Let’s be honest, there’s no such thing as a slurp-lus of soup. You can never have too much. Yet, sometimes, you end up buying or making more soup than you bargained for, and you’ll need to store it safely for another delicious meal on a different day.

The fact is, not everyone has the time and know-how to make their own regular homemade soup. It’s one of the main reasons why many enjoy the convenience and flavour of a hot bowl of Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup or Cream of Chicken Soup, either as a meal on its own or as a tasty ingredient in a delicious recipe. But, if you do find yourself with too much soup, whether that’s homemade or from a can, there are many simple ways to make your soup last longer. In fact, storing it in the fridge might seem simple, but it’s effective.

If you choose to follow this method, you’ll be wondering how long can soup last in the fridge. This blog will answer your questions and provide all the information you need for storing soup in the fridge so that it stays fresher for longer.

How Long Can Soup Be Safely Stored in the Fridge?

Most soups stay fresh and retain their flavour in the fridge for three or four days. You should aim to consume refrigerated soup within this timeframe for maximum safety, taste, and quality.

If you plan to reheat either store-bought or homemade soup that’s been kept in the fridge you should always check for freshness first. A smell or taste test will detect signs of rancidity, reveal if your soup has gone off, and that it’s time to throw it away. You can also use a spoon to stir and check its consistency. After all, tomato soup shouldn’t have lumps. When you take your soup out of the fridge look for any discolouration, a nasty smell, or bad taste. These are all telltale signs that your soup is no longer safe to consume.

What Can Affect How Long Soup Lasts in the Fridge?

How long your soup stays fresh in the fridge depends on the type of soup and the ingredients. For example, soups with fish content are likely to perish sooner than vegetable-based soups.

There are many important factors to consider that determine how long soup lasts in the fridge:

1. Variety of Soup

Some types of soup last longer in the fridge than others. Creamy soups like Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Tomato Soup will generally last three to four days in the fridge. Similarly, soups with meat content such as Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup will also last in the fridge for up to four days.

However, most soups containing fish or seafood such as clams, prawns, or salmon will only last for a maximum of one or two days in the fridge before they begin to go off. After this, the soup should be discarded to avoid the possibility of food poisoning.

2. Soup Ingredients

It’s always important to consider the ingredients in soup when assessing how long they’re likely to last in the fridge. For instance, vegetable soup will comfortably last for three to four days, as will any meat-based soup where the meat has already been pre-cooked before it’s been refrigerated.

As we’ve mentioned, creamy soups generally last around three to four days in the fridge. However, soups with a particularly high dairy, milk, or cream content may not last quite as long and should be consumed within one or two days.

Whatever type of soup you aim to store in the fridge, you should always complete the essential freshness checks before you come to reheat and consume it.

How Long Does Campbell’s Soup Last in the Fridge?

Any leftover Campbell’s soup that you’ve heated or mixed with water can be safely stored in the fridge for two to three days. Before you refrigerate Campbell’s soup you must make sure the liquid has naturally cooled to room temperature before going any further. Once cooled, place your soup in an airtight container, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to four days.

When it’s time to reheat the soup, remove it from the fridge and allow it to return to room temperature. Then, heat through slowly in a saucepan on the stove, or in a microwave-safe container, stirring occasionally to avoid it sticking and ensuring the soup is piping hot before you serve.

It’s important that you only reheat soup that’s been stored in the fridge once. If you reheat it more than once, you run the risk of food poisoning.

Tips for Storing Soup in the Fridge

There are several things you can do to help maintain the flavour, consistency, and colour of soup that’s been stored in the fridge. The following steps will help to ensure your homemade or store-bought soup remains as fresh and delicious as it was the moment it came off the stove or out of a can:

• Don’t leave your soup out at room temperature for more than two hours. Any longer than this bacteria will begin to grow, leading to potential food poisoning.
• Soup left in the fridge should be stored in a clean, airtight container for maximum freshness and longevity. Glass or plastic containers work best for this.
• Ensure your refrigerator is set at a temperature of around 2C (36.9F) for optimum performance.
• Avoid storing it with stronger-smelling foods, like garlic-infused meats or mature cheeses, especially if you don’t like these flavours yourself.

How Long Can Other Dishes Containing Soup Last in the Fridge?

The beauty of soup is that it can be enjoyed on its own or used as a delicious ingredient in a plethora of mouthwatering dishes like this spicy butter chicken recipe.

If you have used soup as an ingredient in a cheesy chicken and rice casserole, for example, you must check if the other elements of the dish can be safely reheated too. Therefore, meat-based dishes like a delicious beef stroganoff can be left in the fridge for up to four days before you reheat them. However, dishes that contain fish or seafood among their ingredients should be eaten within one or two days of refrigerating.

Get Creative With Your Leftover Soup in the Fridge

You can recycle your leftover soup in the fridge by combining it with a handful of fresh ingredients to create another appetizing dish for you or the whole family. We’d love to hear about your soup-inspired recipes, so take a photo and tag us using the buttons below.