How long does soup last in the fridge?
Homemade soup keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 2 to 3 months in the freezer. How to cool a big pot quickly and reheat soup safely.
By Zain Nazeer, founder and editor
Photo by Cala on Unsplash
Homemade soup keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder, and 2 to 3 months in the freezer for best quality. Those are the US government's storage times for soups and stews, with or without meat. UK guidance is stricter and says eat cooked leftovers within 2 days. The most important step is cooling a big pot quickly.
How do you cool a big pot of soup quickly?
A full pot stays warm in the middle for hours, which is when bacteria grow. To get it into the fridge within 2 hours:
- Divide it into shallow containers, no deeper than about 2 inches.
- Or stand the pot in a sink of cold water and stir for 10 minutes first.
- Leave lids off until the steam stops, then seal and refrigerate.
How long does each kind of soup keep?
- Vegetable, bean and lentil soups: 3 to 4 days in the fridge, 2 to 3 months frozen.
- Meat and chicken soups: 3 to 4 days, 2 to 3 months frozen.
- Cream and dairy soups: 3 to 4 days; they can separate when frozen, so stir well while reheating.
- Soups with pasta or rice: 3 to 4 days; freeze them without the pasta or rice, which turns soft.
How do you freeze soup?
Cool it first, then freeze in single portions in containers or flat bags, leaving about an inch of space because liquid expands. Label with the date. Flat bags thaw fastest and stack neatly. See freezer meal prep for beginners.
How do you reheat soup safely?
Bring it to a rolling boil on the stove, or heat it in the microwave until it is steaming hot all the way through, stirring halfway. Reheat only the portion you will eat. Frozen soup can go straight into a pan with a splash of water. More in how to reheat meal prep.
How can you tell if soup has gone off?
A sour smell, bubbles or fizzing when it was not boiling, a slimy texture or mould mean throw it away. Do not taste it to check.
Which soups are best for meal prep?
Bean and lentil soups keep and freeze best and cost little: black bean soup and white bean and kale soup both freeze for three months. More in batch cooking recipes for the week.
Sources
More freezer guides
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Can you freeze deli meat and lunch meat?
Yes. Sliced deli meat freezes for 1 to 2 months. Opened packs keep only 3 to 5 days in the fridge. How to freeze it in portions for lunches.
Can you freeze potatoes? Raw, cooked and mashed
Cooked potatoes freeze well; raw ones turn grey and watery unless you blanch them first. How to freeze each kind and reheat it.
Can you freeze coleslaw?
Not well if it is made with mayonnaise: it separates and turns watery. Vinegar slaw freezes better. How long coleslaw keeps in the fridge instead.