the fridge, while others can last for up to two months. The length of time that your soup will last will depend on the number of ingredients and how well the soup is cooled down.
When you plan on making a soup that will be stored in your fridge for a long time, you must ensure that it is stored in an airtight container. This is important because bacteria can grow at room temperature and cause food poisoning.
Besides storing soup in an airtight container, you can also freeze it. When you store soup in the freezer, you need to be careful about how you handle the bags. A good tip is to push the air out of the bag before sealing it.
Potato Soup
Keeping potato soup in the fridge can be tricky. Several factors will determine the shelf life of your soup. The first is the temperature.
Temperature can affect the bacterial contamination of food. The ideal temperature for your fridge is between 40 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If your potato soup is stored at room temperature, you will increase the risk of bacterial contamination. This can lead to fever, nausea, and stomach cramps.
Keeping potato soup in the freezer is another way to prolong its life. However, freezing your soup can cause it to rupture. This is why it is important to seal your soup after it has cooled.
Frozen soups will last between three and six months. You can store it for longer if you freeze it in smaller portions. This will also help you save space in your freezer.
Vegetable Soup
Whether making your vegetable soup or buying one, it’s important to know how long it will last in the fridge. Luckily, it’s not that hard to keep your vegetable soup fresh and delicious.
Soup can last up to four days if stored in the refrigerator, but some brands have been known to last up to five days. To keep your soup fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you don’t have a fridge, you can store it in an ice cube tray or heavy-duty freezer bag.
It’s also possible to freeze your soup, which can extend its shelf life to up to six months. However, freezing soup can change the taste and texture of the soup.
How Long does Tomato Soup Last in the Fridge?
If made with fresh tomatoes and in an airtight container, homemade tomato soup can be kept in the refrigerator for four days.
As tomatoes fight bacteria, their acidity delays the soup’s bacterial decay.
The tomato soup won’t last longer than two days if you use canned tomatoes and store it in an open container in the refrigerator.
How to Properly Store Soups in the Fridge and Freezer?
Your soups will last longer in the freezer and for three to four days in the refrigerator. To achieve the finest outcomes, it is necessary to carry it out correctly.
Store in Fridge
Your soups must be stored correctly in the refrigerator to be enjoyed later.
The first rule is never to put hot food in the refrigerator. In any other case, the temperature inside the refrigerator will rise, causing all of the other goods to go bad.
Therefore, you must allow your soups to cool before putting them in the refrigerator. It is advisable to divide a large soup pot into smaller containers to cool more quickly.
Rule number two: To ensure that your soups stay fresh, keep the temperature in your refrigerator at 4.4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, store your soups in sealed containers to prevent contamination and spills.
Store in Freezer
Freezing is a good option if your dish needs to be kept for more than three to four days.
Your food must first be placed in a freezer bag or sealed freezer container. Since your soups will inevitably expand while being frozen, it is crucial to leave about 1/2 inch of space in the container.
Before placing a freezer bag in the freezer, you must squeeze out any extra air. It is strongly advised to use a freezer bag because it can lay flat in the freezer, allowing you to conserve freezer space.
To remember the expiration date, it would be best to label your soup container. Your soups will last three to three months in the freezer.
Thaw your Frozen Soups
It is important to completely defrost your food before reheating it because the flavor will be improved. As follows:
- Putting your dish in a container and storing it in the refrigerator for one to two days is step one. It will be defrosted there while still being cold. By making this effort, you can safeguard your soups.
- It is advisable to put the soups in a bowl of warm water to hasten the thawing process. You must keep changing the water until your dish is completely defrosted.
How to Reheat Soup?
You have two options for reheating your dish after it has thawed in the fridge or freezer: using the stovetop or microwave.
In the Microwave
- First, place it in a microwave-safe container, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. Cover the container after that.
- Set the timer for 30 seconds and the microwave to high. Then take out your microwave and stir the soup. Continue to microwave it for an additional 30 seconds.
- Ensure that your food reaches a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can be sure that any bacteria in your soups have been eliminated in this way.
On a Stovetop
- Get a saucepan that is big enough so that you can stir the soup without spilling it. Some soups, such as those with rice or pasta, may require adding 1 to 1.5 cups of liquid.
- Next, adjust the stovetop’s temperature to the proper level. To reheat the soup from the refrigerator, keep the heat on medium and frequently stir to prevent clumping.
Add half to a cup of water and cook the food on low for a few minutes if you need to reheat food that hasn’t been defrosted from the freezer. Turn the heat to medium after fully defrosting, and whisk continuously. - Warm it up gently until it boils. Again, stirring frequently is necessary to prevent clumping or sticking to the pot.
After letting it boil for one to two minutes, lower the heat and continue to cook it for another minute or so. - After finishing, you must check the temperature. Ensure that it is 165 degrees or higher. This temperature is advised by the USDA to ensure that all bacteria and germs in your food are destroyed.
You must continue heating it if it hasn’t already reached this temperature. - Present your meal.
How to Reheat Defrosted Soup in the Microwave Oven?
- Fill a dish suitable for the microwave with the thawed soup, leaving a half-inch space at the top.
- Set the microwave high for 30 seconds while covering the bowl or container.
- Be sure to stir the soup.
- Thirty more seconds on high in the microwave.
- Using a food thermometer, determine whether the soup has reached 165°F (74°C).
- A safe temperature where all bacteria have been destroyed is 165°F.
Conclusion
The care you take to keep soup secure and the ingredients you choose will determine how long the soup lasts in the refrigerator.
In general, soups keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days and up to 3 months in the freezer.
To enjoy soups within the food safety zone, take note of the freezing date and adhere to the guidelines for proper defrosting and reheating.
