Cooks’ questions: how long is soup good for in the fridge?
- A bowl of hot soup works wonders on a cold winter’s day. When you make soup at home, you’re bound to have some left over. How you store it matters
- For best results, cool soup for the fridge within two hours. Use ice if need be. It will be good for three to four days. Soup made with cream goes off quicker
How long is soup good for in the fridge? On average, three to four days.
The colder months of the year call for big batches of hot soup – and, with those, come plenty of leftovers. As you work through the rest of a batch, knowing how long your soup stays fresh is crucial to maintaining its quality and curbing food waste.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), soups and stews containing meat and vegetables will be safe to eat for three to four days if refrigerated. The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety (CFS) recommends setting your fridge temperature at 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit) or below.
While such food safety authorities offer rough estimates for the fridge life of your cooked soup, those containing cream may go off quicker than broth-based ones.
It’s a good idea, therefore, to check refrigerated soup regularly for any signs of spoilage. These can include an off smell, mould formation, or changes in colour or texture – indicators that it’s time to toss it.
How you store your soup plays a big part in maximising its fridge life.
