How long does soup last in the fridge?
Soup and stew keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 2 to 3 months in the freezer, per USDA FoodKeeper. Homemade vegetable soup keeps 3 months in the freezer.
Updated
| Kind | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Soup or stew | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Vegetable soup, homemade | 3 to 4 days | 3 months |
Can you freeze soup?
Yes. In the freezer, per USDA FoodKeeper: soup or stew, 2 to 3 months; vegetable soup, homemade, 3 months. Freezer times are for best quality: food kept at 0°F stays safe longer, but it dries out and loses flavor. Leave space at the top of each container, because soup expands as it freezes. Soups thick with cream or potato can turn grainy once thawed, and noodles go soft, so add pasta when you reheat it.
How to store soup
A big pot of soup cools slowly, and the middle can stay warm for hours. Divide it into shallow containers before it goes in the fridge, or set the pot in a sink of ice water and stir until it is cool enough to pack.
How long can soup sit out?
No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F, such as at a summer picnic. After that, USDA says to throw it out.
How long does chili last in the fridge?
Chili is a stew, so USDA's time is the same: 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
How to tell if soup has gone bad
Go by the days, not by the smell. The germs that cause food poisoning usually do not change how food looks, smells or tastes, so food past its time can seem fine and still make you sick. Mold, a sour smell or a slimy feel mean it has spoiled, but food without them is not safe just because it seems fine. Never taste food to check it. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to reheat soup
Heat leftovers until the middle reaches 165°F on a food thermometer, and bring soups, sauces and gravy to a rolling boil. Cover the food while it heats so it stays moist and heats all the way through. In a microwave, stir or turn it halfway. You can reheat frozen leftovers without thawing them first. It takes longer.
Times from USDA FoodKeeper, the storage data from USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service: data version 128, last changed September 6, 2018, still the current version. Public domain. The handling rules are from USDA's Leftovers and Food Safety.