You can add potato to any dish you want. It is the most versatile food in the world. Believe it or not, you can even make a filling and healthy soup from potatoes. It is also so delicious that you will make more than you can drink the next time you try it. So, can you store leftover potato soup, or more precisely, how long does potato soup last in the fridge?
How Long Is Potato Soup Good for in the Fridge?
Opened potato soup is good for 4-5 days if you store it properly in the fridge. The potato soup you bought from the market can last for 3-4 days after you open. You must refrigerate your potato soup to prevent it from spoiling.
Another question may also be flashing into your mind. How long is homemade potato soup good for? You should never leave any soup let alone homemade potato soup in the fridge for more than 5 days according to USDA. It is the time within which the soup can maintain its best quality. It also requires you to store it correctly in an airtight container.
How Long Can Potato Soup Sit Out?
Potato soup can rejuvenate your body on a cold day. It is one of the best dishes for harsh winters. But – how long it can last at room temperature if you have made more than needed?
Just like most soups, you should never leave potato soup at room temperature for more than 2 hours. As you already know, bacteria proliferate between 40° F and 140° F. Therefore, the soup becomes dangerous for consumption if it remains in the open longer than 2 hours.
You must simply put the bowl of potato soup in the fridge. Immediately refrigerate potato soup once it cools down. Putting hot potato soup in the fridge is not recommended. It takes a long time to cool and putting a hot bowl in the fridge will considerably raise the internal temperature of the fridge. It cannot only spoil other foods but can also damage the fridge.
You can give potato soup an ice bath to expedite the cooling process. Similarly, smaller portions allow quick cooling of the soup as well. The bottom line is that you should try to refrigerate the extra soup as quickly as you can.
Can You Freeze Potato Soup?
Yes, you can freeze potato soup but with some conditions. For example, you should specifically make soup for the freezer. What does it mean? It means you should freeze it without all the seasonings and dairy products. You should hold them back and add them when you defrost the soup.
Freezing potato soup made for the freezer is a good idea if you want to make meals, dishes, and soups ahead of time for events like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year, etc. It saves you from the hassle of making everything on the big day and spending more time with your guests.
However, you should reconsider if you are thinking about freezing fully prepared leftover potato soup. It usually consists of dairy products and cream. Both these products do not freeze very well and as a result, your soup can lose its texture and flavor once frozen.
In general, potato soup can last for 3-4 months if it meets the below criteria.
Cook the Soup Partly
Partially cooking the potato soup is the way to go if you intend to freeze it. Do not fully cook your potatoes and vegetables. Fully cooked vegetables can become overcooked and mushy, especially if you defrost the soup in the microwave or on the stove.
Don’t Add Dairy Products
As mentioned above, dairy products are not ideal to freeze and defrost. Products like milk and cream lose their texture and become grainy if you freeze them. Therefore, you must not use any dairy product in the soup before freezing it. You can add them after you have defrosted the soup.
Let it Cool
Just like refrigeration, you should freeze the soup after it has cooled. Storing hot soup in the freezer will affect other foods by raising their temperature.
Store in the Freezer Safe Bags
Well, it is a no-brainer. You must use specialist soup containers or freezer-safe bags. Otherwise, the soup can absorb a lot of moisture and can go bad or at least mushy.
Refrigerate Potatoes Soup before Freezing
It is also advisable to refrigerate potato soup before freezing. It will gradually chill the soup, enabling it to maintain its quality and flavor for a longer time.
How to Tell if Potato Soup has Gone Bad?
Unlike some other foods, you can easily know if potato soup has gone bad or not. The following are some telltale signs that your potato soup is no longer edible.
Foul Smell
The biggest indication of spoiled soup is, of course, the foul smell. You should throw it away if it does not small as it smelled when you made it. Any change in aroma means your soup is unsafe for consumption.
Taste
Sometimes, the soup seems perfectly fine without smelling rancid. However, it may taste extremely unpleasant and completely ruin your day. Don’t throw your soup away if it still tastes good. However, discard it immediately if its taste is off.
Appearance
Fresh potato soup seems inviting and glowing. The color change also means it has probably gone bad. You may also detect mold on spoiled soup if you look closely. The soup should never look cloudy as well.
Bulging Containers
If the container of the potato soup is bulging or swollen, you should never eat the soup. Bulged or swelled containers can give way at any time, inviting more bacteria to proliferate and spoil your soup.
How to Make Potato Soup Last Longer in the Fridge?
The main reason why potato soup goes bad is the proliferation of mold, bacteria, and yeast. Therefore, you have to store it properly for it to last longer in the fridge.
Here is what you can do to keep your potato soup fresh in the fridge longer.
Use Airtight Containers
You should always store your soup in an airtight container or a covered jar. It will prevent moisture and water from sneaking in. Similarly, it will also keep the aromas of other foods at bay, enabling the soup to keep its actual flavor and quality.
Use Shallow Containers
The containers you use should also be wide and shallow. It helps the soup to cool evenly. You can refrigerate the soup bought from the supermarket in its original packing if you haven’t opened it. However, you must transfer the opened soup to a glass container or jar.
Place it Away from the Fridge Door
Placing the soup close to the fridge door exposes it to frequent temperature fluctuations. It can decrease the shelf life of your potato soup. Therefore, it is better to bury the soup deep in your fridge.
Also Read: Is Chicken Noodle Soup Good For Acid Reflux?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat soup after 7 days?
You can only store leftover soup for 3-4 days in a fridge. Eating soup older than 4 days has a greater risk of food poisoning. It is better to freeze your leftovers if you cannot consume them within 4 days. Frozen soup remains edible for 3 to 4 months.
Can soup last 10 days in the fridge?
No, soup cannot last 10 days in the fridge. You can only store it for 3-4 days in the fridge if you want to maintain its best quality and taste. Similarly, it remains fresh at room temperature for two hours only. After that, you have to discard it.
What soups do not freeze well?
Starchy soups such as those having pasta, quinoa, and rice do not freeze well. Similarly, you should never freeze soups having dairy products and cream. They can become grainy and separated once frozen.
Final Thoughts
Many people have asked how long does potato soup last in the fridge. That is why we have written this article. It can last for 3-4 days in the fridge provided you have taken all the safety precautions while storing it. Similarly, freezing can increase its shelf life to 3-4 months. However, you should never add dairy products and too much starch to the potato soup before freezing.