Tips For Storing Soup So It Stays Fresh Longer

Soup is one meal you can make a ton of at once. As long as you have ample ingredients, you can fill your pot and have enough nourishing soup to last you a long time. The problem is soup doesn’t last that long in the fridge, and doesn’t always taste fresh once frozen. There are, however, several ways to store your soup so it stays fresh for longer.

To keep your soup fresh for longer, freeze your soup. Soup can last over three months in the freezer, but only three days in the fridge. Keep rice, pasta, and other starches separate from the broth, and combine just before you serve. When freezing soups, use airtight containers or durable freezer bags, and eliminate as much extra air as possible.

If you like making large batches of soup, but find that the last of it always spoils, then this article is for you. There are several smart and easy ways to store your soup so it will be fresh every time you heat it. The key is knowing where and how to store your soup and simple tricks to keep it tasting fresh even after it's been frozen for months.

Eight Ways To Keep Soup Fresh Longer In The Freezer

1. Choose Soups With Ingredients That Freeze Well

One thing to consider when you make a large batch of soup is whether or not the ingredients will freeze well. The main types of soups that don’t freeze well are creamy soups and those with delicate ingredients.

Creamy soups can separate and change in consistency after being frozen. Delicate ingredients like pasta, rice, and tender veggies all tend to turn to mush after being frozen. Therefore it's best to freeze hearty and brothy soups, as these will maintain their integrity for months, even when frozen. Hearty and brothy soups should last at least three months before they start to go bad in the freezer.

2. Store In Airtight And Quality Storage Containers

If you want your soup to taste delicious and fresh after you freeze it, you must use a good container. Use a quality plastic container that can withstand the cold temperatures of your deep freezer. Make sure the lids lock to make the container airight.

If you use flimsy containers, they can crack, or the lids can pop off. This will cause the air in the freezer to fill the container, and will significantly alter the flavor of the soup. It will also go bad faster.

3. Use Smaller Containers Instead Of Large Ones

If you make a huge batch of soup, this doesn’t mean you need to put it in a huge Tupperware container. It is usually a much better idea to use several smaller containers instead of one large one. For one, it will be easier to store in your freezer.

Furthermore, it’s more convenient to freeze your soups in quart or pint containers, rather than in one large tub. This way you don’t have a lot of extra airspace, and you can take it out of the freezer one meal at a time.

4. Freeze Soup As Soon As It Cools

Another way to lock in all your soup's great flavors and to keep it fresh longer is to freeze it right away. Once the soup cools to around room temperature, you should pack it up right away. The sooner you freeze the soup, the fresher it will stay. Do not, however, put boiling liquid in plastic containers.

If you wait a day or two to freeze your soup, it will already be closer to spoiling. It may also become soggy and mushy with time. It is always best to immediately freeze what you won’t eat right away.

5. Use Durable Freezer Bags To Freeze Individual Portions

If you have limited Tupperware options, or are interested in freezing your soup in serving-size amounts, then use durable freezer bags. Freezer bags aren’t as strong as most plastic storage containers, but they have their benefits.

For one, you can lay soup flat and stack the bags on top of each other. This keeps your items organized and reduces the risk that they will get lost in the back somewhere and expire in your freezer. Freezer bags also eliminate all air and lock in freshness, which is great for keeping your soup fresh and tasty.

6. Leave As Little Air In Container As Possible

Regardless of the container you use, you must leave as little air as possible. You do eed to leave some room to allow the soup to expand when it freezes, but don’t leave much more. 

The less air in the container, the fresher the soup. The good news is, since soup is water-based, you rarely have to worry about freezer burn. When you notice some ice crystals forming on top of your soup, this is natural and nothing to worry about.

7. Make The Pasta Or Rice Fresh Each Time

One very helpful trick to keep your soups tasting freshly cooked is to cook the pasta, rice, potatoes, and other starches separately. Pasta and rice, and to a lesser extent some potatoes, tend to turn to mush when frozen, and even after a few days in the fridge sitting submerged in soup.

Try keeping the ingredients separate. If you make chicken and rice soup, you can freeze the chicken soup, and then make rice fresh when you thaw the soup. This will keep the rice fresh and the texture amazing. You can apply this trick to any grain or pasta you incorporate into soup, and you’ll be amazed at how much fresher your previously frozen soup tastes.

8. Add Flavorful Garnish After You Reheat The Soup

Lastly, if you are trying to find ways to jazz up your frozen soup to make it taste fresh again, look no further than fresh herbs. If you have an herb garden, try picking some rosemary, cilantro, basil, or thyme, and sprinkling a bit on top.

A burst of fresh herbs will bring new life to the broth. It also offers a lovely pop of fresh green color to your soup.

Five Ways To Check If Your Soup Has Gone Bad

1. The Smell Test

One of the easiest ways to tell if a soup has gone bad is by smelling it. If it smells sour or has an otherwise funky smell, then it has likely started to turn. This means it won’t taste good, and it is also unsafe to eat. If the soup smells “off,” then toss it.

2. Look For Mold

If your soup has been in the fridge and you are wondering if it is still fresh, make sure you look for mold. Mold can appear on soup within four days, especially if it isn’t stored in an airtight container. If you see any traces of mold forming on your soup, then it’s best to throw it away.

3. See If The Broth Looks Separated

In some soups, especially cream-based soups, the broth can separate or clump up. This happens with time, or it can also happen after the soup has been frozen. If the broth looks multi-colored, even after stirring it, it may no longer be fresh.

4. Check For A Slimy Texture

Sometimes a soup can look and smell fresh, but its texture tells a different story. If you aren’t sure if your soup is still fresh, check for a slimy texture. You may notice this strange texture when adding a soup to a pot, or even when it moves. If the texture is off, dump it. 

5. Taste A Small Spoonful 

Lastly, if every other test comes out fine, the last step to ensure your soup is still fresh before you serve it to others is to taste it. Don’t pour a large bowl, in case it has gone bad. Instead, just taste one spoonful. If you notice a funky, sour, or off-putting taste, then it is no longer fresh.

Putting A Lid On How To Store Soup To Keep It Fresh Longer

If you love cooking soup in bulk, or like to have soup stored in the freezer to have on hand on a chilly evening, then you’ll want to know how to keep it tasting fresh longer. For one, always freeze your soup as soon as it cools. Make sure you use quality plastic storage containers or freezer bags to store soup in meal-ready sizes. Avoid freezing soups that are cream-based, as they don’t reheat well. If your soup has rice or pasta, cook the soup separately, and add the starch fresh each time.

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• How Long Does Bread Stay Fresh In The Freezer (And How To Store It)