With Winter fast approaching, the thought of settling down with a warm bowl of soup feels extremely comforting and therapeutic.
For some, however, making regular homemade soup might not be the most convenient option due to busy or hectic lifestyle commitments. But, what if there was a way to make homemade soup last longer?
Being able to store soup safely, rather than have it eaten immediately, would make dinner or lunch a quick, easy mission by simply reheating soup! This enables those with busy lives to justify taking the time out of their schedules to make some delicious homemade cooked vegetable soup.
In this blog post, we will explain the optimal time length that you can store your soup in the refrigerator for maximum usage and utility, as well as cover the best tips for freezer and storage conditions to extend a soup's shelf life.
These handy tips and tricks can also be carried out on store-bought soups, in case cooking is not your forte!
For those looking for great pantry or cupboard staples, Proper Good delivers health-conscious, nutritious soups that have a long-lasting shelf life. Proper Good soups not only taste as good as homemade soups but they also suit busy lifestyles, being ready to eat in less than 90 seconds.
These delicious soups do not need to be stored in a refrigerator or freezer, making them perfect for traveling too!
How Long Can Soup Be Stored in the Fridge?
The general rule of thumb is that leftover soup can safely be stored in a fridge for up to three to four days. However, these stored soups should always be tasted or smelled before consumption to detect signs of rancidity.
Signs that your soup has gone out of date include discoloration, a foul-smelling odor, and a bad taste. If you notice any of these, it is best to throw the soup out.
Usually, 3 to 4 days in the fridge will be fine for your soups, but there are several factors to consider that determine how long a soup can be refrigerated. These include the type of soup and its ingredients.
Type of Soup:
Different types of soups will naturally have different optimal periods of time that they can be refrigerated for. For example, creamy soups will last 3 to 4 days in the fridge, whereas seafood soup will generally only last a maximum of two.
Meat-based soups, such as chicken, will also last in the fridge for up to 4 days, as will both homemade and store-bought Tomato soup.
Frozen soups that have been thawed in the fridge also adhere to this general 3 to 4-day time frame. For frozen soup that has been defrosted in a microwave or water, it is best to consume these immediately rather than refrigerate.
Ingredients:
Ingredients are important to consider to assess how long the soup may last in the fridge and freezer.
If you have a meat-based or cooked chicken soup, this pre-cooked meat will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Soups with a higher dairy content, including milk and cream, are best kept in the fridge for 1 to 2 days before they risk going bad.
Refrigerator Soup Storage Tips
For optimal refrigerator storage, consider using these top tips to keep your soup at premium quality:
- Keep your refrigerator at the temperature of 2 C (35.6 F).
- Do not allow your soups to be left at room temperature for more than two hours, as bacteria will start to grow and can cause food poisoning.
- Pour soups into covered airtight containers before placing them in the refrigerator.
- Make sure your airtight container is clean - a glass or plastic soup container is best.
Guidelines For Freezing Soup
Cooked soup can be properly stored in a fridge or freezer for great results, though storing soup in a freezer requires a little more guidance! In terms of ensuring food safety, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions below to help your soup be full of flavor without any harmful, nasty bacteria!
Can You Refrigerate Soup Before Freezing It?
Yes! It is important to let the piping hot soup cool before freezing it to keep it at its best quality and remain safe from growing bacteria.
Most soups can only last in a refrigerator for 3 to 4 days until they risk going bad, so make sure you place your cooled vegetable soup promptly in the freezer before this point.
Make sure your soup lasts well by placing it in an airtight freezer-safe container. If your freezer is packed full, avoid spilling the soup by separating it into smaller containers. This will also make the reheating process easier as it means you can portion the soups out, instead of having to reheat the whole thing!
How Long Can Soup Be Kept Frozen?:
On average, soup can be frozen for between 2 to 3 months when stored the proper way. This means in an airtight container or suitable freezer bag. Try to not fill these containers fully as the soup will expand slightly as it freezes.
There are, however, some key exceptions to this rule. Some dairy-free and vegan soups can last in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating Frozen Soup:
The soup should be appropriately reheated for consumption after freezing, either using a microwave or a stovetop. It is easier if your freezer-friendly container is also microwavable-friendly so that you can avoid the trouble of transferring your frozen soup into a different container for microwaving.
Microwave
Place the soup in a microwavable container and place it in the microwave. To allow the ice to melt without compromising the soup's flavor, turn your microwave onto around 30% power and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove the soup and stir to evenly defrost. Place a knife into the middle of the soup to check its temperature. If the submerged section of the knife is hot when taken out, the soup is the right temperature to eat.
If the knife is cool, place the soup back into the microwave and heat it at a low temperature for 2 minutes.
Stovetop
To defrost the soup using a stovetop, you will first need to gently throw the soup using warm water. Place the frozen container into a big pot of warm water and leave to melt slightly for 5 to 10 minutes. If you are not in a rush, you can also use cold water, though this will take longer.
When the soup starts to melt or break into chunks, transfer it into a soup pot or pan and place it upon the stovetop. Add a quarter cup of clean, warm water to your soup and gently stir this in.
Warm the soup on a low to medium heat setting and stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Proper Good Soups
Proper Good offers a wide range of soups and broths that are incredibly easy to make, adding convenience to a healthy lifestyle!
Shelf Stable:
Proper Good soups do not require refrigeration or freezing, making them a shelf and pantry favorite! Each meal pouch can last months in a room temperature environment, and with their efficient single-serve portions, you will be sure to use them up before their 'enjoy-by' date!
Zero Prep- 90 Second Meals:
After a busy or challenging day, cooking dinner is the last thing you want to do. Fast food options are incredibly unhealthy, so Proper Good introduced a delicious and nutritious alternative! Each Proper Good meal can be made in just 90 seconds.
Diet-Friendly Options/Variety:
There is a range of diet-friendly options!
Keto
Check out our high fat, low carb keto packs.
Plant-Based
Our plant-based bestsellers are nourishing and warming.
Dairy-Free
We also cater to dairy-free diets with our range of fulfilling soups and hearty broths!
Gluten-Free
We have this delicious 6 pack for those who are gluten-free.
Low Sodium
Check out our low sodium meal options and a blog post to help you choose the best low sodium soups for you.
Nutritious, healthy, and easy!
From vegetable soup to chicken noodle soup, Proper Good's meals can be made in just 90 seconds, and are both microwave and stovetop friendly. With zero added sugar and no prep time required, our meals will perk you up when you're feeling down.
Conclusion
Soups are essential during autumnal months to feel nourished and warm - they're even great for getting rid of colds! Enjoy a range of different soups this winter by storing them correctly for a quick, tasty meal.
